Page 44

It amused him that she’d purchased a scandalous book on lovemaking. Never had he imagined his duchess would do such a thing—and he couldn’t deny his interest in seeing it. But that would be for later.

He’d decided to return to his father’s ledgers and make lists of any remaining debts that seemed legitimate before returning to London. But when he entered the study, he saw his wife sitting at his desk, making notes for herself.

Charlotte’s blonde hair was caught up in a knot, and she wore a blue gown the colour of a summer sky. The late January sunlight poured through the window, and patterns of frost lined the lower panes.

On the corner of his desk, he saw a shallow glass dish with pebbles and what looked like an onion. No, maybe it was a bulb of some sort. He didn’t know why it was there, but it appeared that Charlotte had replaced the bundle of thorns with this new offering.

After last night, he supposed they had cleared up any misunderstandings between them. And he’d come to realise that, given their physical compatibility, this could indeed be a good marriage.

He cleared his throat, and Charlotte looked up from her work, setting aside a pair of spectacles. He hadn’t known she wore them for reading.

‘Oh, you’re here.’ She smiled and set down her pen. ‘Good morning. I’ve been sorting through your father’s letters during the past few weeks, and I think I may have found something that could be useful. You could have Mr Thompson look into it.’ Her lips tightened at the mention of the secretary.

He didn’t like the fact that she’d begun investigating his father’s debts. Charlotte knew nothing of the former duke’s bad decisions, and he didn’t want her prying into the past.

‘There’s no need for you to concern yourself with it,’ he reminded her. ‘I will manage the household finances. Rule 4, I believe?’

She stood from the desk and countered, ‘Rule 12. If you are gone for extended periods of time with no letters, then I am permitted to make decisions in your stead. And that means being your duchess and caring for the estate in your absence.’

‘That’s not one of our rules.’ Although he understood her reasoning, he’d only been gone one month.

‘I can make new rules if I wish,’ she pointed out. ‘And so can you. I believe you already did, regarding our conjugal relations.’ His wife offered a sensual smile that suggested she wasn’t going to back down on this.

Alaric took a step closer, resting his hand on the desk. ‘And why would we change the rules?’

‘Don’t you want to learn what I found out in your father’s correspondence?’ She held out a stack of letters. But his attention was entirely fixed upon her slender form and the way the blue gown clung to her curves.

‘I’d prefer it if you didn’t worry about his letters at all. They aren’t your concern.’ It was better if Nathaniel’s mistakes were left in the past.

But then he caught a glimpse of Lenora’s name on a letter. Instead of being shoved into the back of the drawer, it was now neatly bundled with his father’s correspondence. And seeing it amidst the other letters tightened his emotions.

Had Charlotte found it inside the desk and read it? His gut twisted at the thought of her discovering the note. Although there was nothing really wrong with it, it felt like a betrayal to both women.

And he had no desire to answer questions about Lenora.

‘I could help you,’ she offered. ‘I only just started last week, but there is so much to read through. If we divide the letters—’

‘No need. I will take care of it.’ He swiftly took the stack of letters from her and added, ‘I will see you tonight.’

Her face fell, and she took a step backwards. ‘Alaric, I—’ But whatever excuse or apology she was about to make simply faltered. ‘Never mind.’ Her tone had gone quiet, and she winced, pressing her hands together before she turned and walked away.

He felt as if he’d hurt her feelings, but he had to hold firm on this boundary. And maybe it was better if she understood that it was his responsibility to settle his father’s debts.

Just as he reached the doorway, he called out to her. ‘I need to return to London in the morning, Charlotte.’

Her shoulders lowered, and she turned back. ‘So soon?’

He held up the letters. ‘It seems that I need to meet with Thompson about my father’s business affairs. I might as well do so now.’

The duchess’s expression grew hesitant. ‘I presume you do not want me to come with you.’

He paused and studied her. ‘Only if you want to. This time, I won’t be gone very long. Just a few days,’ he reassured her.

‘My sister is in town,’ Charlotte said quietly. ‘Would you object if I visited her?’

Her voice held sadness, and he realised how isolated she was here. As it was winter, she had no garden to occupy her time. Perhaps it was a good idea for her to see her family.

‘I have no objection. As long as you allow me to manage Thompson.’ He intended to find out whether his father’s secretary had played any role in Nathaniel’s poor financial decisions.