Perry pressed his lips together, searching for the best way to explain the extraordinary situation. If there was anyone he could trust with the full truth, it was his brother.
“Over the summer, the one before I married, she and I grew close. Too close, I’m afraid. I have learned that our time spent together resulted in a child. Charlotte escaped to the country after suffering an illness, then later bore our daughter. Alone.” He cast his eyes down in shame, his gaze roaming over the glass of port to finally connect with his brother’s.
Beau’s mouth opened and closed, a response stuck on his tongue. “Oh, dear,” he breathed, clamping a hand over his mouth.
“I know,” Perry said, sympathetic to the great shock he had just delivered. “Once I knew the truth, I was determined to make things right.”
“Oh, dear,” Beau repeated absently. “Yes, yes, of course, that would be the right thing to do in the situation. Though, how will you keep the truth of the child’s status from the mouths of gossips? Thetonwill be delighted with such a scandal.” Beau winced and buried his face in his hand.
“That is where we will require your help—and Louisa’s. My sincere hope is that with the backing of a duke and a marchioness, the scandal will be quickly forgotten. We will come up with a romantic tale of lost love found, or something dazzling like that to feed the gossips. Frankly, I care not how they cope with the new revelation. I want it known that I have a daughter and she is mypriority. She will be acknowledged and treated as any child of mine. Everything else will fall into place.”
“You will be married.” Beau nodded slowly as he said the words, his understanding taking painfully long. “And you are happy with this, brother? I had hoped you would be able to choose your next wife. This seems a repetition of the past, leaving you no choice.”
“I am pleased, yes. I’ve spent enough time seeking empty pleasures; it’s time to get back to more serious pursuits. Besides, it won’t be the first time I marry someone I barely know.”
The moment the words came from his mouth, Perry regretted them.
To say Charlotte was unknown to him was a falsehood. Certainly, the woman he had known back then and the one she was now, were different. He had changed as well. Life had forced them to adapt. They both had much to learn about each other. Perry licked his lips. There lingered within him a curiosity about Charlotte that had never existed for Eliza.
His heart hammered in his chest at the thought of rediscovering the parts of their friendship he had missed. Warmth flooded his cheeks as he considered the other benefits of marriage he would relish exploring with her. Giving his head a shake, he dismissed the thoughts. Charlotte was not experienced, and he refused to be a brute husband forcing himself on her. She would never be obliged to fulfill those marital duties, unless she wished it.
“I agree to putting an end to living as a wastrel, but marriage? There are other options, as you know. She could be kept in luxury as your?—”
Raising a hand to silence his brother, Perry scowled. “That is not an option.”
Beau shrugged, lifting his glass. “It would pain me to see you so unhappy as you were with Eliza.”
Perry’s gaze darted to the side to hide his enthusiasm at the prospect of marriage to Charlotte. “I do not expect to be unhappy.We were close once.” A smile teased his lips. He cleared his throat to mask any eagerness.
“Is it possible you already hold feelings for your future wife?”
“These feelings are not new. I am hoping our past friendship can be revived. I cared for her once and it would not be so difficult to do so again.” Perry could barely suppress a smile.
Beau smirked. “By Jove! You lust after your future wife, you scoundrel!”
His cheeks flooding with heat, Perry shook his head. “It isn’t like that. We have a closeness that Eliza and I never experienced. Charlotte cared for me during my convalescence, and I will be forever grateful. There ispotentialfor an affection to develop between us, that is all. She is…a lovely woman,” he winced as he admitted the last words, knowing his brother would enjoy teasing him further.
A snort from his brother was the man’s only response. “Does she know you care for her?”
“Absolutely not. I will not muddy the waters of our arrangement with any feelings. I am only thinking of our daughter and creating the best possible life for her away from Fermoy.” Perry wrung his hands in his lap.
“Very well, then, I am delighted to attend this happy occasion. And to meet my niece! How lovely to think I am now an uncle. And before long, perhaps I will have more nieces and nephews gadding about?”
Feeling faint, Perry rested his head in his hand, stroking his forehead. “It is too soon to speak of that, brother, please.”
Perry hadn’t even contemplated the possibility of more children. Since none had come from his first marriage, it was hardly something he expected. He would be lying if he said that the idea of filling Charlotte with another child didn’t send a jolt of desire tearing through his body. His future wife had only grown more beautiful with time. He longed to grip her luscious curves and sink deeply into her. It would do wonders for exorcising him of themisery that had plagued him for so long. Charlotte was a breath of fresh air. An inspiration to live a different kind of life. And he was a man desperately craving oxygen.
Lost in thought, Perry didn’t notice when his brother stood. The movement caught his eye, and he watched as Beau went to call for a servant.
“I’d best go freshen up before dinner. The journey has been long, and I am covered in dust and sweat. I look forward to discussing our next steps now that I have arrived. And to meeting the future Countess of Winchester.”
A few moments later, Mrs. Higgins appeared and led the duke to his own prepared chamber. Perry relished a break from the discussion. Releasing a slow breath, Perry planned to inquire after his belongings or borrow clothing from his brother. He had much to look forward to in the coming days. In the time he had left at Fermoy, he would get to know his daughter and future wife better. See how they could fit together, as pieces of a puzzle that had long been lost.
His chest warmed with an unfamiliar sensation as he thought of his family.
His future.
Nothing and no one would keep them from the happiness they deserved.
