Chapter Seven #2
“Like all of Alverton’s people,” Charlotte replied, reaching to squeeze Mary’s trembling hand. She felt William’s presence behind her, solid and reassuring despite their earlier disagreement. “We’ll see this through together.”
*****
Back at the house, Charlotte found herself unable to eat, despite Mrs Walden’s concerned insistence on serving supper.
The day’s events kept replaying in her mind – the quiet efficiency with which the servants had responded to the crisis, the strength shown by affected families, William’s surprising tenderness at the Fletcher cottage.
“You should try to eat something,” William’s voice startled her from her reverie. She hadn’t heard him enter the dining room. “We’ve many difficult days ahead.”
“I know.” Charlotte picked up her fork, more to please him than from any real appetite. “I’ve asked Sarah to sort some of my older gowns – things suitable for sickroom visits. Mrs Walden thinks we should establish a schedule for the ladies willing to help with nursing duties.”
William settled into his chair, his expression troubled.
“I still fear that the risk to you is too great.”
“No greater than to anyone else who helps,” Charlotte pointed out. “And I cannot ask others to take risks I’m unwilling to face myself.”
“You’re not just anyone else.” The words seemed to escape before he could stop them. Their eyes met across the table, and Charlotte’s breath caught at the intensity of his gaze. “You’re the Duchess of Alverton.”
“Yes,” she agreed softly. “Which is precisely why I must do this. Would you respect me if I hid away while others faced the danger?”
A muscle worked in William’s jaw, but he didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he studied her with that penetrating grey gaze that never failed to make her heart race.
“I begin to think,” he said finally, “that I may have underestimated you, Charlotte.” The admission hung in the air between them, weighted with implications neither was quite ready to address.
Charlotte busied herself with her soup, hoping that he couldn’t see how his words affected her.
“We’ll need to establish strict protocols,” William continued after a moment.
“For everyone involved in nursing duties. I won’t have you taking unnecessary risks. ”
*****
The gentle ticking of the hall clock marked the passing hours as Charlotte and William worked late into the evening, planning their response to the crisis.
The library’s familiar scent of leather and paper wrapped around them like a cocoon, creating an intimacy that made Charlotte intensely aware of his presence each time he moved near her chair.
“Your sister has offered to organise the local gentlewomen,” Charlotte said, consulting her notes. “Mrs Walden thinks we might establish shifts, so that no one becomes too exhausted.”
“Sensible.” William’s voice held approval that warmed her more than it should. “Though we must be careful not to overtax anyone. The last thing we need is nurses becoming patients.”
He stood behind her chair, reading over her shoulder, and Charlotte caught the faintest hint of his cologne – sandalwood and something spicier that she couldn’t name.
His proximity made it difficult to focus on the lists before her.
She wondered, in that moment, if he would ever come to her at night, would ever truly choose to take her as his wife, or if they were to continue in this strange formality forever.
She knew then, with a shocking certainty, that she wanted more than this cold distance between them – far more.
“I’ve asked Cook to begin preparing strengthening broths,” she continued, forcing her attention back to practical matters. “And Mrs Walden has already set the stillroom maids to making willow bark tea in quantity.”
“You think of everything,” William murmured, and Charlotte couldn’t quite interpret his tone.
When she glanced up, his expression held something that made her breath catch – not quite a smile, but a softening around his eyes that she’d never seen before.
“Not everything,” she admitted. “I’m sure there are many things we’ve overlooked. But together, perhaps...”
“Together.” He seemed to taste the word, considering its implications. “Yes, I suppose we are in this together.”
A log settled in the fireplace, sending sparks dancing upward. The sudden movement drew their attention, breaking the moment’s strange intimacy. William straightened, returning to his more formal bearing.
“We should review the estate accounts,” he said, moving to his desk. “I’ll need to calculate how much we can allocate to medical supplies and additional food stocks.”
Charlotte watched him resume his usual position behind the desk, missing already that brief connection they’d shared. But she understood his retreat – duty called, and they must both answer.
“Of course,” she agreed, gathering her notes. “Though perhaps... perhaps we might work together on that as well? Two minds might find solutions one alone might miss.”
William’s quill paused above his ledger. For a moment, she feared she’d overstepped, pushed too hard for an intimacy he wasn’t ready to grant. But then he looked up, and that same indefinable softening touched his features.
“Your father taught you estate management, did he not?”
“Yes.” Charlotte held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t retreat behind his usual reserve.
“Then your insight might indeed prove valuable.” He gestured to the chair beside his desk – not the one usually reserved for business visitors, but the more comfortable one he kept for family consultations. “Shall we begin?”
As Charlotte settled beside him, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from his body, she silently thanked whatever providence had sent this crisis.
Terrible as the situation was, it had given them something they desperately needed – a chance to work together as true partners.
“Show me the current quarter’s figures,” she said, leaning forward to study the ledger. “We’ll find a way to manage this, William. I promise you that.”
His only response was a quiet hum of acknowledgment, but she felt something shift between them – like a key turning in a long-rusted lock. Whether he knew it or not, William had just taken the first step towards truly accepting her as more than just a convenient alliance.
Now she only had to prove worthy of that trust.