“You are being foolish, Harry,” she said with a hint of anger in her voice. “What do you propose to do, wait until she is eighteen before you allow her to visit town? Think of the talk then. Very few will believe she is your true daughter and not just a by-blow you are trying to pawn off on some fool man.”
He started to protest, but the words wouldn’t form. Was she right? No, she could not be correct for that would make him an utter cad in everyone’s eyes, especially his daughter.
“I understand your reasons for keeping Charlotte isolated. I might not agree with them, but if that is your wish, I will not speak of her to anyone.”
He released a frustrated sigh, angry with himself for even thinking Louisa would do such a thing. “I promised Charlotte I would take her out into the snow. Good afternoon, Miss Drake.”
He strode from the room and didn’t stop until he reached his bedchamber.
“Damn her!”
Everything Louisa had stated was correct. Charlotte did need friends. At Northwood Park, all she had were adults. There were no other children near her age. And if he was truthful with himself, she did need a mother, and he did need an heir.
Harry closed his eyes against the painful memories. He could not marry again.
LOUISA STARED OUT THE window as Harry pulled the child’s sled up the small incline. She could hear Charlotte’s giggles and shrieks as he turned around and then ran down the hill, pulling her with him. Leaning her head against the cold glass, Louisa sighed, wishing he’d invited her to join them.
As Harry raced down the incline, he reminded her of the younger, carefree man she’d known. A happy smile on his handsome face, laughing at his daughter’s reaction. It was the first time she’d heard him laugh since arriving. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized how much she missed his easy laugh.
Something was wrong with Harry.
The change in him went far beyond the standard transformation as a man took responsibility for his estates and family. She supposed after the anguish of his father’s attitude toward Harry’s Indian wife, any man would be cautious introducing his daughter to Society. Still, his stance seemed extreme.
The right woman
could help him. Surely she could help him find a proper lady. There had to be a way to come to a compromise with him about finding her a husband. She could not live alone with her mother. Louisa wanted to believe her mother only had the best of intentions for her, but she knew better. Mamma wanted Louisa married and out of the way of her scandalous relationship with Lord Hammond.
Louisa moved away from the window and picked up a book of poetry from the bookshelf. Sitting by the fire, she stared down at the pages but read nothing. Her mind wouldn’t stop thinking about how to help Harry.
After nearly thirty minutes of contemplation, nothing had come to her. A clatter from the hall told her Harry and Charlotte had returned. The sound of small footsteps and giggling came closer.
“Charlotte, we need to get you changed.” Harry’s voice sounded as if the good humor of the afternoon remained in him.
“Miss Drake, where are you?” Charlotte called in a singsong voice.
“In the library,” Louisa answered in a similar voice.
Charlotte raced into the room with Harry right behind her. She giggled and fell to the floor by the fire. “We went on the sled!”
“Charlotte, I need to take you up to the nursery,” Harry tried again.
Ignoring Harry, Louisa replied, “I saw you from the window.”
“You should’ve come outside,” Charlotte said as Harry reached down to grab her and then tossed her over his shoulder. “Papa! I’m talking.”
Louisa suppressed a giggle.
“You are always talking, poppet. You’re wet and need to change before you get a chill.”
Louisa glanced over at Harry and tried to ignore that strange feeling of breathlessness when he was near. “Indeed. Although, I must say I think you are wetter than she is. I’ll take her upstairs while you change into something dry.”
“Yay! I want Miss Drake to take me.”
His steely eyes glared down at Louisa. “As you wish.”
“Come along, Charlotte,” Louisa said as Harry put her down. She held out her hand for the little girl. “Now you will have to show me where the nursery is again. I fear I may get lost in this big house.”
Charlotte led her away with a giggle. “It’s this way, Miss Drake.”