Page 57 of Not his Marchioness
“I did not know that you were secretly a physician as well as a school teacher.”
“I am neither.” She flicked her wrist. “But I do possess something that you may have heard of. It is called common sense. Quite popular on the Continent, I hear.”
“Ah,” he said with a smile. “I had not heard of it. I shall make inquiries.”
“Please do; it might help you avoid mishaps in the future,” she riposted.
But there was a lightness between them. It was in these moments of levity that had been sprinkled into their interactions these past weeks. While most of the time they were cordial to each other, there were moments like these that stood in stark contrast. Moments that made her long for a different reality for them both.
They were few and far between, but when they happened, her heart always skipped a beat. This was inevitably followed by her feeling upset with herself for once again falling into his trap. But she supposed that if one ended up married to a rake, then this was what one should expect.
“Do not forget the masquerade ball tonight,” he said, growing serious.
“Masquerade ball?” She furrowed her brow.
“Yes.” He nodded. “I told you about it at breakfast two days ago. You were busy with your journal, but you acknowledged what I said. Have you been simply appeasing me?”
She didn’t know what to say because the truth was, she had been appeasing him. She remembered that morning well. She had been very busy making a list of issues she wanted to bring up to Lady Woodhaven while he had spoken regarding something or other related to the mail he had received that morning.
“It is at Lady Haversham’s. Since it’s a masquerade, I suggested that we dress as Athena and Apollo.”
“But I haven’t got a costume,” she protested.
His jaw tightened. “I told you that my parents have an abundance of costumes in a trunks packed away. They have the very costume I was thinking of. But if that is too elaborate, we can rethink it.”
“No, not at all,” she said. “It is just that I have not planned to go to any masquerade. I had intended to find a location for my school. I did not know my presence was required at these events.”
His face darkened. “That was our agreement. This is what we must do to keep up the charade. Some people may believe us a happily married pair now—it is certainly helpful that the Woodhavens do—but we are not finished. I need you to accompany me to the masquerade. Many lords I am in business with will be there. Viscount Grover, with whom I share several mines. The Duke of Windsor, who is my partner in several vineyards and wineries… amongst others. They are the two who have been most dubious about our business connection due to my reputation. They need to see me with my beautiful wife.”
“Very well, I will be there. I will ask Margot to come to Islington with me the following day, to look for a location for the school,” she relented.
To say that she felt torn would be an understatement. A part of her wanted to go to the masquerade ball with him, even hoped that they would dance again as they had before, but another part dreaded it. Not only because she would rather have gone to Islington, perhaps with Evelyn or Margot, to find a suitable location, but also because she remembered vividly the dream she had had in which he had kissed her so passionately, and she knew that she would not be able to convince herself not to hope for something like that every time they were close.
“Good,” he said. “And if you wish, I will accompany you and Margot to Islington tomorrow, and we can look for locations together.”
She hadn’t expected that. She wanted to protest, to tell him that she didn’t need him. But the truth was, Islington was not thevery best of neighborhoods. Besides, she knew nothing about real estate. Nothing about what the property was worth. And she didn’t want to look a fool in front of Lady Woodhaven when she asked her what location she’d found.
With her luck, she would find the perfect location, only to discover it was infested with rats or belonged to some disgraced baron.
Besides, a part of her wouldn’t mind being with her husband. And Margot would be there. She hadn’t asked her yet, but her cousin would not disappoint her.
Margot would serve as a barrier between them.
Yes, she would ensure that Charlotte’s thoughts remained chaste and proper. And she would certainly keep Rhys from making those eyes at her. And that smirk that always made her weak in the knees.
It would be fine. Charlotte would find the perfect location for her school and set the project in motion, while they would woo his investors. And soon enough—very soon—they would go their separate ways just as they had always planned.
And that day could not come soon enough, for if it didn’t, she knew that there was only so much fight she could put up against what her heart and body so achingly wanted.
CHAPTER 22
The carriage rumbled down Bond Street toward Haversham House. Rhys pulled at his tunic to let air in while Charlotte looked at him with a smile.
“Itchy, are we, Apollo?”
“Yes,” he replied begrudgingly. “I had not expected the costume to be quite so itchy. I suppose that is why my parents did not end up wearing them at their masquerades.”
“Well, you look brilliant, indeed,” she drawled.
