Chapter Seventeen #2
He paced the floor of the cottage to come up with a solution that would be beneficial to them both.
It was going to be no easy task. What he could do might be to give his scheduled talk and afterwards leave and stop by the family home and change.
He’d then meet Cathryn either at the house or at the Prince of Wales’s residence.
That meant giving up his dinner at Oxford, but at least his wife would be happy.
Charles was certain no one would be offended by his cancellation to the dinner.
Once they understood his wife was playing for royalty, anything else would be forgotten.
The rain continued for most of the day, but that did not deter him.
He grabbed his things and left the cottage.
He was heading home, and hopefully Cathryn would not be too upset or angry with him for disappearing like that.
It was simply something he had to do, the only way he could cope with life when it overwhelmed him.
Now wasn’t the time to be overwhelmed. There were too many things to be done that needed his attention. He needed to get things on the estate organized. Find out what had been done and what needed to be done.
Once this performance was finished, he and Cathryn needed to have a talk, so that they better understood what they each expected.
He didn’t want to become like so many other husbands who simply ignored their wives; the only time they spent together was for social events or making love in order to produce children.
He wanted to do everything with her, but they had to understand what was more important. This performance was particularly important for her, but she needed to know she couldn’t have her way every time something came up.
How he was able to enter the house without being seen by the staff concerned him. Even though the house wasn’t at full staff, one almost always ran into a footman or maid. Deciding it wasn’t for him to question such luck, he quietly found his way back to his own chambers.
When he entered, it was as quiet as the rest of the house. He walked over and checked the door between his and Cathryn’s rooms. Unlocked. Interesting.
Turning around, he saw Frazier, arms folded, watching him with great intent. “You’re back earlier than I expected,” his valet said.
“I would have returned earlier, but the rain kept me.”
“Lady Cathryn will be happy to see you.”
Charles arched a brow. “She’s not still angry?”
“Concerned would be the word I’d use. And no, she isn’t angry. I think the storm made her reconsider how she felt.”
“Hmmm.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
“I trust you’ll want a bath before changing your clothes.”
“Yes. Where is she?”
“I imagine you can find her in the music room,” Frazier replied.
“Of course.” He sat down and removed his boots and socks and headed into his bathing chamber. Luckily the previous owner had updated all the plumbing. Footmen weren’t needed to carry buckets of hot water from the kitchen.
As his valet prepared the bath, Charles undressed and laid the filthy set of clothes on the floor. He was positive he would probably not see them again. If Frazier couldn’t get them clean, they’d end up going to someone less fortunate.
“I take it you found somewhere out of the weather last night?”
“I did. It will be perfect,” he replied, not daring to look his valet in the eyes.
“Come on, you’re not planning to run off every time you and your missus have a spat, are you?”
“No. I simply like the fact I have somewhere.”
“There’s always the attics,” Frazier said with a grin.
He shook his head. “She’d find me too easily.”
“Your bath is ready. I’ll go lay out clothes for you.”
“Thank you,” Charles replied.
Frazier said nothing. He’d been with Charles for far too long. The man didn’t need to thank him continuously. He’d do whatever the man wanted. Before leaving, he picked up the pile of filthy clothes and headed into the dressing room.
Charles leaned against the back of the tub.
The hot water felt good on his skin. He still had a chill from the night before.
If he sat here for a while, that feeling would leave.
He had nothing to do. If Cathryn was practicing, he wasn’t about to disturb her.
She needed complete concentration. Besides, sitting here kept him from the inevitable.
Groveling and asking her forgiveness because he was sure his wife would demand it.
Everything would be his fault. If she hadn’t slept last night, it would be his doing.
On the other hand, that was better than the way she was when he left her. Angry. Once he dressed and was presentable, he’d go search her out.
*
Cathryn was in the music room going through more sheet music she’d found sitting on a bookcase.
Whichever of the former owners had been musically inclined wasn’t much on organization.
She’d found music in the oddest places and placed in no particular order.
No sooner had she thought she had organized it all, than she found another pile.
Her goal was to organize all of it by composer, but that was a job for another day.
Right now, she needed to keep her composure.
She had to focus on the upcoming performance for the Prince of Wales.
Charles having disappeared had to be secondary.
His valet assured her this was not uncommon, and he would return any day.
It was a reaction for him. Having been isolated for so long, fleeing was his way of coping with a situation that made him uncomfortable.
The way she’d left that day was something he was unsure how to handle.
So he fled to have time to digest it. Being they’d just moved into the estate, his valet hadn’t had time to find places Charles might go to.
Hearing a faint click of the door shutting, she turned and found Charles standing there. He’d recently bathed. His hair was slightly damp. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
They stood staring at the other for what seemed to be the longest time.
Charles broke the silence first. “I need to apologize if I put you through any undue stress. I take full responsibility for my actions and hope you’ll forgive me.”
She hadn’t expected that, him apologizing. “Apology accepted. Frazier explained things to me and assured me you’d return quickly.”
“I’ve had quite a bit of time to think, and I’ve decided not to go to the dinner after my talk.”
“I see. What made you decide this?”
“My wife has been invited to play for royalty, the Prince of Wales, no less. That’s more important than a dinner with stuffy academics.”
She turned so he wouldn’t see her smile. “Thank you for that, Charles.”
“You’re welcome. I look forward to hearing you play.”
As hard as she tried to be a little bit angry with him, she couldn’t do it. She understood this was difficult for him and that apologizing was enormous for him. She would take whatever she could.
“Would you mind if we stayed an extra night in London?” she asked.
“Of course. I take it you’d like to visit your modiste?”
Why hadn’t she thought of that before? This was a perfect excuse. “Yes. I need to have a fitting on a couple of gowns she’s making.”
“While you’re doing that, I can make a few calls of my own.”
Hearing him cough caused her to walk closer to him. “You weren’t out in that storm, were you?”
“No, I managed to avoid that,” he replied.
“You don’t sound like you did.”
“I’m sure the dampness didn’t help.”
“No, I’m sure it didn’t. Come sit by the fire and I’ll order us some tea.”
She watched him nod and walk to a settee in front of the fireplace. The upholstery was perfect for this room. Black and white musical theme with notes floating on a sea of white. He stood before the fire for a moment before sitting down.
Tea was served a few minutes later and she passed him a cup. He sipped before setting the cup on a table beside him.
“That’s what I needed,” he said.
“Good,” she replied.
“Are you ready for your performance?”
“Yes. I am very confident about it. I’d like to play it for you later. If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I love to hear you play.”
He was right about that. He was an accomplished musician himself, but he’d never pursued it. Since they’d first met, he had always been available to listen to anything she played. Especially new pieces. It was always good to have someone to critique.
“I’m trying to make some sort of order with all this music,” she said, picking up her cup.
“Composer?”
“Yes. Composer first. Then perhaps years written?”
He nodded. “That would work if you knew when or could find out when it was composed. Otherwise, I’d place it alphabetically, I think.”
She smiled. She couldn’t stop smiling. One of the things she loved about him were his ideas. Even the far-fetched ones always showed the depth in which he thought things through. He was meticulous.
“What’s so humorous?” he asked.
“Thinking about you meeting the prince. It ought to be interesting.”
He shook his head. “I met him on Wight. He was on holiday.”
Her eyes widened at his statement. “Wait. You’ve already met the Prince of Wales?”
“Yes, that’s what I said.”
“Were his wife and children with him?”
“Not that day, but I assume they were wherever they were staying.”
“Tell me the circumstances. How did you meet him?” she asked.
Shaking his head, he sat back. “We were both riding that day. His horse spooked at something, and he was having difficulty regaining control of the beast. His men weren’t able to get hold of the horse’s bridle. The animal looked as though it were going to bolt, prince or not.”
“What did you do?”
“I was able to grab the bridle to the chagrin of his soldiers and calmed the horse. He thanked me and we went our separate ways. Not a big thing.”
She patted his hand. “Yes, it was. You kept the prince from falling off his horse and onto the ground. That would have been quite an indignity for him.”
“Embarrassing.”
“It doesn’t sound like he’s much of a horseman.”
“He’s not. Nothing extraordinary. He didn’t appear to be one who did for himself. He had people for that. He’s the Prince of Wales, after all,” he replied.
“So he’s going to remember you as the man who kept him from falling off his horse and onto his ass.”
She giggled as Charles appeared horrified by her statement and choice of words. “Don’t tell me you hadn’t thought that.”
“Yes, of course I have,” he said. “Do you know how many people are going to your concert?”
“No, but from what his people have told me, the more the merrier with the prince. Why?”
“Just curious.”
Cathryn watched his face for changes. She didn’t want to let him know the count she’d been given. It might set Charles into a meltdown. “I imagine it’ll be an intimate group of friends of the prince and princess.”
“Good. That’s more doable.”
“You’ll do fine, Charles.”
“Yes, I will.”
Smiling, she patted his hand and picked up her tea. “Maybe when we return, we can go to the village and look around. Have dinner?”
“I’d like that. We should probably get to know people who work and live in and around the village.”
“I’m surprised we haven’t heard from people who live here. Not even the vicar has come to pay a visit.”
He arched a brow. “That’s highly unusual. They’re usually the first ones.”
“I know. I thought perhaps he had something else going on.”
Grinning, Charles offered his idea on the lack of a visit from the vicar. “Perhaps word’s gotten to him that a mad man purchased the estate. He hasn’t visited us yet because he’s afraid. I hadn’t thought of that. Afraid of what? Me?”
“Yes. You know how fickle people can be.”
They were. It didn’t matter if it were family or friends. The less they had to deal with an uncomfortable situation, the better. Somehow, she had to keep his thoughts off that. Everything would be fine, and Charles would overcome his hesitation.
“Have you seen the greenhouse?” she asked.
“No, but I gather you have.”
“I have. The gardener does graft various plants, starts seeds. He keeps the young plants in there until they’re ready to be moved.”
“Interesting. Are you interested in showing me?”
“We certainly can. Did you know we have a pineapple stove? We’ll be able to enjoy the fruit anytime we want.”
“Do you want to show me or leave it for another day?”
“Let’s see it now,” she said with great excitement in her voice.
She was sure this was something that would interest Charles. It was also a place she could talk to him without worrying someone was close by listening. Word of their disagreement the other night had made for gossip among the staff. This should put a nip in it.
They both left the music room and made their way through the house and exited by the drawing room.
The greenhouse was in an unusual place, at the far back of the house.
Trees and bushes kept it obscured, out of sight of prying eyes.
Good enough for them to do naughty things.
The windows needed to be washed because no one could see inside and there was a lock on the door, making it the perfect place for an afternoon rendezvous.
The old gardener was smart; he wouldn’t bother them.