Page 25 of The Brooding Duke’s Fateful Letter (Love and Secrets of the Ton)

Chapter 23

Charlotte knew Henry could have been in that dining room when the pistol had been fired. Cecil had told her and his wife to hunch down as low as they could.

“Once we have an opportunity to leave, we take it,” Cecil had whispered the moment the argument started to get heated. They had taken their chance to get away. Charlotte had made her way outside at the same moment she saw Henry, but he had not seen her.

“Do you think it would be safe to go searching for Henry?” Charlotte asked.

“I know Henry. He will already be looking for you.” Cecil gave her a reassuring smile. “Right on cue,” he said, looking behind Charlotte. She turned to see Henry approach them. She felt tears of relief sting her eyes as she looked at him. He took her into his arms for an embrace before he pulled away and looked at her.

“Are you hurt, My Lady?” Henry asked as he searched her face.

“I am unharmed, Your Grace. Are you hurt?” She asked him.

“Only when I was away from you, My Lady. Could we please have a moment alone as soon as possible?” he asked before going over to Cecil and his wife. He checked that they were unharmed and thanked them for helping Charlotte.

“Are your stepmother and stepsister safe?” He asked Charlotte when he turned back to her.

“My father arrived during the commotion, Your Grace. They are safely in their rooms.” Charlotte replied. She felt touched that he would be concerned about people who had only wanted to use him.

Charlotte looked toward the road that led out of the estate. One after another carriages left the estate as guests made their way home.

“I do not think anyone will want to come to dinner here again.” Henry’s voice spoke next to her.

“Well, it might be a while before we have visitors again, Your Grace,” Charlotte said, feeling saddened by what had happened earlier. Edward had seemed like a good man. He displayed many of the same good qualities that Henry had. The thought that she had spent a good amount of time with him without noticing anything quite that frightening.

What if I had been the one that had annoyed him, right at the point that he had taken a weapon out and fired it? The events of the evening played out in her mind.

“You look bothered, My Lady. Do you wish to rest?” Henry asked.

“I wish to spend the rest of the evening with you, Your Grace. My stepmother and Bethany did not receive the support they had hoped for from my father,” Charlotte said with an uncharacteristic smirk.

“Is that so, my lady?” Henry asked.

“We will be sure when you and he talk tomorrow, Your Grace. He might feel otherwise by then,” Charlotte replied.

“Be that as it may, My Lady. I would rather not waste any more time. If he does not wish to give me his blessing, then I will not stop until he does.” Henry said it with a smile that made Charlotte feel that everything just might end well after all.

They walked back into the house together. Fatigue started to claim Charlotte, and she had the feeling that she would sleep rather well for the first time in days if not weeks.

“I am sorry for what happened with Edward,” Charlotte said, unsure if it had been wise to mention it.

“It was quite a shock, My Lady. I do want to see him the moment it is allowed. I want to be sure that he is treated well,” Henry said, seeming to seek her approval.

“I think that is a fine idea, Your Grace,” Charlotte said as they walked up the stairs to the rooms.

“Sleep well, my lady,” Henry said.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” Charlotte said as she opened her door and stood inside her room facing him. She closed her door reluctantly and went to prepare to sleep. Charlotte used the small bathroom sink and water that stood in the corner of the room. Once her face had been washed and her hair brushed, she changed into sleepwear and went to extinguish the lamp that stood near the door.

Once Charlotte got comfortable in bed and closed her eyes, she felt herself fall into a deep sleep. She awoke with a start in the middle of the night. The situation that had happened the night before had plagued her dreams, twisting them into frightful night terrors. They were so close to reality that it had taken Charlotte a while to realize she was safely in her bed and not in any danger.

She tried to find a comfortable way to fall asleep again. This time, it did not happen as easily as before. Charlotte threw the blankets from herself with an exasperated sigh. She walked to her door and went down to the kitchen. She had found that having a warm drink before bed would help her fall asleep. The servants immediately stood up when she entered.

“No need,” Charlotte said, and the three ladies sat down again.

“Is there something we can help you with, Lady Be… Charlotte?” The eldest lady asked.

“I would like some tea, if it’s not too much trouble,” Charlotte replied.

“I shall get that to you right away, Milady,” the older woman said with a smile.

“Thank you,” Charlotte said and headed back to her room. It did not take long for her tea to arrive. She thanked the servant and prepared a cup. This time, when she tried to sleep, she managed to do so an hour or so before waking time.

A knock at her door prevented Charlotte from taking a few more moments to rest. She made her way to the door to see who it was.

“Lady Charlotte, the duke wishes to know if you have packed for your voyage,” a maid said the moment she opened the door.

“Voyage?” Charlotte inquired.

“Yes, My Lady. The duke said it was planned. That he had invited family as well as his closest friends.

“Thank you,” Charlotte said, and the servant gave a slight nod before she left.

The voyage? He wants to leave already? What about speaking with my father? Charlotte thought as she got dressed and started to gather things she would pack to take with her. Charlotte went down for breakfast and could not help feeling that she had walked into a room where a conversation had just been held that she was not to know of. The mumble of voices stopped the moment she entered the room.

“Good morning,” Charlotte said to the room. Henry and her father greeted her with more enthusiasm than Bethany and her mother did.

Had they been speaking about who will be wed to Henry? Had there been an argument? Charlotte looked from person to person but could not determine by their expressions how things had gone. Charlotte disliked not knowing what was happening around her.

“I am told that I should prepare for a voyage, Your Grace,” Charlotte asked. Her father smiled at her, yet it was Henry who answered her.

“Yes, My Lady. We did discuss still going on our planned voyage. I believe, since my sister and your father are here, that it is the perfect time,” Henry offered as he started to dish food from the silver dishes onto his plate. Charlotte felt confused. It made her appetite fade away rapidly.

“George is coming with us, of course,” Henry added. Charlotte felt her spirits lift, as she had been concerned with leaving him there for a week or so. He already did not eat in the morning or at night until Charlotte was in her room. With him.

“That will be lovely, Your Grace, thank you,” Charlotte said, though he did seem to be acting out of character. He seemed almost secretive over the details of their voyage, rather than discuss it in detail as he normally would.

What has my father said? Was he not agreeable after all? Charlotte thought with dismay. Charlotte ate what she could and prepared for the voyage. She had little knowledge of where they were going or what she should pack.

This is ridiculous! Charlotte thought as she made her way to her room. I am going to get to the bottom of this right now!

Charlotte’s nerves had been through quite enough in her opinion. She had taken her trunk from the corner of the room and had packed only books when her patience started to wear off. She left searching for Henry and found her father.

“Ah, there you are, my girl,” he greeted her.

“Father, it is so good to see you again. How has your stay been?” Charlotte asked, not forgetting her manners even though she was frustrated.

“And it is good to see you as well, my girl,” he replied with affection.

“Have you and Henry had the chance to speak yet?” Charlotte could not help asking.

“Well no, not yet,” Lord Wentworth said.

“Then I shall go see him. Thank you, father.” Charlotte left before she would have to see Bethany or her stepmother. Charlotte had noticed that though Bethany had seemed interested in Edward, she had spent most of the evening last night with Tristan. Tristan lived a comfortable life yet was not quite on Henry’s level. When asked if he would like to join them, he was overjoyed.

It would be something you discuss with her at another time. For now, I had better find Henry, Charlotte thought as she made her way to his study.

Charlotte spoke to the doorman, who she heard speak to Henry. He came to the door instead of the servant.

“Is everything alright, My Lady,” he asked the moment he laid eyes on her.

“Yes, thank you, Your Grace. I wondered if I may have a few moments to discuss a matter,” Charlotte said.

“Please do come in, My Lady. I do hope you are not feeling unwell.”

“No, Your Grace. This voyage seems rather sudden. I am concerned, that is all.” Charlotte replied.

“I know there has been so much that has happened here of late. That is why I believe we should go on an adventure,” Henry said with so much enthusiasm that Charlotte was starting to feel as excited as he looked.

“Have you spoken to my father?” Charlotte asked. She needed to know what he had said on the matter of their engagement, and she could not ask her father as that would be in poor taste.

“I have, and he said that we are to discuss the matter at a later time,” Henry replied with a cheeriness she did not share.

Why would my father delay this? Surely, my stepmother had not convinced him onto her side of things so quickly! Charlotte thought as her stomach lurched.

“I see,” Charlotte said as she felt the tightness in her throat close her chest.

“Please do not worry so, My Lady. I shall not take no for an answer,” Henry said as he lifted her chin and placed a kiss on her lips. Charlotte closed her eyes as his touch sent fire coursing through her veins.

How will I ever be capable of living without him? Without that smile, without his touch?! Charlotte thought as she looked into his eyes.

Charlotte turned leave, so she could finish packing. Her frustration was building with every step she took. “When do we leave?” Charlotte turned back to ask.

‘First thing in the morning, My Lady. I have arranged that we gave have three carriages ready to take us to the docks,” Henry said. Charlotte left, and instead of packing, she first went to find George. She loved her dog. He was always happy to see her. His love was uncomplicated.

He ran to her when he saw her, and they walked to their spot under her apple tree. She had been sitting there almost every day. She took pride in watching the tree grow strong. The fruit had been unexpectedly sweet and bountiful. George waited as patiently as he could for Charlotte to help him get a few to eat.

“George, I must say I have never seen a hound love fruit the way you do.” She said it with a laugh as George wrestled the apple from her hand. After a while, Charlotte decided that she was now ready to pack for the voyage.

She walked back into the estate and went to her room. She picked out her finest dresses and hats and set them aside. She made sure to take the last two books she had not read yet and her brushes and paint. The last things she packed were her hair brushes and face powder.

She heard the call for teatime and felt satisfied that it was a well-deserved break. Her belongings were packed and ready to be taken to their carriage. Bethany and Tristan stood at the bottom of the stairs as she came to the tip of the stairs. They were deeply in conversation and had not seen her as yet.

“It is my choice!” Bethany said loudly.

“That is where you make the mistake. I have a right to be part of this,” Tristan spat back.

“Pay me what is required, and you may continue with your life,” Bethany said.

“I want to do more than that, Bethany. I wish to take care of you. Of the both of you.” He said as he put his palm gently on her stomach. Charlotte’s mouth hung open as it dawned on her that Bethany was with her child, with Tristan’s child!

Charlotte felt anger boil inside her. “Where are you expecting to convince Henry that the child was his?” She said loudly enough for them both to hear her.

“That was never our intention,” Tristan replied. Defensively.

“I was speaking to my dear sister,” Charlotte stated as she descended the stairs.

“No,” Bethany answered simply. Her expression spoke volumes, and she knew that the unfortunate unborn child had already been used as a pawn. Tristan looked from Charlotte to Bethany and then walked away.

It would seem that Tristan is a better man than I had thought. Charlotte thought as she walked past Bethany to go to tea. The mood was tense as Charlotte entered the patio area. The silence thickened the air. Not one word was said as they sat down for tea.

The moment each person was done, they left the patio. Bethany had been staring at Charlotte since she had arrived. Charlotte wanted to carefully approach the discussion she had overheard between Bethany and Tristan. So she held her tongue.

Charlotte did not see her family or Henry after tea. She had preferred the silence and had made sure she had packed all that she would need on their travels. Dinner had been equally quiet with an early night for all afterward.

Charlotte slept well and found herself dressed and ready before the sun had risen to say good morning. They had quick tea while the groomsmen packed their belongings and made sure the horses were safe and secure. Henry had come to stand with Charlotte, as they were almost ready to leave.

“I had a word with Edward this morning, my lady,” Henry said, looking rather put off.

“How is he, Your Grace?” Charlotte asked.

“He is well. He is also responsible for my accident. He might even have burned the stables down,” Henry said in a whisper.

“I thought that had been the robbers that had been caught along with him, Your Grace,” Charlotte replied.

“It turns out that he had wanted to get rid of me and make it look like an assassination,” Henry stated.

“Why?” Charlotte asked.

“He said he could not know that I would not take everything away from him the moment I decided to take my rightful place,” Henry replied.

“Are you certain, Your Grace?” Charlotte asked, hoping it was not true.

“He told me himself,” Henry admitted.

“I am sorry, Your Grace,” Charlotte said. She felt awful that things had ended this way with Edward. Henry smiled at her and helped her into the carriage. George did not need a second invitation and jumped in after Charlotte.

“You may have only a few, George. The voyage is still a long one,” she told the dog as she took an apple from a package.

“Did you especially go and pick apples for George, My Lady?” Henry asked.

“He adores them. How could I not, Your Grace?” Charlotte asked with a bright smile.

Henry smiled and shook his head as the carriages pulled away. Bethany, Tristan, and her stepmother and father travelled in the other carriage. In the last one, Cecil and his wife sat with Bonny, who had become a good friend and business associate.

It was nearly two hours before they reached the docks. When they arrived, the ferry was ready to be boarded. There were so many people boarding, Charlotte was pleasantly surprised. Surprised that she knew many of them.

Charlotte was shown to her room where she could get ready for lunch. She arrived with George to find all the guests waiting for her. Henry had his back toward her and turned to her as she approached. Charlotte looked around to see all eyes were on her.

“What has happened, Your Grace,” Charlotte asked as people continued to look at her.

“As it turns out, My Lady, I had spoken to your father the moment he arrived at the estate,” Henry replied.

“I am not sure what you mean, Your Grace,” Charlotte said as Henry went down on one knee. Charlotte stared at Henry and looked at her father. He nodded his approval.

“Would you make me the happiest man alive by doing me the honor of becoming my wife?” Henry asked.

“Yes!” Charlotte said immediately as she looked at Henry through happy tears. The people applauded, and he took her into his arms.

“There is just one thing you need to consider, My Lady,” Henry said, smiling at her as he placed her ring back on her finger.

“And what would that be, Your Grace?” Charlotte asked.

“Well, it is that I do hope you will not mind being a queen instead of a duchess,” Henry replied.

“I do not mind one bit. I would not have cared if you had no title at all.” Charlotte stated. “Though you still owe me an explanation.”

“That is one of many reasons why I love you,” Henry said. “You have a sharp mind.”

“And I love you,” Charlotte said before she turned to their guests. The women surrounded Charlotte to congratulate her and see her ring. The men went to Henry to slap him on the back and wish him well. Charlotte looked at him, and her heart wanted to burst with joy.

This all started when I needed to get away from my stepsister and her mother. I had then not even dreamed of being this happy. Charlotte thought, as her future husband looked back at her. A man she could trust, a man that she knew would always protect her.

The man I love more than I knew I was ever capable of. Charlotte wiped away yet more tears of joy.