“But Victor, Charlotte would be more comfortable in our home. She and Maria are of an age. They could become great friends,” his mother insisted.
“No, she and her husband should remain here.” Charlotte’s father glared. Had he thought the two would live in Hartfield Hall with him? If so, it was only so that he could continue his control, and possibly order that coveted grandson.
“She is much too young to live without parental guidance,” her father argued.
Victor’s eyes narrowed. “If you felt her too young to be away from you, you should not have forced her to marry. You relinquished all rights this morning.”
A small thrill fluttered in Charlotte’s breast when her father gaped at Victor, his face reddening with anger.
“Both of you are young,” her father continued. “You need to learn of the investments and business that you will inherit.”
“If I am too young to live alone with my wife, then perhaps we should seek an annulment.”
Charlotte held her breath in fear of what her father might say. She wasn’t ready, nor did she wish to be married, but she was excited to be leaving this house.
“There will be no annulment,” her father finally capitulated to their plans.
“Charlotte and I have done our duty by marrying. Father, your debts have been cleared and we can make repairs to the estate.” He nodded to her father. “Mr. Thompson, you now have a chance at a title for your daughter and future grandson.” He offered his arm to Charlotte, which she took. “Neither family will control our marriage.” He led her to the door. “I am taking my wife on a wedding trip immediately. I will also be taking the carriage and will see that one is delivered to my parents so that they can return home, unless Mr. Thompson wishes to loan them his.”
The butler opened the door as all three parents gaped at them.
Victor paused, looking at the three shocked faces. “You have gotten what you wanted and shall leave us be.”
That may have just been the most thrilling moment of her life.
Chapter 4
Theirtripnorthhadstarted out strained. Charlotte had seemed to warm to him the evening before, but as soon as they were alone in the carriage, his wife became tense. When his foot accidentally touched hers, she nearly jumped. It likely took him longer than it should to determine her anxiety, but when he did, Victor found the way to voice his intentions without insulting her.
“We are still strangers,” he noted.
“Yes,” she answered, looking down at her hands.
“Therefore, I propose that ours will be a marriage of convenience, in name only.” That had been his intention as soon as he had seen her and learned her age.
She slowly looked up at him, as if she wished to gauge if he were telling the truth. “An heir. My father demanded one.”
“Maybe he will get that grandson one day, but I don’t believe either one of us is in a hurry to provide that to him.”
“Maybe?”
“Let us see what the future brings. For now, you are free from that responsibility.”
“Then you won’t be…” Her cheeks developed a rosy hue.
“I will not be visiting your bed, Charlotte.”
She closed her eyes and blew out a sigh and he watched as her shoulders dropped as the tension melted away.
Following that conversation, their relationship had markedly improved, and Victor found that he enjoyed being in Charlotte’s company. She was no longer guarded around him, and they discussed many topics while she sketched in her book as the carriage rumbled along the roads. He truly believed that in those first days after their marriage, the two had become friends.
Victor had also developed confidence in his plan to leave Charlotte on his estate outside of Willanton. She was far more mature and intelligent than most of the debutantes he had met these past Seasons. Further, she was reasonable and not prone to silliness or flights of fancy.
However, as the carriage drew to a halt before the estate, Victor couldn’t help but groan and was forced to reconsider. The century old manor and estate were in sore need of repair.
He stepped onto the gravel drive then assisted Charlotte from the carriage so that she could stand beside him.
Shingles were falling from the roof and shutters barely hung from broken hinges, though no windows appeared to be broken. Weeds choked out any flowerbeds that may have been planted at one time.
