Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Their wedding was to be a simple affair.
Though she had notified her parents, they wouldn’t make it in time.
They sent their good wishes and looked forward to being together again once she returned to London with her new husband.
Her mother had some misgivings about the abrupt reintroduction to society, but Charlotte couldn’t see it happening any other way.
It was going to make waves no matter how she returned to the land of the living.
At least she would have Perry’s influential family to support them through it.
Perry insisted on being wed as soon as possible, giving her little time to adjust to the new reality of her life.
Nerves gathered in her stomach, and Charlotte focused on the task at hand.
It was a mere distraction. Her garden provided much solace during her loneliest times, and today, her flowers would give her courage.
“Please leave it to me,” Aamina tutted as she hurried to join Charlotte in the garden. “We have much to do to prepare for this special day.”
“I must do it, Aamina. There have been so many changes, and I need a moment to myself. I will be up soon.”
“Very well. I will see to the wedding breakfast, and we shall go over your attire as soon as you are ready,” the lady’s maid said as she clutched her skirts and wandered back into the house.
Charlotte returned to her task, wondering how many flowers were appropriate for a wedding bouquet. A few roses, a sprig of lilies of the valley, perhaps a dash of Queen Anne’s lace. She twirled the blooms in her hand, inspecting the combination.
“I believe you are missing something,” a deep voice spoke from behind her. Chills tore through her body as she felt the touch of each word deeply in her core. Her heart beat rapidly as she turned to face her soon-to-be husband.
“It is the first wedding bouquet I have arranged. I have no doubt I am missing something,” she admitted in a breathy voice, a delicate heat rising in her cheeks. How was it that he affected her so, after all this time? “Would you like to share your thoughts?”
“You misunderstand me. The bouquet is perfect. Pretty and graceful, just like the bride,” he began.
Charlotte averted his gaze, his words stoking a flame buried deep within her.
“May I?” he asked, brushing a loose curl and tucking it behind her ear.
Her body trembled at the touch. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation of his finger trailing along the side of her neck.
“Yes…” Her voice trailed off, and she opened her eyes, watching as he plucked a small rose from a nearby bush.
“I believe this will complete the vision,” he murmured, tucking the fragrant pink bloom behind her ear. “There. A bride any groom would be lucky to have.”
Her cheeks flamed at the words. Lifting her gaze to lock with his, her mouth curved into a dreamy smile. Perry played the role so well. The lovesick groom eager to be with his bride. She had no doubt the ton would be impressed with his romantic veneer.
Huffing a breath, Charlotte reminded herself that he was only playing a role.
Making the best of a difficult situation.
“Thank you, my lord, but I will not marry you looking like this. I was simply gathering my bouquet before beginning preparations. Enjoying the quiet of the garden.”
“I see,” Perry said, clasping his hands behind him and backing away. “I will leave you in peace then.”
Her eyes darted to the movement, immediately missing the warmth of his touch.
“Please stay. I am glad to see you before the ceremony. It helps me be less…nervous,” she admitted.
“I am reminded that it is you, not some frightening stranger, I must marry. Though it has been a long time since we were together, your friendship was something I treasured. Of course, marriage will cause certain things to change.”
“Tell me what makes you most nervous. I will help ease your mind.”
Charlotte worried her bottom lip, not feeling particularly daring. She cleared her throat, focusing on the blooms before her. There was no way she could make eye contact and speak of her concerns.
“We must have certain…displays of intimacy.”
“You mean, we must kiss?” Perry gave a soft laugh. “We have kissed before. Many times, if I recall.”
“Yes, well, it was a very long time ago, and those were done…in secret.” Charlotte swallowed, turning up her eyes to search for a trace of judgment in his. There was none. Only a playful smile tugged at his mouth. “You think I am ridiculous.”
“No, absolutely not. Perhaps there is a way I can help alleviate your concerns?”
A flutter of butterflies came to life in her stomach as she found the courage to say what she was thinking. Was she truly imagining that she wanted to kiss him? “How?”
“Would you like to practice?”
Pressing her fingers to her lips, Charlotte gave a slight nod.
Perry needed very little persuading. Grasping her hand in his, he pulled it away from her mouth and wrapped her arm around him.
Tugging on her waist, he closed the distance between them, a brought his mouth to hover over hers.
His fingers trailed slowly along the curve of her cheek and her neck, sending shivers up her spine.
“Ready?” he whispered, the words a caress on her lips.
She nodded, her eyes fluttering closed as she waited for their mouths to meet.
His lips pressed upon hers, warm and lush.
Charlotte grew dizzy with the intensity of the sensation. Kissing Perry again was a reminder. A blissful memory to be relived only in her fantasies, now come to life. The feel of his mouth against hers was a homecoming, a return to a place once believed lost forever.
He pulled away, his blue eyes darkened as they searched hers.
Charlotte cursed the brevity of their kiss. While her body beckoned his to continue, she pulled away and attempted to clear the fog of desire clouding her mind.
“There, that should do it,” he whispered, his voice thick and rough.
Her lips tingled, and Charlotte nodded as she brought her fingers to her mouth. “Yes, indeed. Thank you.”
Thank you? Was she truly thanking Perry for the kiss? Her cheeks heated with embarrassment. After this much time, Charlotte was apparently unfamiliar with basic conversational skills. With a huff, she arranged her flowers, which hung carelessly from her hand, momentarily forgotten.
“Do you require any more assistance collecting flowers?” he asked, eyeing the small bundle in her hand.
“No,” she spoke breathily. “I believe this will suffice.”
“Then I shall escort you to the house. The next time we meet will be at the altar.”
Her heart raced at his words. Was she truly ready for this change in her life?
“Yes,” was the only word she could muster.
Charlotte frowned, mystified that though she was a thirty-year-old woman who had birthed a child, she reacted like a young girl in the first blush of her youth.
Longing for Perry in this foolish way was certain to break her heart in the end.
If one mere kiss could make her this flustered, she must make a greater effort to contain the feelings his renewed presence in her life was creating.
This wasn’t a marriage for love.
Perry had never spoken such feelings, even in their youth.
It was a marriage of convenience.
An act that would assure her daughter had the best possible life.
Perry had cared for her once, she believed, though she could never be sure.
That did not mean those feelings remained after almost a decade of separation and another marriage for him.
She hadn’t been the ideal candidate for his wife those many years ago, and she certainly wasn’t now.
Her mother had always been keen to remind her of the many reasons she wasn’t finding a suitor at the many balls she attended.
She was quiet, didn’t converse confidently like the other ladies, and when she did, she almost always spoke too much of her own interests.
She loved the outdoors, didn’t act like a typical young miss who loved shopping and going on sheltered promenades.
Having been trained to use her delightful social skills to make up for what she lacked in ideal beauty, she was always keenly aware that her mother found her wanting in both facets.
Though Perry seemed to find her pleasing, it didn’t mean his interest wouldn’t wane.
A marriage of convenience entailed both entering the agreement with their eyes open.
There was no love involved, save the strong feelings he felt toward his daughter.
Charlotte and Perry enjoyed an easy affection, a friendship.
She would do well to never forget the primary reason for the marriage.
Their nuptials were to ease his conscience and erase the wrongs of the past. The earl was a man of honor.
Perry had never hinted at harboring any such feelings of love for her, and Charlotte would do best not to forget it.
Falling for Perry would be detrimental to her happiness, especially if they ended up living separate lives, as many did of the upper set.
He had forgotten about her once; there was no telling if he would do it again.
It had taken her so long to push the longing aside so that she could live out her days in the country in peace.
She would have to redouble her efforts not to get lost in that world again.
Memories tempted her with a love that could swallow her whole and would leave nothing but excruciating pain and longing in its wake.
Her resolve strengthened, she followed Perry into the house.
There would be no illusions as she walked down the aisle later that morning in her finest dress.
It was a pale pink confection made of silk and lace that she rarely wore.
Her mother had brought it along with a selection of dresses during one of her visits.
Charlotte had avoided using it since it was too fine for her daily activities.
On this day, she was grateful to own it.
The lace overlay on the sheer skirt was dainty and made her feel beautiful.
Aamina arranged her wavy hair into curls piled atop her head, with a few longer ones coming down and resting on her shoulder.
Small roses, including the one Perry had given her, dotted the hairstyle, and Charlotte could almost believe it was Fermoy’s way of blessing their union. Such a foolish thought.
The groom’s eyes shone when she entered the small stone church in the village. Aamina, her faithful maid and closest friend, accompanied her as a witness.
Standing in his navy waistcoat and tan breeches, Charlotte noted that Aurelia had been correct.
Perry didn’t look much like a pirate anymore.
He was handsome, with his brown hair swept to the side and his face bare.
She longed to touch his hair again. A shiver went through her as she stepped up to the altar.
Despite Beauregard and Aamina standing by, the world disappeared as soon as their gazes met.
Something inside her locked into place. She was standing exactly where she was meant to be.
This wedding might be an arrangement of convenience, but her heart refused to accept that reality.
Ignoring the flutters in her breast, she watched as he placed the signet ring on her finger and spoke the vows.
The ring was a temporary solution until they were able to acquire a proper wedding band.
The soft intake of breath as the heavy weight was placed around her finger was the only indulgence she would allow herself.
She stared at it on her hand, the meaning of it connecting to something deep within her.
Her voice trembled as she spoke the vows, her mind barely able to keep up as she gazed into his warm blue eyes. Though she was confident he was merely performing his duty in marrying her, the way he watched her made her almost believe he was glad for this turn of events.
Giving her head a shake, she corrected herself.
The earl was being kind and acting with honor.
Perry wanted to make things right. The reminder replayed in her mind as she watched him utter his vows, and she melted a little.
Her soft inhale as his face hovered over hers was dizzying, filling her with his familiar scent.
His closeness was overwhelming. It took everything in her to squash the hope that filled her chest as the witnesses clapped and smiled.
The duke, as well as the servants, seemed just as hopeful as she was.
Her gaze drifted to his hand, clasped over hers as they strolled back to the house for their wedding breakfast. The warmth of his touch felt so right, she could almost believe their marriage would be a happy one. If only she could see inside his mind and know what he was thinking.
There were a few facts that would always be true of her husband.
Her husband.
It seemed so strange to be able to call him that.
Perry was a good man, and he would ensure all her needs were met. If she kept her expectations realistic, she wouldn’t get hurt. Endeavoring to be a good wife, Charlotte accepted all the obligations expected of her with the eagerness befitting a proper countess.
They were both performing a role and fulfilling a duty. If she repeated those words in her mind, perhaps she would live a contented life.
Charlotte prayed she had the strength of character to remember.