Page 77

It was winter jasmine that Charlotte had planted, and several brave branches were blooming with tiny yellow flowers. He took a pocketknife and cut a few stems from it.

Rain soaked his hair and clothing, but it meant nothing. Once he had his blossoms, he returned to the house and climbed the staircase towards Charlotte’s room. He paused, wondering if she was still angry with him. He’d made a mess of everything earlier, but he’d been so shaken by what had happened, he’d needed time to gather his composure.

He hoped she could forgive him for the behaviour that had been born of shock. But when he quietly opened the door to her bedchamber, she lay with her back to him, curled up beneath the coverlet, asleep.

It wasn’t right to awaken her, but he stepped inside the room and walked towards her, setting the damp yellow blossoms on the table beside her bed. Her eyes remained closed, and her expression held traces of pain.

The tray of food revealed that she’d eaten every morsel, leaving only a few crumbs of cake. Good. He intended to take care of her.

He thought about lying down beside her but realised he would probably disturb her sleep. Or worse, he might bump against her bruises in the night. Instead, he decided to return to his own room.

In the morning, he would talk to her and apologise. He hadn’t told Charlotte how his mother had died or that Charlotte’s own accident had only evoked terrible memories of that loss. Maybe he needed to reveal everything to her, including his own feelings. It was the only way to rebuild the marriage they should have had from the very beginning.

Alaric awakened far later than he’d meant to. Sunlight flooded his room, and when he sat up in bed, he realised that the morning was nearly over. He didn’t understand how he’d slept so long, but he walked towards the adjoining door to Charlotte’s room and pushed it open. Her bed was already made, and she’d left.

Likely, she was at breakfast. He rang for his valet, who helped him dress, and then he went to join her.

But when he arrived at the dining room, there was no sign of his wife. Though he didn’t like the thought of her working in the garden after her injuries, he didn’t doubt that was where she was. He hadn’t missed the look of annoyance on her face when the doctor had suggested that she remain in bed until she’d healed from her fall.

He ate quickly and then left the dining room to go in search of her. Along the way, he passed Braxton and asked if he’d seen the duchess.

The footman frowned and said, ‘Your Grace, she left early to travel to your London townhouse. We thought…you were joining her there.’

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Charlotte had run away? In her condition?

‘And you just let her go after she was injured so badly yesterday?’ He stared at Braxton, aghast.

‘I am so sorry. I will order your coach at once, Your Grace,’ the footman said. His expression grew worried, and he began apologising, but Alaric hardly heard him. He intended to go after Charlotte and ensure her safety first.

Then he intended to let her know exactly how much he loved her.

Chapter Thirteen

Rule 1: Our marriage will be in name only. Our marriage will be a love match.

‘Charlotte, what happened to you?’ Evelyn demanded. Her sister’s expression appeared horrified, and Charlotte guessed that her bruises from the fall looked worse than she’d imagined.

‘It was just a slight fall,’ she admitted to her sister. ‘I will be all right. But I need your help.’ She explained her plan, but Evelyn’s face tightened with dismay.

‘I don’t like this at all.’

Charlotte sat down on the settee. ‘I won’t stay with you for very long. I just need time to make other arrangements.’

Her sister joined her and took her hand. She reached out and winced when she touched the darkened bruise on Charlotte’s cheek. ‘You can stay with me as long as you wish. For the remainder of your pregnancy, if need be.’

She stared at her sister in disbelief. ‘How did you know about the baby?’

Evelyn’s expression turned knowing. ‘You keep touching your stomach with both hands.’

Charlotte reddened at that but gave a nod, confirming it. ‘I only just found out.’

Her sister took her hand. ‘Are you happy about the baby?’

Emotions gripped her heart, and tears welled in her eyes. ‘So very much. I never knew how badly I wanted this child until I almost lost it.’

Evelyn squeezed her hand and smiled. ‘Then I will make sure you have everything you need to be comfortable.’ She rang for a servant and added, ‘I’ll have a room made up for you, and you can rest from your journey.’

Charlotte was grateful, but she wondered whether Alaric would follow her. Although she had travelled to their London townhouse at first, it had been a ruse. The servants didn’t know she had no intention of staying at their own residence. And they’d thought nothing of her decision to pay a call upon her sister. Which meant she had only a little time before they would notify the duke.