Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Charlotte's heart thumped so loudly she could hardly think straight. All she could do was feel, but she didn't want that either. Her emotions were all over the place and causing her terrible stress. She didn't know what was more horrible for her—her encounter with Henry or William setting her aside as though he didn't wish to hear her explanation.

She should have been his first priority, not his pride. While she was glad Henry was no longer in their lives, she couldn't understand why he had made it seem as though she had done something wrong.

He should have taken her hand or given her a reassuring look, showing that he wasn't angry with her but with his brother. Instead, he had almost ignored her. Given that they hadn't seen each other in days, his first response to her had been rather hurtful.

"He's just mad," she murmured, rubbing her arms. "He'll understand what happened."

And then he would apologize for so readily dismissing her words. That was the only outcome she was willing to accept.

"Charlotte," William called, drawing her attention.

She turned and ran toward him, ready with words to explain the situation, but he lifted his hand. Charlotte stopped and stared in confusion.

"We need to talk," he said.

"We do," she agreed readily. "Surely you must know that everything Henry said was a lie? Henry said many things, but I made sure to tell him I wanted nothing to do with him. I do not know why he said all those things. He—"

He raised his hand again. She was beginning to dislike that gesture very much. Once this matter was resolved, she was going to insist that he never do it again.

"I heard what my brother said," William began. "He believes he would be a better match because he's younger. I cannot help but wonder if that is true."

Charlotte's eyes widened. "Is age such a concern for you?"

"Can you blame me?" he asked. "Look at how our marriage began. It was apparent that I was too old and boring for you."

"Too old and boring?" she repeated in disbelief. "Do you hear yourself? Our marriage didn't begin on good footing because we didn't know each other! It had nothing to do with your age, and you're certainly not boring. Why are you allowing Henry's words to trouble your mind?"

"Because they're not just Henry's words!" William cried. "They're also mine. Henry merely voiced what I have wondered for a long time."

Charlotte's heart sank. It seemed her husband had not accepted this marriage yet. That hurt her more than he would ever know. It was normal to have doubts and question things initially, but they had moved past that. Or rather, she believed they had, but she was wrong.

"So, while I thought we were moving forward in our relationship, you continued to doubt whether we should be together," she said. She shrugged and gave a bitter laugh. "How sad for me. Perhaps I am the fool for never looking at your brother or any other man the way I look at you."

Charlotte looked away and rubbed her arms again. She suddenly felt cold and alone. This wasn't what she expected when she returned home to see her husband again. She had been happy, but now she felt a little numb. Frankly, the numbness was preferable to the pain yet to come.

"My brother would have never pursued you if we were a perfect match," said William. "He would have known he had no chance with you. We cannot ignore this fact."

Charlotte's hands turned into fists as she spun toward him. "What determines a perfect match?" she demanded. "Age? Are you that dimwitted?"

William's eyes widened. "I beg your pardon?"

She planted her hands on her hips. "You heard me, William Russell. I cannot believe you would question our relationship despite all that has happened between us. As for your brother, I was merely being polite to him for the sake of our family. No one wants to be at odds with their in-laws, but frankly, I could have done without him in my life. I told you that I felt uncomfortable around him.

He was always asking questions about our marriage and saying inappropriate things, but I still tried to build a suitable relationship with him. That was my only mistake—thinking I could have a normal relationship with a man who kept trying to convince me that my husband wasn't the right man for me. Perhaps I was also wrong to try so hard to strengthen our relationship when all you did was doubt us."

Charlotte bit her lower lip when she felt her eyes well up with tears. She didn't want to cry in front of him, so she turned to walk away, only for him to grab her wrist.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" he asked.

"Tell you what?" she said, refusing to look at him.

"That my brother was bothering you so much," William replied. "Why didn't you come to me with your worries from the very beginning?"

"Isn't it obvious?" she asked. "I didn't want to cause any trouble. I was a newlywed—how could I complain about my brother-in-law so quickly?"

William released her wrist without warning, making her look up at him. She couldn't understand why he appeared so expressionless. It was like this didn't affect him in the slightest. That somehow hurt the most.

"This has been a difficult moment for us," he said. "Perhaps we should leave this matter for now. We can talk about it once we have had time to calm down and think about what is best for us."

Charlotte stilled. "What are you saying? That we should spend time apart?"

They had already spent days apart! It seemed wrong to expect more time away from each other.

"Just until we have calmed down," he said.

He should be comforting her, not telling her they needed time apart. This was all wrong, and he couldn't even see it. Charlotte lowered her head. She was done trying to explain herself. He could believe what he wanted.

"Very well," she said. "I'll return to my parents' house and give you all the time you need."

Charlotte walked away and didn't spare him a backward glance. She just didn't have the energy for that.