Page 17 of The Melancholic Duke’s Arranged Bride (Lustful Lords and Ladies)

Chapter 16

Charlotte believed her skin had never looked any better. The soft golden glow from riding in the afternoon sun gave her a slightly exotic look, which she liked. Her mother would tell her to bathe in milk immediately and stay away from the sun until her pale complexion returned, but her glow complemented her golden hair and blue eyes.

Templeton decided to make the best of Charlotte’s glow by covering her in gold jewelry and white satin. The effect was outstanding. Charlotte kept admiring her skin in every mirror as she made her way to the drawing room to wait for dinner. It was probably a little touch narcissistic, but it was only until she grew accustomed to the change or the color faded.

Charlotte had always loved the rich hues of darker skin and couldn’t understand why so many thought it was inferior. It was silly because even nature dictated that anything darker was richer in color and flavor. Grapes, strawberries, peaches, plums—these and more were better when darker. Of course, there was a limit because being too ripe meant it would rot soon, so the period of enjoyment was limited.

Flicking a lock of hair off her shoulder, she wondered when she would grow annoyed with the style. Templeton insisted she wear it loose to show off her curls with just a pretty comb to sweep it to the side. It wasn’t fashionable, but it did give her a little goddess-like feeling. Templeton had even used oils on her body and wiped off the excess, so Charlotte looked like she was shining under candlelight. Hopefully, she didn’t look like a polished piece of brass.

The drawing room was empty when she entered, so she picked up a book and settled between the cushions on a settee. Templeton would usually join her until dinner, but she had a headache.

After a bit of arguing, Charlotte convinced her to lie down with a compress on her brow until she felt better. She hoped her lady’s maid wasn’t succumbing to the beginning of an illness. Templeton rarely grew ill, but when she did, she was unable to work for weeks while she recovered.

Worry had her reach for the rope near her, tugging on it twice to call Mrs. Clarkson. The housekeeper appeared moments later.

“You called, Your Grace?” she asked.

“Yes,” Charlotte replied. “Templeton isn’t feeling well, so I’d like the chefs to make some nourishing broth for her, preferably beef. She’ll need some tea, but something herbal. I know you have a few varieties. You make them, don’t you?”

Mrs. Clarkson nodded. “I dry the herbs myself.”

“Your talents never cease to amaze me,” Charlotte said, smiling. “Please add honey to the tea and have someone keep an eye on her.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” the housekeeper replied. “Is there anything I can get for you?”

“I think a little soda water with strawberry syrup.”

Mrs. Clarkson smiled. “You have enjoyed the strawberries this season,” she commented.

“Undoubtedly,” Charlotte agreed. “Pineapples are next on my list. If only I ate vegetables with such gusto.”

“Vegetables are a little harder to like,” said Mrs. Clarkson. “I personally like mine smothered in gravy or butter.”

“You are a woman after my own heart, Mrs. Clarkson,” said Charlotte.

The housekeeper chuckled. “I am glad to hear it, Your Grace,” she said. “Let me get your soda water and instruct the kitchen about Templeton’s broth.”

Mrs. Clarkson curtsied and walked out, straightening a vase along the way. Chuckling quietly, Charlotte shook her head and returned to her book. The housekeeper couldn’t help but touch things whenever she entered or left a room. Charlotte doubted she realized she was doing it.

“Perfectionist,” she muttered.

She burrowed deeper into the cushions and was soon lost in a story about pirates, loot, and islands.

“Alone?”

Charlotte yelped and sat up straighter. She looked behind her and found her brother-in-law leaning on the back of the settee with a smirk.

“Lord Henry,” she said. “You startled me. I didn’t hear you come in.”

Henry grinned. “You were too absorbed in that book,” he said. “And remember—none of that of that Lord Henry from you. It’s just Henry. We’re family, after all.”

He leaned over the settee, bringing his face too close to hers. Charlotte immediately moved to the edge of her seat. She couldn’t tell if he was being friendly, but it was all rather inappropriate. She barely knew him, yet he undoubtedly felt comfortable with being so close to her.

“Oh, I forgot,” she said. “I’ve grown accustomed to Lord Henry. I’ll do my best to remember.”

“You’ll have more than enough time to remember because I’ll be spending some time here,” he revealed.

Charlotte had nothing against her brother-in-law, but she had felt uneasy around him from the first time she met him. She also didn’t like the way he looked at her. It wasn’t brotherly. Not even her husband looked at her like that.

“You’ll be staying here?” she asked.

“Yes,” he replied. “Isn’t that wonderful news? We can get to know each other.”

“Yes, wonderful,” she replied, although it felt anything but that.

Charlotte and William had only just begun to understand each other and were doing well. She had seen the tension between the brothers and believed it might affect their marriage. This was not a good time for Henry to spend time around them.

“I’m so glad you agree,” he said. “I have a feeling we’ll get along swimmingly. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have many things in common. Just take our appearance, for example. We have a similar hair color.”

“As do thousands of others across the continent,” Charlotte pointed out.

“Yes, but we’re related, which makes us much closer,” Henry countered. “Have I told you how beautiful you are? Mother did not tell me my sister-in-law would be this lovely. You must be a daughter of Aphrodite, or do you pay respects to Venus?”

“Neither,” she said. “I’m a Christian. We do not pray to other gods and goddesses.”

“Indeed? What a shame. You likely would have been a high priestess in Ancient Greece or perhaps a high official’s wife. You might even have caught the emperor’s eye, and I wouldn’t blame him.” He grinned rather lasciviously. “Ancient Greece was a far more liberal society and allowed special relationships. Now, we’re bound by a religion that believes holiness should be achieved by all.”

Charlotte shifted uncomfortably. He was inching closer to her again. Any further and he would fall over the settee and on top of her. Her reflexes were rather good, so she was more likely to dive to the floor before he landed on her.

“There is nothing wrong with holiness,” Charlotte said. “Succumbing to our baser natures often leads to the breakdown of society. Why did ancient civilizations fail? They were intelligent, perhaps more so than us, but they no longer exist. Why?”

Henry raised an eyebrow. “Do you mean to say that their lack of holiness was what ended them?”

“I was not there and cannot make an informed statement,” she began. “However, I can voice my opinion.”

“And pray tell, what is this opinion?”

“What do these civilizations have in common?” she asked.

Henry propped his chin on his hand. “You tell me, dear sister-in-law.”

“They all had practices that were not good for one’s body and spirit,” she said. “Human sacrifice, impure relations, a lack of boundaries...in short, they gave into desires of the flesh that didn’t just destroy the condition of their own heart and body, but also those around them. That cannot be sustained.”

Henry laughed and shook his head. “Do you mean to tell me that our current society is not filled with sinful people? Those who pretend to be holy but revel in fleshly desires behind closed doors?”

“No, not at all,” she said. “However, there is a sense of restraint in our society. Some will continue to do as they please, but our society is not shaped by it. Not yet, but I believe even this society and others will succumb to the flesh. As I said, this is just an opinion. I do not expect anyone to agree with me—that is the beauty of having an opinion.”

“Yes, it is just an opinion,” Henry agreed. “While I disagree with you, I appreciate the way your mind works. Not only are you exceedingly beautiful, but you’re also intelligent. I am not opposed or threatened by intelligent women like so many others seem to be. My brother included.”

Charlotte frowned. “I’m afraid you are rather wrong,” she said. “William has never spoken against my intelligence. He willingly listens to everything I say and responds.”

“Indeed?” Henry asked.

He appeared genuinely surprised.

“Yes, indeed,” she said firmly.

“Well, I am undoubtedly surprised,” he replied. “He has never struck me as a man who thinks much or likes women to think. William is the strong, silent sort. He rarely has much to say.”

“Perhaps it is because others talk too much for him to speak,” she offered with just a touch of venom in her voice.

If Henry was looking to lower her opinion of William in any way, he was sorely mistaken in believing his words would affect her. She knew precisely the kind of man her husband was and wasn’t willing to think otherwise.

“I like how you come to my brother’s defense,” said Henry. “You have a backbone, Charlotte. That just makes you more intriguing. I sincerely look forward to spending more time with you. I’m almost jealous that you belong to my brother, but there is no rule against us forming a relationship as brother and sister-in-law, yes?”

Henry’s words sounded too suggestive for Charlotte’s liking. “It is normal for family to have an appropriate relationship,” she said.

“I’m glad you agree,” he said, walking around the settee.

He plonked himself on the one end and leaned toward her. Charlotte was ready to get up and move to another seat, but he quickly took her hand and essentially trapped her.

“Henry?” she said in question, staring at their hands.

“I like the sound of my name on your lips, dear sister-in-law,” said Henry. “And how lovely you look under the candlelight. Did you use pummeled gold in your oil? Your skin is positively glowing as though it did.”

“I spent time in the sun,” she explained, tugging her hand slightly.

It didn’t budge from his grip.

“It becomes you,” he said. “In fact, your ensemble this evening creates a ravishing combination. I have never seen gold jewelry look this wonderful before. Most women I’ve met cannot carry the hue well, but you have. I would love to see you in silver one day. It would give you an ethereal air.”

“Thank you for the compliment,” she said, tugging her hand again. “Would you release my hand?”

“Certainly,” he replied. “In a moment. I merely wish to know something before I do.”

“What is that?”

“How did you and my brother meet?” he asked. “Why could we not have met before?”

Henry knew full well how they met—everyone did. Charlotte couldn’t understand the point of his question.

“At the church on our wedding day,” she said anyway.

“I wish I had been part of the process of selecting a bride for my brother,” Henry said wistfully. “I was certain my mother would choose a boring woman to complement my simple brother.”

“William is not simple!” she snapped, finally pulling her hand away.

Henry raised his eyebrows as a look of annoyance crossed his face. “Yes, I see that you sincerely believe he is wonderful. How did he manage to convince you of that?”

“I do not understand why you believe otherwise,” she said. “You have known your brother longer than I have.”

“That is precisely why I am reluctant to believe he is who you say he is,” Henry told her. “Perhaps he has changed, but I find that hard to believe. Would you still have chosen William if you had been given another choice?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“I suggest you give yourself a little more time to think before you answer me,” Henry insisted.

Frustration ate away at Charlotte’s patience. “Why does any of this matter?” she asked. “I am married to your brother and happy with this arrangement.”

“Because you had no choice,” Henry said, trying to take her hand again.

Flabbergasted by his insistence, Charlotte could only keep her hands from him as she tried to make sense of the situation. She opened her mouth to speak, only for William to come in at that moment. She jumped to her feet, feeling inexplicably guilty. She hadn’t done a thing wrong, but Henry had made her uncomfortable and ridiculous for humoring him. Charlotte should have moved away the moment he sat down and took her hand.

William’s eyes narrowed on his brother. “Is something amiss?” he asked.

“Not at all,” Henry replied. “I was merely getting to know your wonderful wife. Mother did a splendid job choosing her for you. Perhaps I should have her choose my wife, although I doubt I will be as fortunate as you to find someone as lovely as Charlotte.”

“I cannot fault her choice,” William replied stiffly.

Charlotte left Henry and moved to William’s side. “I was surprised you were not here when I came downstairs. Did you also soak in a bath?”

“No, I did a little work in the study,” he said. “Mrs. Clarkson just informed me that dinner is ready. Shall we go?”

“Finally!” Charlotte replied. “I’m famished, although, come to think of it, Mrs. Clarkson was supposed to bring me a little soda water. I wonder what delayed her?”

“You can have it at dinner,” William suggested.

Charlotte agreed and took his arm, not sparing Henry a backward glance. She had barely been around him for an hour and already felt he had sown seeds of discord in the house. She shuddered to think what the following days would bring.