Page 16 of The Virgin Duchess

“No. She said nothing. Only that she would not be available and to enjoy the Season without her. I am dreadfully worried! Has she been waylaid with injury or illness? Is she hidden away because she finds herself ruined by some rake? I know nothing!”

With a long exhale, Charlotte set herself sink further into the sofa, taking a sip of her tea. It was extremely unlikely that Ethel had been seduced by a rake or anyone for that matter. Unfortunately, that meant it was quite likely that she was ill or suffering from some malady. Worse, of course, was the way that Selina would no doubt gossip about it to anyone she could.

“It is downright cruel of her to leave me alone for the entirety of the Season. I shall never forgive her.”

Charlotte fought the urge to roll her eyes. Selina did have quite the way of making everything about her. While Ethel could be ill, the Dowager was concerned with being lonely.

Ugh, such a frivolous woman.

“I am worried over her,” Amelia added, finishing a drink of tea and setting her cup down. “And I am worried about you as well, Charlotte. This marriage…how are you handling it? Truly?”

“I am fine,” Charlotte spoke as encouragingly as she could. “The marriage arrangements were carried out with precaution. Frederick has been very amenable to inviting you both over whenever I wish, and he allows me the space to do what I enjoy.”

Squinting, Amelia regarded her. “Is that so? Still, it was hardly expected that he would propose. None of us had any inclination that he might do so. We have never heard you speak of him before this.”

Something stronger than tea sounded quite good at the moment, but without that option, Charlotte simply took a hearty sip and then sighed. When she looked up at her friends, Amelia’s brow was so heavily furrowed while Selina was caught gazing into her beverage.

“It was kept quiet. I wasn’t sure myself if it would ever evolve into something. Why lay out false hopes for anyone, especially myself? I am pleasantly surprised and glad to be wrong. I assure you.”

“Charlotte,” Amelia reached for her hand, taking it in a firm grip and giving it a squeeze, “you’re acting as if everything is as smooth as silk. No marriage is that perfect, especially not in the beginning. So, please. This is your time to talk with us. Use it to your benefit.”

She chuckled, silently grumbling about how insightful Amelia was. It didn’t help that the woman had been in a rather precarious arrangement with her own husband before they toiled through the process of falling in love. Amelia also knew her better than anyone.

If she could not relieve a bit of the stress with her, then there was no one else.

“It is quite the adjustment. I will admit that.” Charlotte smiled, shaking her head. “He has been…persistent about having an heir. I have instructed him that I am not quite ready and might never be, but he has taken to visiting me each evening in an effort to change my mind.”

Both women gawked at her, and Charlotte barked out a laugh. “Must you stare at me like that?”

Amelia was the first to reply. “Apologies, Charlotte. I…we are only surprised. It isn’t uncommon to be unsure about providing an heir, but…well, I shall admit to my own surprise that he is…still wooing you. You are married, after all.”

“Do you truly wish to avoid laying with your husband for the entirety of your marriage?” Selina looked as if she could not be more horrified. “Is that even acceptable?”

Sputtering, Charlotte began to squirm in her seat. This all felt too uncomfortable, and it was honestly the last thing on her mind. Frederick was not her concern. She had other, much more pressing things to be worried about. That was precisely why she’d agreed to all this.

So that she could keep tending to her responsibilities.

“I’m not sure. Frederick has had a reputation circle him, and I find that it is harder to ignore than I once thought. What if I am just another in a line of conquests? This one going so far as to wed me first before I shall be left divorced and ruined.”

“My brother wouldneverdo that. You are wrong about his character.”

The entire room was startled as Rose’s voice cut through the private conversation. Charlotte stood up from her seat, nearly knocking her teacup to the floor.

“Rose?” She gazed, confused, at her sister-in-law, shaking her head. “Why have you…I am sorry. I apologize for speaking ill about your brother. Though, I’ll admit that I?—”

Charlotte stopped herself. She had believed that Frederick and Rose were cross with each other, but it appeared very likely that she’d misinterpreted the situation, letting her experience with her own brother color her judgment.

“I am sorry.”

Rose stood straight as a pin, her eyes leveling Charlotte with a stern glare that was palpable. After a moment, she cleared her throat, blinking away the fury that had built in her blood. It was as if Rose’s sense finally gripped her, and she wished to avoid doing something she might regret concerning her brother’s wife.

“His reputation is heavily skewed, Your Grace.” Rose used her title still, clearly uncomfortable with calling her Charlotte. “I should hope that you are aware of that, considering you are now his wife.”

Tension stiffened Charlotte’s spine, and a terrible grip squeezed her stomach. She’d spoken too freely and let her fears push her into saying something she shouldn’t.

“Rose, truly, I apologize. I had not intended?—”

The young woman shook her head, glancing down and signaling an end to the discussion.

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