Chapter 43 #2
With a scowl darkening his face, Perry shook his head and took a drink from his glass. “Will I never escape those dreadful gossips?”
“We can only hope to live up to the standard you have set,” Michael added with a hearty laugh. “It is my greatest wish that one day, I will make women blush as much as the naughty earl has.”
“You should be focusing your energies on finding a wife, like us Spencer men. You’re well past the age of raking about town, my friend,” Beauregard added with a smirk. “Find a sweet, biddable woman to occupy your time, as I have. You will be much rewarded for it, I assure you.”
Perry snorted. “I believe it is time for you, gentlemen, to leave. I have much work to do if I’m to convince my wife to stay with me. And I’ve had just about enough of your sense of humor.”
Michael and Beau looked at each other with matching mischievous grins, then back to Perry with mock sympathy.
Beau stood, placing his glass on the desk and smoothing his coat. “I must hurry to meet my love,” he replied, his cheeks tinged soft pink as he spoke of his betrothed.
It pleased Perry to see his brother looking forward to his nuptials in a way that he himself had never in his first marriage.
The betrothal was arranged by their father, but Beau accepted his destiny with all the practicality of a duke wanting to fulfill his familial obligations.
Though he spoke not of passionate love for Sarah, there was an easy friendship between them that Perry could only hope would turn into something more.
A devotion as strong as the one he had for Charlotte was all he wanted for his brother.
“I wish you both great success in your endeavors,” Perry said, patting Beau on the back. “Shall we meet again in a few days? We must make haste.”
Beau winced in pain and Perry immediately removed his hand.
Both men promised to communicate with Perry if anything came from their separate investigations.
Heartened by their discussion, Perry sighed heavily and turned his mind to other matters.
Later, he would dive into the family records and investigate the old logbooks with his steward to search for any clues as to members of Eliza’s family that might wish him ill.
It was unlikely any relatives were still alive, since the elder earl hadn’t had any family to inherit the estate.
Perry would do everything within his power to uncover even the tiniest sliver of information if there was any.
He strolled over to the large floor-to-ceiling windows and admired the thriving summer garden that the gardeners had maintained through his long absence from the estate.
Growing tired of the loneliness and the isolation of the estate when Eliza passed, he sought freedom the instant he could.
Her death gave him permission to break out of the confines of his home and let bachelor lodgings in a trendy part of London.
He availed himself of the company of his brother, their friends, and a few willing women to ease his pain.
The ability to never be alone with his thoughts and the never-ending possibilities for entertainment helped him avoid the reality of an unfulfilled life.
He mourned the dearth of children from his marriage, his failure to be a good husband to Eliza, and his lack of a legacy as an earl.
How could he prove himself worthy of the title when he had failed so miserably at his responsibilities?
When Charlotte returned to his life with Aurelia, his loneliness dissipated, and suddenly, he found that purpose once again.
His heart grew light, thinking of everything Charlotte had given him, especially after their passionate night together.
He could picture himself having a very fulfilling life with his wife and daughter.
And if they were so blessed, perhaps with more children to grow their family.
Perry was suddenly possessed with a fervent need to do something for his wife, to thank her…
for bringing him back to life, literally and metaphorically.
Turning on his heel, he walked at a brisk clip down the hallway in search of someone who would know his wife inside and out.
Someone who would be able to help him orchestrate some kind of surprise.
What he knew of his wife was older information, from their time together as young lovers.
Having spent little time with her before they married, he wanted to know what moved her now.
After almost a decade spent apart, he expected her passions to have changed.
Perhaps they had not, as she still hungered for him as much as she had so long ago.
A grin curved his mouth as he remembered how powerful their hunger was the night before.
Perry was eager to have his wife beneath him once more, as soon as possible.
He hardly knew if he could wait until the evening.
The tightness in his breeches and the fire burning his skin told him it was not likely.
But first, he was on a mission.
Perry checked in with the extra guards he had hired to keep an eye on the home, making sure there had been no suspicious activity. He hoped his investigations would gather much-needed answers and allow them to live their lives free from danger.
At that time of day, he expected his wife to be finishing up her lessons with Aurelia.
It might be time to hire a governess to take some of the burden of instructing Aurelia off Charlotte’s shoulders.
They had been isolated in the country before he found them, but now, it was time for his daughter to benefit from all the advantages her father could give her.
His wife needed more time to socialize and fulfill the demands of her new role.
Making his way downstairs to the servants’ quarters, Mrs. Blanchard jumped with a start at his arrival. The housekeeper fussed with her dark hair beneath a smart-looking dark green cap, which was part of the Wildwood uniform. Her bright blue eyes blinked in surprise.
“My lord, how may we help you? We would have come to you, had you rung the bell,” the housekeeper said, fluttering a hand over her chest. She was overwhelmed by his presence, but Perry could not wait.
“I would like to speak to Aamina,” Perry asked. “Is she available, or is she with my wife? It is a matter of utmost secrecy.”
A soft smile spread over the housekeeper’s face as she understood. “Is it a secret from the countess?” The usually stern and willowy woman’s face softened with the admission.
“Indeed, I would like to surprise my wife,” he said quietly.
“I will find Aamina at once, my lord,” Mrs. Blanchard said, nodding and exiting the room.
Shortly after she had disappeared, the housekeeper returned with Aamina.
“Would you like more privacy, my lord?” Mrs. Blanchard asked. Perry shook his head. There were few servants about and the ones bustling about the kitchen were too busy to pay him any attention.
Turning to the maid, Perry searched for his words. He wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted. Aamina’s dark eyes lit with curiosity as she wiped her hands on her pristine white apron.
“Thank you for meeting me, Aamina. I wanted to speak to you about my wife,” he began.
With a nod, Aamina trained her wide eyes on him, waiting for direction. “How may I be of service, my lord?” The way she watched him wearily told him she might have been nervous about this discussion.
Perry gave her a reassuring smile.
“I am taken with a desire to…do something special for my wife. The problem is, I’m not familiar with her current likes or dislikes. Is there anything I could do to make her feel more comfortable here? You are very close to Charlotte, and I would appreciate your input.”
Pressing her lips together, Aamina averted her gaze as she considered his words.
“My lady did say how much she missed her garden,” Aamina said, her words trailing off at the end.
“There is a garden here, does she not like it?”
“I believe it is that she used to work in the garden, my lord. She has yet to spend any time exploring the gardens beyond daily walks for her health. Perhaps she feels it would be inappropriate for a countess? My lady is very eager to act appropriately. She would not bring any shame to the title.”
“I see,” Perry said. “She would like to have more say with the gardeners and perhaps change things. That shouldn’t be a problem. I will speak to them at once.”
The maid shook her head. “That is not what I meant, my lord. The countess did some of the gardening work herself, alongside the gardeners at Fermoy. Perhaps some would say it is very unbecoming of a woman of her station, but I know she misses it dearly. It was her great passion.”
“Ah.” Perry nodded. It made sense. Lottie was so afraid of being judged any further for her behavior.
She was under enormous scrutiny since becoming a countess.
It was appalling that she would stop doing something she loved for him.
A great sadness filled him to think that he had taken that away from his wife and daughter.
Knowing Charlotte, Aurelia would have experienced the same freedoms as well.
He had the perfect place for her to have all the liberties she wanted, away from prying eyes.
Then again, they were already a scandalous pair. His mouth curved into a smirk. Perhaps he preferred his countess to be scandalous.
Perry made his way to find her.
Yes. The way his thoughts traveled in more wicked directions, it was time for the ton to accept that the scandalous Spencers were here to take London by storm. Whether society liked it or not, his wife had him on his knees.
There was no place he would rather be.