Not the defense he had been hoping for. But it did make his brothers laugh. And she set a hand on his arm as she laughed along with them. He wasn’t certain why she’d returned to this shallow incarnation of herself, and it wasn’t the approach to reducing scrutiny they’d agreed on, but it did the trick in the moment.
“Uncle Charlie!” He turned at the sound of his niece Alice’s voice. A blessed angel of mercy. “Come play with us.”
He looked to his brothers and wife. “I may not have a valet, but I have the very best of playmates.” He dipped a little bow. “If you will excuse me, my Alice wishes for me to join her, and I would never deny her anything she wanted.”
Alice took his hand and pulled him across the room to where nearly all the assembled grandchildren were seated on the floor. They sat beneath the enormous family portrait that hung over the fireplace, the last one painted of the family before Father’s death.
How often Charlie had sat in this very spot, looking up into his father’s still and lifeless face, trying to remember him, wishing he could talk to him one last time and ask him all the questions he had.
You promised you would always help me when I needed you.
I need you now.
Chapter Seventeen
Artemis was still on edge,but she was finding her footing at Lampton Park. They had been assigned a shared bedchamber—the one, she had been told, that was Charlie’s from his years growing up at the Park—and it was proving more awkward than any of the inns they’d stayed in.
They’d changed for the evening meal in shifts and had managed only a stilted version of a conversation in the drawing room, the dining room, and, now, amongst the family after the meal. Rose had made it known to the housekeeper that the chambermaids were not to come into the bedchamber in the morning to light the fire until Rose indicated they should. That would save them the humiliation of having all the house know that this newlywed couple were none too pleased to be sharing close quarters.
Things had gone relatively well during their afternoon interactions with the extended family. Her new sister-in-law from Spain had proven an utter delight. Lord Lampton, who had insisted she call him Philip, had joined in their absurdity with eagerness. They’d laughed and enjoyed bits of what her Papa would likely have called “silliness.” Artemis was breathing a bit more easily. She could rest on her familiar approach to such things and have some faith it would work.
Charlie didn’t seem overly dedicated to their efforts. He’d dressed a bit better for the meal than he had during the day, but his appearance was still haphazard and careless. He would give everyone the impression that he placed no importance on being with them. They would begin to wonder at his unhappiness. They would likely blame her.
“I am certain someone from the staff, perhaps even one of your brothers’ valets could be spared to help you dress for meals,” Artemis said as they made their way down the stairs.
“I thought the ‘enormity of your endurance’ could see you through the misery of having to look at me.”
That he repeated the joking comment in such a disapproving tone was... odd. “We were jesting.”
“Yes. I know.” Tension filled his voice.
“I found a way of being welcomed among your family. Is that not what you wanted?”
He released a tight breath. “Joining them in mocking me is not quite what I had in mind.”
“You don’t object to it coming from them, but you object tomebeing part of it?”
“We were meant to come here and present a picture of unity. Instead, I was a man at a mark.” They stopped a few feet from the drawing room door. “I am keeping my end of this bargain, Artemis. I need you to keep up yours.”
“Are you, though?” She couldn’t keep her voice entirely calm. “Within moments of arriving here, you were off enjoying your family and having quiet moments with them whilst I followed you around like a lost puppy. That is hardly a ‘picture of unity,’ Charles.”
“Do not call me that.”
She pushed out a frustrated growl and walked past him into the drawing room. Half the family was there already. Regardless of her frustration with the gentleman she’d been forced to marry, she would not embarrass either of them.
“Did I manage a dramatic entrance?” she asked those who had turned at her arrival. “That was my goal.”
“Not quite,” Philip said.
She dipped her head regally. “I shall try again.”
She stepped back out. Charlie was watching her from the very spot she’d left him a moment ago. She would not allow him to make her doubt her ability to survive this. A moment to catch her breath and she spun once more. She glided back into the drawing room and swept both arms in a grand gesture, ending in a pose worthy of the London stage.
Philip gave her a silent bit of applause. Many of the others laughed; the rest smiled genuinely. That was key to this family, she was discovering. They liked to laugh and share light moments. She would remember that.
“Is Charlie planning a grand entrance as well?” Lady Marion—Layton’s wife—asked.
“Does he often?” Artemis asked.
