“Ha!” he bitterly laughed aloud. She feared him learning the truth. How long had she and Melcombe been lovers?
He didn’t know what to think of Charlotte. Althea was her dearest friend? Or so Charlotte pretended. Had Charlotte really been with Melcombe yesterday instead of in town? Then he recalled the torn, dirty dress from the other day. Apparently Melcombe couldn’t wait to get her inside the building before taking her. She did look like she had been rolling about on the ground.
Yes, those two had much to answer for.
For a moment he considered marching into Charlotte’s chamber and demanding what was his by right but quickly changed his mind. Did he really want to be with Charlotte after she had already been with Melcombe that day? Besides, he wanted proof of the affair. Her lack of virginity didn’t make Melcombe guilty. Victor needed to find them together. Then, he would put a bullet through the blackguard’s heart before dealing with his unfaithful wife.
Victor grabbed the bottle of brandy and settled into the leather chair to plan Melcombe’s demise. He also fell asleep and woke just as the sun was rising.
Yet, despite his long night, Victor was determined to catch his wife and returned to his chamber to wait, watch and follow.
He had been ready for almost an hour having watched the sun rise and wishing for something for the pain in his head when he heard Charlotte stirring in her room. Once he heard the door close and her footsteps pass his chamber, Victor quietly followed. He arrived at the entry of the ballroom in time to watch her delightful bottom, clad in those breeches, climb the scaffolding. Knowing she would return to her room after painting, he retreated to his own to wait.
Little over an hour later he heard her in the bathing chamber. Victor took this opportunity to sneak out of the house and wait. From the shadow of the trees he watched as Charlotte carried what appeared to be canvases into the stables. She was in there for some time before she finally emerged. However, this time she was limping, and no longer had her paintings.
Her behavior grew odder each day and Victor was beginning to wonder if he knew her at all.
Charlotte waved and smiled back at Jinx before she turned in the direction of the mill.
It was now time for confrontation. Victor made his way around the house and approached the stable so Jinks would not know he had been watching and asked that a horse be saddled and then rode to the mill.
He caught sight of Charlotte just as she approached the building and noted that she had developed a pronounced limp during her walk to meet her lover. Victor fought back his worry and concern. He would deal with her injuries after he dealt with Melcombe.
Victor dismounted, tied his horse to a tree and made his way to the side of the building. Charlotte didn’t even notice him because she was too busy trying to negotiate the steps. Thankfully Melcombe did not come out or Victor would have been caught.
He then made it to the open window just as Charlotte entered. Though he knew he risked being seen by following too closely, he didn’t want to miss a word, or sound, that passed between the two.
“You’re limping Charlotte. What happened?” There was no mistaking the anxiousness in Melcombe’s voice.
Victor could hear his wife’s sigh. “I fell. I tripped on my skirts climbing down a ladder. It is nothing.”
Victor frowned. Why was she on a ladder in the stables? What had she done with her canvases?
“If you are in too much pain, we can wait.”
“No,” Charlotte answered quickly. “Our time is short enough and I don’t want to waste a moment. Injury or no.”
There was a pause in their conversation and Victor wanted to know what they were doing. Unfortunately, the window was too high for him to see in.
“If you are certain?” Melcombe questioned.
“Oh, I am,” Charlotte responded anxiously.
“Then let me show you what I have for you.”
Victor practically snorted aloud. Did the man have no imagination? He had used almost the same line yesterday.
Victor heard the rustling of material and knew the time was near.
“Touch it,” Melcombe said.
“It is so smooth.”
“Rub it against your cheek.”
Charlotte almost purred.
“Let it caress your lips,” Melcombe instructed. “Now take hold. Feel how soft, yet strong it is. You caused this Charlotte.”
