The sun shone brightly as Lord and Lady Markham climbed into their carriage. Their wedding had been a small affair as neither one of them put much stock in societal expectations. Most who had been invited were family and friends, and true to their word, Zach and Becca had arrived back in London only the day before.
Seated across from them in the carriage on their way to the happy couple’s wedding breakfast, Nathanial wondered at the odd looks his brother and sister-in-law were casting in his direction. “Is something wrong?”
Zach chuckled, but shook his head, then exchanged a meaningful look with his wife. “Not at all.”
“Then why are you looking at me like that?” Nathanial demanded with a huff. Oddly enough, the irritated tone in his voice made him think of Charlaine.
Zach sighed, a strange grin coming to his face. “You seem different, dear Brother.”
“Different?” Nathanial frowned. “What do you mean?”
If anyone appeared different, it was Zach. The man could not stop smiling at his wife, his hands constantly seeking hers as though he were drowning and needed a lifeline.
And she was no better.
Zach shrugged. Still, the disconcerting grin remained. “You seemed quite well acquainted with Markham’s guest.”
Nathanial didn’t know why, but he couldn’t help tensing at his brother’s observation. “Well, if you must know−”
“I must,” Zach confirmed with a chuckle.
“She and I are…friends.” The statement still felt strange.
Quite obviously, it sounded strange as well for a deep frown drew down his brother’s brows. “Friends?” Zach glanced at his wife, who looked equally confused.
“You’re friends?” Becca asked, a mix of doubt and suspicion swirling in her green eyes.
Again, Nathanial huffed out an annoyed breath, and again, it made him think of Charlaine, which was a bit unsettling at the moment. “Since I do not assume that the concept of friendship is foreign to you, I cannot understand what it is you fail to understand.”
“Are you courting her?” Zach asked without preamble, straightforward as always.
Becca smiled. “She appears to be a very cheerful, young woman.” If Nathanial was not at all mistaken, a certain implication hung on her words, notably that he, Nathanial, was not cheerful at all, but ought to be−as far as his dear sister-in-law was concerned.
Meeting their gazes with an unfailing one of his own, Nathanial said, “No, I’m not courting her nor do I have the intention to. We are friends, nothing more and nothing less. There, satisfied?”
Zach chuckled. “How on earth did you become friends? I must say I find this very unusual.”
“Do you disapprove?” Nathanial demanded in a clipped tone.
It did not escape his brother’s attention. “What if I did?” he asked, a daring glow coming to his eyes. “What would you do?”
“Nothing.” Nathanial shrugged. “Our friendship is not based on your approval, dear Brother.” He glanced at Becca. “As I recall, you did not ask for mine, either.”
Instead of being offended, Becca laughed. “Oh, does that mean that you−?”
“It does not!” Nathanial replied like a shot fired from a pistol. Indeed, the amused spark in his sister-in-law’s gaze was rather unsettling. He could only hope she was not one to meddle in other people’s affairs. His friendship with Charlaine was the first good thing to come his way since Abigail broke off their engagement, and the thought of losing it…
…of losing her…
“Friends, then,” Zach said, a diplomatic tone in his voice. “And, no, I do not disapprove for she quite obviously does you good.” A warm smile came to his features. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you at ease like this. I assume that is her doing.”
Unable not to, Nathanial nodded. “You assume right.” And he barely managed to suppress the smile that fought to the surface.
Charlaine cast Emma a warm smile as the young woman once more reminded Daphne and Susan to show proper manners in front of the assembled guests.
The wedding breakfast had passed in a pleasing manner with happy smiles and joyous laughter, well-wishes and congratulations offered left and right. Pierce and Caroline looked happier than Charlaine had ever seen them, and whenever Daphne was not conspiring with Susan to steal another sugary treat, she often stared dreamily at Caroline in her beautiful wedding gown, a longing expression in her soft, brown eyes.
Indeed, they were a family in the making.
Charlaine could not be happier.
“Are you all right?”
Turning, she met Nathanial’s blue eyes, slightly narrowed as he looked at her with concern marking his features. “I’m fine,” Charlaine replied, surprised by the slight catch in her voice.
Nathanial’s gaze narrowed further. “You’re not,” he stated as his eyes swept her face. Then he stepped closer and she could feel his warm hand touch her elbow before he steered her off to the side, away from the loud commotion of the wedding party. “What is it?”
Charlaine swallowed. “I promised myself I would not think about them. Not today.” Tears gathered in her eyes and she turned away, trying her best to rid herself of them.
Stepping around her, Nathanial once more appeared in her line of sight…or rather the tips of his shoes did for Charlaine could not bring herself to lift her head and look at him. She would not ruin Pierce’s wedding! She would not!
Her hands wiped at her eyes. “I’ll be fine.”
“Is it your family?” Nathanial asked rather unexpectedly that Charlaine could not prevent her head from snapping up.
His lips thinned at seeing her tear-stained cheeks. “What happened?”
Charlaine shook her head. “I’ll not speak of them for I refuse to be reduced to a puddle of tears today of all days.” She inhaled a deep breath. “I’ll be fine.”
The look on Nathanial’s face spoke of disbelief, but he nodded. “Will you dance with me then?”
Staring at him, Charlaine heard a chuckle burst from her lips. “Do you mean it?” Perhaps she had misheard him. “You must admit you’ve always been rather reluctant to dance with me. Is it because you don’t like to dance or because you don’t like to dance with me?” Her brows rose teasingly, and she felt her heart grow lighter.
Nathanial looked away, but she could see the corners of his mouth arch up into a smile. “I’ve not been very fond of dancing since…” His voice trailed off and his gaze met hers.
Charlaine nodded. “Abigail was her name, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
A deep sigh left Charlaine’s lips. “Well, I certainly wouldn’t want you to sacrifice yourself in order to cheer me up. Don’t misunderstand me; it is extremely kind of you to offer, but I couldn’t in good conscience accept your generosity, knowing−”
“I don’t mind,” Nathanial interrupted her, and the look in his eyes told her that he was as surprised by this admission as she was. “I mean, dancing with you is…different.” A disbelieving grin came to his lips. “Everything with you is different.”
Charlaine feigned a frown. “Am I to take this as a compliment, good sir?”
His gaze sobered. “Definitely.”