Page 39 of Always the Chaperone

Excitement pumped through his veins, and the desire to run, to punch someone, to kiss her, flooded through his mind all at once. What he wouldn’t do to have this woman!

“I-I have heard differently.” Her words were controlled, but her eyes were full of emotion, threatening to overspill. “I have learned more of you, Your Grace, since we last met, and I am sad to say, I did not like it.”

All the energy that was flowing through William, disappeared in an instant. “Learned differently? Did not like what?”

Charlotte shook her head, clearly holding back tears. “And I am sorry to have joined the collection of ladies who fawn over you, sir. I should have known that you were not serious in your intentions toward me. Good evening, Your Grace.”

Before William could say a word, before he could even think, she was walking away from him.

Collection?

“Charlotte, wait!” He rushed after her, moving ahead to prevent her from taking another step. “Do you not believe I should have the right to defend myself?”

She glared at him. “Why would I want to hear about all the ladies you havebedded!”

William stared at her. God’s teeth, he should have known his reputation from the army would not have stayed there. Why had he not mentioned this to her before? Why had he not been as open and honest with her as he had been with any gentleman?

All this could have been prevented, and now he would have to suffer the consequences of his actions.

She was still glaring at him, but he could sense her desperation for a genuine answer. She wanted to be reassured. She wanted all of this to go away, but she also needed the truth.

“Charlotte,” he said quietly, “before I met you, it is true, I courted other women. Did you think I had never spoken with another lady before?”

She swallowed, her gaze focused on his eyes. “No, that would be…I just do not understand, after having your choice, clearly, from the whole of France, why you are even considering me?”

There was the truth, the pain, the fear. She was confused about his sincerity. William sighed with relief.

“Charlotte, I find it strange you even have to ask.”

“Well, I do,” she said fiercely, taking a step away from him. “William, you have been described to me as a womanizer, a rake. How can I trust a man with such a reputation?”

He took a deep breath. “Dukes are supposed to have such a reputation, even if no one speaks of it. Would you tell me your brother never bedded a woman before he married?”

“How dare you say—”

“I meant,” he said hastily, “that nobles are almost encouraged to sow their wild oats, and so are men in the army. It is only when we wish to return to civilized society and we meet a woman who…takes our breath away and could very well be the one we wish to spend our lives with, then is the moment we realize our pasts are not what we would wish.”

She stared at him, evidently unconvinced. “So, you regret your past deeds?”

William did not hesitate. “Most of them. All of them, if they offend you. Charlotte, I have never hidden my opinions of you, my wishes for you, my desire for you. Is that not enough?”

Had he gone too far? Had he pushed her beyond her limits, restrained as she was to the duties of society, unaccustomed to rebelling in even the smallest way?

William watched as she hesitated, eyes flickering between him and the door. She was paralyzed with indecision, and it hurt him. Why could she not reach out to him, demonstrate once and for all that she cared for him, or did she not care enough?

“Forget I said anything, please,” he said quietly, attempting to quell the pain in his voice. “I cannot turn back the clock and change what has occurred. So, if you wish to break our acquaintance, I will not contact you again. I hope you enjoy your recital, Lady Charlotte.”

Turning away was the most difficult thing anyone could have asked of him, but William knew he had to do it. He could not chase this woman any longer, not without some sign of encouragement.

He had walked five steps before her hand found his.

“May I join you?”

William smiled, his heart singing. “It feels so absolutely perfect, having your hand in mine,” he said gently as they walked leisurely down the dark street. “I have never experienced something so…so right in all my life.”

Charlotte squeezed his fingers. “I…I think so, too.”

“Then why do you not consider me a suitor?”