“I am not certain,” she answered, then more hesitantly added, “I am not even ready to be a wife.”
“Perhaps you would like to live with my family, in the country.”
Charlotte blanched. “If that is your wish,” she stammered out.
“But not yours?” If he were Charlotte, he would rather brave London than reside with his mother.
Charlotte took a deep breath before she spoke. “Your mother would wish to change me. My father has tried for years, and I weary of trying to do the impossible.”
“I cannot imagine that you would want to stay with your father. Even if you did, I could not allow it.” If anything, she would be out from under that man’s roof as soon as possible.
“I understand. What would people think, after all?”
He looked her right in the eye so that she understood. “This has nothing to do with what people think. I have been in Society for a few years now and truthfully, their shallow opinions mean little to me.”
She looked at him with surprise.
“I do not approve of the way your father speaks of you, nor treats you. As your husband, I could not allow you to continue to reside with that man.”
A small smile came to her lips. “Then what do we do?”
Victor settled back and braced his weight on his elbows, legs stretched out before him, feet crossed at the ankles while he considered his options. Now that he had seen and spoken with Charlotte, he was somewhat more comfortable with his situation. Not that he was happy to be marrying a fifteen-year-old girl, but they were of a like mind, and she seemed terribly sweet. He couldn’t remember the last time he could label the young ladies he had met in London the same.
Slowly he considered various possibilities but kept returning to one that seemed like it may be the only option. “I do own an estate in the north that is free and clear of my father’s control,” he began. “It was a gift, an inheritance from my mother’s father so that I would have some security if my father managed to lose everything that he owned, which he nearly has.”
Charlotte’s eyes lit with the idea, and she nodded for him to continue.
“I have not seen it in years, nor has anybody lived there, so it may need a lot of work. I am not entirely certain it is safe to leave you there.”
“I would live by myself?” Her face brightened and there was hope in her voice.
Victor wasn’t offended that she wanted him and the rest of their families out of her life. Who could blame her? He didn’t think it was a bad idea either. Charlotte needed to grow into herself and womanhood with freedom. It was the least he could give her. Who knew what type of woman she could become if left alone, away from those who constantly reminded her of their perceived faults and tried to change her?
“I would need to be in London much of the time, or Thornhill Park.”
“Thornhill Park?”
“Our family seat in Shropshire,” he clarified. “I would not be able to see you often.”
“If I was up north you would not be hindered by a wife,” she reminded him.
“Nor you a husband,” he pointed out.
“Yes, but you are a gentleman of London and used to sophisticated ladies. I am but a provincial country girl who would like nothing better than to remain as far away from Society as possible,” she insisted.
Victor smiled. “I am willing to wager that there is more to you than that. Still, you are young, yet we will marry tomorrow.”
“You understand then?” she asked hopefully.
“Yes.”
Charlotte blew out a breath and for the first time since they had met, she smiled. Victor did too and together they quickly made plans before walking back to the manor.
Charlottecouldnotbelieveher good fortune. Not only was her husband handsome, but Victor understood what nobody ever had, and for that, she would be forever grateful for his kindness and consideration.
The wedding was a quiet affair with only their parents present. She had worn her nicest dress and Cook had prepared a pleasant meal. However, unlike most weddings where there was an air of celebration, only her father was happy with the circumstances.
She’d packed all her belongings the evening before, including her paints, and those trunks were now being loaded onto the carriage. Her father frowned when he saw them and Charlotte held her breath as Victor explained that Charlotte would now live in a home he already owned.
