Page 70 of The Duke and the Wrong Bride

“Who told you that?”

“My mother, mostly—you met her. She’s always been an idealist.”

“Well…”

Charlotte bit her lip as she considered the obvious—that her husband would be leaving her for several days. Perhaps even longer. It shouldn’t have bothered her as much as it did. And she knew he would return as soon as he could, and nothing would change for them, but with everything going as well as it was, the last thing she needed was for him to have a long enough break that he began to realize that this marriage thing wasn’t as wonderous as he was led to believe.

“If you have to…”

Henry looked up, a frown on his face… only for it to turn into a grin. “Is that worry in your voice?”

“No.”

“Are you going to miss me?” He pumped his eyebrows.

“You wish.”

“I knew this would happen.” He sighed. “And really, I blame myself. I’m too charming for my own good?—”

“Oh, stop it!” She slapped him with the hand holding the letter, and that was when a new realization struck her. “When did you say you were leaving?”

“Tomorrow.” He grimaced. “Best to get it over with—and I can’t afford to wait much longer either. Every day is one more day that I’m made to look like a fool.” He seemed to sense the unease in her, or maybe he just caught that forlorn look on her face? Either way, he sat up and looked at her with concern. “Why? What’s wrong?”

She indicated the letter. “Agnes. She has invited the two of us to a ball.”

“Oh. Fun.” He took the letter from her. “As much as I hate these things, I do feel it’s time I start doing my part. I did promise you, after all…” he trailed off as his eyes scanned the details of the letter, specifically the date of the event. “Ah…”

“It’s this Friday. Five days,” she muttered.

“Well… that’s not… it’s still a ways away.”

“How long will you be gone? Truly?”

Henry considered. “If all goes well? I should be there and back in four days’ time, at the most.”

“Oh?” Charlotte perked up, hope taking over. “So, you’ll make it for the ball? Because I would so love to go.”

Was he lying to her? Was he just telling her what she wanted to hear? She had no idea, and she didn’t wish to accuse him. But his smile was all the proof that she needed, an honest one that reached his eyes. Sitting up and looking at her, Henry reached out and hooked a finger under her chin, forcing her to look right at him.

“I will be back in time, I promise.”

“Double promise?” she urged.

“Is that a thing?”

“It is now.”

He laughed. “I double promise, then. You wish for me to attend this ball, I wish to make you happy, and from what I can see, those two things go together rather well. So much so that I’d be a fool not to take advantage.”

“And you’re no fool.”

“Not that much of one, anyhow.”

These past few days had been wonderful. Truly, as good as any that Charlotte had ever experienced. No more fighting. No more wondering if her husband even liked her. He was a new man in her eyes, one who she could tell was doing his absolute best to please her. They hadn’t spoken of the wordloveyet, for that felt rushed and forced. But still… if he honored his word and made it back for this ball, who was to say that wasn’t an act of love?

And just to prove how far the two had come, Charlotte chose that moment to show him how grateful she was. They were alone in the garden. The sun shone on them fully. She no longer required Henry to take the lead, even if he did prefer it. Still looking into his eyes, she licked her lips. He frowned and then grinned in realization, but before he could act, she was on him, pushing him onto his back and climbing on top.

Henry was leaving her tomorrow for four full days, so best that she take advantage of him while she still could. And best that he take advantage of her also.

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