“I did. It will be perfect,” he replied, not daring to look his valet in the eyes.
“Come on, you’re not planning to run off every time you and your missus have a spat, are you?”
“No. I simply like the fact I have somewhere.”
“There’s always the attics,” Frazier said with a grin.
He shook his head. “She’d find me too easily.”
“Your bath is ready. I’ll go lay out clothes for you.”
“Thank you,” Charles replied.
Frazier said nothing. He’d been with Charles for far too long. The man didn’t need to thank him continuously. He’d do whatever the man wanted. Before leaving, he picked up the pile of filthy clothes and headed into the dressing room.
Charles leaned against the back of the tub. The hot water felt good on his skin. He still had a chill from the night before. If he sat here for a while, that feeling would leave. He had nothing to do. If Cathryn was practicing, he wasn’t about to disturb her. She needed complete concentration. Besides, sitting here kept him from the inevitable. Groveling and asking her forgiveness because he was sure his wife would demand it. Everything would be his fault. If she hadn’t slept last night, it would be his doing.
On the other hand, that was better than the way she was when he left her. Angry. Once he dressed and was presentable, he’d go search her out.
*
Cathryn was inthe music room going through more sheet music she’d found sitting on a bookcase. Whichever of the former owners had been musically inclined wasn’t much on organization. She’d found music in the oddest places and placed in no particular order. No sooner had she thought she had organized it all, than she found another pile. Her goal was to organize all of it by composer, but that was a job for another day.
Right now, she needed to keep her composure. She had to focus on the upcoming performance for the Prince of Wales. Charles having disappeared had to be secondary. His valet assured her this was not uncommon, and he would return any day. It was a reaction for him. Having been isolated for so long, fleeing was his way of coping with a situation that made him uncomfortable. The way she’d left that day was something hewas unsure how to handle. So he fled to have time to digest it. Being they’d just moved into the estate, his valet hadn’t had time to find places Charles might go to.
Hearing a faint click of the door shutting, she turned and found Charles standing there. He’d recently bathed. His hair was slightly damp. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
They stood staring at the other for what seemed to be the longest time.
Charles broke the silence first. “I need to apologize if I put you through any undue stress. I take full responsibility for my actions and hope you’ll forgive me.”
She hadn’t expected that, him apologizing. “Apology accepted. Frazier explained things to me and assured me you’d return quickly.”
“I’ve had quite a bit of time to think, and I’ve decided not to go to the dinner after my talk.”
“I see. What made you decide this?”
“My wife has been invited to play for royalty, the Prince of Wales, no less. That’s more important than a dinner with stuffy academics.”
She turned so he wouldn’t see her smile. “Thank you for that, Charles.”
“You’re welcome. I look forward to hearing you play.”
As hard as she tried to be a little bit angry with him, she couldn’t do it. She understood this was difficult for him and that apologizing was enormous for him. She would take whatever she could.
“Would you mind if we stayed an extra night in London?” she asked.
“Of course. I take it you’d like to visit your modiste?”
Why hadn’t she thought of that before? This was a perfect excuse. “Yes. I need to have a fitting on a couple of gowns she’s making.”
“While you’re doing that, I can make a few calls of my own.”
Hearing him cough caused her to walk closer to him. “You weren’t out in that storm, were you?”
“No, I managed to avoid that,” he replied.
“You don’t sound like you did.”
