Victor was a gentleman and gentlemen desired ladies. Maybe if she dressed the part, he would desire her.
If that didn’t work, then where would they be?
Charlotte entered the door, noting that dinner would be served shortly and was brought up short by her husband standing in the entry to the parlor. His fists anchored to his hips, and he was scowling at her. What had she done now?
“Where have you been?” Victor barked.
Charlotte couldn’t begin to understand his anger. “I went into the village.”
“Four hours ago?”
“I had some matters to attend to.” Why did she feel on the defense? She hadn’t done anything wrong. At least nothing she hadn’t done before. And why was he treating her like a child again?
“Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to walk so far?”
“I enjoy walking and have always walked into Willanton.” Her husband had the strangest ideas.
“You could have been set upon by anyone. Highwaymen.”
Charlotte couldn’t keep the amused smile off her face. “We have not had highwaymen here in decades. Besides, what would they want with me?”
His jawline tightened in what Charlotte assumed was anger. Would she ever understand him?
“You should not have walked.”
“Is that what this is about? If you wish, I will take the carriage next time,” Charlotte offered. After all, she did use the carriage in the winter months when it was cold.
“Nor did a maid accompany you.”
It wasn’t Charlotte’s habit to take a maid anywhere, but she also knew better. At least if she were in London she would know better, just not in this village. Would she forever be a failure in trying to pretend to be a lady?
Victor’s agitation finally slipped away, and he stepped forward. “I was worried is all.”
Charlotte warmed at his concern. “We are far from London. Nothing can harm me here.”
He stepped closer yet and pulled her into his arms. Charlotte was at a loss at what to do. Perhaps she should worry him more often.
“Promise me that you will take the carriage next time,” he murmured before kissing the top of her head.
“It if means so much to you,” Charlotte answered vaguely. She would agree to anything while he held her.
She nearly put her arms about him but feared that it may be too forward. How was one supposed to respond when being held? She had never really experienced affection such as this and never dreamed that such comfort could come from the arms of another. Charlotte wanted to stay there and absorb his warmth.
“It would please me,” he said before placing another kiss on her head and pulling away.
Charlotte immediately experienced a loss when he left her, and she wished that he would come back.
SlowlyVictorcameawake,instinctively knowing it was much earlier than he usually woke. He rose to make his way toward the bathing chamber but was brought up short. Charlotte was talking with her maid.
“Only one more day and the ceiling will be finished.”
“You should not be getting yourself up so early. You will exhaust yourself,” the maid scolded.
It was barely past eight. Surely she hadn’t been painting already.
“I was able to finish a great deal today so tomorrow should be the last.”
Victor heard a splash of water, then silence for a moment. “But I must hurry. I still need to visit the stables before going to the mill.”
