Page 75 of In Need of a Duke
Charlotte only scoffed. Just then, a big black cat stretched from her spot on a tower of books, then jumped down, before nuzzling Charlotte’s dress.
“Celeste, my love. I didn’t forget you.”
“She left a mouse’s head in the girls’ room this week. She’s been banned until I know she won’t terrify them any longer.”
Celeste chirped before curling up into Charlotte’s lap.
“He returned while Lord Nathaniel was hosting a house party at Stonehurst. With my permission, of course. As you can imagine, Ian was anything but pleased.”
“Well, what did he expect? He’s been in Italy, or who knows where with whomever.”
“He swears there was no one else.”
“Do you believe him?”
She scratched the top of Celeste’s head, feeling herself calm as the cat purred loudly. “Did he write to you after my riding accident?”
“I have the letter here somewhere. Yes, he did. The man was?—”
“Beside himself?”
“Well, he certainly wasn’t without feeling. He sounded worried, Lottie. Devastatingly worried.”
Charlotte placed a hand on her shoulder, wincing at the memory of pain. “It was a horrible riding accident. I should have never attempted the jump I did.”
“And since you’ve recovered?”
“He’s been… surprising. He returned a stranger, and little by little, I feel as if the old Ian is returning to me. The man who won my heart, which is entirely confusing because I have hated him these past years.”
“You were hurt. But you loved him more.”
Charlotte sighed. “That’s the problem, Lily. The man has been…” she blushed, thinking of him in her bed the evening before. “He has been insistent and patient, and I have acted nothing short of curt and prickly.”
“As you should after what happened.”
“I think I’m falling in love with him again,” Charlotte rushed out. Her chest squeezed. “That’s the problem. I think I never stopped loving my husband, and now that he is back, I am so uncertain about my future.”
“There is no rush to figure anything out.”
And perhaps not. But Charlotte wished to finally move forward with her life after years of remaining stuck.
“I should go find him and give him a tour.”
And as if Rafe was outside waiting, he knocked and then dragged Liam in with him. “He promises to be good and listen,” Rafe said.
“I most certainly did not!” Liam shot back.
Charlotte giggled. “I think this is the perfect time to find the duke.” She waggled her brows at Lily, who jumped up and marched over to her husband and his business partner.
“Liam Hawkins, I do not know what you are up to?—”
“It’s best you don’t ask, darling.”
She glared at Rafe. “We’ll discuss this another time.”
Liam slapped Rafe’s middle. “I didn’t mean to cause a spat between the two of you.”
“It’s how she expresses her love for me.”
