The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection (104 page)

If only he hadn’t kissed her yesterday. Hadn’t allowed himself a taste of the lips he’d been unable to forget.

On the table before him lay yet another platter of fruit, meats, cheeses, and several choices of breads, no doubt also courtesy of his bride’s father. Had there been champagne or a bottle of wine, he might have poured a glass to bolster his courage. Or, perhaps, to dull the humiliation of marrying for money even though the marriage would soon be declared over.

When watching Charlotte ignore him became too much to bear, Alex turned his attention out the window, where the people of London went about their business, filling sidewalks and spilling onto streets clogged with all sorts of conveyances. Down there the noise was deafening, the stench ever present. But here in the honeymoon suite, the
silence was deafening, and the room reeked of orange blossoms and lilies.

“Alex?” Charlotte’s voice wrapped around his name and pronounced it with the slightest waver of uncertainty. When he met her stare, she continued. “It will benefit both of us to remember that ours is a marriage of mutual agreement.”

Mutual agreement
. Alex tried not to wince. Instead, he gestured for her to join him on the settee.

“I prefer to stand, thank you.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

“We really must stick to the terms as agreed upon yesterday.”

“Immediately after which, you kissed me,” Alex countered. Charlotte tried to protest, but he didn’t let her. “And given your penchant for ignoring your end of our bargains, what assurances are you offering that this will not happen again?”

Charlotte shook her head. “Truly, Alex, you are insufferable.” She moved toward the settee but made no effort to sit. “I’m serious.”

“Then join me and let’s have a serious conversation.”

Alex watched her. After much deliberation, Charlotte perched on the edge of the settee, her back finishing-school straight and her entire demeanor stiff.

And yet her hair massed in wild curls at the nape of her neck, and a lovely flush of pink danced across her cheeks. From where he sat, Alex could see impossibly long lashes sweep closed, then open again.

Her fingers, still wearing the gloves she’d worn to marry him, worried with the trim on her dress. When he said her name, they stilled.

He itched to cover her hand with his. Instead, Alex rested his palms on his knees. “So, tell me how you plan to keep this proposition of yours.”

Though her head ached, her feet hurt, and she could have fallen asleep standing up, Charlotte heard the humor in Alex’s voice and almost smiled. Were she able, she might have made a joke worthy of sparring with him.

Instead, she settled for a simple answer. “I am no longer subject to my father’s restrictions, I can come and go as I wish and be in complete control of my own life and my own funds. And I can now take my rightful position in Grandfather’s company. These are ample reasons to keep my end of the bargain. However, this bargain has two participants, so you will have to carry your share of the burden as well.”

Massaging her temples, Charlotte waited for the viscount’s response.

One dark brow rose. “Might I remind you that as your husband, I have control now? Of your funds, of your social calendar. Even as to whether my wife will accept employment.”

She met his even stare and laughed. “Oh, that’s funny.”

Alex remained oddly stoic. “Is it?”

“Yes, of course it is.” And yet, even as she made the pronouncement, Charlotte felt the panic begin to rise. Surely the viscount meant
to tease her. Though, as she considered his statement, technically he was correct.

Still, the thought that Alex Hambly might use something as ridiculous as the law to go beyond their agreement infuriated her. She let out a long breath and offered what she hoped was a calm expression. There was no sense baiting him when she only wanted to rid herself of his presence and take a very long nap.

“Honestly, Alex, did you not hear what Grandfather said at breakfast? Now that I’m wed, he’s creating a new position on the board for me. It’s all but done.”

“How could I not have heard, Charlotte? He repeated it several times over.” He paused to trace a line down the front of his gray striped trousers. “Your uncle, on the other hand, did not seem so pleased, though I did not engage him in conversation on the matter.”

He looked up as if to judge her reaction. She offered none beyond a casual, “My uncle will get used to the idea.”

Alex shifted positions. “Perhaps,” he said, “though I wager the odds quite low. Edwin’s not a happy man, is he?”

“Truly, I have no idea.” Charlotte smoothed her hair with a trembling hand. “If only we could dispense with the trip to Denver,” she said, “but I suppose there’s no way around it. Gennie’s determined to have her way in the matter, and if I know her, the parties are already being planned.”

He shrugged. “And I promised your father I would see you safely to Denver so our marriage could be properly celebrated.”

“And we do keep our promises,” Charlotte snapped. A moment later, she shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m just tired.” She paused to see if Alex would do the gentlemanly thing and offer to leave. When he did
not, she continued. “Regarding the grounds for annulment—would those same rules apply in Denver?”

“Perhaps.” The viscount considered the question a moment. “I could have my solicitor research the issue.”

“Yes, would you?” She leaned against her palm and closed her eyes. How easy it would be to fall asleep, but she couldn’t do that with Alex still there. Then he’d never leave. “I would like to have this handled as soon as possible. As for your exit, I suggest now would be the proper time for it.”

“My exit? From the marriage or the hotel suite?”

She removed Great-Grandmother Beck’s pearls from her neck and placed them on the table beside her. “First the suite and then the marriage. Both with as much haste as possible.”

Alex consulted his pocket watch. “Charlotte, we’ve been married less than half a day. Are you saying our love has run its course? Oh, wait …” He stuffed the watch back into his pocket, then made a face. “Forget you saw that watch. I had a terrible time with a pickpocket some years ago and I now take greater pains to keep my valuables safe.”

His expression made her laugh in spite of herself, as did the recollection of how easily it had been to relieve the viscount of his prize possession. Likely she still could, though Charlotte had not used her talents in that area since that night in London four years ago.

“You have a nice smile. When you choose to show it,” Alex said. “A pity our marriage didn’t last.”

“I shall always remember you fondly,” she said with more than a little sarcasm. She pulled off the matching earrings and set them beside her pearls. Next came the bracelets, three in all, from the same set. Now the only jewel she wore was the wedding ring Alex had placed on her finger. She quickly rid herself of that as well.

If Alex noticed, he made no comment.

Charlotte suppressed a yawn. “I’m exhausted, Alex, and all I can think about is sleep. So, please, would you just go? We’ve said all we need to say.”

“Go?” He shook his head. “Where would you have me go?”

“I don’t know. Anywhere.” She rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Home.”

“Impossible,” he said without inflection. “Surely the duchess told you about the extensive renovations she’s undertaken so that our new home at the Heath will be comfortable for you.” His chuckle held no humor this time. “As we’re to be away for several months, the place has been stripped down practically to the rafters, and I’ve given up my flat.”

She hadn’t considered this. “Oh dear.” An idea occurred to her, and she rose and forced her feet back into her shoes. “I’ll have another room prepared for you. That should be simple enough.”

“This suite has two bedrooms, Charlotte,” he said wearily. “Is that not sufficient for you?”

She let out a long breath. “Just please find another room. How difficult can that be?”

Unfortunately, it was difficult, as every room in the hotel was booked. She returned to the suite to find Alex napping on the sofa nearest the window. Closing the door softly, she slid out of the hateful shoes and tiptoed toward her groom.

He lay sprawled across the settee, one foot on the floor and the other hanging over the end of the Louis XIV antique. The chime of the mantel clock caught Charlotte’s attention. When she looked back at Alex, she found him studying her intently.

“Well?” He shifted to a sitting position and rubbed his face.

She shook her head. “There were no other rooms available.”

“All right.” Alex rose and walked toward her, and Charlotte steeled herself for what he might do. When he pressed past without comment, she was almost disappointed.

“Wait. Where are you going?” she asked.

He kept walking. “Good night, wife.”

Charlotte watched Alex choose his room for the night, and the door shut behind him.

“Good night …” She couldn’t bring herself to call him
husband
. Not when someday she hoped to have a real husband and a real marriage.

Someday. But not today.

She made her way into the empty bedroom, closing the door behind her. Before she fell asleep, Charlotte asked the Lord to forgive her for claiming a husband she did not want. She also asked Him to send another when the time—and the husband—was right.

August 13, 1891

A knock at the door jolted Charlotte from her dreams, and she sat up into a blinding ray of sunlight. Falling back onto her pillows, she mumbled a weak, “Go away, Alex.”

“I’m sorry,” a woman called. “Mrs. Beck sent me to help. ’Tis time to prepare for your voyage.”

“I’m not going,” Charlotte muttered as she covered her head with the pillows. “So please thank Gennie for sending you. I promise to call when I’ve had my rest.”

Despite her instructions, the door opened anyway, and heavy footsteps crossed the room toward her. Charlotte lifted the edge of the pillow to see Alex standing at her bedside, the maid cowering behind him.

“Do go away,” she said, once again covering her head with the pillow. “I’ve told you I don’t—”

“And I’ve told you I have control in the marriage until I relinquish it.” At her shocked look, Alex’s expression softened. “Relax, Charlotte. It’s far too early in the day to begin running the Beck empire for you.
I’m more concerned with getting you and all your trunks aboard ship before it sails.”

“I’m not going to Venice.” She looked past Alex to the maid, who had inched her way back out into the hall. “Might I trouble you to return in a few hours after I’ve had more sleep?”

With a nod, the timid woman was gone, skittering out the door and leaving a loud slam and then silence in her wake.

“Well, she was something, wasn’t she?” Charlotte grumbled.

“As are you,” Alex said. “Now get out of bed and put on your traveling clothes before I’m forced to assist you.”

When she rolled over and attempted to return to sleep, Alex yanked the blankets off the bed.

“Have you lost your mind?” she demanded.

“Just my patience.” He tossed the blankets in a heap at his feet then crossed his arms. “Look, I don’t want to see Venice any more than you do, Charlotte. At least not with you in this sort of ill humor.”

Charlotte hauled the mess that was her hair out of her eyes and regarded Alex with irritation. “My ill humor comes from being awakened at the crack of dawn by a man I did not want in my hotel room. What’s the cause of yours?”

“Mine comes from dealing with a woman who, even when she gets what she wants, still manages to complain about it.” He held up his hand to prevent her response. “It also comes from the fact that you seem to think you’re in charge around here. As I recall, this annulment is to be had by me, not you. Am I correct?” When she nodded, he continued. “Then I suggest you be a bit nicer, Charlotte. And while you’re at it, stop trying to order me around.”