Belong To Me (book 4) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (9 page)

As George and Charlotte stood to leave, Ian quickly met them at the door. “Before you go, there’s something I wish to say.” He paused a second to finish his drink, and then placed the empty glass on the nearby tray the butler held. “I’ve made a decision tonight that will affect both of you.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened, but George’s were just passively curious. “George,” Ian continued, “I know you plan on taking my wife as your mistress, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. She’s still my wife, and I wish to fulfill my rights as her husband.”

His gaze switched to Charlotte. Color drained from her face and her mouth dropped open.

She gasped. “No, Ian. You cannot.” Her voice rose. “You told me you would sign the annulment papers.”

“I’ve had second thoughts, my dear.” He took hold of her trembling hands. “It would please me if you would stay.” He pulled her out of George’s reach. “In fact, I insist you stay.” He looked to his friend. “George, would you see to it that my wife’s trunks are packed and sent here posthaste? I’m certain she’ll want to get settled as soon as possible.”

Charlotte met George’s wide stare and shook her head. “George, please don’t.”

Ian’s heart wrenched upon hearing her shaky voice, but he wouldn’t give in. When George didn’t answer right away, Charlotte turned to Ian and scowled. “I don’t accept your offer, sir. I detest you with every fiber of my being and I still want to dissolve our marriage.”

His heart clenched. Guilt caused his gut to sink, but he remained contained, determined to get his way.

George stepped forward and patted her shoulder. “Charlotte, there’s nothing I can do. You are, after all, still married.”

“No.” Tears filled her eyes. She looked at Mrs. Archibald. “Please don’t make me stay.”

A lump formed in Ian’s throat. Had he made the correct decision? Silently, he cursed. He wanted her for himself, and
blast
it all, he would not share.
“Charlotte, sweetheart?”
His voice softened. “What if I made you a deal?”

Her deep amber eyes glared back at him. “What kind of deal?” she snapped.
“The kind where I sell my soul to the Devil?”

His fingers brushed a tear from her cheek.
“No, nothing like that.
I’m just suggesting a simple bargain. Stay with me for one month, and then if you still don’t wish to be married, I’ll sign the papers. But we have to live as husband and wife that whole time.”

She shook her head. “That’s too long. Make it two weeks and I’ll agree.”

“No.” He tried not to grin at her temperament. “I want a month. That gives us enough time to get to know each other again…” He paused, and then asked, “Are you afraid you might like me after a month’s time?”

She pursed her lips. “I’m not afraid of anything.”

“Then will you make the deal with me? We owe it to ourselves to get to know each other better, just as you had suggested earlier.”

Her gaze switched between him and her friends, and Ian secretly thanked Mrs. Archibald and George for not siding with Charlotte this time. When she finally met his stare, a look of defeat rested on her lovely face.

“All right.
A month’s time, and no longer.”

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “It’s sealed then.”

Chapter Five

Softness brushed across Charlotte’s cheek, and she slowly stirred awake. The soothing caress smelled of roses, the sweet fragrance teasing her senses to awareness. The bed beneath her moved as someone sat beside her, and her dreamlike state changed to reality. A man’s scent of spice and leather brought her sharply awake.

She blinked, trying to get her bearings. The surroundings were not familiar. The wood frame bed and matching dressers were too masculine. Her gaze slid to the man looming over her, a red rose dangled between his fingers as he stroked it across her cheek. Her heart sank.

Seeing Ian’s handsome face brought back last night’s pandemonium, things that happened at the opera, and especially the horrible deal he had forced her to make.

He grinned. “Good morning, my sweet.”

Ian moved the rose down her cheek to her mouth, and then softly across her lips. His gaze rested where the rose stopped, and she feared a kiss would soon come. Before she could protest, he dropped his mouth to hers for a brief kiss. When he pulled away, the warm glow from his eyes sent shivers over her body.

“Do you know how beautiful you look in the morning?” he asked softly.

Reality came crashing around her. She had to live as his wife for a whole month. Last night hadn’t been a nightmare, after all.

She pushed her hands against his solid chest and moved him upright, and then quickly sat up. When his attention dropped to her chest, she looked down and noticed how the satin camisole molded to her bosom. She reached for the sheet and tugged it up, but his hip blocked any movement.

Last night, she’d gone straight to the room he’d assigned her before her trunks had arrived. She quickly stripped down into her camisole and drawers and climbed into bed. The stress throughout the day had worn her frazzled nerves, and when her head hit the pillow, she slept like the dead. Now she wondered if he had tried to crawl into bed with her sometime during the night.

“How long have you been here?” she snapped.

He touched the rose to her chin. “I’ve been watching you for about ten minutes. Do you know how lovely you are when you’re asleep?”

“No. I don’t recall ever seeing myself sleep.”

He chuckled and slid his gaze over her once more. “You look very tempting this morning.”

“Then I suggest you stop looking at me and find another object to direct your stare.”

He didn’t appear the least affected by her words. A smile still graced his mouth as if she’d said nothing.

“So, are you ready for breakfast? Cook has prepared something delicious. Your maid told him what you like to eat, and it’s waiting whenever you snap your fingers.”

Her mood lightened a fraction of an inch. “My maid’s here?”

He nodded. “George brought her by early this morning with all of your things.” He tilted his head. “Do you feel safer now?”

“I’d feel safer if you’d moved to another continent.”

“Good to see you haven’t lost your spunk, my dear.” He touched her chin, but she slapped his hand away. “As soon as you’re ready, you can have breakfast.”

“Have you already eaten?”

“Yes. I’ve been awake for a while now. I’ll be going to the office shortly. Unfortunately, I’ve got a case that really needs to be solved. With any luck, I’ll finish it today.”

Her spirits lifted a little higher. “So you won’t be constantly by my side?”

“Don’t look so excited, or I just might decide to stay home and entertain you.”

“That’s not necessary. I shall be able to keep myself busy.”

He shrugged. “If you get bored today, come into the office. I’d like to introduce you around.”

“I have no desire to meet your friends,” she hissed. “Isn’t it enough you have kept our marriage a secret? It would really start tongues wagging if they found out the truth now. I wonder, though. Would the truth cause you embarrassment?”

His lips quirked into a crooked grin.
“It wasn’t common knowledge when I first moved here. Besides, I told you when I had agreed to marry you it was in name only.”

She lifted her chin and looked away.

He sighed. “Well, if you change your mind, my driver will take you to my office.”

He moved to stand, but stopped and leaned over her, pressing his lips to hers for a kiss. She gasped and pushed the heel of her hands against his chest, but his arms circled around her shoulders and pulled her closer. Although she resisted, he didn’t break the kiss.

Memories of the night at the mask ball rushed upon her, causing her body to melt. Her mental struggle for control lost as his mouth moved across hers, urging her lips open. She held back the sigh ready to escape.

When he pulled away, disappointment washed over her, but soon reality hit her like a bucket of cold water. The rogue! How dare he take advantage of her? She lifted her hand and slapped his cheek. His eyes widened in shock, and then a smile crept across his mouth.

He chuckled. “I’ll see you later,
Chère
.” He winked, stood, and left the room.

Anger multiplied with every step he took, and she hated him that much more. And she hated herself, too, for her ridiculous weakness. She picked up an empty basin from the bed stand and threw it at the closed door. The porcelain shattered, the pieces scattering across the floor.

Ian must know what kind of power he had over her, and she wished her body would shield his tempting effect. There had to be a way to stop herself from melting every time he kissed her.

Within minutes, the door opened and her maid hurried in with her breakfast, pausing when she noticed the mess on the floor.

The older woman’s eyes widened. “What happened?”

Charlotte sighed heavily. “I missed.”

“You missed?” asked Clara.

“Yes. I was aiming for Ian’s head.”

Charlotte flipped off the covers and climbed out of bed. Hastily, she dressed as Clara chased around behind. While the older woman finished touching up Charlotte’s hair, she chomped on a fresh pear and a scone with honey butter. As soon as she left her room, she ordered the buggy brought around for her day’s excursion, instructing the driver to take her to Allison’s hotel.

When she arrived, she rapped hard on Allison’s door until her friend answered. Allison wore a nightgown and a matching wrapper. Her blonde hair tumbled wildly around her shoulders. Puffy eyes gave evidence that she’d still been in bed.

“Allison!” Charlotte moved into the room without waiting for an invitation. “We have to figure out a way to get me out of this insane bargain.”

Allison yawned and stretched her arms above her head. “Why are you about this early in the morning?”

“Wake up and pay attention.”

“I’m awake.” Allison nodded, rubbing her eyes.

“I need your help to get myself away from my husband.”

Allison’s eyes widened, and then suddenly laughter erupted from her throat. “Do you hear yourself?”

Charlotte scowled. “Of course, I hear what I’m saying. I’m talking, aren’t I?”

Allison walked to the sofa, plopped down unladylike, and then folded her legs underneath her. Charlotte joined her.

Allison’s grin widened. “You have wanted your husband to pay attention to you for over three years, and now that Ian is finally attentive, all you can think about is getting away?” Allison tilted her head sideways, giving a smile filled with empathy. “Isn’t this what you have dreamed about since he left?”

Charlotte slumped back on the sofa. “Oh, Allison, I don’t know what my heart desires anymore. I used to think everything would be dandy if Ian would act like a husband, but now I’m so confused. I know he’s attracted to me. The night of the masquerade proves that. But I feel my appearance is the only reason he’s acting this way, and I don’t want him to like me just because he thinks I’m beautiful.”

Allison nodded. “I know how you feel, but remember, physical attraction tempts the man, and then after he’s hooked, he’ll get to know your personality.” Allison swept her untamable hair off her shoulder. “I, too, am tired of having men fall at my feet and offer me the world because they think I’m beautiful and wealthy. But, I know that when I find the man I want, I’ll already have him because of my looks. We have the rest of our lives to get to know each other.”

“But Allison?”
Charlotte leaned forward. “What if after a month I don’t like Ian’s personality? What if he wants me, but I don’t want him?”

Allison laughed. “Then your marriage will be based on what happens in the bedroom.”

The corners of Charlotte’s mouth tugged upward, and she shook her head. “You’re incorrigible.”

“Yes, but that’s why you like me.”

Charlotte frowned. “Ian hurt me so much. How do I know he won’t get tired of married life and break my heart again? I don’t know if I can make him fall in love with me forever. I suppose he was right when he asked me last night if I was scared. I am. I’m petrified.”

“Do you want Ian back in your life, or are you doing all this to get him out?” Allison patted Charlotte’s hands. “You must decide.”

Charlotte stared at her hands resting comfortably in her lap during the few minutes of silence. So much to ponder—so much to decide, and she didn’t know where to start. “I’m so afraid I’ll fall in love with him and he’ll not return my love. Then I’ll be as miserable as I was three years ago.”

Allison cleared her throat. “What are your plans for today?”

Charlotte lifted her head and shrugged. “I was going to plan my escape, but since you’ll not help me—”

Allison laughed. “You’re right, I won’t help.”

“Then maybe George will help me.”

Allison shook her head. “I rather doubt that. Not today, anyway. He has plans to visit his cousin.” Allison stifled another yawn behind her hand.