“And the church roof doesn’t need repairs,” stated the vicar. “Our congregation raised enough last year.”
“And I’m not here for business,” mumbled Sir Edward Spratt, peering at his empty bowl. “Just the food… Although, is this wine watered down, Grimslee? Hey, butler fellow, hie to my coach, will you, and you’ll find six bottles of Chablis in the box seat.” He pursed his mouth. “I never travel unprepared.”
Charlotte giggled, the vicar grinned and Mr Slater’s young lips wobbled.
Grimslee glowered.
Second course arrived.
Marcus watched as Charlotte sliced into the scraggy meat with gusto, savoured the meagre three carrots as though they were sugared bonbons and sipped Sir Edward Spratt’s wine with a pleasurable sigh.
The candlelight made her skin glow, her hair a soft auburn with strands of fire, and young Slater looked enamoured.
Who could blame him?
She lit any room she stepped into with her joyful nature. She laughed even when matters were dire, kept that smile, that warm flame lit within.
And he envied it.
No longer was he the carefree boy.
The one Charlotte had known and been fond of.
He knew he was a curmudgeon on occasion, dare he say dull with his ledgers. But he also knew he would have to continue to be so, to work all hours for the sake of everyone. Had learned the hard way that the estate did not run itself.
He’d changed. So much.
Overmuch.
Her red-tipped lashes flitted up, eyes catching his.
Every muscle tensed once more.
But Marcus forced his own eyes away.
“WELL,that wasn’t quite so bad as I’d feared.” Charlotte tugged her cloak close.
“No.”
“In fact, one could almost call it joyful.”
“Yes.”
“Mr Slater is an asset to the town.”
“Indubitably.”
Oh, good grief.
During dinner, Marcus had been most talkative with the guests, but for some reason, a gloom had descended upon him.
After their farewells had been bid and they’d clambered into the carriage, he’d proceeded to huddle in the corner, tip his hat low and pretend to sleep.
Doubtless he was still haunted by the past.
Perhaps the young Mr Slater had reminded Marcus of himself as a trusting young man? Or…or had Grimslee bestowed a vision of where a focus on guineas alone could lead? She had to confess that had been her original intention but now it pained her.
A sigh escaped, for all she wished was for Marcus to be content. To forgive himself for his youthful folly, allow himself to feel proud of what he had since achieved and start to…live life again.
