“I consider it my duty and my pleasure to see to the happiness of my wife. It has been a while since I have said the word ‘wife,’ yet I find there is an easiness about it that I had not expected,” he said, his eyes fixed on her.
Unexpected jealousy toward the woman who had first claimed him as husband washed over her, immediately followed by sobering guilt. Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Charlotte could only nod. Before she could utter a sound, the carriage slowed in front of his townhouse, and Evan tapped on the roof.
Charlotte glanced around however, did not see a carriage with her mother and brother. “Will Mama and Jason be following us here?” She worried her lower lip.
“Your mother felt she needed some more time to pack for their trip home. I sent two footmen to help secure the house for the evening.”
“That helps, Evan,” she said on a breath.
“We can retrieve them and bring them here, if you would prefer,” he offered.
“I know my uncle enough to know he does not make idle threats. He acted desperate. Most of our staff have been with us for years. Mama is not afraid of my uncle; however, Jason fears him, something I failed to realize until today,” she replied. “I believe they will be fine if the footmen are there to help guard the doors,” she said, trying to squash the nervousness she felt. “They will be all right. I must be overreacting because of nerves.”
“Should you change your mind, you have only to ask.” He peeked out the window. “Our butler, Bernard, will have spotted us coming down the street. I want to give the staff a moment to assemble.” His hand touched hers lightly, sending increasingly familiar jolts of sensation up her arm. “I think they are ready for us, Lady Clarendon.” He turned to her and held out his hand. “Shall we?”
“Yes, my . . . Evan,” she said weakly, offering him a smile.
Her husband squeezed her hand and held it softly, guiding her out of the carriage. A black oak door with a lion’s head knocker opened, and a tall graying man she recognized as Bernard met them. Several house servants exited behind Bernard and lined the steps to the three-story gray stone townhouse. It was only the second time she had been here in her life, and this time, it was her home.
“Bernard, allow me to introduce you to my countess, Lady Clarendon.”
“Welcome home, my lord, my lady. We have looked forward to this day, my lady,” the retainer said in a voice full of sincerity.
Charlotte thought she caught a twinkle in Bernard’s eye as he spoke.
Evan slid his hand down her arm to hold her hand and began introductions. “May I introduce you to Mrs. Hutchins, our housekeeper? She has been part of our family for many years.”
A short woman with a gentle smile and gray hair stepped forward and stooped into a curtsy. “My lady, welcome to Clarendon House,” she said genially. “We have breakfast prepared for you in the dining room.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hutchins. However, plans have changed, and it will only be Lady Clarendon and myself for now,” Evan said. “We will endeavor to have a proper celebration on another day.”
“Very good, my lord,” the housekeeper said as she curtsied.
Evan nodded and continued with the introductions.
Having been too nervous to eat earlier, Charlotte could feel her stomach rumbling and hoped no one else could hear it. The mention of food had her stomach reacting on its own.
As they walked to the dining room, he turned to her. “If it pleases you, my dear, I would like to stay here for a few days. Not only will it allow a bit of relaxation, but I have also engaged an interior designer I would like you to meet with before travel to our country estate in Epsom. Once we arrive at Prescott Manor, we can organize our Christmastide celebration. Mrs. Hutchinson has already begun organizing items for the tenant baskets.”
He nodded towards the butler. “Bernard is working with my stable hands to organize the carriages. The ride should take only a few hours.” He lightly squeezed her hand. “I would like to spend our first night together alone,” he finished huskily. “My sister and brother-in-law volunteered to allow Edward to stay a few more days to give us time together. I believe Edward will enjoy the time with them. They will bring Edward and Mrs. Donner, his nanny, in three days.”
Charlotte was glad that he stood beside her, allowing her hair and bonnet to veil her nervous expression. As anxious as she was to meet Edward, she was nervous about becoming a wife and appreciated the extra time they would have together alone. As they entered the dining room, delicious smells of cooked ham, breads, and other foods wafted her way, allowing her to eat first and worry later. She would like to take a nap. However, she did not understand how to approach the topic without stirring his interest in other matters, so she decided saying nothing was perhaps best.
An hour later, they were on their way upstairs. Her stomach muscles fluttered in uneasy anticipation.
“I have had your bags delivered to your rooms, Charlotte.” He opened the door to a gorgeous room bathed in warm yellow and lavender.
Unable to resist, she walked in and turned about, surveying the room. A sumptuous lavender brocade canopy cover with matching bedspread adorned an intricately carved maple bed. Lush patterned carpet surrounded the bed on all sides, reaching to all four walls. A coordinated dressing table and wardrobe completed the larger furnishings, while a plush lavender Chippendale chair sat near the fireplace. Pale yellow velour drapes with light lavender cording showed off large hand-blown double-paned windows
