“Ibelievethatitis only badly bruised, and not a fracture,” Doctor Forester told Victor a few hours later.
“What should I do?”
“Bed rest for a day or two should suffice. I have given her maid something for the pain so that Lady Blackmar can rest.”
“Thank you.” Victor escorted the doctor to the door. The relief that Charlotte wasn’t seriously injured overwhelmed him. When the man had left, Victor climbed the stairs to his wife’s chamber. There he found her relaxing against the pillows with the covers pulled up to her waist. Charlotte wore a white, virginal gown, complete with long fluffy sleeves and a ribbon at her throat. Yet, he still found her desirable because he knew what the gown hid.
“I do not see why I cannot get up and sit in a chair at least,” Charlotte grumbled.
Victor simply smiled at her as he approached the bed. “Something tells me that you are not a very good patient.”
“I hate this. What am I to do all day?” she groaned.
“We have a library full of books.”
She made a face. “I have read them all and I only like to read a book once.”
“I could bring you a sketch pad.”
“There is nothing to draw.”
“You could use your imagination,” Victor suggested.
“Which is completely empty at the moment.”
He would not have believed it if he hadn’t seen it for himself. Charlotte was pouting. It wasn’t instigated to get her way but one that clearly displayed how displeased she was with this turn of events.
“I have a suggestion.”
Charlotte looked up at him with suspicion.
“The evening meal will be ready soon. I will have it served up here. We could dine together.”
“You would forgo the comforts of the dining room?” Charlotte asked.
“It is hardly a sacrifice and much more pleasant then eating alone.”
When dinner arrived, the papers she had not had the opportunity to read earlier did also. “I will leave those for you to read later,” Victor offered as he took a seat.
“Have you thought about raising the price of your wool?” Victor asked halfway through the meal.
“Melcombe has suggested it. He said it is doing extremely well in London. I am afraid if we…you raise prices, the shopkeepers will not purchase.”
Victor chuckled. “Would you change your mind if you knew that dressmakers were charging five times the amount they pay? Any respectable lady of society would only wear wool from Turner Textiles because of the quality.”
Charlotte eyed him skeptically.
“I am quoting my mother directly,” Victor assured her.
“I am certain that you, Melcombe and Winters can come to an agreeable figure.”
It wasn’t lost on Victor that she was turning that part of the decision making over to him, but he would not allow her complete withdrawal from the business. Besides, she was the only one who knew anything about patterns and colors. They were men, nor were they artists.
Chapter 19
Charlottewokethenextmorning and attempted to slip from her bed. Just because the doctor thought she should rest did not mean that it was truly necessary. She was no wilting violet who required that she remain abed for the slightest discomfort.
Except, after she had taken two steps, she realized that perhaps the doctor was correct.
