And she would. As soon as he got her home.
Victor looked around. It wasn’t right that he should have so much control over a company he didn’t know he owned until a few moments ago.
“Charlotte is the one who deserves the credit for our success, in that I am serious. Without her designs and dyes, along with Monique’s suggestions on what was needed for fashion, we would have closed a year ago.”
“The Monique who ownsLes Modes de Monique?”
“Yes. Turner Textiles used to manufacture the wool for the army. Following the British victory at Waterloo, not as many uniforms were needed and we risked closing if we didn’t alter the purpose for our manufactured wool. It was Charlotte and Monique who helped Winters and me switch from the black, reds and whites of the military to colors and patterns used for fashion.”
“I just wished she would have said something,” Victor said to himself more than Melcombe.
Melcombe grinned and studied Victor. “I know what you thought when you came here today.”
“How could you possibly know what was on my mind?”
“I saw you at the window yesterday. I know how our conversation sounded.”
“You provoked me on purpose?” Victor’s anger burned.
“At the time I thought it was harmless and believed Charlotte would explain when you asked her. I feared I had been mistaken when she limped in here this morning.”
“I would never strike my wife, or any woman for that matter.” Not only was Victor angry but offended as well. “The only female who has ever sorely tempted me was my sister.”
Melcombe shook his head. “I just could not believe you thought Charlotte was my lover.”
“What was I supposed to think when I found out she was secretly meeting you?”
“That there was a reasonable explanation.” Melcombe sobered. “She is not cut of the same cloth as those Society ladies you are used to.”
“Yes,” Victor sighed. “I know.” He could read ladies in Society. He still couldn’t understand Charlotte.
He’d waited too long to ask his questions. He’d been in the household nearly a sennight and was more confused than when he first arrived and he intended to gain his answers once they returned home.
Chapter 16
Charlottestoppedjustoutsideof the door.
“She is not cut of the same cloth as those Society ladies you are used to,” Melcombe said.
“Yes, I know,” her husband responded with disappointment.
Was she doomed to fail Victor at every turn? Somehow, she must change, or they would never have a true marriage.
“I am ready to return home,” she announced with a forced smile as she entered the office.
Victor turned to her. “Yes, I think we should. There is much to talk about.”
Charlotte silently groaned as they left the office. This day was not proceeding very well.
Victor escorted her to where his horse was tied.
“I will meet you at home, then.” She began to turn and walk to the estate, her hip paining her more and more with each step. She was never climbing that ladder to the loft again and would let Jinx deliver her canvases above next time.
The fall today had been worse than the one a few days ago. Her shoulder still pained her from her earlier fall, but now her hip ached in a manner she had never experienced and all she wanted to do was go home and crawl into her soft bed. Except, Victor wanted to talk, and she dreaded having to explain her involvement in Turner Textiles.
Victor let her go, untied his horse, mounted it and then rode to her side. “You will be riding with me, wife.”
“Oh, I do not think that is wise.” Charlotte shook her head and stepped away from him.
