He had to find a way to force Maria and Kingsley from the house as soon as possible.
Chapter 23
Daylightwasstreamingthroughthe windows when Charlotte woke the following morning. Disoriented at first, she didn’t move right away. Slowly, she became aware of her surroundings. Victor slept soundly beside her, with his arm about her waist, keeping her close. Never had she slept so well in her life. It seemed a pity that she needed to rise.
As Charlotte began to move away from Victor, his arms tightened around her, and his eyes opened.
“Where are you hurrying off to?”
“The day is half gone.”
Victor turned to look at the clock across the room. “Charlotte, it is barely eight.”
“Already I am two hours behind,” she argued.
“You wish to escape my bed?” he asked with a smile.
“No. I mean yes. I mean, there are things I must do,” Charlotte struggled to answer. This was a new intimacy for her. Waking up in her husband’s bed, with his arms still around her was almost like heaven. Any fool would be reluctant to leave the safe cocoon. And, last night he had confessed to desiring her. All was right with the world.
“I slept well, also.” He smiled, before bending over and kissing her. “So well in fact, that I do not believe that I will ever allow you to return to your solitary bed.” Then he grinned. “Consider it punishment for not redecorating your chamber as I asked.”
Heat stole into her cheeks. “I have not exactly had the time to do so.” She slowly smiled. “Nor do I consider this punishment.”
“I would hope not.”
He leaned in and kissed her again.
“What of your sister?”
“What of your hip?” he countered. “Perhaps I should keep you here with me all day.”
“We cannot,” she hissed and struggled to pull away. “I really must be up and about.”
“Why?” Victor asked, eyes closed in contentment.
“Breakfast. We have guests. I will not have you embarrassed again.”
The smile on his lips slipped. “Only Maria is an embarrassment, and she can starve for all I care.”
Charlotte sat up. “You cannot really mean such a thing?”
“No.” Victor answered reluctantly as he let his arms loosen.
She scrambled away as soon as she was given the chance and smoothed her nightgown down, but not before she caught her husband staring at her bare leg.
He looked from her leg and slowly up her body and stopped when he reached her eyes. His eyes smoldered and her pulse raced.
“As soon as my sister is gone, you will be mine.”
Goodness! The heat from his gaze scorched her from inside out and caused the oddest sensations in her breasts and nether regions.
Followingbreakfast,Victorshowedhis sister and Kingsley the estate, still wondering what they were about.
When both tired of walking in the garden, he and Charlotte took them into Willanton as there wasn’t much else to do. Of course, the moment Maria spiedLes Modes de Monique, she wasted no time in entering the dress shop to inspect what was being offered.
Monique greeted them pleasantly and then Victor made the introductions.
“The latest wool from Turner Textiles is the loveliest yet,” Monique began telling Charlotte.
