“How long have you been here?” she snapped.
He touched the rose to her chin. “I’ve been watching you for about ten minutes. Do you know how lovely you are when you’re asleep?”
“No. I don’t recall ever seeing myself sleep.”
He chuckled and slid his gaze over her once more. “You look very tempting this morning.”
“Then I suggest you stop looking at me and find another object to direct your stare.”
He didn’t appear the least affected by her words. A smile still graced his mouth as if she’d said nothing.
“So, are you ready for breakfast? Cook has prepared something delicious. Your maid told him what you like to eat, and it’s waiting whenever you snap your fingers.”
Her mood lightened a fraction of an inch. “My maid’s here?”
He nodded. “George brought her by early this morning with all of your things.” He tilted his head. “Do you feel safer now?”
“I’d feel safer if you’d moved to another continent.”
“Good to see you haven’t lost your spunk, my dear.” He touched her chin, but she slapped his hand away. “As soon as you’re ready, you can have breakfast.”
“Have you already eaten?”
“Yes. I’ve been awake for a while now. I’ll be going to the office shortly. Unfortunately, I’ve got a case that really needs to be solved. With any luck, I’ll finish it today.”
Her spirits lifted a little higher. “So you won’t be constantly by my side?”
“Don’t look so excited, or I just might decide to stay home and entertain you.”
“That’s not necessary. I shall be able to keep myself busy.”
He shrugged. “If you get bored today, come into the office. I’d like to introduce you around.”
“I have no desire to meet your friends,” she hissed. “Isn’t it enough you have kept our marriage a secret? It would really start tongues wagging if they found out the truth now. I wonder, though. Would the truth cause you embarrassment?”
His lips quirked into a crooked grin. “It wasn’t common knowledge when I first moved here. Besides, I told you when I had agreed to marry you it was in name only.”
She lifted her chin and looked away.
He sighed. “Well, if you change your mind, my driver will take you to my office.”
He moved to stand, but stopped and leaned over her, pressing his lips to hers for a kiss. She gasped and pushed the heel of her hands against his chest, but his arms circled around her shoulders and pulled her closer. Although she resisted, he didn’t break the kiss.
Memories of the night at the mask ball rushed upon her, causing her body to melt. Her mental struggle for control lost as his mouth moved across hers, urging her lips open. She held back the sigh ready to escape.
When he pulled away, disappointment washed over her, but soon reality hit her like a bucket of cold water. The rogue! How dare he take advantage of her? She lifted her hand and slapped his cheek. His eyes widened in shock, and then a smile crept across his mouth.
He chuckled. “I’ll see you later, Chère.” He winked, stood, and left the room.
Anger multiplied with every step he took, and she hated him that much more. And she hated herself, too, for her ridiculous weakness. She picked up an empty basin from the bed stand and threw it at the closed door. The porcelain shattered, the pieces scattering across the floor.
Ian must know what kind of power he had over her, and she wished her body would shield his tempting effect. There had to be a way to stop herself from melting every time he kissed her.
Within minutes, the door opened and her maid hurried in with her breakfast, pausing when she noticed the mess on the floor.
The older woman’s eyes widened. “What happened?”
Charlotte sighed heavily. “I missed.”
“You missed?” asked Clara.
“Yes. I was aiming for Ian’s head.”
Charlotte flipped off the covers and climbed out of bed. Hastily, she dressed as Clara chased around behind. While the older woman finished touching up Charlotte’s hair, she chomped on a fresh pear and a scone with honey butter. As soon as she left her room, she ordered the buggy brought around for her day’s excursion, instructing the driver to take her to Allison’s hotel.
When she arrived, she rapped hard on Allison’s door until her friend answered. Allison wore a nightgown and a matching wrapper. Her blonde hair tumbled wildly around her shoulders. Puffy eyes gave evidence that she’d still been in bed.
“Allison!” Charlotte moved into the room without waiting for an invitation. “We have to figure out a way to get me out of this insane bargain.”
Allison yawned and stretched her arms above her head. “Why are you about this early in the morning?”
“Wake up and pay attention.”
“I’m awake.” Allison nodded, rubbing her eyes.
“I need your help to get myself away from my husband.”
Allison’s eyes widened, and then suddenly laughter erupted from her throat. “Do you hear yourself?”
Charlotte scowled. “Of course, I hear what I’m saying. I’m talking, aren’t I?”
Allison walked to the sofa, plopped down unladylike, and then folded her legs underneath her. Charlotte joined her.
Allison’s grin widened. “You have wanted your husband to pay attention to you for over three years, and now that Ian is finally attentive, all you can think about is getting away?” Allison tilted her head sideways, giving a smile filled with empathy. “Isn’t this what you have dreamed about since he left?”
Charlotte slumped back on the sofa. “Oh, Allison, I don’t know what my heart desires anymore. I used to think everything would be dandy if Ian would act like a husband, but now I’m so confused. I know he’s attracted to me. The night of the masquerade proves that. But I feel my appearance is the only reason he’s acting this way, and I don’t want him to like me just because he thinks I’m beautiful.”
Allison nodded. “I know how you feel, but remember, physical attraction tempts the man, and then after he’s hooked, he’ll get to know your personality.” Allison swept her untamable hair off her shoulder. “I, too, am tired of having men fall at my feet and offer me the world because they think I’m beautiful and wealthy. But, I know that when I find the man I want, I’ll already have him because of my looks. We have the rest of our lives to get to know each other.”
“But Allison?” Charlotte leaned forward. “What if after a month I don’t like Ian’s personality? What if he wants me, but I don’t want him?”
Allison laughed. “Then your marriage will be based on what happens in the bedroom.”
The corners of Charlotte’s mouth tugged upward, and she shook her head. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Yes, but that’s why you like me.”
Charlotte frowned. “Ian hurt me so much. How do I know he won’t get tired of married life and break my heart again? I don’t know if I can make him fall in love with me forever. I suppose he was right when he asked me last night if I was scared. I am. I’m petrified.”
“Do you want Ian back in your life, or are you doing all this to get him out?” Allison patted Charlotte’s hands. “You must decide.”
Charlotte stared at her hands resting comfortably in her lap during the few minutes of silence. So much to ponder—so much to decide, and she didn’t know where to start. “I’m so afraid I’ll fall in love with him and he’ll not return my love. Then I’ll be as miserable as I was three years ago.”
Allison cleared her throat. “What are your plans for today?”
Charlotte lifted her head and shrugged. “I was going to plan my escape, but since you’ll not help me—”
Allison laughed. “You’re right, I won’t help.”
“Then maybe George will help me.”
Allison shook her head. “I rather doubt that. Not today, anyway. He has plans to visit his cousin.” Allison stifled another yawn behind her hand.
/> Charlotte sighed heavily. “Perhaps I’d better leave.” Charlotte stood and made her way to the front door.
“I really think you should give Ian a chance to prove himself. He did seem very concerned last night. And the way he looked at you—”
“Please don’t,” Charlotte interrupted, holding up her hand. “I’m confused enough already.”
Allison kept quiet as Charlotte quit the room.
All the way back to Ian’s townhouse, she thought about Allison and George. There was a relationship that seemed to have spontaneous romance, and her friend didn’t have a care in the world. Then again, Charlotte knew her friend, and Allison didn’t keep her lovers for very long. Once upon a time, Charlotte had wanted that kind of life. Now she looked forward to having children and growing old with the man of her dreams.
She rolled her eyes. That would never happen now. Not while she was still married to Ian. He’d been the man of her dreams before he broke her heart.
The driver stopped in front of Ian’s place and a footman opened the door. Taking a deep sigh, Charlotte gave her hand to the groom as he helped her from the carriage. She looked up and scanned the two-story building. This place wasn’t home, and it never would be. But if she planned right, it wouldn’t have to be her permanent place of occupancy.
Charlotte dragged herself up the stairs, looking for some activity to keep from becoming bored. She wandered through the rooms, trying to familiarize herself with his things. They were all kept in good order, but the dark colors added dreariness to Ian’s life.
After a few minutes of searching, she found his room, which incidentally, adjoined hers. She wiggled the door handle between the two doors, and thankfully, it was locked. Moving slowly to the center of the bedroom, she eyed the expensive decor. Touches of forest green, burnt red, and coffee brown decorated his rugs and curtains. The room’s furnishings piqued her curiosity, and the first thing she noticed was the cleanliness. Obviously, he paid his servants well.
Her attention shifted to the enormous bed, and her throat turned dry. His brown bedspread was a mite darker than his eyes, and the color reminded her of the lustful look she’d witnessed this morning when his gaze swept over her. Last night he’d mentioned living as husband and wife for the next month. Did he actually mean in the physical sense? If that were the case, she’d certainly rethink the whole deal. But if she didn’t share his bed, would he count the days that passed that she didn’t? Perhaps she’d better. She still wanted a child, and sharing intimacies with him was the only way.
Groaning, she rubbed her forehead as a headache started. Leaving his room presented a problem when his intoxicating, manly scent of spice surrounded her and made her comfortable. The longer she stood breathing in his scent, the more her body became hypnotized with the memory of his heated touches and wild kisses. Images of their passionate moments together at the masquerade ball propelled through her mind.
She wandered to his large armoires, opened the doors to one and beheld the numerous outfits he’d acquired. As she looked closer, she noticed that the first two were of his everyday attire, but the other two looked like costumes. On closer inspection, she could see that they were indeed disguises. He had a change of clothes for each character he’d become, when sneaking around and fooling people into getting what he wanted. Hanging besides his Hell costume, she recognized the old man’s clothing that he’d worn that first time they met when he rescued her from kidnapers.
She remembered that day as though it were yesterday; being the curious young girl she had been three years ago. Two men, who had loathed her father, kidnapped her for ransom. Ian had disguised himself as an old beggar man to gain the trust of Benji and Henry—the imbeciles who had taken her. It had been Ian’s soft eyes and long, lean fingers that led her to believe he was somebody else under those ragged and filthy clothes. If not for Ian, she could have been killed, for Benji and Henry were mean and cold-hearted as the devil.
Ian had been the most perfect man she’d ever laid eyes on. In her tender eighteen years, her body had been slow to develop, and so he thought her to be younger. Why hadn’t she seen back then how forcing someone to marry her would eventually ruin her life?
On instinct, she reached into the closet and took hold of the black cape he’d worn at the masquerade ball and brought it to her nose. Remarkably, it still held her rose scent from that night. She closed her eyes and sank against the cedar armoire door.
Was it really only two nights ago when she’d experienced passion so wonderful with a man who made her heartbeat so hard…and wonderful? Tingles spread throughout her, so she quickly fled from his room, slamming the door behind her. She had to keep her mind on other subjects.
When the lunch hour arrived, it relieved her to at least have something to do. The cook asked her what she wanted to eat, but Charlotte didn’t feel hungry. Ian’s suggestion kept plaguing her thoughts, and only out of boredom did she decide to go to his office.
The slight bounce in her step and smile tugging on her lips surprised her as she readied for her outings. She tried to tell herself she wasn’t excited, but her joyful attitude suggested differently.
She rushed into the kitchen to find the cook. “Would you make me a picnic basket? I’m going to surprise Ian at work.”
When Charlotte arrived at Ian’s office, she took a deep breath for courage, and then entered the building. The lobby was empty, so she moved to the adjoining room, thinking that someone might be there, but once again, nobody occupied the space. Another room off to the side caught her attention, but was hidden behind a closed door.
She knocked, but didn’t get a reply. Pressing her ear against the hard wood, she listened, and when no sound came, she walked in. Once inside she detected her husband’s spice scent. Cautiously, she wandered through his office, touching each book, paper; anything her fingers could caress as her mind told her that he had also touched these.
She cursed her sappy emotions. She needed to stay strong.
Many framed letters were displayed on the wall on one side of the room. On closer inspection, Charlotte realized they were thank you notes and letters of appreciation from Ian’s clients. It was rather strange to see how well-liked her husband was here in Bath. Her heart sank. If they worked out their marriage problems, surely his popularity would keep him here instead of back home in Surrey where she wanted to be.
She scooted around his desk and sat in his high back leather chair. How long would she wait for him to return? She sighed. Somebody would be here soon or they would have locked up the office.
Across the cluttered desk, a piece of paper grabbed her attention. The neat scrawling invited her to read it. As she skimmed the handwriting, she realized that this may indeed be the case he was presently working on.
September 4, 1852
I haven’t quite realized the mystery surrounding this man, but it intrigues me more every time I see him. No matter how hard I look for a flaw, I just can’t find one. Due to his hideous scarred face, he’s not perfect, but he’s definitely making me believe in purity. There isn’t a thing this man cannot do. I try to talk with him, but he refuses. I must be more inconspicuous when I spy on him. I also need to discover the mystery that surrounds his castle on the outskirts of town. Is he hiding something in that spacious castle, or is it the man he doesn’t want people to discover?
Charlotte’s enthusiasm sprang to life. Ideas floated through her mind, and curiosity made her want to help, but knowing her husband’s arrogant attitude the way she did, Ian wouldn’t allow it. He wouldn’t understand that this mysterious man just might speak freely to a woman rather than another man.
With a satisfied sigh, she sank back in the chair and grinned. She’d have to sneak behind her husband’s back, but that thought only intrigued her. Checking out a mysterious man and an old castle
might put a spark to her boredom and help the next month to pass quickly.
Chapter Six
Ian smiled at his beautiful wife as he seated
her behind the large oak dining table. A large chandelier hung above the center of the table. Flickering candles created a romantic mood. Before leaving her side, he stroked her neck softly then walked around the table. “I missed you at lunch today.” He pulled out his chair then sat. “I had hoped you would come.”
She took the linen napkin and placed it across her lap. “I did come, but you weren’t there.”
He arched his brow. “Indeed?”
“Yes. Your cook even prepared a picnic, but since I couldn’t find you, I returned and ate alone.”
He placed his elbow on the table, resting his chin in his hands as he stared into her lovely eyes. “I wonder why Mr. Stout didn’t tell me?”
“Who is Mr. Stout?”
“My secretary.”
“He wasn’t there, either.” She dipped her spoon in the bowl of soup and brought it to her lips. “Your office wasn’t even locked.”
“That’s odd.”
She lifted her gaze to his. “So, what kind of case are you working on? Is it dangerous?”
He chuckled. “Not exactly.”
“Are you trying to capture a thief?”
He grinned at her curiosity. “Perhaps.”
“Find a cheating spouse?”
He tilted back his head and roared with laughter. “Charlotte? Where are you getting these insane notions?”
“I’ve read a lot of novels.”
“Well, unfortunately, the case I’m working on now is not that exciting. In fact, it’s so boring I don’t even want to discuss it.” He brought his wineglass to his mouth and took a swallow. “So, what kept you busy today, my dear?”
She tightened her fingers around her fork. “If the truth be known, I had an extremely uneventful day. I couldn’t find enough to do.”
He grinned. “Perhaps I should have stayed home and kept you entertained after all.”
Belong To Me (book 4) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) Page 7