Chapter 4
Charlotte took her redingote from the maid and donned the garment. She picked up the sprigs of greenery and a bright red bow before heading toward the door.
“It’s chilly outside and snowing, Miss Charlotte. Won’t you want your bonnet?”
“It won’t take me long to place this on the front door.
I don’t think I’ll need a bonnet,” she called over her shoulder, before the butler opened the door for her.
With a quick word of thanks, she went to work on the decoration for the front door to the manor.
Once everything was to her satisfaction, she went down the steps so she could get a complete picture of Joseph’s home.
The place was… perfect! With her last added touch, she inspected other red bows and greenery beneath each window that Joseph had asked the servants to attend to. Even the lanterns coming up the drive were decorated for the holiday season, making Charlotte excited for all the festivities.
But that was only the beginning of the problem as her sudden happy mood plummeted.
There wasn’t much left to decorate for the party that Joseph and his family would be giving within the next two weeks.
Guests who would travel farther than from town would soon be arriving to occupy the second-floor bedrooms. Once the party was over, there would no longer be any reason for Charlotte to remain at Fairfax Manor.
She had been so certain that, given the last two months of close proximity to Joseph, he might see for himself that she was in love with him.
She certainly couldn’t blurt out her feelings for him without some sign that they might be returned.
She had been patient but still… nothing.
She swore she saw something in those grey eyes of his whenever she caught him watching her.
Desire… maybe even love… but how could she be sure, when they never spent any time alone together.
Not that that would be proper with his mother and stepsisters here but still…
she wanted a moment or two with him without all the responsibilities that he carried on his broad shoulders she wanted to wrap her arms around.
Time was running out and she wasn’t entirely certain that all the wishes she made at midnight each night would be answered.
“You’ve done a wonderful job making this old manor a home again, Charlotte.” His deep baritone voice coming from behind her made her heart flip end over end, as she quickly twirled around to face him.
“Joseph! You shouldn’t sneak up on a lady,” she teased, realizing he was closer than she expected.
He chuckled. “You appeared lost in thought. Am I disturbing your brief moment of solitude? I know it’s hard to find a moment of privacy as the day to the party gets closer,” he said, with what looked like a mischievous twinkle in those mesmerizing grey eyes.
Good heavens… was he actually flirting with her? She decided to test her theory by stepping closer. “You’re more than welcome to interrupt my solitude… well… anytime… Joseph.” She realized that her voice had become a breathy whisper of anticipation of what might happen between them if only…
“Will you walk with me?” he asked holding out his arm.
“Yes,” she answered, without a second of hesitation, knowing she was safe with him. This was the moment she had been waiting for, and she would take full advantage of the opportunity.
They began strolling toward the trees and away from any prying eyes, and she could only ponder what might happen next.
He didn’t take her far before he turned to face her and took her hands.
He rubbed his thumbs across her skin, as she came to the realization that neither one of them had gloves on.
His fingertips were warm, and chills that had nothing to do with the cold December air began to race down her spine.
“I cannot begin to offer my thanks for all you’ve done to make Fairfax Manor a home again,” he said quietly, but this wasn’t what she had been expecting him to voice aloud.
What had she thought he would say? That he would suddenly declare his love for her? Clearly this wasn’t going to be the case, and disappointment filled her soul as never before. She meant nothing to him other than a friend.
She attempted to keep her voice steady and offered him a smile she was certain appeared weak at best. She shrugged.
“It was only what anyone would do to help someone who…” She couldn’t finish her sentence, because apparently she cared more for him than he cared for her.
She gulped hard trying to swallow the bitter taste of unrequited love.
His head cocked to one side as if he was trying to determine what she hadn’t said. “You went above and beyond what any friend would have done, Charlotte. How can I repay such a kindness?”
And there it was… He had said the words she had dreaded for months. She was only a friend to him. Nothing more. She raised her head to stare at the face of the man she had loved for so many years. She tried to memorize every line and feature, knowing she would somehow need to move on with her life.
“There is nothing for you to repay, Joseph. I did it gladly and willingly as any friend would do,” she finally managed to whisper, before she shook off her disenchantment over what she had wished for with all her might.
Apparently midnight wishes were for fools who thought such miracles might actually work.
“We should return to the manor. There’s still so much to do,” she managed to reply, before she did the unthinkable and actually break down and cry in front of him.
“Yes… of course… We should return to the house.”
He seemingly shook himself out of whatever further thoughts might be running amuck inside his head.
What else was there to say? They were friends.
Nothing more, and as Joseph began to escort her back through the woods, her brief moment of happiness that he might declare himself was at an end. So much for finding love…