“It was an opportunity, especially since we have an abundance of land.”
“I was amazed at the price you got for the wool.”
“Turner Textiles is willing to pay more because it does not need to be shipped.”
Victor nodded. “I understand that the textile mill is in the area. Owned by Melcombe and Harwich, correct?”
Charlotte made a great show of making her selection of delicacies on the tiered tray. “Yes, it is.”
Why had such a comment made her nervous. This was casual conversation, and he hadn’t begun to question her yet, but now he wondered if he should press her about the mill?
“I noted you purchased more sheep last autumn.”
“Yes. The price we get for the wool far outweighs the cost of raising them.”
“Of that I don’t doubt. Sheep appear to be the easiest livestock to raise.”
“Until it is time to wash them.” She snorted. “Luckily that only happens once a year.”
He had missed the spring shearing though he anticipated being present next year and would learn the process at that time.
She set her cup aside and looked up at him with worried eyes. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Should I?” he countered.
“I know that I should not have made such a large purchase without asking first, but the opportunity arose and if I didn’t purchase immediately, it would have been lost to us.”
“Opportunity?” he asked.
“When Mr. Jones died, his son wanted to sell everything and return to his home outside of London. I knew that wool could bring a good income, so I offered for them before anyone else could.”
She finished, glancing down at her hands. “It was impulsive, and I should have spoken to you first.”
Was that why she was nervous when he asked about the mill? Was it because she had purchased sheep without permission?
It was true that no lady of his acquaintance would make such a purchase, but those ladies also didn’t bother themselves with concerns about income unless they had no pin money. “No, Charlotte, I do not mind,” he finally said. However, the thought of pin money is what reminded him of the first questions he was going to ask her. “What I am wondering is why have you not purchased anything for yourself?”
This statement must have caught her attention because she placed her plate aside. “I buy paints, brushes and canvases.”
“Most of which you use on the house.”
“I really do not need anything.”
“Wife,” Victor stated as he put his cup and saucer on the table. “You have not even purchased yourself a dress in over two years.”
Any smile she had held fell from her face.
“Is your allowance not large enough for such purchases?” He knew that it was more than sufficient.
“The allowance is generous,” she answered. “I did not see the need to spend the money if it was not necessary.”
This took him aback. If she didn’t spend money, then why was she hiding so much from him and lying about it? He nearly asked but reconsidered because each time he thought to get an answer on one matter, he ended up with further questions. And maybe all her decisions were as innocent as why she had not told him about the ball. If he pressed, she may withdraw from him, and they were finally discussing something other than the blasted weather. She had even relaxed and wasn’t sitting so stiff and proper.
He'd rather hold onto his suspicions and enjoy this time with this wife, than send her back to the formality she had been presenting to him since his arrival.
Victor chose his words carefully. “I no longer have financial concerns. Even if I did, I would still make it possible for you to have pretty dresses more often.”
The light dimmed in her blue eyes and her smile slipped. “If that is your wish.”
