Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Charlotte found it difficult to sleep. She twisted and turned. She folded her arms beneath the pillow and curled up, and then she spread out all her limbs and lay on her back. Nothing worked. She became aware of every creak in the house as well as the gentle wind whispering outside.
This might well have been a cacophony.
Despite her best intentions, she could not stop thinking about the impending arrival of Nathaniel’s bride. Lydia’s incessant teasing had struck a nerve with her. Charlotte could protest all she liked, but the fact was that she had kissed Duke Nathaniel and then become entwined with him by the pond.
The worst thing was that she found neither of these things distasteful, even though that’s how she would have described the man himself.
Why should it bother her that he was meeting a bride?
Why did her mind keep returning to those moments when fire crackled and the pit of her stomach became tight?
Why, oh why, had this fate befallen her?
Eventually, she threw off the covers, unwilling to lie in the dark for hours on end with these questions and more rattling through her mind. Restless nights had plagued her for many years, and she found them utterly intolerable.
She pulled a thick robe around her and carried a candlestick, the flame of the candle within flickering as she moved.
The house was dark and ominous. Shadows flickered all around, and unfamiliar noises greeted her.
She peered into the darkness, exploring every direction with her gaze.
Her footsteps were soft, her breath shallow.
Some floorboards creaked beneath her feet as she made her way to the library. At this hour, she hoped she would have it all to herself.
She was quickly disappointed.
Sitting in an armchair was Nathaniel, reading a book by candlelight. His strong jaw and sharp features were illuminated by the flames. Brutus and Hector were relaxing on a rug beside Nathaniel’s feet, contradicting the old adage about cats and dogs.
Charlotte recalled how Lydia had described her and Nathaniel as those animals. Charlotte pressed her lips together, thinking about how wrong Lydia was.
It was tempting to retreat, but Charlotte wasn’t that kind. She was not about to bow to the Duke’s whims. She composed herself and then strode toward him, her head held high, acting as though she belonged there.
Nathaniel noticed her and did not make any attempt to hide his disappointment. His gaze barely flicked up from his book, and he did not move to greet her.
“I am surprised to see anyone else awake at this hour.”
“I have been plagued with restless nights for many years. I find it intolerable to wait for the nights to pass. I prefer to do productive things with my time.”
“As do I. Too much time is wasted on sleep and rest. There is much to be done and many books to be read.” He angled his head, looking out toward the vast collection of books.
“And many notes to be taken,” Charlotte added with an agreeing nod.
Hector and Brutus reacted to her voice by lifting their heads. Hector gave a soft mew while Brutus gave a canine smile and wagged his tail. Both animals were too comfortable, curled up together, to move, however, and they quickly settled back down.
Charlotte bent down and petted both animals.
“I’m surprised that you let Brutus into the house. How many vases has he knocked over?”
“I am not heartless. Besides, he would break a door down to get inside, and I only allow him entry into rooms where he can cause the least amount of damage.”
“I’m a little surprised he didn’t join in the game with us.”
“I believe he was distracted by the preparations for dinner in the kitchen. Food is always paramount in his mind.”
“And what about yourself?”
“Excuse me?”
“What is paramount in your mind?”
Charlotte abandoned her idea of taking notes for the moment and instead sank into the armchair opposite Nathaniel.
She was aware of the impropriety of the moment and found it interesting that he was willing to go against the rules he held so dear.
She placed her candlestick on a small table beside the chair and then rested her hands in her lap, over her notebook.
“This book at the moment.”
“I see. Not the imminent arrival of your bride?”
Nathaniel was in the process of turning the page, but as Charlotte uttered these words, she noticed how he hesitated. His gaze lifted, and his jaw tensed. He turned his head to the side and winced as if he had just eaten a slice of lemon.
“I did not realize you were aware of Lady Honoria Everstone’s arrival.”
Charlotte nodded as she noted the name. She did not recognize the name and chastised herself for not paying more attention at social events. She assumed Edmund would know of her. Edmund knew everyone.
“I became aware of it today. Congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you, Lady Charlotte, although the sentiment may be presumptuous. Nothing has been agreed yet. We have simply arranged a meeting to see if we will suit one another.”
“I hope that she is as voiceless and obedient as you would like.”
His grip tightened on his book.
“I never said I wanted a wife to be voiceless. You have a strange tendency to twist my words into their worst interpretation.”
“I feel it was an entirely reasonable interpretation. I wonder if Lady Honoria will agree.”
“I can’t imagine she would, and asking her is not high on my list of priorities.”
“I just hope she does not inadvertently break a vase. I would hate to hear you scold her.”
“Clearly, I would not do such a thing. She is not a child nor an animal. She is a lady, and I assume she has mastered the art of behaving as such.” He leaned back. A sneering expression came onto his face.
“Perhaps I should ask her to spend time with you. Her manner may provide a good influence.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes and raised her hand, scratching the underside of her chin.
“I, of course, would be honored to spend time with her. Perhaps I can test her skills at cribbage to see if she is worthy of sitting at the same table as you.”
“Cribbage skills are not what I look for in a wife. I have my gentleman friends for that.”
“No, I suppose you just want her to manage the household for you. What if she has wishes of her own?”
“My wishes shall become her wishes, as is the case in any good union.”
“I’m not sure that’s the case with Lord Blackwood and my cousin.”
Nathaniel pursed his lips.
“Alfred does not have the same pressure on his shoulders. I am the eldest. I am the Duke. There are more expectations for me to fulfill.”
“Does that not vex you? Do you not feel constrained by them?”
Nathaniel gave her a blank look and shook his head.
“Why should I? It is simply the way of my life. I was born into this role, and thus I shall fulfill my duty.”
“It doesn’t have to be so black and white. There’s more to life than duty.”
“And that is the fundamental difference between us, Lady Charlotte. You shall never understand me, and I certainly shall never understand you. I assume you probably believe that Achilles was justified in removing himself from the war in The Iliad.”
While the statement was not framed as a question, it was accompanied by an enquiring eyebrow. Charlotte realized that Nathaniel was testing her knowledge of classical texts. Yet again, he was trying to prove himself her superior, probably assuming that as a woman she read frothy romance stories.
“Actually, I do. There was an agreement; it was breached, and so he declared a natural consequence. I’d have thought you would agree with him, too, since you are so devoted to rules.”
Nathaniel placed his book on the table beside him. She finally had his full attention.
“While I don’t agree with Agamemnon’s decision, he was granted command of the army. He was the king of kings, and even when the others disagreed with his decision, he should have been respected. I feel that I am justified in my opinion, given the chaos that followed.”
“Chaos that never would have happened had Agamemnon chosen another prize.”
“Chaos that never would have happened had Achilles controlled his emotions. Because of him, the Greeks suffered; he lost his close companion, and the war was dragged out longer than it needed to be. All because he decided he wanted to live by his own rules rather than the ones agreed upon by others.”
“Or because he recognized injustice and was unwilling to put up with it. He stuck to his moral principles.”
“And he ended up dead,” Nathaniel replied bluntly.
“This is why I prefer books about plants,” Charlotte whispered under her breath.
“Why, exactly?”
“Because they are filled with facts rather than interpretations. Despite what you may think, I do not seek out arguments.”
Nathaniel tilted his head to the side and gave her a disbelieving look. “While we have disagreed on many things, on this occasion, I took it as a spirited discussion. I enjoy rhetoric and defending a stance. It’s much more satisfying than frivolous conversation.”
“And do you believe Lady Honoria will be able to provide you with such debate?”
“Again, I am not looking to debate with my wife.”
“Do you believe she will agree with you on all matters?”
“On the important ones, yes.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“Then she will not be suited to me. I shall find out all I need to know when we meet.”
“I see,” Charlotte said. She paused for a moment.
“There is one more thing I would like to mention about Achilles. It has been a while since I have perused The Iliad, but if memory serves, it was Agamemnon who changed the rules first. Achilles’ rage was in response to that. Agamemnon broke the agreement.”
She watched as Nathaniel adjusted his position. He leaned forward slightly, intrigued by her words. A lock of hair swept across his forehead, and his eyes flashed as they reflected candlelight. Charlotte took this as an invitation to continue.