Chapter Ten #2
Margaret settled herself more comfortably in her chair, her dark eyes following her sister-in-law’s movements.
“William has always protected us from unpleasantness,” she said softly. “Even when we were children, he would shoulder every burden himself rather than allow others to share his concerns.”
“But surely as his wife, I have some right to know what threatens our family’s peace?” Charlotte stopped her pacing, turning to face her sister-in-law with sudden determination. “Margaret, you mentioned his private study – the one where he keeps the old records?”
“Charlotte...” Margaret’s voice held warning. “William never allows anyone to enter without his presence. Even the maids may only clean it under his direct supervision.”
“I am not a maid,” Charlotte replied quietly. “I am the Duchess of Alverton, and my husband is clearly in some distress. Would you have me stand idle while he faces this alone?”
Before Margaret could respond, Mrs Walden appeared in the doorway. The Housekeeper’s usually composed features held an edge of concern that strengthened Charlotte’s resolve.
“Begging Your Grace’s pardon,” Mrs Walden said, “but I couldn’t help overhearing... There might be something that would assist your understanding of the situation.”
Both Charlotte and Margaret turned to her with keen attention.
“The late Duke...” Mrs Walden smoothed her apron, choosing her words with her usual care. “He kept a private journal. His Grace – that is, the current Duke – ordered it locked away with the other papers from that time. But I remember where...”
She trailed off, clearly torn between loyalty to William and concern for his welfare.
“You need not tell me more,” Charlotte said gently.
“I would not put you in such a position. Let me, however, consider this for some time, so that I can make a decision about what I must do. His Grace will be gone for some hours, if he is to see Mr Harrison, so I have a little time to contemplate the matter. Please bring us some tea.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
The Housekeeper hurried away, and Charlotte turned her attention back to Margaret, who met her eyes with a concerned expression. Outside, the weather became worse, with the sound of thunder.
“Margaret, what will I do? Every possibility feels wrong, yet I cannot let this continue, cannot allow him simply to carry every weight by himself.”
Margaret gave a tiny shrug.
“I do not know, to be truthful. I know what I might wish to do, were I in your place. But let us drink our tea when it arrives, and consider carefully, in case there are possibilities that we have missed.”
Charlotte nodded, and they fell into silence for a little while. Soon Mrs Walden arrived with the tea tray, and poured for both of them, then left them with it.
“I’ll return shortly, Your Grace, to see if you’ve made a decision, to see if I might… assist in any way.”
“Thank you, Mrs Walden.”
For some time, silence surrounded them again, until an hour or more had passed with little said. Then Charlotte gave a little shake of her head.
“I have thought, and I cannot see any other way forward but to do something which I would not normally choose to do.”
Margaret set her cup down and met Charlotte’s eyes.
“I cannot think of any other options, either.”
At that moment, Mrs Walden returned, ready to gather up the tea tray, and remove it.
“Would you like more tea, Your Grace? Have you come to a decision? Might I assist in any way?”
Charlotte swallowed, suddenly very nervous about what she was about to do.
“I have made a decision. Whether it will be for the best, I do not know, Mrs Walden. But perhaps... perhaps you might ensure that no one disturbs the private study for the next hour? For cleaning purposes, of course. And there are keys involved, no doubt?”
Mrs Walden’s eyes met hers with perfect understanding.
“Of course, Your Grace. I shall see to it personally.”
After the Housekeeper departed, Margaret and Charlotte rose and went to stand at the window, looking out at the grey and inclement day outside. Ominous thunder sounded again.
“If William discovers...”
Margarete’s voice was low, and a little uncertain.
“Then he shall be justifiably angry,” Charlotte finished.
“But I would rather face his anger than watch him destroy himself with whatever secret Sir Geoffrey holds over him. And surely, he will not discover? He is unlikely to return for another hour or two, given this weather, and his discussions with Mr Harrison.”
“That is true. This is a terrible day to be on the roads.”
Charlotte turned to her sister-in-law again, her heart pounding but her voice steady.
“Will you help me? Not for curiosity’s sake, but for William’s?”
Margaret studied her for a long moment, something like hope dawning in her expression.
“You truly care for him, don’t you? Not just as a duty, but...”
Heat rose in Charlotte’s cheeks, but she met her sister-in-law’s gaze steadily.
“I begin to think that I care rather more than is entirely wise, given his determination to keep me at arm’s length.”
“Then perhaps,” Margaret said softly, “it is time that someone breached those carefully constructed walls of his.” She squared her shoulders with sudden decision. “I shall keep watch in the corridor.”
As they moved towards the door, a roll of thunder sounded in the distance. Charlotte glanced out at the storm clouds, her heart heavy with the weight of what they planned.
“William,” she whispered to herself, “I pray you will forgive me for this breach of trust. But I cannot – I will not – watch you face this darkness alone.”
Margaret touched her arm gently.
“Come. We haven’t much time before the storm worsens.”
At that moment, Mrs Walden hurried into the room again. She held out a hand to Charlotte.
“Here Your Grace – the keys for that room, and, I believe, for all of the cabinets in it. These copies are the only ones other than the one’s in His Grace’s personal possession, and are normally locked away in my office.”
Charlotte took them, a heavy weight settling on her at the thought of what she was about to do.
“Thank you, Mrs Walden.”
The Housekeeper nodded once, and turned away.
Margaret touched Charlotte’s hand in reassurance, and together, they stepped into the corridor, their footsteps silent on the thick carpet.
Whatever secrets lay hidden in William’s private study, Charlotte knew that their discovery would change everything between them – for better or worse.
But as another rumble of thunder shook the windows, she remembered the look in William’s eyes before he departed – that complicated mixture of fear and longing and something deeper that he dared not name.
For that look, for the man who tried so hard to protect everyone but himself, she would risk everything.
Even his love.