He frowned. “Why?”
“It would depend on if we had a daughter. If so, it would be for her so that she never had to worry about her future as I have had to worry about mine.” Her eyes welled with tears, but Charlotte refused to let them fall.
Victor now knew everything that she had kept from him and her reasons. He may hate her, but she was relieved to have told him everything. In time, she would learn to live with the humiliation, but at least there were no more secrets.
Hehadfailedher.To protect Charlotte, and let her grow into herself, Victor had failed her. He should have visited sooner. He should have known about her insecurities. He had heard Thompson’s words that day and no doubt Charlotte had listened to such slander her entire life.
Then something that her friends had said to him struck. “Had I asked for an annulment, what would I have done next?”
She blinked at him. “I assume that you would marry Lady Cartwright. She is who you prefer.”
Victor groaned. “She is only a friend, Charlotte.”
She shook her head. “You do not need to protect me, Victor. You are a gentleman with a wife you never wanted and who also lived far away. I know how those in Society go about.”
“So, you assumed she was my mistress, yet you make no objection?” He knew women who would be angry and hurt and others who were happy that their husband enjoyed intimacies elsewhere.
“If it was my place to object, then I would. A wife does not have those rights, especially someone like me.”
Someone like her.
Victor nearly snorted. He had failed her in that Charlotte had no idea how desirable she was. Nor did she have any idea that he had been lusting after her since the moment she began to climb down that scaffolding. Each and every failure was his responsibility to claim.
“I tried not to think of you with her.” Charlotte blinked back more tears. “I hated the idea that someone could share something so special with you when I likely never would, or with anyone else.”
For a woman who created such beautiful art, she did not recognize it within herself, or when she looked in the mirror and that was because her father had filled her head with nonsense most of her life and Victor had neither said nor done anything to prove that he was wrong.
“I was always faithful to you Charlotte,” Victor said as he stood and came around the desk. “I would not dishonor you in such a way.”
“Victor.”
He placed a finger against her lips.
“You sacrificed much without a choice when you married me. My entire family profited, yet you gained only a husband in name only, and lost any opportunity to enjoy a Season or find love, or even happiness. I was well aware of what this cost you and therefore, I did not ever take a lover or mistress or share intimacy with anyone out of respect for you. I did remain true.”
She frowned and looked up at him. “What of Lady Cartwright?”
He demanded honesty and Charlotte deserved the same. “She had been my mistress up until I traveled to the country on what I thought was a holiday and found myself married to you.” He smiled realizing just how lucky he had been that fateful day. “Upon my return to London, I ended that part of our association, but she and I remained friends.”
“Friends?”
“Yes. You could write to her and ask if you do not believe me.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Oh, I would never…”
Victor couldn’t help but laugh at her stunned expression.
“There was never anyone after her either,” Victor assured her. “Nor do I mind that you have money of your own or that you had it hidden away. At least I do not mind now that I know your reasons.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes. It was smart of you to do so. You had no idea of what type of man I could turn out to be. I also believe that money should remain as it is for our daughter.”
“Daughter?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “I hope to have not only an heir and a spare but at least one daughter with you as well.”
She leaned forward and sniffed.
