“I know that it is the custom in London to eat later in the evening, so I asked Cook to arrange the schedule you are used to.”
“That was not necessary, Charlotte,” he assured her.
“Cook is glad to have you back in residence,” she offered. “She hopes that you are pleased with her preparations.”
Victor arched a brow and looked at her with a quizzical light in his green eyes. Had she said something wrong? Was she not playing the part well enough?
Oh, she wished that she had examples of couples interacting to draw on. Her friends didn’t count. They all fell in love and were comfortable, and sometimes affectionate. Hers was a marriage of convenience. No, it was worse than that. Victor had been purchased for her and they only had a friendship that had been shared through letters, which was not good enough if Charlotte wanted Victor to view her as a proper wife.
After they were settled at the table, it was Victor who led the conversation, though Charlotte paid little attention and hoped that she responded correctly. Her mind was not on the meal or on what he was saying, but on her bed above stairs.
Would their marriage finally be consummated tonight? She didn’t dare ask as it wasn’t a subject any well-bred lady broached, especially at the dinner table. Still, she wished to know. Her mind turned to her bed clothes while Victor paused in conversation when the servant came in with dessert. Should she wear her white, thick gown that kept her warm on the cool nights. Or should she wear one of the extremely immodest, frilly gowns Katrina had insisted upon.
Charlotte still recalled that day at the modiste when Katrina was buying such scandalous private wear. Her friend had pointed out that Victor could return at any time and Charlotte should be prepared. Charlotte had humored her and placed an order for a few items for herself. Once she had even slept in the least revealing and felt entirely decadent. Those gowns had not seen the light of day, or evening, since. Should she wear one tonight just in case Victor visited her?
“Charlotte?” His voice intruded on her thoughts, and she focused her attention once again on her husband.
“Did you not like the meal? You have hardly eaten a bite.”
Charlotte glanced down at the last dish that had been served. It was indeed untouched while Victor’s had been completely devoured. “I am not very hungry.” Nor was she used to so much food in one sitting. When dining alone, her meals were simple and of one course.
Charlotte stood. “I will leave you to your port.”
Victor looked up at her with half a smile. “There is no need for such a ritual when it is only you and I.”
Charlotte bit her lip. What now?
“However, I would enjoy a walk in the gardens. Would you join me?” He stood and offered his arm.
Charlotte swallowed. “A walk would be pleasant.” She took his arm and allowed him to lead her outdoors.
There was a time when Charlotte and Victor could converse on many topics. That was four years ago. Since his arrival, their conversations had been limited, almost stilted and she blamed that on herself for wishing to be careful in what she said. However, Victor was now equally quiet and hardly a word passed between them as they strolled.
He was probably dreading the consummation as much as she. Still, he would not shirk his duty. If she knew anything about her husband, duty was always first and foremost in his mind. With those thoughts, Charlotte resigned herself to the fact that he could not let himself not visit her bed tonight.
Once they had completed the path that led them back to the terrace, Victor escorted Charlotte back inside, up the stairs and stopped when they were at her chamber door.
This was it and Charlotte held her breath, not certain what she was supposed to do.
He lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers before pulling back. “I will see you tomorrow. Rest well.”
He then reached around her and opened the door to her chamber. It took a moment before Charlotte realized that she had been granted a reprieve. Hastily she wished him a good night, entered her chamber, and closed the door before he changed his mind. Leaning back, she brought her fingers to her lips. It was such a brief kiss, but pleasant and warm. It was also the first time that he had ever kissed her. Even when they wed, his lips had only touched her cheek.
Her relief was so great that he hadn’t wished for more that her knees nearly gave out. Though should she really be surprised that he didn’t wish to do his duty. Or perhaps he couldn’t.
It had been a long day and undoubtedly Victor was exhausted from his trip. She had no idea how much energy one must expend for intimacy, but was confident Victor knew from experience. Though they were married, it was arranged and in name only, so she assumed he’d had lovers. She tried not to think of Victor kissing or holding another, and jealousy filled her each time his name was mentioned as being with Lady Cartright, but there was really nothing she could do. A wife could not object, thus Charlotte was determined to hold her tongue and remember her goal—to do everything in her control to keep her home, even if it meant that she must do her wifely duty and pretend that Victor didn’t have another lover.
But for now, she was free, and as she relaxed, every muscle in her body seemed to ache. The day had been filled with tension and all she wished to do was rest and prepare to start all over again tomorrow, which meant she would need to retire earlier than usual.
With a sigh, Charlotte entered the bathing chamber and walked to the bellpull. This would alert the footman that she wished for her water to be heated. She then returned to her chamber and took the pins out of her hair and brushed it before she removed her clothing and pulled on a dressing gown and waited. When all was ready, Callie scratched at her door. She then made her way to the bathing chamber and sighed. Yes, this was a luxury and one of the few that she allowed herself.
Across from her was the door to Victor’s chamber.
She had never needed to worry about someone being on the other side of that door before, but now that Victor was in residence, she couldn’t risk him coming in while she was in a state of undress.
Quickly Charlotte crossed the room and turned the key in the lock. She then poured a glass of wine that had been set out, let her robe drop and stepped into the bath. The temperature was perfect for soothing, and she couldn’t help but sigh as she sank into the water.
She took a sip of wine and let her head lay back against the rim. There could be another reason Victor hadn’t requested his husbandly rights. Desire!
