Page 44 of In Need of a Duke
“So, are you?”
He turned to her, his eyes combing over her face in that magic way of his. She was hit with a wave of longing.
“My father never wanted to be a duke beyond possessing the power the title afforded him. Stonehurst reflected that… until you. You have made it a home, and it must have been lonely…”
Charlotte closed her eyes. “I do so love my flowers.”
“Sunshine, like you.”
She drew back, surprised at his comment.
“That box there,” he said, suddenly pointing to her seed box. “Is that part of what you work at as well?”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s something I do to keep myself busy. But now with the school, I help Lily and…”
“And?”
She crossed her arms. “I don’t know.”
“It matters, Charlotte. You matter, whether you try to hide away in London ballrooms or a conservatory in Cumbria, your opinions matter.”
It would be so easy to snap back at him, but for what? She was exhausted, and whether he was merely flirting or trying to make amends, it didn’t matter because there was no value in it.
“Well,” he said, turning to leave. “Thank you for sharing all that with me. I won’t bother you any longer.”
She nodded quickly, pulling her shawl tighter. “Thank you for my shawl,” she added awkwardly.
He flashed her a small grin, worry settling into his dark eyes. “Just so it is clear, I think what you’ve done is extraordinary.”
And before she could string a sentence together, too stunned, he left her standing alone in her conservatory.
CHAPTER 12
Charlotte had beenfeverish since that evening in the glasshouse with Ian. Since she had agreed to give him the summer, it was as if he was sticking his boot into her heart, prying it open little by little, and she felt as if she no longer had the strength to push back.
Or perhaps it was more she didn’t wish to.
Charlotte dressed as she always did to ride when there were no guests at the house—in breeches—and headed for the stable.
“Your Grace,” the stable hand greeted, jumping to his feet. “Are you sure you want to ride today?”
She glanced up at the clear April sky, grinning up at the sun. There was nothing she wished for more.
“I believe I do.”
She swallowed her nerves as the stable hand readied her horse. She missed Daisy. They had ridden together for a long time.
“Who do we have here?” she asked, holding out her hand toward the lovely black mare.
“Artemis, Your Grace.”
The horse sniffed her hand, and she slowly approached, reaching out to pet its muzzle.
“She’s a gentle one. Shouldn’t…”
“I understand,” Charlotte said, glancing over at the stable hand. “I will be extremely cautious today, no jumping.”
Even after she mounted the horse, it felt as if she would be sick. But she couldn’t remain trapped inside, roaming the halls of Stonehurst any longer. She needed to ride, to feel as if she were not stuck or locked away. It had felt so for years, but after the accident, it was nearly unbearable. And she was beginning to realize it wasn’t entirely Ian’s fault. Remaining here was safe, like clinging to the ballroom walls in London. If she hid away, then no one would pay much attention. She was tired of explaining her place in the world to the rest of theton.
