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Charles paced around his office at Parliament House, his thoughts in turmoil due to what he’d overheard at the club the previous evening.
He was in an even more foul mood than last night, thanks to the fact that he had been unable to sleep. All three of his brothers, his mother—in fact, his entire family—were well aware of his unpleasant demeanour if he did not sleep well, and they would stay as far away from him as possible. Perhaps it was a blessing that he was not surrounded by his family at this moment, as it would only result in an uncomfortable altercation and a heated argument.
Charles could scarcely believe that Emma had the absolute audacity to do behave in such a manner. It was most certainly not her place to accompany Joseph to any social event without his knowledge. Had her correspondence been lost in the mail? She certainly did not require his permission to attend events, but Thomas and Rebecca were still at the estate in addition to Abigail. Why did Emma not simply allow them to escort her?
Why on earth had she chosen to accompany Joseph?
If this was an attempt to ensure he cut his visit to London short due to her feeling lonely, it was rather pathetic as well as futile.
He had a large amount of work to attend to in London, and the two tall stacks of documents on his desk proved he still had much to read and sign today. He had no time to pace around his office, further upsetting himself by thinking too deeply about the situation.
Thanks to the spiral his head was in, he had not done anything productive the entire morning, only pacing around his office, pretending to read through the papers on his desk when the clerk collected documents from him. He had not even examined the Parliamentary documents he was supposed to review, and he was most certainly not in the mood to do so.
Frankly said, he was not in the mood to do anything but overanalyse a situation that he knew very little about. Perhaps that was why it caused him so much discomfort and distress?
Even before he and Emma were married, he had never felt a hint of jealousy when she conversed with other men. Emma was loyal and had great integrity as a person, as well as a wife. He always assumed that she would not behave in any manner that would reflect badly on herself or the Melton family, or Charles for that matter. She was a respectful woman who had always considered his feelings in the decisions she made.
Upon reflecting on their marriage, Charles knew that he’d made many mistakes, and had oftentimes come across as selfish and inconsiderate. Boorish, even. But he had always tried ensure that Emma and their daughters had everything they required.
Why would he suddenly feel jealous of with whom Emma decided to spend her time? They had been married for nearly eleven years and not once had he felt threatened by anyone.
Now he wondered, was socialising in public the only activity they shared?
Charles silently scolded himself for even thinking such a ludicrous thing, but for an unbeknownst reason, the musings lingered in his mind. The only other solution was...
A knock on the door echoed through his office, causing his whirling thoughts to halt, but he did not stop pacing. He was much too irate to stand still and as the door opened, he glared over his shoulder at his clerk. The young man carried a small stack of documents in his hands, which caused a headache to form between Charles’ brows.
“Did I not distinctly say I wish to not be disturbed?”
“I sincerely apologise, Your Grace, but Lord Hunt and Lord Barry requested your signature on these documents.”
Charles shut his eyes, pressed his index finger against his brow bone and flicked his free hand towards his desk. The clerk scurried forward, placed the documents with the others and hastily stepped away. “Is there anything you wish me to do, Your Grace?”
Charles’ eyes opened and his hand dropped to his side. He paused for a moment and glanced at the man, who seemed even more jittery than he had an hour previously when Charles had impatiently shouted at him.
“Yes. Indeed, there is,” Charles said after a brief pause.
The clerk stared at him expectantly and clasped his hands together.
“Arrange a coach for me, Colin.”
“A coach, Your Grace? Where to?”
“To Dorset County.”
“Dorset County? That is a two-day journey, at best.”
“I have made the trip many times. I am aware of how long it takes.”
“With all due respect, Your Grace, Lord Barry is expecting your attendance at the Parliamentary sitting later this afternoon.”
“I do not care. I must return back to my country estate.”
“Is it a family emergency?”
Charles’ jaw clenched and he lowered his gaze for a moment. Lord Barry was a well-known family man, and he would be more accepting of Charles’ absence in the meeting if he thought Charles had to immediately return home due to family matters.
“Indeed, it is. Her Grace, the duchess...” Charles’s voice trailed once more and he turned away, unable to complete his words.
“I understand, Your Grace. I will arrange the fastest coach, with enough changes of horses to ensure arrival in Weymouth in half the time,” Colin said.
“Thank you, Colin,” Charles said, and he watched his clerk rush out of his office and slam the door behind him.
Charles had never been comfortable telling lies but in essence, he was not being untruthful. He did, in fact, have an urgent family matter concerning Emma. Now, he simply had to return to Weymouth.
***
THE LATE MORNING BREEZE was cool and refreshing on Emma’s cheeks as she and Lady Westmond and Lady Dunbar promenaded along the stone walkway around the beach. Rebecca had not been feeling up to the jaunt, and Thomas had stayed with her at the estate.
Abigail was immersed in a novel she had purchased the day before and was much too preoccupied to join Emma for a leisurely stroll along the beach.
Thus, Emma had called upon two lady friends to join her. The children were being looked after by their governesses.
The escape from the estate had become necessary, as the walls inside Finlay Hall were beginning to suffocate her. The situation with Joseph made the feeling even worse. She was reluctant to be at the estate, as he might arrive without the good manners to send a calling card first. She certainly did not wish to find herself in a situation such as that, although she was assured by the knowledge that her sisters and brother-in-law would come to her aid if necessary.
Nevertheless, it was lovely to spend time beyond the estate walls with Lady Westmond and Lady Dunbar.
“You are awfully quiet, Emma,” Lady Westmond said.
“Perhaps it is due to His Grace’s absence. The estate must be terribly quiet without him,” said Lady Dunbar.
“I am not entirely by myself at the estate, although Charles’ absence is certainly noticed,” Emma said with a smile.
Her smile certainly did not linger, and she stared pensively into the distance.
“It must get rather lonely when he is in London for such extended periods of time and the other Melton brothers and their families are not in residence,” Lady Dunbar said.
“It does, but luckily I have the children to keep me company,” Emma said.
“Have you ever considered moving to London, making it your permanent home?” Lady Westmond asked.
“Weymouth has become such a large part of my life, and I cannot fathom spending most of my time away from it. It would certainly be better for the children to see their father more often, but London seems too harsh and grey. I feel as though it would stifle their curiosity. Weymouth is beautiful and I simply adore seeing the children frolicking around the gardens. I doubt I would be able to leave,” Emma said. “I most certainly do not enjoy myself fully without Charles, and I do miss his presence at the estate. But I also cannot expect the man to simply withdraw his seat from the House of Lords.”
“He is a highly respected member and has been for numerous years,” Lady Dunbar said. “It would be a shame for him to step down.”
“Indeed. He enjoys the politics and everything it entails. He has the analytical mind for it.”
“I must say,” Lady Westmond said and looked at Emma. “His Grace is rather multi-faceted. His interests are broad. It must be an interesting life with him.”
A small smile formed on Emma’s lips and she nodded. It was, indeed, a very interesting life with Charles, but certainly not as wistful and utopian as some, such as Lady Westmond, thought it was.
Charles did possess a wide range of interests, but he was a difficult man to please. He strived for perfection in very specific pursuits, which Emma found rather peculiar at times. Charles enjoyed meticulously planning balls, formal events and social excursions, not only with his brothers and their families, but with the whole of Weymouth.
The balls he arranged were formal, lavish and almost too grand. He also took it upon himself to ensure everything ran smoothly.
“It certainly is interesting,” Emma said with a soft sigh.
“While we are on the subject, Maxwell informed me last evening that he wishes to take me on a carriage ride along the cliffs. I am rather excited for it. We have not spent time together alone in a long while,” Lady Dunbar said.
Emma smiled at her dreamy expression and cocked her head. Although she and Charles had been married for more than ten years, she had yet to experience an evening of romance with him.
She was not even certain whether Charles was capable of being romantic.
Her smile faded and she lowered her gaze. “That sounds lovely.”
“Indeed,” Lady Dunbar said. “Do you have any special plans for tomorrow evening?”
“Not in the least. The children are spending the evening with Thomas, who insisted that I be relieved of my duties for a day.”
“That does sound rather delightful,” Lady Westmond said.
“Would you be willing to allow me to borrow Thomas for when I require such relief?” Lady Dunbar asked, and the three women chuckled.
“The children adore him. Thomas possesses a childlike curiosity and it makes him very popular with his nieces,” Emma said.
“He will make a wonderful father as well.”
Emma averted her gaze to the small number of people passing their group. Her shoulders tensed as she noticed Joseph looking directly at her.
“Your Grace,” he said with a cheerful smile. “And a wonderful good morning to you lovely ladies.”
“Good morning, my lord,” Lady Dunbar and Lady Westmond said, greeting him politely.
“Good morning, Joseph,” Emma said, trying not to sound rude.
“Your Grace, my I speak with you for a moment?” Joseph asked. “Privately?”
“I do believe you interrupted a discussion between myself, Lady Dunbar and Lady Westmond,” Emma said.
“It was hardly a discussion of importance,” Lady Dunbar said. “Emma was merely sharing she had no plans for tomorrow.”
“What a coincidence,” Joseph said and flashed a smile towards Emma. “I was hoping you wished to accompany me to a poetry reading tomorrow evening here in Weymouth. It should be rather delightful.”
“Well, I...” Emma’s voice trailed off as she realised that she couldn’t turn him down, as her friends had made it clear that she did not have any plans. She couldn’t decline now. “Of course. That does sound lovely.”
“Wonderful,” Joseph said, appearing rather surprised she had accepted his offer. “I will send the details with my manservant to Finlay Hall.”
Emma nodded and watched as Joseph tipped his hat to her and the two other ladies beside her.
“I have not been to a poetry reading in quite some time,” Lady Westmond said.
“You are more than welcome to join me.”
Lady Westmond shook her head regrettably. “I cannot. Perhaps I can accompany you another time.”
“Very well,” Emma said, inwardly cringing. She was already thinking about excuses as to why she was unable to go.