Page 24 of Always the Chaperone
“Thank God,” he said with a grin. “But you may pick up their topic of weddings, if you wish to give me a sense of continuity. Tell me, what weddings are you to attend this year?”
Charlotte shivered in the cold of the morning and tightened her grip around his arm. Of course, the topic was weddings.
“None,” she said. “Which is a relief. I have no comprehension of what marriage looks like—a good marriage, I mean. It is always a rather bizarre experience, hearing two people make such extravagant vows. Besides, I have attended two already this year.”
“But your parents, they must have been a model for marriage.”
Charlotte laughed. “Oh, yes, a very merry couple. They were so unhappy together, and my father such a monster…”
“What do you mean, a monster?”
She swallowed. He had been so honest about his sister—and was her story any worse?
He saw her hesitation. “Please, I must apologize. I have no wish to bring up bad memories, Charlotte.”
His use of her name shifted her heart. “No, it is only that he used to…to beat us. All of us.”
William’s eyes widened in horror. “Your brothers?”
Charlotte nodded. “And my mother and I, if we were disobedient. He was terrible when he drank, and as we grew older, he drank more.”
William stopped walking. Disgust darkened his features. “Youandyour mother?”
He did not seem to believe her or didn’t want to. “Please, do not concern yourself. It all changed three years ago.”
“What changed his mind?”
“He died.”
They stood without moving in the middle of the street as a carriage rumbled by them.
Finally, William spoke. “That is the most despicable thing I have ever heard.”
Charlotte frowned and started walking with him, arm in arm. “When you grow up under such circumstances, and your father is a duke, no one questions his authority or his character. Even if they knew it was happening.”
“I would never,” growled William, “never permit such a man in my sight if I knew that of him.”
He growled, and she appreciated his protective reaction.
“So, have you decided yet?”
The frown on William’s face disappeared. “Decided what?”
“Why, which of the young ladies of Bath you are going to marry?” she said brightly.
She had intended her remark to lighten their conversation. She could not have been more wrong.
Instead of answering, William pulled her down Bilbury Lane and pushed her against the wall of the closest building.
“Going to marry?” he breathed with a wicked smile on his face. “I know exactly who I want to marry.”
They were completely alone, and no one from the street could see them.
“Who have you chosen?”
William groaned and dipped his head, so his forehead touched hers. “Don’t tease me, Charlotte.”
The kiss began before she could speak, and it was not the restrained kiss from three days ago, but passionate. His tongue teased her lips open, and she welcomed him.
