Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Have you forgotten our time together so easily?
Charlotte shivered. Those words… The words brought so many unresolved feelings floating to the surface.
Of course she hadn’t forgotten. A sob came unbidden, and she did her best to swallow it.
She needed to get away from him as quickly as possible.
Then, she would have relief from this wound, freshly opened by his presence, and bleeding uncontrollably. The pain was breathtaking.
How could she ever forget what he meant to her?
Why did his anger send a bolt of excitement through her body?
Was she afraid?
Or was she pleased he was so affected by her return to his life?
Though still weakened by his wound, the strength of his body radiated through their touch as she helped guide him to his bed. Mrs. Higgins had discovered his disappearance and was on the brink of sounding the alarm when they arrived in his room.
With a subtle nod, the housekeeper understood the new development.
The secret was out.
Perry was furious, as was she. He had disturbed her peace. He had placed demands on her when she was used to being her own mistress.
Perhaps he had mistaken her for the girl of her youth, but Charlotte would bow to no man.
After losing the ability to choose as a younger woman, she was determined to be the master of her own destiny.
The arranged marriage to an older man, the pregnancy, all had been realities thrust upon her.
She quite enjoyed the life she had created for herself at Fermoy and was reluctant to let anyone disturb it.
Especially Perry, the man who had married another, shattering her heart into a million pieces.
What good would it be to indulge his reminiscence?
Would he want her to be his mistress once he realized she had never married?
The pull between them was still strong, but she resisted it.
She must resist.
Keeping Aurelia out of sight was paramount, lest all her truths come floating to the surface. There were still some secrets that were safe.
She pulled the blankets over Perry once he stretched out in the bed. Yanking the blankets from her grasp with a grumble, she crossed her arms and tilted her head, giving it a shake.
“Do you require anything more for your comfort?” she asked, watching him.
“I am perfectly fine. I will ring for a servant if I need anything,” he said in a dismissive tone. “I need some time to consider everything I have learned today.”
Charlotte huffed. “Very well. Perhaps it is time to arrange for your departure, given that you are showing signs of your health returning.” She pressed her lips together and turned on her heel to leave the room.
“Please tell the servants I have no intention of leaving Fermoy. We have much to discuss,” he called out behind her.
A shiver skated across the surface of her skin.
“I’m not sure there is much more I can tell you,” she tossed over her shoulder. Gripping the knob in her hand, she turned, the sensation of his eyes boring into her back unbearable.
“We will see what tomorrow brings,” he spoke in a sharp tone, almost threatening, which was unlike him. “I am not quite done with our conversation.”
Charlotte swallowed.
She would have to come up with something to mollify him. Reassure him so that he could go on his merry way and leave her in peace. The longer he stayed at Fermoy, the higher the risk of her other secret coming out.
If Perry found out the true reason for her staying away those many years ago, there was a chance he would take matters into his own powerful hands.
Charlotte might be in charge at Fermoy, but out there, she was nothing.
She had no weapons to prevent him from taking what was rightfully his.