DukeAndEnchantress_PGolden-eBooks

by Golden, Paullett

  Charlotte jolted in her chair when the door opened.

  Aunt Hazel, all reassuring smiles, strolled in, shutting the door behind her and taking the chair across from Charlotte.

  Well, this was it. The unveiling of the boudoir secrets. The exchange of knowledge that would make or break her intentions to seduce her husband. Her pulse raced as she stared at her aunt, wide eyed and speechless.

  “Would you like to start, or shall I?” asked Hazel.

  Charlotte’s eyes widened even more, her hands clutching the arms of her chair.

  “Right,” said Hazel. “Am I to take it that the marriage bed has not been satisfactory for you? It so rarely is for the woman.”

  If Charlotte gripped the chair arm any tighter, she worried she’d break it. Why was she so nervous? This was only Aunt Hazel, and Charlotte could always tell her anything and everything. But this topic seemed a reflection of her own failure as a woman and a wife.

  “I assure you, my dear, that you already possess all you need to make him love you. You don’t need my help, and there’s nothing I can say that will make any difference. All you need is confidence. You’ve always been strong of mind, so harness that confidence and all will be well.” Hazel reached over to pat her niece’s white knuckles.

  Charlotte studied her aunt, a woman who wore her age well, the only lines on her face those from too much laughter and happiness. Hazel’s eyes were framed by fan-shaped crinkles from smiling, the edges of her mouth rounded from laughing. Her hair, always worn stylishly, only showed gray at the temples and was otherwise a dark brown. Not born into a title, she had married for love a man who so happened to be titled, a baron from Exeter.

  Although born a country girl in Cornwall, the daughter of a gentleman at least, Hazel rose to her position in society with grace and good humor, becoming in short time a pillar of the community, a respected matron whose opinion mattered. For all Charlotte’s life, she had envied her aunt and the ease at which she accomplished her goals.

  Why did everything seem to be such a struggle for Charlotte? For all of Hazel’s guidance, Charlotte couldn’t slip into the role as naturally as she wanted, not like her aunt.

  “I can’t, Aunt Hazel. I don’t know what to do. I don’t have any confidence to harness,” Charlotte said, her voice strained.

  “Nonsense. You have always held your head high. Now, don’t be embarrassed. It’s only us. Is he too quick about it? Too rough? He strikes me as someone who would be so arrogant he wouldn’t think twice about the woman. I’ve guessed it, haven’t I? Yes, I can see from your expression, that’s the problem. He rushes in, a flurry of manly muscle, does his business, and leaves you unfulfilled. Worry not because I have the very secrets you need for fulfilment. Why are you shaking your head? That is the problem, yes?”

  Five shades of crimson later, Charlotte shook her head. “Not exactly.”

  “Out with it! You said in your letter he ignores you and is rarely home. Does he have a mistress, then?” Hazel inquired.

  “Well, that’s closer to the truth.” Charlotte swallowed. “You see, there was a bit of confusion when I thought he had a mistress, but as it turns out, he didn’t, and then I thought he was ignoring me, but he wasn’t, not really, and now, I think he wants to love me, but at first, I thought he didn’t, so I’m in a bit of a sticky wicket. Does that make sense?”

  Hazel smiled broadly, then with raised eyebrows, shook her head. “Afraid not, my dear. Not a wit.”

  Charlotte licked her dry lips and tried again, “How do I make him love me?”

  Her aunt thought for a moment. “So, this is a problem with love, not marital relations. I see. Yes, that changes our conversation.”

  Charlotte half smiled, not ready to admit it was a problem with both.

  Hazel hmmed in deep thought for some time. “At first, keep him wanting more. Give him glimpses of you but hold the cards to your chest. As far as he knows, you’re holding a winning hand, but to be certain, he has to keep playing. The further the play, the more privileged he feels to be at your table, a lucky man to be at game with you, always wanting to know the cards in your hand and if he has a chance at winning in the next round. By the time he’s seen the whole hand, he’s already taken in by you.”

  “And just how do I do that?” Charlotte implored.

  “You have more depth, my dear, than you give yourself credit for. Of all the interests and opinions you possess, I’m positive you haven’t shared with him half. Share yourself a little at a time. He’ll take the bait. I’m surprised, honestly, that you haven’t wrapped him around your finger already. He was enthralled with you in London. What happened?”

  “I turned him away,” Charlotte admitted, staring at her lap.

  “Oh, I see. And when was this?” Hazel frowned.

  In a whisper, Charlotte answered. “On our wedding night.”

  “Oh. Oh dear.” Her aunt shifted in her chair, settling against the cushion. “Oh my.” She looked at Charlotte then at the floor then back to Charlotte. “Am I to understand that you—no, let me ask this differently. When did you receive him after turning him away?”

  Charlotte felt the heat in her cheeks. “I haven’t. That is to say, we haven’t. I turned him away, and we never, well, I’m undecided what to do now.”

  Hazel sat in stunned silence for what felt like a week, or at least a full day. Then, startling Charlotte from her chagrined meditation, Hazel clapped her hands and laughed, throwing her head back in fits of hilarity. Charlotte looked up and stared blankly at her aunt. What could possibly be so funny about this predicament?

  “Oh, my darling! Only you could end up in this situation. Now, now, don’t bristle. You are far too clever to take offense. I would imagine your husband is on the edge of his seat to see your cards by now. You have teased that poor man more than I would have ever dared recommend! Oh, Charlotte!” Tears formed at the sides of Hazel’s eyes as she continued to roar with laughter.

  “Well, I don’t find it all that funny. What do I do? How do I, you know, seduce him?” Charlotte asked, annoyed that her aunt found the situation so amusing. She wished she could see the humor in it.

  Hazel stood from her chair and hugged Charlotte’s neck before sitting again. “Don’t frown. Your smile is too pretty for all that frowning. However much trouble you feel you’ve caused, I think you’ve done yourself a service. Your husband is terribly arrogant, but in your own way, you’ve made yourself superior to him by denying him the very thing he wants—you. He’ll appreciate you when he gets you, and he’ll be humbled by the wait.”

  Charlotte thought about that for a moment before smiling. And then she too was laughing.

  Hazel continued before Charlotte could interrupt. “Go to him when he least suspects it. Flirt with him first to whet his appetite, and then go to him when you’re ready and he’s not.”

  “Oh, but I’ve tried that already. He’s never where I think he is. That’s what started the trouble. I denied him the first night, and then every time I went to him afterwards, he wasn’t where he should be.”

  “Then go to him when you know where he is, silly goose! When you know exactly where he ought to be, go to him, and don’t give up so easily.” Hazel’s smile encouraged Charlotte.

  “What do I do when I find him? Please, don’t laugh again, but I’m hopelessly ignorant,” Charlotte confessed.

  “Take control, of course. You’re the one holding all the cards, remember. Take what is yours for the taking, and do what will satisfy you, leaving him wanting more of you.” Aunt Hazel lowered her voice though they were the only ones in the room. “I recommend—don’t blush when I say this—you explore the first time you go to him. However much you’ll be embarrassed, your exploration will make it less frightening, and he certainly won’t complain. Do whatever feels right while you, you know, explore.”

  Charlotte indeed blushed at the t
hought of…exploring, whatever that might involve.

  Hazel lowered her voice to a whisper, leaned forward, and said, “Most men, on their wedding nights, go into the lady’s chamber wearing their fancy bed robe, and bend the bride over the mattress, taking the virtue they think is owed to them, and then walk out to smoke their pipe in their own chamber. You now have the advantage in that you’ll be the one going in, taking what’s owed to you, and walking out, perhaps not smoking a pipe. Smelly habit and all that.” Hazel winked. “Explore, Charlotte! See what’s under the robe so you’re not afraid. I wager he’ll let you explore to your heart’s content. Mark my words.”

  And if the evening weren’t embarrassing enough as it was, Hazel gave a few suggestions that had Charlotte hyperventilating. Who knew married life could be so scandalous?

  Chapter 19

  Rain pounded against the windows of the Red Drawing Room, trapping the troupe indoors and spoiling all plans for the wilderness walk Drake had conspired in hopes of getting Hazel alone for some quality conversation.

  The day was not a complete wash, Drake realized with endless amusement, as Mr. Taylor announced the arrival of the Earl of Roddam. All eyes turned to the drawing room door to stare at Sebastian. The man in question was soaked from head to toe and dripping a dark puddle on the rug.

  When Drake wrote his note to Sebastian that morning, the day after Lizbeth and Hazel’s arrival, he had a hearty laugh that Sebastian would have to sulk in his castle instead of coming to Lizbeth, for no man would be daft enough to ride across the countryside in this weather. Oh, how wrong Drake was. It would seem nothing could stop his lovelorn cousin, not even sheets of sideways rain.

  Drake stepped forward to squeeze Charlotte’s shoulder in a silent plea for her to take good note of his cousin’s soaked attire. If this didn’t convince her that Drake’s assertions of the love interest between her sister and his cousin were correct, nothing would, for who else would ride across fifteen miles in hard rain and slick mud to see the relations of a cousin’s new wife except a man besotted?

  If she realized the significance of the dripping Sebastian, she made no indication. Drake smirked at the top of her head anyway and wished they had made the wager.

  “I say, man, you’re dripping on my rug,” Drake said to Sebastian with a hearty laugh.

  Aside from a subtle cringe, Sebastian ignored him, instead locking eyes with Lizbeth, who, likewise, had eyes only for him, going so far as to stand at his arrival and lean towards the doorway as though she might burst full speed into an embrace. Did no one else in the room find this a keen source of entertainment? One glance at Hazel told him he wasn’t the only one enjoying the show.

  However diverting, a perfectly good Persian rug was being ruined.

  “Good heavens, man. I’m sure neither of our guests wants to spend the afternoon with a drowned rat. Have my valet see to drying your clothes.” When his cousin didn’t move, and in fact, seemed deaf to his words, Drake tried a different tactic. “If you stand there one minute longer ruining my rug, I will assume you’ve not come to see these beauties, but rather have come to rescue me from polite conversation. I will be forced to take you into my study for the remainder of the afternoon. Consider that a threat.”

  Without hesitation this time, Sebastian bowed to the group and absented himself.

  Drake turned to Lizbeth, “Well, well, well. Quite the conquest you’ve made with my cousin.”

  All eyes turned his direction.

  “I beg your pardon,” Lizbeth said, affronted.

  She took her seat but kept her spine straight and her chin high. He chuckled at how similar were the reactions of the sisters when faced with a bit of ribbing. A lifetime of this reaction incentivized him to joke more often.

  “No, no, you can leave the begging to Sebastian.” He laughed. No one laughed with him, though he did spy a glimmer in Hazel’s eyes.

  “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” Lizbeth remained stoic, but a tell-tale flush had begun its journey from the neckline of her dress up to her chin. It continued to rise as Drake’s smile widened.

  “Oh, I think you do. It’s not every man who would ride through a rainstorm to call on his cousin. No, I do believe he’s here to see you, Miss Trethow. Deny it all you want, but the evidence reveals the truth. Not even my rug would dare refute me.”

  “Stop antagonizing my sister,” Charlotte interrupted with a huff. “We all know your cousin is, well, peculiar. Perhaps he enjoys riding in the rain.”

  Drake threw back his head and laughed.

  “Oh, my dear. I had no idea you could be such wonderful comic relief.”

  Charlotte turned on him with a death glare. “If you don’t behave yourself this minute, I’ll have Mr. Taylor remove you.”

  He sobered, the corners of his mouth twitching. “Oh, no. Anything but Mr. Taylor. I beg your mercy, sweet wife.”

  She hid a smile.

  Sebastian took his time in returning, in which time Drake, Charlotte, Lizbeth, and Hazel made tedious conversation. Drake would never let him live down this day. Sebastian was wearing Drake’s personally tailored clothes and fidgeting with the too-tight neckerchief. The poor man was nearly bursting out of the coat and breeches, looking much like a wolfhound wearing a prized terrier’s knitted shirt.

  All Drake’s worries that he wouldn’t have a chance to speak with Hazel alone were for naught. Sebastian and Lizbeth paired off to the far side of the room to discuss whatever it was lovesick intellectuals talked about, leaving only Hazel and Charlotte with him.

  Leaning over his wife’s chair, a hand on her arm, he suggested cheerfully, “Why don’t you entertain us with Mozart? The music won’t disturb Mother while she’s in the conservatory with Mary, and I wish to have a private word with Hazel about the dinner party.”

  Charlotte looked at him with nothing less than suspicion, but she acquiesced and strode to the opposite side of the room to play. He hadn’t thought it would be this easy to get Hazel alone! He congratulated himself on his ingenuity, turned a beaming smile to Hazel, and sat in the chair Charlotte vacated, the cushion still warm.

  “Ah, Hazel, even on this rainy day, the sun shines through you,” he began. “May I beseech you for two small favors while I have your ear?” His smile never wavered.

  “Anything, my boy. You need only ask. Of course, the flattery helps.” Her eyes twinkled as she fanned herself though the room was autumn cool.

  “I would delight in nothing greater than to see my sullen cousin down on one knee before your niece. Will you help me make that happen?” he put to her bluntly.

  “Why, you’re quite the matchmaker!” She tittered and glanced at Sebastian and Lizbeth, both deep in conversation. “I don’t think they need our help, do you?”

  “You don’t know my cousin. He’s as stubborn as he is thick when it comes to matters of the heart. Leave it to him, and he’ll let her leave Northumberland at the end of the month. Then I’ll have to listen to him sulk for another year,” he said.

  Hazel held her fan over her mouth conspiratorially. “What do you propose?”

  “Nothing too obvious. You could, perhaps, escort them for a walk at the dinner party?” Drake suggested. “He’ll want to invite us all for outings as an excuse to see her, so for my part, I’ll decline all such invitations. That will diminish the size of the group and give you more opportunities to distract Charlotte so our besotted pair may have time together. Between the two of us, I’m positive we can craft ways to throw them together unchaperoned.”

  Hazel laughed. “Oh, ho ho! You are shameful, young man! Unchaperoned my left foot. Lucky for you, we are of the same mind. I’ll see what I can do. Now, you said you had two favors?”

  He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he watched his wife at the pianoforte, admiring her. There was an elegance about her frame. Her hair was curled in ringlets that framed her hear
t-shaped face. Her eyes closed as her hands danced over the keys, making love to the keyboard, her cheeks rosy from the exertion. She made even a stuffy capriccio beautiful.

  Looking back to Lady Collingwood, he toyed with the tassel on his boot, unsure of himself.

  “Hazel, I—.” He hesitated. “You and I saw a good bit of each other in London, and we’ve always gotten along well. May I be honest with you without censure?” He paused, looking back to his wife.

  “Continue, my boy.” Hazel folded her fan and set it in her lap.

  He rested his forearms on his thighs. “I need your help. A matter of some delicacy. I need, rather, I want, no, I wish, ah, how do I say this without sounding crass or mad? I’ll just come out with it, and you can make of it what you will. How do I make my wife love me? You know her better than anyone. I’m confident she has told you that I have made some monumentally poor decisions since bringing her here, and I wish to make amends, but I’ll be damned if I know how to win her over. How do I make Charlotte love me?”

  Hazel’s eyes laughed although she remained thoughtfully silent. When she didn’t immediately reply, he jumped in with more explanation.

  “I’ve been gifting her with dresses, jewelry, and poetry. I think I’m softening the hard edges, but it’s not enough. Is there a kind of gift you know she’d like? I’ll buy it, whatever it is. A small country, perhaps?”

  He paused to tug at the tassel again.

  As he opened his mouth to expound again, Hazel lifted her fan and covered his lips with it. She said, “You would do well to listen.”

  His hand paused mid tassel-tug, and he waited, listening.

  And he waited. He waited still longer. They sat in silence, the fan pressed against his lips. Was he missing something?

  He pushed the fan aside and said, “I’m listening. What’s your advice?”

  “Just that. Listen. You’re so busy talking you don’t listen. Charlotte will tell you how she wants to be loved, but you must listen. Let her take the lead. Listen with more than your ears and talk with more than your mouth. Even now, are you listening to her play?” Hazel wafted her fan towards Charlotte. “She’s expressing herself, and instead of listening to her with your heart, you’re talking to her aunt about buying jewelry. Go give your wife the attention she craves and show her she’s the most important person in your world. Can you do that?”