Chapter 28

Chapter 28

William couldn't decide what hurt more—his pride, head, or heart. Perhaps at that moment, his headache took precedence because it was pounding away like a blacksmith manipulating the metal under his fingers with a hammer. This headache had turned him into a grouch who was angry at the world because of his problems. Nothing could ever come easily to him. William either had to fight for it or let it go.

The carriage jerked roughly to the side, slamming his head against the wooden interior. The driver might as well have slammed his head into a rock—it would have achieved nearly the same result. William yelped in pain and gripped the sides of his head. He half expected the contents of his brain to trickle through the gaps of his fingers, but everything remained intact, but only just because the pain in his head wasn't normal.

He couldn't recall feeling this terrible in a while. It was all thanks to his brother and his meddlesome ways. Henry could never leave anything alone, not when it involved William. He was undoubtedly after Charlotte and making himself a menace in the process. William hardly knew what to think anymore, especially after Charlotte just left him at the ball. She should have stayed by his side and shown everyone they were a united couple, but she didn't think about them. It was no wonder her behavior gave him doubts.

"Ugh, I'm so tired," he groaned, pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes.

Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. To think he had been briefly happy, but he should have known it couldn't last with Henry circling him like a vulture waiting for its prey to give up its ghost. His brother always sought ways to take his happiness from him, like it was his hobby. William needed to be more aggressive and alert instead of allowing Henry to get his way.

Henry no longer had their father to support him, unless he turned to his mother. However, Catherine was less tolerant of her son's behavior, especially after William and Charlotte's wedding. She had given the notion that she could never let her son become duke, so William needed to do everything he could to maintain power over the dukedom by having an heir and a spare.

William doubted he was anywhere near that being a possibility. It brought a blush to his cheeks just thinking about it. They had almost kissed earlier, but Henry spoiled the moment like usual.

"Perhaps I shouldn't have stayed at the ball after she left," he muttered to himself.

Sighing, William leaned his head on the headrest and closed his eyes. He couldn't just leave the ball, not when the host had personally invited him. As the Duke of Richmond, William had a responsibility to uphold the family name and solidify connections with influential members of society.

It wasn't a task he enjoyed, but his stepmother had repeatedly stressed that it was necessary. It was a responsibility he couldn't deny. William had to make excuses for Charlotte's sudden departure, as she didn't even bother speaking to their host first.

She also had a responsibility as a duchess, and apparently, she was still too young to understand the ramifications of her actions. Her disappearance could have been seen as a snub, leading to unnecessary ramifications. However, she would learn soon enough. She had to.

William reached home moments later and was tempted to go to his wife, but he decided he needed a drink instead. It probably wasn't a good idea, considering he had a headache, but perhaps this time, alcohol might be helpful.

"You have finally returned," Henry commented when William entered the drawing room moments later.

William ignored him, loosening his cravat and throwing it on the nearest surface. He was in no mood to entertain his brother. He was the reason behind the headache.

"Are you still angry?" Henry asked.

"I would rather you leave me alone," William told him without looking up.

He poured himself a brandy and dropped into an armchair, rubbing one of his temples as he did so. The day had started so well, only for it to end like this.

"You are still mad," said Henry, sitting near him. "I apologize if I upset you."

William scoffed. "You apologize? Is there any sincerity to your words? I doubt it."

"But I am sorry," said Henry. "Sorry that I upset you. It seemed you and your wife had a moment outside. Unfortunately, I interrupted it."

William slowly raised his head and looked deeply into Henry's treacherous green eyes. It seemed he knew precisely what he had done. If only he knew how long it had taken William to work up the courage to kiss Charlotte. However, even if Henry did know, he wouldn't care. Rather, he would have done more to ensure William and Charlotte could never grow closer. William was confident of that.

"You did it intentionally, didn't you?" William asked.

A look of triumph very briefly flickered in his brother's eyes before he quickly schooled his features into surprise.

"Whatever do you mean, dear brother?" said Henry.

"You know precisely what I mean," said William, raising his voice.

He was normally so calm, but he had had enough of his brother. This time, he didn't care how he reacted or what anyone thought of him. Enough was enough.

Henry raised an eyebrow. "I think you should calm down."

William laughed. "Calm down? You think I should calm down? How interesting. The man who has done his best to make my life difficult is telling me to calm down. You must be a fool."

"I beg your pardon!" Henry cried.

He moved to the edge of his seat and stared at William like an affronted man. William didn't care.

"You heard me," William told him. "You heard me well. Stop pretending to be a good man when you're clearly not. Everything you do is calculated and intentional. Do you think I do not know merely because I say nothing?"

"You're not that stupid," said Henry. "You just know to quietly admit defeat like a good son and brother. That is your purpose. I get what I want, and you allow it to happen."

"The devil and all that be damned!" William yelled, hitting his fist on the armrest. "I will no longer be that person. I am sick of you doing as you please. You will not have my wife!"

Henry curled his upper lip. "It's not like you to refuse me anything," he said. "Where are you getting this resolve? Would it be our dear Charlotte? She is a remarkable young woman, isn't she?"

" Our dear Charlotte?" said William. "Do you hear yourself? Do you honestly think you have any right to her? Do you?"

They were shouting at this point, but William couldn't help it. He had too many emotions swirling within him to remain calm.

"She is my dear sister-in-law, is she not?" Henry asked. "Frankly, I doubt she would have married you if it hadn't been arranged by my mother and her parents. You got lucky. Too lucky."

William leaped to his feet, uncertain about what he wanted to do. The rage within him didn't want him to remain seated and passive. It wanted him to do something.

"Just stop it!"

William and Henry jumped, not expecting the feminine voice trembling in anger. They turned to the doorway and found Charlotte standing there with her fists by her sides.

"Charlotte," William said.

She looked at him and frowned. "Why are you both shouting so much? Why have you placed me in the middle of your quarrel? Do not make me the cause of any more arguments between you. I refuse to be yet another reason to put up walls between two brothers!"

The last word ended with a sob that squeezed the breath from William's chest before she spun on her heel and ran off.

"Charlotte!" he cried.

He ran after her and saw her halfway up the stairs. William called for her again, but she ignored him and continued running. He was afraid she might fall and hurt herself, which would also hurt him. His heart was already so sore from seeing her upset.

"Charlotte!"

She reached the landing and darted to her room, but he was close behind her. However, just as he was about to get close enough to touch her, she slammed the door in his face and locked it.

"Charlotte," he cried, knocking on the door. "Let me in. Please. I need to speak to you."

"I want to be alone!" she replied.

William sighed and leaned his brow on the door. He could hear Charlotte crying on the other side. It tore at his heartstrings and made him regret getting into an argument with Henry. In the end, it wasn't worth it.

Dropping his head to his chest, he turned away from the door and left. He needed to give Charlotte time to process her feelings. Tomorrow was another day to address the matter. William hoped this wouldn't be the beginning of the end.