Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Charlotte gazed out the window of the carriage, a small smile on her face.
Her husband didn’t realize that traveling in the same vehicle as their daughter would leave him open to answering all of Aurelia’s many questions.
It warmed her heart that Aurelia was already feeling so comfortable with the man she had just discovered was her father.
“Papa, could you describe our new home for me once more? It sounds positively magical!” Aurelia’s melodious voice filled the carriage as they traveled to their home in London.
A smile tugged at the corners of Perry’s mouth.
He was learning the hard way that his daughter was an inquisitive child.
Charlotte recognized that it was unusual for a child to be raised being so close to her parent, and she hoped her husband wouldn’t judge her on the parenting choice.
A normal aristocratic family might visit with their children for a small amount of time each day, if that.
Besides the time Aurelia spent with her nurse, Charlotte spent many hours a day reading, gardening, or taking long walks with their daughter.
She didn’t intend to stop now that she was a countess.
Though the position would entail new responsibilities she would attend to, Charlotte would be ever-present in her child’s life.
She only hoped Perry would be open to being just as available.
They had begun their journey at first light that morning to make good time on the road to the city.
The servants stayed behind to finish packing and would lag behind with the rest of their luggage.
There wasn’t much to take with them. Charlotte and Aurelia had led a simple life in the country.
As a comfort to Aurelia, Nurse Ann would follow in the second carriage, as well as Aamina, who would continue to serve as Charlotte’s lady’s maid once they arrived in town.
Her attachment and friendship to the maid was obvious even to Perry, who had only known them all for a short time.
“Well, the home is on the banks of the River Fleet, a beautiful spot. It has a splendid ballroom with crystal chandeliers that sparkle?—”
“Will you and Mama have a ball when we arrive?” Aurelia interrupted excitedly.
“Uh, I hadn’t thought of that yet, perhaps?” Perry’s gaze connected with Charlotte’s.
A warm flush gathered in her cheeks at the prospect of entertaining a crowd of London’s finest so soon.
It had been a long time since she had been around masses of people and so many watchful eyes.
She couldn’t imagine hosting such a huge event.
Adjusting to the new life she was beginning would be her first goal.
“We will need time to settle before thinking of hosting any grand celebrations, Aurelia,” Charlotte replied sensibly. She raised a brow at her husband, hoping he would refrain from making any promises.
Perry needed to work on not giving his daughter everything she desired.
The need to see her happy was overwhelming at times, Charlotte understood it well.
Aurelia glanced down at her hands in her lap. “Oh,” she said, her shoulder sagging. “There will be no need for ball gowns, then, I imagine.”
Charlotte gave a small laugh and shook her head. “Not quite. Perhaps in good time, when you are older.”
“Will I be able to attend the ball when you host one?” Aurelia asked, far from finished with her questions.
“Children do not attend balls, sweetheart,” Perry spoke gently.
“May I still get a ball gown?” Aurelia wondered. “Are those not for children either?” Their daughter’s animated blue eyes implored her father. Her brows gathered rather tragically, tugging on Charlotte’s heartstrings.
The countess brought a hand to her mouth to hide her mirth. Poor man. Only a father for a short time, and already, his daughter was wrapping him around her little finger.
“You and your mama can go shopping for all sorts of dresses once we arrive at Wildwood,” Perry promised, chucking her chin with his finger. “You must have all new gowns for your life in the city.”
Their daughter clapped her hands in glee and began to list all the colors of new dresses she would like, with Perry nodding enthusiastically at each word.
Alarmed, Charlotte’s heart picked up its pace as she was reminded of everything she would have to adjust to as a countess and woman living among London’s finer set. All eyes would be on them and she would be a reflection of their family. Frowning, she turned to admire the countryside.
All in good time. She would get there.
First, she had to get comfortable in her new home and make sure Aurelia was well settled. Then, they would go shopping.
It bothered her to have everyone knowing what she was doing, once she resumed the social life she had once been a part of. Perhaps they could have the modiste come to their home, to keep people from talking.
Charlotte shook her head.
Everyone would be talking; there was no escaping that.
The coach jerked suddenly, and Perry was thrown from his seat, bracing himself on either side of Aurelia to prevent crushing her.
He gave a painful grunt upon landing. A cry was wrenched from Charlotte’s throat as she was tossed against the wall of the vehicle with a jolt that sent shocks of pain coursing through her.
Aurelia landed against her with a soft thud, her mother cushioning her from the worst of the pain.
Dazed, Charlotte blinked as she once again became aware of her surroundings.
A few shouts could be heard coming from outside the carriage.
The horses’ shrill sounds of distress pierced the air as the earth shook beneath them.
The world tilted on its axis, and everyone slid to the side as the carriage came down, shattering the window closest to Charlotte. Her head turned in time, and her arms raised instinctually, protecting her eyes from the projectiles.
Aurelia shook her by the arm, the tears beginning to flow. “What has happened? Mama? Papa?”
“We must have lost a wheel,” Perry said through clenched teeth, attempting to push himself upright. “Charlotte, are you well? Aurelia?”
Rubbing the side of her head with her hand, Charlotte nodded. As she pulled her hand away, traces of blood stained her fingertips.
“I believe I have hurt my head,” she said, turning to her husband, who was now standing on the wall of the carriage, her world upside down.
Lying on top of her, Aurelia’s breath began to speed up, and Charlotte worried her daughter might faint from the shock. Blinking, Charlotte watched as Perry came to examine their daughter’s face and body for wounds.
He then hunched over Charlotte, hissing as he moved her face gently, taking her chin in his hand.
“’Tis but a small scratch. Your mother will be well, Aurelia, once we find a way to get out of here.” Perry shouted for the driver. “Cedric?”
“We’re coming, my lord,” a muffled voice called back.
Beauregard had sent them with an extra man for protection. A few grunts could be heard as the men must have been righting themselves after being tossed from the carriage.
Perry prayed their injuries weren’t too grave.
Charlotte blinked, suddenly overcome with heavy fatigue. How would she get out of the carriage if she couldn’t keep her eyes open?
“My lord, I believe Winston has broken his arm. With your permission, I will send him back to the estate for another carriage and to send help,” Cedric called from outside the carriage.
“Very good, Cedric, I believe I can get the door. I will need assistance pulling everyone out from underneath as quickly as possible,” Perry called out, eyeing his wife and daughter with concern.
What a sad pair she and Aurelia must have made. Her daughter wept softly by her side. Charlotte reached a hand around to comfort the young girl, who nuzzled closer into her side.
Releasing a slow breath, Charlotte attempted to shake herself out of her stupor.
If they sent someone to Bodmin or Fermoy, they would be rescued.
The servants’ carriage may have already left and could take them the rest of the way.
This meant they could still make it to London in good time.
They had intended to stop at an inn for the night during their travels.
There, they would have time to rest and see to their wounds.
Fantasies of a warm, comfortable bed where she could rest were tempting. But first, she had to get up.
Help Aurelia.
She blinked, watching her husband push against the door for it to open.
The crash had wedged it shut tightly, and if they could open it, they could drop out beneath the carriage before it collapsed further.
One wheel was preventing the vehicle from completely trapping them in by falling against the ground.
It was hard to decipher how much time they had.
“We must get out quickly,” Perry spoke in a calm voice, pulling Aurelia off her mother. “Darling, I need you to crawl to Cedric. Can you do that, Aurelia? He will pull you out.”
With a tearful gaze at her mother, Aurelia reached a hand to Charlotte, afraid.
“Listen to your papa, my love. I will follow you. I promise.”
Sobbing, Aurelia crept down into the hole, and Charlotte’s stomach tightened.
She held her breath as she lifted herself up on one arm. If the carriage fell suddenly, it would crush their daughter to death.
“Yes, that’s it, nice and steady. Move quickly, good girl,” Perry muttered, dipping his head to watch their daughter as she disappeared from Charlotte’s sight.
“Come, Charlotte, you’re next,” he said as he gently took her by the arm and helped steady her as she moved out the door and slid out beneath the carriage.
The vehicle groaned as she emerged, wobbling as she hit the dirt road.
Panic flooded her body, and she winced at the possibility of the carriage falling and ending her life in a mere moment.
“Over here, Mama. I’m waiting for you,” Aurelia called, a light at the end of the tunnel, beckoning her to follow.
Distracted from her fright, Charlotte scurried out from beneath the carriage and emerged into the bright midday sunlight. Sobbing with relief, she gathered her daughter in her arms, waiting with bated breath for Perry to emerge.
Her husband was much larger than them, and she feared he would rock the carriage even more as he escaped.
Perry’s gaze locked with hers as he dragged himself along the ground, his chest scraping along the dirt.
He managed to keep from rocking the carriage further, which was teetering unsteadily on the spoke of the remaining wheel.
Her jaw ached from clenching her teeth as she watched him move. She couldn’t imagine how painful it was to crawl using his injured arm.
“That’s it, Papa, you’re almost there,” Aurelia cheered, her small encouragements bringing tears to Charlotte’s eyes.
With a final tug, he strained his wounded shoulder and winced in pain as he broke free.
He kneeled before them, looking them over carefully for any signs of further injury, then grinned, gathering Charlotte and Aurelia in his arms.
“And now, we wait for our other carriage to arrive. Let us go sit over there, so that we can be more comfortable,” Perry offered them each a hand and guided them to a verdant patch of grass.
Charlotte moved painfully, keeping an arm around Perry as they walked a short distance to wait for help to come. Cedric confirmed that he had been tossed roughly, but his injuries remained mild.
Leaning her head against Perry’s shoulder, she released a breath, then closed her eyes as the warm sunshine heated her face.
It brought her some comfort. They would be bruised and in pain for a few days, but their injuries were minor.
Charlotte was grateful as she passed a hand over Aurelia’s hair and kissed the top of her head.
Upon arriving at the scene on horseback, Beau fretted over them after seeing the state of the carriage.
“You are well, sister?” he asked, watching her carefully as she spoke, as though assessing for signs of distress.
All she could manage was a weak nod.
Beau shouted at the servants to help the countess with her injury and released a few expletives as he examined the vehicle.
She was touched by how the duke took control over the scene and saw to their comfort.
“We are well, Beau. The countess will be well cared for once we arrive at the inn for the night. I will make sure my wife is kept comfortable,” Perry reassured, wrapping an arm around Charlotte. “These things happen.”
Beau shook his head. “I am horrified at how my best carriage could fail so terribly. It is a disgrace.” His eyes roamed the accident scene, as though looking for clues.
With a promise to examine the scene further before returning to Bodmin, Beau helped them climb into the safety of the newly-arrived carriage.
They squeezed into the vehicle along with their two servants, which made the ride to the inn decidedly more snug.
Charlotte was grateful to be back on the road and deliriously happy to enjoy a comfortable bed at the inn for the night.
She shared her room with Aurelia and their servants, while Perry lay next door.
Closing her eyes proved difficult, as the feel of Aurelia moving in her sleep and the raucous sound of the servants snoring kept her from drifting away.
Every time she moved, her side and shoulder ached, with fresh bruises beginning to form as she prepared for sleep.
She looked forward to the time when she could rest at Wildwood—to recuperate and forget all these horrible things had occurred.
They had barely any time to prepare for the move, and now they were recovering from yet another event that had put them all at risk. As her eyes fluttered closed at last, her last thoughts were that she hoped for peace and safety in the city.
They seemed to be elusive, since Perry had returned to her life.
It was time for a fresh start for their family.
She prayed their bad luck wouldn’t follow them into their new life.