Chapter 18 Charlotte
Charlotte
We drove down one narrow, winding country lane after another, past acres of neatly trimmed hedgerows and quaint villages.
The rolling fields dotted with sheep reminded me of home, except the Cotswolds were too polished.
They lacked the rugged wildness of the Yorkshire countryside.
Everything was neat and uniform. Pristine panoramas suited Cole, but they weren’t for me.
I missed the bitter wind and starkness of the moors.
After an endless trundle along a gravel driveway, Cole’s driver drew to a halt. I looked out of the window and my mouth fell open. Ancient ivy-covered stone rose upward and outward at the heart of a sprawling estate. There were too many windows to count. This wasn’t a house, it was a stately home.
Cole opened the car door for me and held out his hand. “We’ve got a tennis court, croquet lawn, gym, cinema, Estonian igloo sauna. Two pools, indoor and outdoor.”
I stepped out into warm sunshine. “Estonian igloo sauna?”
“Yes.”
“And why did you bring me here, exactly?”
“So you can have a look. You might prefer it out here. It’s cozier than London.”
Cozy? Maybe for a Saudi prince. I peered up at the turrets on the roof. “It’s enormous.”
He shrugged. “Space is good.”
I spun, taking in the perfect expanse of immaculate countryside. It had been at least half an hour since we’d passed through a small village. This was even more remote than Ecclesdale.
“But you’ll still be in London for work?”
“Yes. I’ll come back when I can, to keep up appearances.”
I’d probably never see him again. Was that the plan? Drop me off here in the middle of nowhere and pick me up again when he next needed me? It shouldn’t have bothered me. This was what I’d agreed to.
I folded my arms. “If your plan is to leave me here, then I’d rather go back home. I’ll be happier at Dad’s place.”
“I need you in one of my properties, or people will talk. If you don’t like it here, then I have places abroad. Maybe you want something completely different. I have a little French chateau, or there’s my lodge in Zakopane if you like to ski?”
Of course I didn’t ski. Posh people skied. “What does it matter where I am? No one will know.”
“Because you are my fiancée. People will notice, and then they will talk. I can’t take the risk. It will look odd if you go back to Ecclesdale alone.”
“What am I supposed to do out here all day?”
His face brightened, and he beckoned me to follow. “Excellent question. Come with me.”
I followed Cole past tinkling fountains and manicured lawns to a beautiful cottage garden dotted with wildflowers.
A sheep bleated somewhere in the distance, and another replied.
The aroma of freshly cut grass scented the air.
Nestled in the greenery was a rustic outhouse with glass doors and lilac-painted timber frames.
“I know it’s a little out of the way, but I thought you’d appreciate hearing the birds while you work.”
“Work?”
He opened the double doors. “I’ve had it all decked out with the latest equipment, but if I’ve missed anything, then let me know.”
A potter’s wheel on a sturdy base dominated the bright space. Plants and tools lined the worktops and shelves. Artsy-looking books were piled high by the huge ceramic sink. A cozy armchair loaded with cushions and patchwork blankets sat in the corner.
“It has electricity and water. The kiln is the largest allowed in a residential space, but we had to put it in the shed next door so it’s properly ventilated.”
I drifted toward the huge easel. An intimidating blank canvas stared back at me. “What is this?”
“It’s your art studio. Do you like it?”
I ran a hand over a smooth worktop. I’d made an offhand comment about pottery and he’d made this for me?
My chest felt suddenly tight. “I don’t really do this kind of thing anymore. When did you do all this?”
“It didn’t take long.”
I opened my mouth and closed it again, speechless.
What was not to like? It was perfect. A little creative oasis just for me.
I’d be able to sit out here with all this beautiful natural light spilling in and work on ceramics.
It was a dream I’d never even dared to have, except I didn’t do this anymore.
I hadn’t even picked up a brush since I dropped out of art school.
This was the old me. The girl I’d been before.
I turned on a tap and held a finger under the warm splash of water. “I don’t even know if I remember how. I’m not good enough for my own studio.”
“You don’t need to be good. It’s a way to have fun. We’ll hire a tutor to start you off, if you like. You’ll soon remember.”
Gold glinted by the window and I wandered over and picked up the ornamental jeweled sausage dog that I’d seen in Harrods. A couple of neat stacks of bank notes were piled next to it.
I looked up to find Cole watching me with a solid, brooding look. “Two grand. You can look at both of them.”
“Pardon?”
“You said you’d rather look at two grand than the ornament. Why not have both?”
I hardly remembered what I’d said. My brain was foggy lately. I was probably spewing all kinds of nonsense, although I did recall saying this dog was ridiculous, and I had no use for it. “I can’t take this from you. Any of this. It’s too much.”
“This is your home now. Whatever you need, you can have.”
A fancy-looking coffee machine sat near the sink.
There were little boxes of tea bags and snacks.
I picked up a packet of Wagon Wheels. These had been my go-to treat as a kid.
I’d been addicted to them. Had Cole remembered?
Now I had my own swimming pool and tennis court and Estonian igloo sauna and art studio?
This was too much. A rush of emotion overwhelmed me and I threw my arms around his neck.
“Thank you.”
He stiffened and held perfectly still. “You’re welcome. I hope you’ll be happy here.”
Awkwardly, I disengaged from him. His aloof expression made a twinge pull at my chest. He’d made no attempt to return the hug.
He pulled his sleeve up and checked his fancy watch.
“I have to get back to the office. Work is intense at the moment. Call my PA if you need anything. The house is fully staffed. You don’t have to lift a finger if you don’t want to.
Remember, you can spend anything you want on the card.
It’s yours.” He pressed a cold metal key into my hand. “Goodbye, Charlotte.”
“When am I going to see you next?”
A line formed between his brows briefly before it disappeared. “When I’ve made the wedding arrangements. Forget about me. There is nothing for you to do here other than relax and enjoy yourself. This was the deal. You marry me, I make your life better.”