Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Bristling after his discussion with Charlotte, Perry cursed his weakness as he watched her leave. How could a bedridden man convince her to… Well, to what exactly? Perry hadn’t quite accepted what he wanted to do with the new information he had gathered from his former love.
Was she to remain a former love?
His hands still itched to touch her with the same familiarity they shared in the past. Seeing her healed a part of him he hadn’t realized was so deeply damaged.
Could he truly just leave her, as she had requested?
His body physically rebelled at the thought.
Perry suspected he was incapable of abandoning her again.
How could he convince her not to waste this opportunity that had been given to them after years of suffering in loveless solitude?
Painfully longing for something that could never be, while he was trapped in a marriage neither he nor his wife wanted.
It was breathtaking to consider that perhaps it was possible, after all. To bask in that happiness once more.
Charlotte Townsend could be his.
Given time, perhaps he could woo her to his side. Convince her to explore what had been cut short in the past. They had no distractions out here in the country.
Perry scrubbed a hand through his hair and moved his legs to dangle over the side of the bed.
First, he must regain his strength and get out of this dratted bed.
Every day since his fever had ebbed, he grew stronger.
Now that he was recovering his former good health, they wouldn’t have long before they had to behave according to societal expectations.
If he were to court her properly, he couldn’t be seen alone with her.
Society believed her an untouched, unmarried woman, and she deserved to be treated as such.
The time they had together while he recovered would be precious. He must take advantage.
Of course, there was the matter of also figuring out who had shot him and if it had anything to do with the mysterious letter they had received from Mrs. Boots.
It was strange how, after seeing Charlotte, none of that mattered.
Well, he did have to be alive to court and marry her; that much was nonnegotiable.
Perry gave a soft chuckle and stroked his beard. He would need a good shave. He hadn’t spent much time on his appearance lately. It wouldn’t be particularly seductive to go chasing after a woman looking like a wild man. Perhaps a footman could assist him.
He would chase Charlotte to the ends of the earth.
Her return to his life had renewed some sense of purpose and given him the motivation to start living again.
To leave the bed. To abandon his previous scandalous pursuits and start building a life he actually wanted.
Though she seemed hesitant, resistant even, Perry was confident he could change her mind.
She was afraid of the scandal, but he had spent enough of his life acting according to the dictates of society.
He and his siblings had been at their father’s mercy for their first marriages.
Now it was time to make his own choices.
If she feared a scandal when she reappeared in society, they would weather that storm as a couple.
He would do anything to show her they belonged together.
How could he live with himself, having ruined her, then abandoned her?
If she needed convincing, he would get to work.
Something about Charlotte called to him, and perhaps she was feeling the same attraction.
Surely, the same desire to live that spurred him on when he found her wasn’t one-sided.
He wanted her to have a full life as well.
If he could convince her to return to the city, he would persuade her to consider him as a suitor.
A proper courtship under the eyes of the ton would do much to redeem her reputation in society as a discarded fiancée.
The mystery of her long absence would be tantalizing.
His sister, Louisa, could help him spread the correct message through the gossip channels.
Her mere presence would convince people that she was in good health once again.
Marriage to an earl would boost public opinion of her even more.
He understood her reluctance to return with no prospects, as she would be trounced in the gossip columns.
But returning to an eager suitor?
On a solid path to marriage? In a love match?
The ton would be enamored. She would be the darling of society, as she deserved to be.
Perry would spin an enchanting tale of second chances and lost love returned that would make the elder ladies of highbrow society swoon. The details of their earlier courtship would be kept a tight-lipped secret.
It wouldn’t take long for her to be back on the right side of people’s opinion.
This would be his chance to repair the damage he may have caused in the past by interfering with her engagement.
Perhaps her illness had been a symptom of her misery at the idea of marrying the old Viscount Dewberry.
Perhaps their love had tormented her with the same all-consuming longing that had plagued him for years.
Once he recovered and they returned to town, separately of course, he would speak to her father.
Baron Percy would have to approve. Though they didn’t need his permission, his blessing would be welcome.
Perry would make sure they received it. This time, no deception or secrets would be allowed to stand in his way.
His heart refused to accept the alternative.
With a grunt, Perry pushed himself off the bed.
The pain in his arm lessened a bit each day. His energy returned as he ate more solid food and moved about with intention. Shuffling to the window, Perry relied less on the bedposts for balance. He was pleased at how much easier the action was than yesterday. He was gaining strength and stamina.
How glorious to enjoy a sunny reward.
Perry unlatched the window and pushed it open. The warm air after the constant rain that had kept them locked in was divine. Inhaling the fresh perfume of flowers drifting from the garden below, he closed his eyes to savor the sweetness.
Summer in the English countryside was heaven.
A delicate sound diverted his attention and his eyes flicked open with a start. He had to lean forward to see, since it came from a distance away. If he blinked, he would have missed them.
Soft giggles floated up to his window, the sound a balm to his heart.
A child.
The young girl was skipping happily down a path, coming from the direction of the village.
A smile tugged at the sides of his mouth as he watched her before she disappeared on the other side of the manor house.
Perry’s mouth dropped open as he observed from afar, devouring each detail of the child’s appearance.
Warm golden tones in the light brown hair bouncing on her shoulders.
Bright eyes and an easy laugh.
She was adorable.
Perry’s brow furrowed as he attempted to understand whose child would be wandering about the estate, a stout nurse ambling in her wake.
If the child had a nurse, she must be from a good family.
She looked to be about nine or ten years old?
Surely, he was mistaken. Leaning against the window for support, a dreadful knot gathered in Peregrine’s chest. A servant’s child or one from the village would not have her own nurse. Who was she?
He wondered whether Charlotte would even tell him. It would be no trouble for her to keep more secrets from him. They were her main source of protection. Her entire life at Fermoy was built on secrets and deception.
Would a member of Charlotte’s extended family have sent a child away to the country to visit her aunt? A niece or a nephew, perhaps? It seemed unlikely the girl would come alone. Perhaps one of the servants could clarify the situation for him. He was baffled.
There were no children at his family’s estate nearby. None had been born to their family as of yet.
With a resigned sigh, Perry left the open window and returned to the bed.
Perhaps he was more tired than he thought. His thoughts were in a jumble. There had been no signs of a child on the estate, though Perry hadn’t explored the other wings of the house. The only thing that would make sense was the impossible.
Was it possible?
Perry’s eyes widened, and he sat abruptly in bed. He shook his head at the path of his own foolish thoughts. Of course, the girl could not be Charlotte’s. Such a secret would bring utter devastation to his very soul.
Since there was an extremely good chance that any child of Charlotte’s, was his.
* * *
Perry awoke later that afternoon to the most beautiful sound drifting in his ear. A song. The most melodic little voice he had ever heard. His mouth curved into a smile as his eyes opened. He gasped as he spotted the young girl with a pair of steely blue eyes staring at him as he slept.
Reluctant to startle the child, he cleared his throat. “Pardon me, I must have fallen asleep.”
“T’is quite alright, I’ve heard Mother and Aamina whispering about you, and I was eager to discover who they were speaking about. Are you a pirate? You look like one.”
Perry snorted. “Alas, no, I am not a pirate. I am simply recovering from a grave injury.”
“Ah,” the young girl said with a nod. “Your hair is very long. My nurse says a proper gentleman maintains his appearance. Are you not a proper gentleman?”
Giving his head a shake, Perry grinned at her words. “Is it proper to ask impertinent questions of your guests? We must ask your nurse.”
The girl gave him a sheepish look. “Pardon if I have offended you. I was merely curious. You look like a pirate from one of my stories. Very dangerous. Though…” The young girl swept his hair from his face, leaning closer.
“You have kind eyes. Blue, like mine. Mother says my eyes are the most beautiful she has ever seen. I do say she might like yours as well. Have you met my mother?”
Sitting up in bed, Perry adjusted with a grunt. “May I have some water?” he asked. “Who is your mother? Did she give you permission to come visit me?”
The young girl produced a glass filled with water. “My mother is the mistress of this house, Lady Charlotte, of course.”
She shrugged, giving him an impish smile.
After taking a long drink, Perry handed it back to her.
“Thank you. I am grateful to your mother for allowing me to stay here and rest.” A heavy weight settled in his stomach, and he released a slow breath as he absorbed the new information.
He gave an encouraging nod, hiding his shock at the young girl’s innocent revelation.
He watched her with renewed interest, looking for signs of familiarity. Signs that she might be…his.
“Yes, my mother is the best person. Though I believe she is lonely. Perhaps you might be her friend?” The young girl drew her finger along the lines of the pattern on the coverlet, then flicked her gaze to lock with his.
Perry smirked. “Perhaps. Now tell me, how did you get here? Does your nurse know you’re visiting me?”
The girl pressed a hand upon her chest. “Oh, good heavens, no. My nurse left me practicing my arithmetic while she went to arrange for our luncheon, which got terribly boring. I decided to take a little wander. I should probably return. Ann must not know I have been exploring, and I’m getting hungry.
Our cook, Jane, makes the best honey cakes. Have you had one?”
“Sadly, no. I’ve been eating broth and tea. My appetite hasn’t been what it used to be. Will you let Jane know that when I am feeling better, I would like a honey cake?”
The young girl warmed at the request. “Of course, you simply must have one. I insist. Will you tell me your name, or shall I just call you the pirate?”
“I am Peregrine Spencer, though my friends call me Perry. Would you like to call me that?” His shoulders relaxed as he waited for her reaction.
Her mouth pressed into a mischievous smile. “Perry the pirate has a nice ring to it.” She giggled into her hand. “My name is Aurelia, and my friends call me Aurelia.”
“It is lovely to meet you, Aurelia. How old are you?”
“Oh, such an impertinent question,” Aurelia said with a grin. “I am nine years old. How old are you?”
Perry laughed softly. “I am one and thirty. Thank you for tolerating my poor manners. I shall require some lessons from your dear nurse, I am sure.”
Aurelia cast a glance around the room. “I think I hear someone coming. I must leave before I am discovered.”
“Thank you for visiting me. It does get terribly lonely here in bed. I hope to be well again soon.” He smoothed the blanket, saddened by her sudden need to depart.
She gave him a winsome smile.
Something fluttered in his chest.
“I will visit you as often as I can,” she promised, as she skipped from the room, peering in the hallway to ensure no one would see her. Aurelia turned and escaped, giving him a small wave as a parting gift.
Perry’s heart stilled. He swallowed with difficulty, his throat thick with emotion.
His mind was working, coming to conclusions he could hardly understand rapidly enough.
Hurrying to the door, he watched as Aurelia disappeared around a corner, safe from being discovered.
His heart raced in his chest from the effort, or from the possibilities, he wasn’t sure.