“I would gladly shed it for you,” I tell her, lifting her fingertip to my mouth and kissing it. “If it would bring you closer to me, I would shed it all.”
Charlotte’s voice shakes, although her expression gives little away. “That’s not how it’s supposed to be, Arthur. A man is to own his wife. Not bleed for her.”
“And when have I ever expressed interest in controlling you, Charlotte Kane? It is you who holds my very heart in your palm. You own me with every flex of your hand. And I am your willing captive.”
“So if I demand for you to kiss me?”
“I would ask where.”
Charlotte tugs me in by my cravat, her request clear. I meet her lips with my own, the softness of her mouth a temptation I have no desire to resist getting lost in. Her beauty has drawn me in since the moment I met her; that’s true. But it’s the person she is at her core that had me scheduling a second visit. And then a third. And a fourth.
Like these roses, Charlotte is soft. Fragile, even. Yet with the smallest encouragement and room to grow, she flourishes beyond the bounds of what most gardens could ever hope to accomplish. I’ve often thought Charlotte wasn’t born for this time. Or perhaps, she was made to change it.
But she is here, in the now. And all I can do is ensure she knows these gardens have no walls. That I won’t ever tame her. Won’t even try.
Charlotte melts in my arms as the kiss goes on, as if she’s able to forget the outside world for a while. I do my best to keep her there, but soon enough, she pulls back, a shy smile on her face as she brushes a piece of hair off her cheek.
“Well.” She clears her throat lightly, a lovely blush on her skin. “Keep kissing me like that, Arthur, and I might forget the staff.”
“The staff will turn a blind eye,” I assure her. “Are you ready to meet them?”
“Yes, I think so.” She sets her shoulders back, a little of her pluck returning. “I’m a Kane, after all. Am I not?”
“For the rest of our days,” I promise.
And surely far beyond that.
Chapter 12
Charlotte
The staff line up in the dining room when Arthur and I turn in for our midday lunch. I do my best to hold a smile on my face, hoping they do not secretly mind me joining Arthur in his home.
Ourhome.
I take a breath and stand taller.
Arthur leads the introductions. “Charlotte, my dear, this is Ella, Ruby, Willard, and Bess. I also employ a coachman for my travels. You’ll meet him when he returns in a couple weeks’ time.”
“Pleasure,” I say, inclining my head.
The women each curtsey, and Arthur’s butler Willard bows low, answering for all of them. “The pleasure is entirely ours.”
Willard and Ella are older, near my parents’ age if not more. Whereas Ruby and Bess must be close to my twenty-four years.
Arthur lets out a soft hum. “Before I forget, we’ll be cancelling the call for a lady’s maid. Charlotte doesn’t wish to employ one.”
Ruby looks visibly surprised by this, but Ella appraises me anew. I remain standing tall in her gaze, wondering what judgements she’s formed of my character. If she finds me lacking as a lady, well, she wouldn’t be the first.
Bess bows her head my way. “If there is anything I can assist you with, please do not hesitate to ask.”
I glance at Arthur, who doesn’t seem the least bit perturbed by this offer, and my admiration for my husband grows. It’s certainly above a housemaid’s station to tend to the lady of the house. For Bess to offer so openly speaks volumes about how Arthur treats his staff. She had no worry of reprimand.
“Thank you, Bess,” I say sincerely. “If you wouldn’t mind showing me later where the pot is to warm the bath, I would be grateful.”
She bows her head again, and Arthur graces me with a smile.
As the staff disperses, Arthur pulls a chair out from the table. Instead of sitting opposite me, he chooses a seat beside my own, his expression warm in a way that causes my stomach to flutter. Ruby returns to set small bowls down in front of us before quickly taking her leave. A soup to start our meal.
