Heart's Desire

Chapter Ten

 "Would you like me to assist?" That made the third time Wilcott asked that very question.

Charity felt out-of-sorts. Now that her decision was made, she was more nervous than she'd ever been. This morning, she had breakfast in bed and was now attempting to clasp a simple gold chain necklace around her neck. She nearly had it when it slipped free once more.

Sighing in defeat, Charity nodded to Wilcott. She'd taken great care with her toilet and had requested the primrose yellow gown. She'd waited to wear it knowing the color would make her visible, make people take note of her.

With deft fingers, Wilcott had the necklace secured in seconds. With a slight shake of her head at her nerves, Charity stepped into the matching slippers her maid held. Today was the day her husband was going into town to collect the items he'd ordered. It had been months since she'd last stepped foot in Belford. That time had been to pay off the remaining debts Georgiana had charged to the End. To say the mission had been humiliating would be an understatement. She was not looking forward to facing all those people with their sharp eyes and sharper tongues.

Wilcott handed her mistress a damask shawl of vibrant yellow and white. Draping it around her shoulders, Charity ran a critical eye over herself in the mirror. The gash across her cheekbone was still visible under the rice powder her lady's maid had liberally applied. Wilcott next added a light touch of blush which served to mask it slightly more. Her hair was piled high with some ringlets escaping artfully about her neck in the latest fashion. The dress was exceptionally made and of good quality.

With butterflies taking flight in her stomach, Charity accepted that she'd delayed long enough. She knew she looked her best. It was time to venture forth from the safety of her room.

On the way to the foyer, Charity had to admit the real source of her edginess. Lord Wrotham had ignored her all the rest of yesterday. She was confused because he'd said he wanted to reconcile, to have a real marriage and not that of his parents. Yet, she hadn't seen him after their encounter in the library. After he'd given her a glimpse of the past that'd shaped the man he was today, he'd hidden. Was he embarrassed at having revealed too much, she wondered?

Then there had been that sweet parting kiss. In Charity's childish fantasies, that was what she'd dreamed a real kiss to be. Lord Wrotham had shown her differently.

The blush beneath her makeup was still in evidence when Charity stepped into the foyer and came face to face with Lord Wrotham. "You look very pretty today." He appeared sincere as he said that, which only added to her confusion.

The compliment made Charity's cheeks burn more fiercely. "Thank you," she murmured.

Smiling his partial smile, Lord Wrotham presented Charity with his arm. "Shall we set off then?"

Nodding her head a slight degree, Charity placed her gloved fingertips on the proffered arm. Side by side, Lord and Lady Wrotham walked to the awaiting carriage.

Belford was still miles away when Julian broke their tense silence. "Why did you shut up so many rooms? Surely, you had some occasion to entertain?"

Henderson had something new to report this morning. Julian's valet had spoken with Cook last evening after the rest of the house had retired. According to Mrs. Anders, some in town had begun to think his wife false due to her husband's extended absence. Rumors began to spread, saying that Lady Wrotham was not who she represented herself to be but instead was some castoff mistress or charlatan. This was why the new servants had questioned his identity.

Guilt reared its head upon listening to Henderson's report. It could be why shop owners in town requested cash only upon receipt of their goods. Still, Julian wished to hear the sorry tale from Charity.