Page 33 of Always the Chaperone

Richard shook his head. “The doctor recommended not to. So many things can happen between now and when the babe is due to enter this world. He…he says we should not expect an easy time of it.”

Charlotte could hear the concern in his voice, both for his child and his wife, but did not pursue it. Her brother was a quiet soul. When he was ready to share more, he would.

“I am pleased to see both of you—or all three of you,” she corrected with a laugh. “But I must say, Richard, I am not entirely sure whether it was wise for you to travel all this way, just for two days here in Bath. Why come so far to stay so little?”

He shrugged. “We wanted to see you but have no other desire to remain in Bath. Besides, the air here is too thick for a woman with child. I would rather have her back in the safety of Stonehaven Lacey.”

There was something so different about him that Charlotte was quite startled. This was not the brother she knew, the one she had known for the last thirty years. He was younger, somehow. More carefree, less concerned about the world. The heaviness of their family’s debts had gone, which must form part of it, but there was something more.

“You examine me.”

She jumped and saw her brother smiling.

“Only to understand you better,” she said hastily. “It is remarkable, the change in you. Marriage clearly agrees with you!”

“I will admit, and only to you, Charlotte, for I know you are the soul of discretion, that marriage is more than I could ever have wished for.”

It was strange, hearing those words from him. He had been so adamant for years that he would never wed, that the St. Maur branch of the Axwick line would end. Balls, dances, card parties, even polite visiting, he had avoided them all. He had been determined to keep to his own vow.

And that had all changed when he had met Miss Tabitha Chesworth. Or more accurately, Charlotte reminded herself, when she had introduced them.

“I was a fool to attempt to avoid it,” he was saying. “With each passing day, I realize the extent of my idiocy. If you ask me, Lotty, everyone should marry!”

Her stomach twisted, and her gaze fell to her hands in her lap.

“Oh, damn, Charlotte. Forgive me.”

She looked up to see Richard’s face, complete embarrassment.

“I spoke in haste and without thought. Please forgive me.”

Charlotte smiled and reached out to squeeze his hand. “You worry over nothing, Axwick. I am not offended, nor do I believe I should be. You wish to celebrate the happiness you have found; it is only natural.”

The door suddenly opened, and two women walked in.

“Peppermint, I say again,” Danvers said as she led Tabitha into the room. “Just a little on your pillow, the herb or oil, and it will work wonders.”

“I shall have to tell my lady’s maid,” Tabitha said with a weak smile as she allowed herself to be deposited on a chaise longue. “You must think me very silly, Charlotte. I do apologize.”

“I’ve never known a couple to apologize so often! You are with child, Tabitha, and I do not believe anyone in that circumstance is required to apologize at all.”

“Thank goodness,” Tabitha said faintly.

Danvers exchanged a look with Charlotte. Her maid evidently knew what she was doing.

“Thank you, Danvers, that will be all,” Charlotte said quietly.

As the door shut behind the servant, Richard rolled his eyes. “It is fortunate we are with family and not guests!”

His wife laughed without opening her eyes. “It is good that you are too far away from me to reach you, or I would hit you!”

Charlotte’s gaze flickered between them, concern sweeping across her heart. Were they angry, ill-suited for one another?

It was only then that she saw their laughter and realized they had only been jesting. There was much to marriage she simply did not understand and never would. Unless, of course, William Lennox was in any way serious about anything he had said to her. He was so difficult to understand. She knew so little of him, and there was no way to discover more about him unless…

“There are many new people in Bath this Season, and I have been making the acquaintance of some of them.”

Richard leaned back in his chair. “Really? I did not think there was anyone else worth knowing with whom the family was not acquainted. Anyone of particular interest?”