Perry gave his head a shake. “After much discussion with the duke, we have decided to take you and Aurelia from Fermoy sooner than expected. It isn’t safe anymore.”
Charlotte’s brow furrowed as she searched his intense blue eyes.
He must care for them if he wanted to keep them safe.
No.
Aurelia was his primary concern. Charlotte was merely here to see to their daughter’s comfort. That made more sense.
“I… I’m not ready.”
Closing the distance between them, Perry moved to gather her in his arms. Brushing his thumb against the side of her shoulder, he tilted his head and peered into her eyes.
“Perhaps, we will never be ready, but forward is the only direction in which we can travel. Removing you and Aurelia from danger is my priority.”
Her heart lifted at his thoughtfulness. What a change it was to have someone protecting them. She and Aurelia now had all the Spencers looking out for them and supporting their entry into society. That meant so much to her after years of isolation and loneliness.
Giving a silent nod, she closed her eyes, then looked away. It took everything she had to ignore the faint fluttering within when he brushed his thumb carelessly across the fabric covering her arm.
Her breath caught as she watched the movement.
Perry retreated, as though worried he might have causes her discomfort.
The sense of loss that filled her was devastating. Hugging herself, she brushed away the memory of the sensation.
“I will inform the servants of our departure first thing tomorrow, then we shall visit Aurelia together to explain this sudden change. I would not have her distressed.”
Charlotte watched as he turned on his heel and left the room on his mission. It was reassuring to have someone watching out for her—them—with such care and concern. There was a great danger that she would once again fall into the perils of love.
This time, she was unsure how she would get out.
Charlotte turned to the only distraction she knew would give her some semblance of peace. She would visit her garden, then plan for their departure. Ignoring the ache in her chest at the idea of leaving everything she had known, Charlotte took a step forward, embarking on this new mission.
It was time to say goodbye to Fermoy. All the comforts, the familiarity, and the routines she had wrapped around herself to ease the pain of the loss she had suffered would be left in the past.
Regardless of how ill-prepared she was, the future was calling.
It was time to say hello to a new beginning that frightened her more than anything.
Chapter Thirty-One
With his head resting on his good arm, Perry lay in his bed, eyes wide open. Blast his insomnia. His body was exhausted by his tiring day, and his mind reeled with thoughts of Mary, Charlotte, and Aurelia. It was as though he spent his entire life showing up too late.
He missed the birth of his first child and the agony tore through his chest at how many years he could have spent growing closer to Aurelia.
He arrived at Bodmin too late to save Mary. If only he had been well enough to investigate sooner. Perhaps he would have been able to prevent her murder.
And Charlotte…
Where to begin in his analysis of his feelings for the woman?
His body craved her like a drug in those years they had been apart. Considering her out of his reach was comforting at the time, since the possibility of her belonging to someone else was torturous. His father convinced him she was dead. Completely beyond his grasp.
It had never occurred to him that she was alone, languishing inthe country, and paying the consequences for his actions. It grieved him that the price of their love had been her freedom. She lost her ability to be a part of society and live the grand life she deserved. Though Charlotte seemed content with her life in the country, there must be a part of her that resented him. He had freely married another. The gossip columns celebrated the match, painting a portrait of a happy couple that couldn’t be further from the truth for him and Eliza. It was just a punishment that Charlotte wouldn’t give herself to him the way she did in the past. He wasn’t even worthy of her love back then…
Now? It was breathtaking to burn for something he possessed yet have it so far out of his reach. His wife wasresignedto subjecting herself to his attentions on their wedding night.
The thought of her submitting to him was thoroughly unappealing.
