Chapter Three #2
The cottage might be the best option At least for a while, until Charles acclimated to the huge changes in his life. Arthur would still let his brother make his choice, but he would also talk to Charles’s valet and get his input. He would make a point to do so while they were still in London.
Arthur tried to close his eyes, but sleep wouldn’t come this time.
Instead, he pulled a notebook out of a pocket of his greatcoat and began to make some notes about Charles, his attitude, where he might be more comfortable living.
Turning a page, he began recalling things from Parliament he was working on and what he needed in order to comment on anything.
He thoroughly enjoyed being an MP. It gave him a chance to help people and the country.
Though he kept his personal life private for the most part, this new chapter with Charles was certainly going to wag some tongues.
No one would doubt his claim that Charles was his brother.
They looked exactly alike. Still, he didn’t want to expose his brother to unneeded publicity.
When he finished his thoughts, he replaced the notebook into his pocket. For some reason, he glanced up and saw Charles studying him with keen interest.
“I was writing notes on some bills I’m working on. It makes it easier for me when I get to my office to work if I have something to go by.”
“I understand. Can you take me through Parliament?”
“Yes, of course I can.”
Glancing out the window to his right, Arthur spotted some houses mixed with smaller offices. Officially, they were in London.
Right then, there was a change in Charles’s mood. He was somber, watching with keen interest at what they passed. Never saying another word, his jaw seemed to set as though he was full of questions but refusing to ask Arthur anything further. As they neared the house, he only got more tense.
Arthur kept an eye on him as they traveled through London. When the carriage pulled up in front of the house, Charles jumped out and onto the street before Arthur even knew what was happening. Frazier was there to guide him to the front door.
“Your Grace,” the butler greeted him.
“This is my brother, Charles.”
The butler nodded. “His rooms are ready whenever he’d like to settle in.”
Suddenly, Daphne appeared. Sam could be heard in the distance calling to her. “Charles, it is so nice to meet you.”
“Do you have children?” Charles asked.
“No, not yet. That’s Sam, my parrot. Would you like to meet him?”
Charles gave her a look of horror at the thought of such a creature living in the house among humans. “No, I do not wish to meet him.”
“Very well. Just let me know when you want an introduction.” She locked eyes with Arthur, as if not knowing if she’d done something wrong.
Charles grunted. “I should like to see my rooms.”
His valet, Frazier, came out of nowhere. “Come. I’ll show you. I think you’re going to love them.”
Charles said nothing, nothing to Daphne or Arthur. He didn’t even try to make eye contact. Instead, Arthur nodded and watched as the pair walked across the hall.
“I guess this is a huge change for him,” Daphne said. She stood next to Arthur watching his new-found brother disappear up the stairs.
“Yes. I can’t even imagine. He’s lived in one place and now he’s been uprooted and moved.”
“Would Denton not let him stay on for a while? Just until Charles got used to the idea of moving.”
Arthur shook his head. “He couldn’t get rid of Charles fast enough. If he had stayed, it would have come at a price.”
“Greedy man?”
“From what I could see, yes.”
“Is there anything I should know?” Daphne asked.
“He’s moody. We were having a nice conversation and then he shut down.”
“Oh, my. But like I said, he’s been through a lot. Everything is new.”
“Just beware. I’m not sure how he’s going to act.”
Daphne nodded. “I will. Let’s just give him some time to acclimate.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” he replied. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go through correspondence.”
“There were some packets brought from Parliament for you to review. I put them on your desk.”
“Thank you,” he said, bending down and kissing her. “It’s nice to be in familiar surroundings.”
“Would you like some tea or something to eat?”
“No. I’m fine,” he replied. “I promise I won’t be long.”
She let a giggle slip and put her hand over her mouth.
“What’s so funny?”
“I promise I won’t be long. Really, Arthur?”
*
Charles stood in the doorway of his suites, unsure whether to enter. Frazier pushed him aside and stepped into the small sitting room.
“Come on. I think you’ll like these rooms. I checked them out myself for you.
” Frazier knew his charge better than anyone.
The late duke had chosen him to act as a valet and friend to his second son.
They’d been through thick and thin together and Frazier knew Charles was highly intelligent, but he had trouble interacting with others, and it was made worse if he didn’t know the person.
Walking into the sitting room, Charles immediately walked across the room to the window.
It overlooked a large garden on the backside of the house.
He would have to go outside for a walk and check out what was where.
Knowing where everything was, was important to him.
Made things seem a little less disorderly.
“Excellent.” He turned and began walking to the bed chamber. After that was the bathing chamber and storage closet. Everything had recently been cleaned, and he concluded the duchess, his sister-in-law, had something to do with it. It seemed Her Grace was a hands-on sort of lady.
“Would you like to clean up and change clothes?” Frazier asked from behind him.
“Yes, it was a dusty ride even in that fancy carriage my brother has.”
Frazier led the way to the bathing chamber where he’d already laid things out by the tub. “What are your feelings about Arthur?”
“I can’t say. I don’t know him.”
“Come on, Charles. You spent a long time with him. All the way from Wight. Surely you must have an opinion?”
He shook his head as he headed over to the copper tub. “It’s too soon to do so. I can tell you he’s articulate, intelligent, and seems to genuinely care.” Charles paused. “But you already knew all that.”
“I’ll let you have this one, but mind you, I will ask again.”
“I’m sure he had to be in shock when he learned about me. Anyone would, don’t you think?” Charles said.
“I know I would be, especially because you two are identical twins,” Frazier replied.
Climbing into the tub, Charles lowered himself in, leaving just his head showing above the water. “I suppose that plays into the grand scheme of things. I’m sure his colleagues and friends are going to be doing double-takes.” He laughed.
“You have a sister as well. Roxanne, she’s a couple years older.”
“Yes, so I’ve been told. I suppose we’ll meet her in the upcoming days.”
The fact was that Charles felt some hesitation in meeting his sister.
He didn’t know what to expect from her, just as he wasn’t sure about the duchess either.
Women were strange creatures. He hadn’t spent a lot of time around them but found them hard to understand.
Some preferred to be docile and others were the opposite.
Independent. Arthur’s wife seemed to be like that. Independent.
“Yes, if she and her husband are in London. You might want to get to know your brother’s wife, Lady Daphne,” Frazier said from across the room. Frazier was never the sort of man who stood sedentary. He was always doing something.
“I will,” Charles replied with a cheeky grin as he grabbed a bar of soap.
“Not in that way, milord. You won’t be able to fool her; at least not for long.
” Frazier was referring to a scar Charles had along his shoulder on his back.
It happened years ago and had faded, but it was still there.
A long-ago training accident while learning to fence.
Lord Denton had hired Charles tutors through the years, and this particular one did not believe in coddling his students. A hard lesson learned for Charles.
“You spoil everything, you know that?”
Frazier shook his head. “That’s what I’m supposed to do. Keep you from doing something stupid.”
“I don’t do stupid things. I think things through before I act on them.”
“Yes, you do. Now when you’re finished with your bath, I’ve laid out clothes. I thought you might like to take a walk in the gardens.”
“Why would I want to do that when there’s a perfectly gorgeous park just blocks from here?” Charles replied.
“Because you can do that alone. You don’t need me to look after you.”
Grinning, Charles stood up, water dripping from his lean, muscular body. “I will this once. I need to see if Arthur would like me to go over the books in regard to my upkeep while living on Lord Denton’s estate.”
After changing, Charles was drawn to a knock on the door. He was about to answer it when Frazier appeared out of nowhere and took care of matters. Opening the door, the butler stood.
“I hate to disturb you, milord, but the duchess wanted to invite you to tea.”
“Tell Her Grace I’d love tea and I’ll be there momentarily.”
“My lord.” With that, the butler disappeared with the shutting of a door.
“Now you don’t need to take a walk in the gardens,” Frazier quipped.
“At least not now. I need my jacket, Frazier. Then I’ll see what tea is all about.”
The valet shook his head. He knew Charles always questioned being included in anything. People, he thought, wanted something. It made Charles leery of everyone. Frazier helped him with his jacket and watched as Charles fussed with minute details.
“Do you need me to help you find your way?”