Page 84 of Not his Marchioness
“I must contradict you, dear husband,” Evelyn piped up. “If mischief were in your blood, you would still be causing trouble. And you have not, at least not to my knowledge, in quite some time.”
“If I were, you would know, my love,” Nathaniel replied, giving her hand a squeeze.
Charlotte watched them, remembering how Nathaniel had once been considered quite the rake. He had never expected to become a duke; he had been merely the nephew of the former Duke, who had a son. It had been most tragic when both had died, raising Nathaniel unexpectedly to the title.
Tragic then, but fortunate now—for Evelyn, for their family. And if Nathaniel could change, then so could Rhys.
Nathaniel had not set foot in a disreputable club since marrying her sister. Why should not Rhys, who had been reputed—even as a rake—for his compassion and kindness? Even the princes had sought his company, not for his fortune or his handsome face, but for his heart.
As her sister and Nathaniel fell into quiet conversation, Charlotte turned to Rhys.
“It is a lovely evening,” she said.
“Indeed,” he replied.
To her astonishment, he laid his hand over hers, curling his fingers around it. Without thinking, she let her head fall to his shoulder.
As they sat gazing out at the winter wonderland, she let her doubts melt away like snow upon warm skin, and dared to believe that something, at last, had changed.
CHAPTER 32
Charlotte shivered beside him, and he turned to her. They had been outside for a good twenty minutes, watching the snow fall. It had been beautiful, but he had to admit the cold was getting to him, too.
“I could stand to have another glass of Negus,” he said.
“Yes,” Evelyn concurred. “I am so cold. My fingers are growing numb.”
“Why did you not say anything?” Nathaniel asked.
“Because it is lovely out here. And peaceful. As much as I enjoy a pleasant ball, it can be tiring.”
“I have a mind to get another glass and then sneak away to explore the Woodhavens’ library,” Charlotte admitted.
“What a good idea. Will you join us, Rhys?” Evelyn asked with a wink.
“Goodness, no. You shall have to embark on that adventure on your own.”
Charlotte looked at Nathaniel, who had raised his eyebrows. “Rhys does not enjoy books very much,” she explained. “We are teasing him.”
“And here I was, thinking the two of you made a perfect match.” Nathaniel laughed. “Well, why don’t you ladies go explore the library, and Rhys and I can perhaps find a vacant card table. Perhaps chess?”
Rhys smiled. He hadn’t played chess since his father died. The thought of it was both nostalgic and daunting. Still, he didn’t want to disappoint his new brother-in-law.
He nodded. “If you can find us a seat, I will play with you.”
“I won’t have to look for very long. I happen to know that Lord Woodhaven keeps a chess set in his parlor. Let us go.”
They escorted the ladies inside and then parted ways.
As he let go of Charlotte’s arm, Rhys instantly mourned the loss of her touch. She smiled at him with a tenderness he had rarely seen, and then she and her sister disappeared.
He followed Nathaniel up the stairs to the first-floor landing, where they encountered Lord Woodhaven.
“Woodhaven,” Nathaniel said, “Ravenscar and I would like to use your chess set.”
“By all means.” Woodhaven nodded. “But you’d better watch him, Ravenscar. He cheats.”
“I dare say it is most unlikely that anybody cheats at chess. I am simply more experienced, and I play it better,” Nathaniel declared.
