by Olivia Kane
He reached for another biscuit. “And a full stomach. One cannot disregard the health benefits of a full stomach.”
Guy smiled with affection at his soon to be father-in-law. He no longer dreamt of being adopted by the Lord Radcliffe, as marrying his daughter was an infinitely better outcome. Except for the need to find a new accounts man, Guy felt as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
As for Charlotte, her happiness was complete. She no longer feared leaving Bennington Park, for her heart was at home wherever Guy was.
“What shall we do now?” Charlotte asked. The afternoon was theirs.
“I have an idea. Stay here,” Guy said, leaving the room momentarily, and returning with a book in his hand.
“The Udolpho!” Charlotte exclaimed.
“Yes. It is my constant companion,” Guy said, sitting down on the settee next to the Lady Radcliffe who was continually wiping her eyes. “Perhaps a story will raise your spirits, my lady?”
“Oh, I do not think that is possible. Oh, maybe you are right, Guy. You are always right. Maybe everything will work out for the best, as I never feel as young as I do with you around. You remind me of those good, lost days when I was young and had all my children here with me, and not hours away on terrible, dusty roads.”
“I think with Guy around, better times are ahead for all of us,” Charlotte assured her mother, arranging herself on the chaise lounge by the window, and gathering the Pomeranians on her lap.
“Read aloud to us, Guy. Start from the beginning and do not stop until we have reached the end.”
Guy smiled across the room at his Charlotte, opened the book and began.
“The Mysteries of Udolpho. Chapter one.”
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