Page 25 of The Duke and the Wrong Bride

She had not expected what just happened. She had not even considered it. But now that it had and she was left the way she was, she knew one thing to be true—her marriage was never going to be the same.

Whether that was a good or a bad thing, she could not say.

ChapterEight

Charlotte watched her husband eat as if it was the first time she’d ever seen a man do such a thing. The way his teeth tore at the bread. The way his tongue licked the butter as it dribbled down his chin. The way his lips smacked as he took a sip of his juice. And the way his broad chest rose and fell, his breathing heavy, as he devoured the meal before him.

“Is something wrong?” Henry asked with a coy smile as he bit into a piece of bread, tearing at it savagely because he seemed to know what she was thinking.

“Wh—” Charlotte started, cheeks flushing, and she looked away. “No. Just thinking.”

“About?”

“Nothing interesting,” she said sheepishly as she hurried to look busy with her own plate of food. “My mind was just wandering.”

“I’m sure it was.” He chuckled.

She could feel his eyes on her, knowing, suggestive, enjoying the way she squirmed under his gaze. But he didn’t say anything, thank God, shaking his head to himself as he went back to his food.

Last night’s kiss was still on Charlotte’s mind. From how sudden and unexpected it was to how much she’d enjoyed it. Although enjoyed was perhaps an understatement. She’d relished it. Coveted it. Hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it since he left her room. All night, she had lain awake, staring at the ceiling, remembering the feel of his lips, the way his tongue played inside her mouth, his warm breath and the growl that rose from his chest as he devoured her.

How had it happened? Charlotte wasn’t sure. Nor was she sure why it had happened. Until he was on her, she was convinced her husband hated her. That he wanted nothing to do with her. That kissing her was the last thing on his mind. And yet…

Sensing that he was busy with his food, Charlotte dared another glance at her husband. She had always found him to be attractive, that had never been a debate. But what she hadn’t considered was how attracted she was to him. She had thought of him as a beast. An immature, condescending monster. And although he was still that, suddenly she didn’t seem to mind.

It was thus that Charlotte made a decision. Until last night, she was content to treat him as an imposition. A marriage that neither of them wanted. A relationship that didn’t stand a chance. Two strangers fated to live under one roof, destined to bicker and argue at every turn. But now she wondered if that had to be the case. Why couldn’t they get along? What was stopping them from being friendly toward one another? And, if that happened to lead to another kiss, she supposed that wouldn’t be the worst thing.

“How is everything?” Charlotte tried, her voice soft and unsure.

“Delightful,” he responded. “And you?”

“Perfect,” she said with a friendly smile, hoping he would see it. He did and responded in kind, actually seeming to appreciate the gesture.

It was one thing for Charlotte to want to change their relationship, but it was another for Henry to do the same. But from the moment she appeared in the dining room this morning, that was what he had tried to do. He wasn’t acting awkwardly like she was. And he wasn’t holding over her what had happened or alluding to it. Rather, he was being civil for the first time, even friendly. A small thing, sure, but a massive leap from where they had started.

Suddenly, Henry pushed his chair back and rose.

“You’re leaving?” Charlotte blurted out, cursing herself silently then because she hadn’t meant to pry or look desperate. She had just hoped they might spend more time together, a few more minutes to test these new waters.

“I am…” He frowned at her curiously. “I have business I must attend to today. I’m afraid it can’t wait.”

“Oh, all right…” She tried for a smile, but she desperately wanted to ask what business.

He seemed to read her mind, chuckling to himself. “It’s nothing exciting, I assure you,” he said as he stepped around the table and toward her. She watched him come, wondering if he was going to rest a hand on her shoulder… maybe around her throat. “Just some issues with a few of my tenants that require my attention. I’ll be home before supper.”

“Good luck,” she said because she didn’t know what else to offer. Looking up at him, meeting his eyes, she held them, hoping he could see how much she meant it. And then, just as he was about to leave, she managed a, “And thank you.”

“What for?”

“For being honest with me.” She shrugged and then grinned. “It wasn’t so hard now, was it?”

To that, he just laughed and shook his head. It looked like he wanted to say more. It looked as if he was about to reach out and stroke her face gently. She almost closed her eyes and moaned preemptively because she knew he would. But instead, he smiled to himself and strode out of the dining room.

Charlotte exhaled once he was gone, happy with herself and how that had all gone but also disappointed because, deep down, she had wanted more. Nonetheless, it was a small step in the right direction, a significant one, too. And now that he was gone for the day, she could spend it mentally preparing herself for supper, maybe even having a few things ready to speak about so she wouldn’t succumb to small talk. She would try harder, she decided.

That was the plan… one which changed suddenly when Miss Barrow appeared by the table. She was an elderly woman with a hunched back and a spindly frame. From the little the two had said to one another, Charlotte had learned she’d been in this castle since before Henry’s uncle was born.

“Your Grace.” Miss Barrow cleared her throat. “If it pleases you, a letter came this morning.” She held the letter in her hand. “Addressed for you, Your Grace.”

---