Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Later, as Charlotte fixed her hair as best she could and Alexander retied his cravat, she looked at him with such love that she thought her heart would burst. Perhaps she was the marrying kind, after all.

Alexander had certainly made her so, and she realized her fears were baseless. He would never treat her as a mere housewife, nor would he discount her opinions. He would treat her equally, always, just as her father had done. If anything, he relished in her uniqueness, in her unconventionality.

"You did mean it, didn't you?" he asked, his own vulnerability showing through as he looked at her. "When you said yes?"

"In the throes of passion, you mean? I'm not sure you can trust the word of any lady when she is so laid bare and overwhelmed with sensation."

The poor man looked so panicked that Charlotte couldn't stop herself from laughing. "I am teasing you, Alexander. Of course I meant it. A secret part of me has been hoping you would ask."

His grin widened, and he leaned in and kissed her quickly, chastely, on her lips. "You don't know how happy that makes me."

"I should hope it does," she teased. "Otherwise why on earth would you ask?"

"Fair point."

"Though there is one thing you need to do first, of course."

Alexander groaned. "Dare I ask?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Unconventional though I may be, the world is not. You should know the things that are required before we announce an engagement, surely. As my guardian, you need to secure my uncle's blessing. He is due to return from his business trip within the hour."

Alexander grinned again, and as he got up to leave, he pecked another kiss onto her cheek. "Then I shall do that right away," he said, then skipped happily from the room.

Charlotte remained on the couch for a long while, staring into the dwindling fire with wide eyes, marveling at what had just happened.

How swiftly life changes when one isn't expecting it .

Only the day before, she knew she would never marry, and Alexander had filled her with such a hurt that she couldn't imagine spending another minute with him. Now, she was filled with his seed, his love, and his promise to make her his wife. And that made her very happy indeed.

There was only one thing she needed to do, and that was to tell her best friend everything that had happened from the moment they came together for her wedding until now. Chelsea would be overjoyed.

Charlotte dashed out of the library and ran up the stairs to her bedchamber. She quickly changed her gown for a clean one and shoved pins into her hair, then she ran out and called for the carriage to take her to see Chelsea. As they traveled the short distance to the townhouse, Charlotte couldn't help but wonder whether Alexander was sitting with her uncle at that very minute, discussing their bright and happy future together.

She found Chelsea tending the garden when she arrived.

"Charlotte!" she cried, though the brightness in her eyes told of her joy at seeing her friend. "What are you doing here?"

"I never thought I'd ever find love," she said, the words tumbling out quickly before she even had a chance to greet Chelsea. "Let alone fall in love with a duke who loves me as much in return and accepts my somewhat unconventional ways. I always thought marriage would in some way lessen me, but I believe that with Alexander, I will be so much more."

Chelsea almost choked on her surprise, her words at first coming out mangled. "Would you care to start at the beginning?" she managed eventually. "Actually, wait. This conversation requires a great deal of sweet tea. Come, I'll show you my new drawing room, since this will be your first visit!"

She grabbed hold of Charlotte's hand and marched into the house. Charlotte stumbled along behind her, in a state of both shock and awe.

"It feels a little like history repeating itself, doesn't it?" Chelsea exclaimed as the tea arrived. "It seems only moments ago that we were sitting in Father's drawing room, discussing my own wedding and all my future plans. And now here we are, discussing yours!"

Charlotte, who had not paid any attention to the room nor the brief tour of the house, for she was too excited by her news, grinned at her friend. "I really didn't think I would find someone who fits me so perfectly, and yet Alexander does."

"I know you didn't, and I knew you would," Chelsea said. "And as for the Duke of Ashbourne, the spark between the pair of you was obvious from the moment you first met. Has he asked for your hand officially?"

Charlotte leaned forward and plucked a biscuit from the plate. She took a bite before answering. "He's with Uncle Elliot as we speak. I know he is going to be equally thrilled. He seemed to genuinely like the duke when they met at the theater."

"You're sure he will say yes, then?" Chelsea asked, reaching for her teacup.

"He has no reason to say no," Charlotte said. "Oh, Chelsea, I feel all a tither! It's like excitement and nerves all rolled into one."

"That's perfectly normal," Chelsea replied. She smiled softly over the rim of her cup. "I am so very happy for you, Charlotte dear. You deserve all the happiness in the world."

"And I am about to receive it!"

Charlotte didn't stay as long as she would normally at Chelsea's home, though she promised to return very soon. She was too eager to return home and speak with her guardians. She had been gone for several hours, so she was certain their conversation would be over by now.

She envisioned Uncle Elliot and Aunt Lydia taking a glass of sherry with Alexander in a moment's celebration, all three of them waiting for her to return to celebrate with them. She knew everything was going to be just perfect.

The carriage had barely rolled to a stop when Charlotte leaped out of it and bounded up the steps, her skirt gathered in her hand to prevent herself from falling. She dashed into the house, breathless and full of anticipation. But when she burst into the drawing room, her smile slipped, and a heavy weight gathered in her stomach.

Not only were her aunt and uncle alone, Alexander nowhere to be seen, but both wore expressions of consternation and concern.

"What's happened?" she asked, her steps slowly as she reluctantly entered the drawing room and made to sit with them.

"Charlotte Fairchild," her uncle said.

She shuddered. He only ever used her full name when there was something serious afoot. When there was something wrong.

"What's happened?" she repeated.

"I don't know how long it has been going on, but from this moment, I forbid you from ever seeing the Duke of Ashbourne again."