Chapter 6

Chapter 6

It was just going to be Charlotte and William at dinner that evening. The dowager duchess was with her parents, and Lord Henry was with friends, although he was vague about his activities. Charlotte had the feeling he had a few vices like gambling and women because he had dropped hints during their evening the previous day.

Statements like, "I played cards with Leonard, and he lost dismally," and, "Not a day goes past without at least one woman swooning." The dowager duchess had often stopped him from elaborating on his topic and quickly steered the conversation to something tame like the weather warming and upcoming social engagements.

"Would you like to wear jewelry this evening, Your Grace?" Templeton asked. "I suggest the emeralds."

"Would it matter?" said Charlotte. "His Grace will not notice."

"May I be frank, Your Grace?" asked Templeton.

Charlotte arched an eyebrow. "Only if you won't say something I will not like."

Templeton lowered her head. "Yes, Your Grace. It's not important."

"Speak, Templeton," Charlotte insisted. "I know that whatever you have to say has much thought behind it."

Templeton seemed reluctant, but she eventually raised her head. "You have always dressed for yourself because you enjoy it," she said. "I do not think you should change. I have always admired your sense of style and enjoy helping you dress."

Charlotte smiled. Her lady's maid was right—she shouldn't change just because her husband didn't care enough to look up and realize he was no longer a single man.

"I think the emeralds will do perfectly," said Charlotte, smiling. "I'd like a little lemonade before dinner, but I'll drink it in the drawing room. Would you please ask Sally to make them add a little strawberry syrup inside? I like the combination."

Sally was the only maid who had been sincerely friendly toward her and delivered her hot chocolate first thing that morning. They were heading into summer, but she still preferred her hot chocolate with lashings of whipped cream on top.

She would have loved to spend early mornings with William, discussing the day ahead and sharing their opinions. Charlotte had daydreamed about many scenarios, but this morning had set them alight until they were reduced to ash.

"I will help you put on the jewelry before I speak to Sally," Templeton replied.

"I can do the jewelry," Charlotte insisted. "Speak to Sally so it's ready when I get there."

Templeton nodded and left the room, her lavender-scented fragrance trailing behind her. She liked drying lavender and placing it in pouches between her clothing, so she always smelled fragrant. It was her signature scent, just as Charlotte's specially mixed perfumes were hers.

She had two distinct perfumes—one for autumn and winter and the other for spring and summer. It just made sense to base her perfumes on the season, as she had found that smells tended to be altered by heat and cold.

Once her jewelry was in place, she dabbed perfume on her body and left the room. She looked down the hallway, wondering if William was in his room or study. Charlotte hadn't seen him all day and was somewhat worried he would skip having dinner with her.

It would be humiliating, especially when the rest of the family were not at home. Perhaps she should have dinner in her room instead, but the servants might think she was rude. William could get away with it, but not her.

"I shouldn't care what they think," she muttered, taking the stairs.

Templeton was ready with Charlotte's slightly pink lemonade when she entered the drawing room.

"Ice, Your Grace?" Templeton asked. "I took the liberty of asking Sally to bring a bowl of ice and sliced strawberries and lemons to add to your glass."

"You always think of everything," said Charlotte, settling in an armchair. "I'll have a little of everything." She paused, tapping her fingers on the armrests before asking the question on her mind. "Have you seen His Grace yet?"

"No, Your Grace," Templeton replied, pouring the lemonade and adding the trimmings. "Shall I have Sally ask if he'd like to join you?"

"No," Charlotte replied quickly. "I do not wish to disturb him."

She was still annoyed with him, anyway. It wasn't right that she had only seen him once that day. William hadn't even come out to greet Hermione, which was rude. She accepted her drink and tried not to dwell on her husband's shortcomings. There was still no telling if William would have dinner with her, but based on his current behavior, she should prepare to eat alone. However, he unexpectedly arrived, walking into the drawing room and pausing when he saw her.

"Good evening, Charlotte," he said.

Charlotte didn't bother getting up. "Good evening, William," she said and returned to drinking her lemonade.

Templeton rose to her feet and greeted him with a curtsy before fiddling with the lemonade tray. Charlotte felt her lady's maid wanted to keep herself busy while her mistress and master had an awkward conversation before dinner because that was all it could be—awkward.

"Have you had a good day?" William asked, taking a seat.

He had the cheek to ask about her day when he had made a mess of her morning! Charlotte wanted to tell him this, but she decided against it.

"It was fine, thank you," she replied, not looking at him.

She continued to sip her lemonade, but it now tasted bitter in her mouth. Being with her husband wasn't the happy occasion it should have been because he had made no effort toward their new relationship. She was curious to know what he believed made a good marriage.

"I heard you had a visit from your friend," he said. "I believe she was Lady Dalton."

So, he had known Hermione had come to see her, but he hadn't bothered to come and see her. A good husband would have made some effort. A thoughtful husband would have spent a little time with his wife and her friend.

"Yes, Lady Dalton," she confirmed, briefly looking at him.

She encountered his deep, brown eyes, wishing she knew what he was thinking. There had to be a reason why he married her, only to ignore her existence until it was impossible to do so. Charlotte looked away when she felt annoyance creep in. She didn't want him to see it in her eyes and find fault with her.

"Are you settling in well?" William asked.

Charlotte almost scoffed. "I'm doing my best," she replied.

Considering the circumstances, she was doing very well. Frankly, she didn't feel like a wife or duchess, but she was doing the best she could to make the best of her situation. She should write a letter to her sister and tell her all about it, but her mother might insist on reading it.

Charlotte inwardly winced just thinking about her mother's reaction. She would either blame Charlotte for not trying hard enough or wish to speak to the dowager duchess about the situation. Whichever way she looked at it, the blame would be laid at her feet.

"You should speak to Mrs. Clarkson if you'd like to discuss anything about the household," said William.

Charlotte did scoff a little at this. His housekeeper had not been very inviting or respectful toward her. She doubted the woman would listen to her unless she used a threat or two.

"Is something the matter?" William asked, frowning.

"No, nothing at all," she said, allowing a little sarcasm to color her voice. "Whatever could be wrong?"

"I see," he said, looking a little confused and uncertain. "Is there anything I can assist you with? Your pin money is available to you whenever you wish to use it. My stepmother has a list of shops with accounts for us, but if you wish to add more places, let me know."

"Oh, do not worry about me, Your Grace," she said, smiling sweetly. "I wouldn't want to bother you with such unimportant things. I understand how important work is to you. I will try my best to not disturb you. Forgive me if I inconvenienced you this morning."

William's frown deepened. Perhaps she had been a little too obvious about how he had upset her, but so be it. He needed to know that his actions had consequences he might not like.

"Templeton," she called. "Would you please get my book from my room? Dinner seems to be later than usual, and I'd like to get ahead with my translations."

"Yes, Your Grace," Templeton replied. "Would you like your quill and inkwell as well?"

"No, I'd just like to read it for now," said Charlotte. "I'll do my writing after dinner."

"Translations?" William asked when Templeton left the room. "You do translations? From which language?"

Charlotte was tempted to tell him not to worry about her life since he was so busy, but she had already had her little moment with sarcasm. There was such a thing as too much sarcasm.

"I'm helping our reverend with an Ancient Greek text," Charlotte explained.

"You can read Ancient Greek?" he asked incredulously.

He looked like she had just told him there was a world beyond our own and that they were Middle Earth people. A strange man had told her that many years ago, and she had been as incredulous as William looked at the moment.

"Yes, I do," she replied.

"That is a surprise," he said. "I didn't expect that of you."

Charlotte's jaw clenched. "What did you expect? That I would be a silly young woman with nothing of interest? Do I seem so uninteresting to you?"

William pulled his head back slightly. "That is not what I said," he said. "I am merely surprised because it's not something I expect of anyone under the age of thirty."

"I suppose it's even more surprising because I'm a young woman," Charlotte insisted, wanting to hear him say it.

"Why do you insist upon saying that?" he asked, frowning. "Is it wrong to be surprised?"

"Is it wrong to be truthful?" she countered.

"Charlotte!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide as he stared at her in disbelief. "What has come over you? Is this the way a wife speaks to her husband?"

She rolled her eyes. "Now you remember you're my husband," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Good for you."

William's face darkened, and the scar on his cheek made him seem significantly more menacing. A little flutter in her belly made her shiver. Instead of being worried, she was intrigued. Charlotte had always been drawn to a little danger and seeking thrills where she could, which was rarely and very controlled even if something did happen.

"I shall forget you said that," he said, his voice deep with ire. "I understand I have been busy and have not given you time. However, you must understand that I have responsibilities I cannot ignore."

"Then why did you get married?" she asked. "If you do not have time for a wife, why did you get married?"

"Because this estate needs an heir," he said simply.

Charlotte knew this, but there was supposed to be more. A relationship with her husband, time spent together— more . It wasn't just supposed to be about giving him an heir.

"I see," she said, the truth squeezing her heart. "I finally understand my role here. I thank you for telling me that I shouldn't expect much from you."

"Are you always this melodramatic?" William asked. "I was not informed of this behavior, and frankly, I do not care for it."

Charlotte knew precisely what William wanted. She needed to be quiet, undemanding, submissive, docile, meek, and a host for his heir. Well, she had always wanted to play a role in a play, but her mother would sooner send her to a nunnery. If she was to survive this marriage, she needed to pretend to be what William wanted while living her own life. Charlotte could do that, but she needed time to grieve for her hopes and dreams.

She turned away from him, hiding the hurt she knew must be in her eyes. "I shall not bother you again," she said.

Fortunately, Templeton returned with her book, pausing very briefly. The tension in the room was rather palpable, so she must have felt it.

"Thank you, Templeton," she said, smiling as she took the book from her.

Templeton peered closely at her face, worry filling her eyes. However, she knew well enough not to say anything. Instead, she pulled her stool closer to Charlotte and picked up some sewing. A servant stood at the door moments later and announced dinner was ready.

William stood up. "Shall we?" he said to Charlotte.

"I will be with you in a moment, Your Grace," she said, smiling slightly. "Please, go without me."

Charlotte had intentionally reverted to addressing him formally because she no longer had any expectations. It was easier that way.

His eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Very well. I shall wait for you in the dining room."

"Please, begin your dinner," she insisted. "I would hate to waste your time. I'm sure you're busy."

William's jaw clenched. "I shall wait for you," he said and left.

Templeton waited for William to leave before she turned to Charlotte, kneeling at her feet with concern clouding her whiskey-colored eyes.

"Your Grace, how may I help you?" she asked. "I will do anything."

"You cannot help me, Templeton," said Charlotte. "However, I can help myself by finding happiness in this dismal situation. I finally understand my role here, but that doesn't mean I have to fade away just because I do not matter to my husband beyond giving him an heir. I'll keep my book here if my husband wishes to sit in the drawing room after dinner."

Templeton sighed and nodded. "Yes, Your Grace," she replied. "I shall continue with sewing until you return."

Charlotte nodded, straightening her dress before leaving for the dining room. She barely glanced at William as she sat opposite him. It was strange because it would be easier to sit together for the sake of conversation, but she wouldn't question the matter.

During the first soup course, she looked up out of curiosity, wanting to see if he was at all interested in having a conversation with her. Unfortunately, the servants had placed many flower arrangements down the middle, blocking her view. Charlotte had to move to the side to see him. William happened to look down the table at that moment and mouthed something. She frowned, not catching a word of what he said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear a word," she said, raising her voice.

William frowned, cocking his head to the side. He couldn't hear her. Charlotte motioned for a servant to approach the table.

"Please tell His Grace I didn't hear what he said."

"Yes, Your Grace," the servant replied, bowing before walking to the head of the table. The men spoke briefly before the servant returned. "His Grace wishes to know if all is well with the meal."

"Yes, the meal is fine," she said.

That was the last thing they said during dinner.