Chapter 24

Chapter 24

William liked that the London house had two dining rooms—one for family meals and the other for entertaining. He didn't know why he hadn't considered doing the same at home. Their dining room was far too big for meals just between him and Charlotte, so turning one of the other rooms into a more intimate setting seemed obvious.

He was still contemplating the changes when Charlotte entered the room and immediately smiled upon seeing him. William's heart rose high and flipped over, taking his breath with it.

"I hoped I would be the first person down to dinner to see the flower arrangement with the table setting," she said. "When did you return from the club? I didn't see you."

"You were getting ready for dinner when I arrived," he replied. "I didn't mean to stay out so late, but Gregory wanted company and got a little carried away."

"I don't mind," she said. "I like Lord Gregory. He's a good friend."

William quickly pulled out her chair beside him and tucked her in before returning to his chair.

"He is a good friend," William agreed. "However, I'm not keen on hearing you say you like my friend."

Charlotte chuckled. "Then what should I say?"

"Simply saying he's a good friend is good enough," said William.

Charlotte shook her head. "You sound a tad jealous, dear husband."

William's lips split into a wide grin. She had said dear husband and sounded like she meant it. He was her dear .

"I don't sound jealous…I am a tad jealous," he admitted. "No man wishes to hear his wife confess to liking another man."

"Even if she meant it in a friendly manner?"

"It doesn't matter," William insisted. "I think it's something embedded deep within men. Once a woman is ours, we grow possessive and do not want another man encroaching on our possessions."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so I'm a possession?"

"A most prized and special possession," said William. "But I do not want you to think I see you as a thing. I just mean that you're mine, and I do not want another man to think he has a chance with you. I'd sooner see him flayed."

Charlotte tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "I do not know whether to feel outraged or flattered." She shrugged. "You're a good man, so I'll go with flattered. I just hope you do not intend to keep me locked away. I'd rebel in a heartbeat."

William chuckled. "I wouldn't dare do anything to anger you. I've seen your rage before. I will never forget the night you scolded me for neglecting you. I needed to hear it, but I was still taken aback."

"Would you believe I was holding back some of my anger?" she asked.

His eyes widened. "There's more? I can only imagine what would encourage you to unleash everything."

Charlotte giggled until her blue eyes disappeared, and only slits remained. William grew a little slack-jawed as he soaked in her laughter and radiance. His wife was pure sunshine, rainbows, and everything sweet and beautiful with the world. No one else compared to her.

"I doubt you have to worry about my temper," she said once she calmed down. "You rectified your mistake early in our marriage and continue to do your best to make me happy. I have no qualms with you." She looked behind her. "I wonder when Louise will come down. I'd like to start dinner once she arrives."

The plates, glasses, and cutlery had been set, but the food would be plated in the kitchen to keep the table from getting cluttered. It could only seat eight people, and with the flower arrangements and three five-candle candelabras, it reduced the space available.

"I'm sure she'll be down soon," said William. "Henry included."

Charlotte stiffened very briefly but soon relaxed and inspected the table. "I love these pewter candelabras," she said. "The wax candles are slightly scented, aren't they?"

She stood and leaned over the table to take a candle from its hold, hissing when some of the liquid wax spilled onto her hand and burned her.

"Charlotte!" William cried, taking the candle from her and inspecting her hand. "Are you hurt? Is it still burning?"

He tenderly held her hand and blew on the reddened area, gently removing the dried wax from her skin.

"It's not painful," she said. "I just got a fright. It already feels better."

"But your skin is red," he pointed out. He signaled for a servant to approach. "Get some ice and a cloth and bring it here. Quickly."

The servant nodded, bowed, and hurried away. The other servants looked on worriedly, likely concerned if they would be blamed for their mistress burning herself. William wasn't that foolish. It was a mere accident for which Charlotte would take full responsibility without hesitation. He wasn't a tyrant.

"It's fine, William," she said. "I'll live."

"Allow me to apply a little ice first," he insisted. "Just to soothe the area. Perhaps a little salve to ensure you do not form a blister."

"This is not the first time I have burned myself with wax," she said. "And it likely will not be the last."

"Not if I can help it," said William. "You need to be more careful. I do not want a hair on your head harmed."

She smiled. "Is that possessive William speaking?"

"This is your husband speaking," he said, still inspecting her hand.

The servant returned with the ice and cloth and handed it to William, who softly applied the cooled material against her red skin.

"Cold, cold," she complained and tried to tug her hand away.

"Sit still," he scolded. "This will be over soon. I merely wish to cool the area."

Charlotte huffed but said nothing further as he tended to the area. A little pride swelled within him that he could do something as small but significant as soothe a little pain. Part of William had always wanted to care for someone and treat them well, but he had forgotten about that need under his resolve to never need anyone.

Now, with Charlotte in his life, he wanted to provide her with everything she could possibly need and keep her from harm. He just hoped he wouldn't become overbearing and stifle her.

"What is this I see?" Louise asked as she stepped into the room. "Do I spy two lovers having a sweet moment under the candlelight?"

William thought Charlotte might pull away from him to address her sister, but she kept her hand in his. Instead, she turned her head and smiled.

"Are you possibly jealous that I have a husband who takes such wonderful care of me?" she asked.

William kept his head down but glowed under his wife's comment. He loved hearing her speak so well of him. It was truly melodious to his ears.

"I have no need to be jealous because I will have my own husband one day," Louise retorted as she sat beside her sister.

William was glad because it ensured his brother couldn't sit near his wife. He would have to take the opposite chair or it would appear odd to have people only on one side of the table.

"Do you already have some men in mind?" William asked, indicating to the servants that they should serve the meal.

His brother had not appeared yet, and it was already fifteen minutes past their usual dinner time. He didn't want to wait any longer.

"I wouldn't go as far as to say that I have men in mind," Louise replied. "However, I know what I want, and I expect my parents to take my thoughts into consideration. I do not mind an arranged marriage, but there is no guarantee my match will be as good as you, Your Grace."

"Please, do not inflate my husband's ego and give him an enlarged head," Charlotte playfully begged. "We just had a conversation about wives as possessions. He does not need to believe he is God's gift to women."

"Wives as possessions?" Louise repeated.

She glanced at a handsome male servant and smiled as he filled her bowl with fragrant white soup.

"Do not ask," Charlotte said. "I just pray your husband doesn't have strong primal urges to mark his territory."

She looked at William disapprovingly, but he didn't miss the gleam of amusement in her eyes.

"Now I have to know what you were discussing before I walked in," Louise insisted. "What is this about possessions and marking territory?"

"I would also like to know," Henry said as he entered the room. "I apologize for my tardiness. I fell asleep and only woke up a little while ago. It didn't give me much time to freshen up for dinner."

William wished his brother could have continued sleeping so he wouldn't have to worry about him trying to steal Charlotte's attention. A servant appeared, ladled soup into his bowl, and quickly stepped away.

"We have only just begun eating," said Charlotte. "You were not too late."

"Then I'm glad," he replied, smiling at her.

Charlotte nodded and continued eating, gracefully scooping the creamy and slightly grainy soup.

"Crushed almonds," she said after a little while.

William raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

"They added crushed almonds in this soup," she elaborated. "I kept thinking about the texture and wanted to know what it was. They didn't mince it very well, or perhaps this was the texture they wanted to achieve. Either way, it's still a tasty soup."

William grinned. "You're like a hound dog. You sniff out everything in a dish."

She pursed her lips. "First, I was a possession, and now I'm a dog."

William was ready to grovel and explain what he meant, but he caught the amused glint in her eyes and understood she was once again jesting.

"If it helps, you are the most adorable dog I have ever seen," he said, tongue-in-cheek.

Charlotte playfully rolled her eyes. "Oh, that makes it all better."

"I think we should keep out of this argument and continue with our food, Lady Louise," said Henry. "This is one of those moments where everything you say can be considered wrong."

Louise chuckled. "I agree, my lord. My soup is growing cold, so I should concentrate on my meal."

He smiled and looked at his plate without another word or glance in Charlotte's direction. William was surprised. He expected his brother to stare at Charlotte or take over the conversation. Still, that didn't mean he wouldn't try.

As the meal progressed, Henry continued to primarily speak to Louise. He only talked to William and Charlotte when the situation called for it, but he mainly sought Louise's thoughts and opinions. While he was glad Henry was behaving himself, that didn't stop his worries. Henry was a charming man who could mislead a young woman like Louise and break her heart.

"You're thinking rather hard," Charlotte commented. "Is the dessert not to your liking?"

"It's fine," he replied. "I was just thinking about something else."

Charlotte tilted her head. "Care to share what it is?"

"Perhaps a little later," he said. "For now, why don't you enjoy dessert? Cheesecake is one of your favorites, isn't it?"

"One of many favorites," she admitted. "I think it's nearly time to retire to the drawing room. Everyone seems just about done with dessert."

William agreed, and moments later, they all left the dining room and settled in the drawing room. Once again, Henry focused on Louise and asked her to play cards with him. She agreed, and they set up a table nearby, soon forgetting William and Charlotte's presence.

"They're getting along well," Charlotte remarked, but something in her expression indicated she wasn't entirely comfortable about it.

That gave him the opening he needed. "Your sister is as friendly and accommodating as you are," he said. "You are very much alike in many ways."

"Well, we are siblings and spend much time together," Charlotte replied. "However, we're still different enough to be our own person."

He smiled slightly. "Yes, you certainly are," he said. "However, I'm afraid she's too trusting of others."

"What do you mean?" Charlotte asked.

"Henry has a sweet tongue and honeyed words," William said. "He's charming and handsome, and many women cannot help but fall for him. He may be my brother, but I would not want your sister to fall for him. She deserves better."

Charlotte frowned slightly as she observed her sister and Henry. "Louise isn't that gullible," she said. "She can appreciate a handsome and charming man, but she won't necessarily fall for him. He has to be someone special to capture her heart. However, I'll still speak to her about it. She would never lie to me."

That was somewhat of a relief. "Thank you," he said. "I would feel more at ease knowing my brother has not charmed Lady Louise into falling for him."

Charlotte smiled. "Are you that concerned about my sister?"

"She's your sister—of course I'm concerned," he said. "Your family is my family. It is my responsibility to ensure they're well and protected."

Charlotte's smile widened as she placed her hand over his. "Thank you," she said. "Some men shy away from their in-laws, but you show genuine interest in their well-being. You're a wonderful husband, William."

William's belly fluttered with happiness and warmth from his wife's words and touch. They meant more to him than she would ever know. He turned his palm upward and cupped her hand, unable to hide his grin when she interlaced their fingers just as they did at the opera.

He took it a step further by bringing their hands to his lips and laying a kiss on her soft skin. Charlotte's breath hitched. It was the first time he had kissed her, and for a moment, he was worried he had taken it too far. However, she didn't pull away.

"Thank you," he said softly.

"For what?" she asked, her voice just a tad unstable.

"For you," he replied simply.

For everything she was and who she was allowing him to become—a better and happier man. William never dreamed he would one day feel this way. He didn't want to return to the old him and was willing to do anything to ensure his wife never saw a reason to complain about her life with him. And perhaps in time, when it felt natural, they could become husband and wife in every way.

William's cheeks grew warm and pink just thinking about it. Perhaps he shouldn't feel that way until she indicated otherwise. He was willing to wait—Charlotte was worth it.