Page 22 of The Duke’s Christmas Redemption

Charlotte rose and moved to the window, gazing out over the formal gardens William’s mother had once tended. Somewhere in the house, her husband was likely brooding over their quarrel, convinced of the rightness of his position. How might she bridge the gulf between them?

*****

The dinner hour approached with leaden steps. Charlotte dressed with particular care, choosing a gown of deep blue silk – a colour that her mother had always said lent dignity to her bearing. She would need every advantage in maintaining her composure across the expanse of damask and silver. William awaited her in the dining room, his evening dress impeccable, his expression carefully neutral. He bowed over her hand with proper courtesy, but Charlotte noted the tension in his bearing – could it be that he was worried about how she might react, now?

“I trust that your afternoon was productive?” he inquired as the first course was served.

“Quite,” Charlotte replied evenly. “I have been reviewing the household accounts with Mrs Walden. One must understand the foundation before suggesting improvements, must one not?”

Something flickered in William’s grey eyes - surprise, perhaps, or reluctant approval.

“A rational approach,” he allowed. “Though I trust you’ll consult me before implementing any significant changes.”

“Naturally, Your Grace.” Charlotte paused as a footman filled her wine glass. “After all, we both wish what is best for Alverton.”

“Indeed.” William studied her across the table, his stern features softened slightly by the candlelight. “Though we may differ in our understanding of how best to achieve that end.”

“Perhaps,” Charlotte ventured, “if we were to discuss such matters more fully? I should very much like to understand your plans for the estate’s future.”

William’s knife paused over his meat.

“You surprise me, madam. Most ladies would prefer to confine their interests to the latest fashions from London.”

“Then you must think very poorly of ladies in general, Your Grace,” Charlotte replied, keeping her tone light, though her pulse quickened at her own daring. “Or perhaps you have simply not given them sufficient opportunity to prove their worth in matters of consequence.”

The silence stretched between them, broken only by the soft sounds of silver against china and the discreet movements of the footmen. Finally, William spoke.

“You are not what I expected.”

“No?” Charlotte met his gaze steadily. “And what did you expect, sir?”

“A decorative mistress for Alverton. Someone to oversee the social niceties and maintain appropriate appearances.” His expression grew thoughtful. “I did not expect to find myself married to a lady who concerns herself with drainage problems and tenant cottages.”

“Then perhaps we might both benefit from setting aside our expectations,” Charlotte suggested. “And instead discover what sort of partnership we might actually forge.”

William’s eyes held hers for a long moment.

“Partnership is not a term commonly applied to marriage.”

“No indeed. But then, I begin to think that there may be very little that is common about our situation.”

A ghost of a smile touched William’s lips before he caught himself.

“You are quite determined to challenge my every assumption, are you not?”

“Only those which might prevent Alverton from reaching its full potential,” Charlotte replied. “Surely as Duke and Duchess, we share that goal, at least?”

The candlelight caught the copper glints in William’s dark hair as he inclined his head slightly.

“A fair point. Though I maintain that some matters must take precedence over others.”

“As do I,” Charlotte agreed. “We differ only in our assessment of those priorities.”

Their eyes met across the table.

Charlotte felt that strange connection again - as if they stood on the verge of truly understanding each other, if only they could find a way to bridge the gap between them. But then a footman approached to clear the course, and William looked away.

“Will you take tea in the library this evening?” William asked as the last dishes were cleared away.