Chapter 18

Chapter 18

It is impossible! I was there when my father passed. My mother was beside herself with grief. It had cost her life! Surely, as much as the description matched, it is ridiculous! Henry thought as he searched his mind to make sense of it. Bethany had fallen silent.

"My father could not have been the only person with a deep voice. I simply meant that he was the only person that fits your description, and it can not possibly be him," Henry said.

The thought that it could be his father was not one he would entertain. The false hope while knowing he had seen his father's body being carried away that day was a recipe for insanity.

A knock at the door made them both jump.

"Yes!" Henry said loudly enough to be heard through the thick wood. The servant entered and gave a small bow.

"Your Grace, a carriage is at the gate. The driver insists on seeing you and says it is most urgent."

"Let them in. We shall meet them outside," Henry said, and looked at Charlotte.

"Who could it be?"

Henry shrugged his shoulders in reply. They both got up and made their way to the front yard. The fire had been more than enough to fray his nerves. Now they were headed into a situation blindly. They stood waiting in the yard until they saw the carriage approach.

Henry squinted his eyes and tried to see who could be in the carriage. He looked at Bethany, who seemed to be doing the same. Then a spark of recognition swept over her face. Her eyes went wide with shock.

Does she know these people? Had something happened to her stepmother? He thought as he started to feel restless.

The carriage came to a halt nearby. A gentleman came out first. Bethany seemed almost sickened at seeing him. Then, an older woman got out with a younger woman behind her. Bethany looked like she was struggling to breathe.

"My Lady, are you alright?" He asked. It took a moment for her to react to his words.

"Yes, thank you. I did not expect my stepmother to be recovered enough to travel," she answered.

"Then it is good news!" Henry replied happily and walked closer to greet their guests.

"Your Grace," the older woman said in an overly fond way that made the hairs on his neck stand up.

"Welcome Lady Wentworth. He replied and next greeted the younger lady. "And you must be Charlotte. "He said as he took her hand and bowed slightly.

"Your Grace. That is what we have come here to talk to you about. There has been a terrible misunderstanding," the younger lady said. And looked behind him to give her sister a look of pure venom.

Henry felt the happiness drain from him as he looked at the scene before him. Something felt improper, and he knew it must have something to do with Bethany. He looked at her, and she looked as though she would burst into tears at any moment. He walked back to Bethany.

"Is there something you have to tell me?" Henry asked. "I would prefer to hear it from you rather than new acquaintances."

"Yes. I did want to. I was just afraid," she choked out.

"Afraid of what?" he asked.

"Afraid that her deception would catch up with her!" Lady Wentworth said with a satisfied grin.

"My deception! This was your idea, all because your daughter is too good to marry just a duke!" Henry watched the interplay, stunned.

"You ungrateful little worm. I treated you like my own, and you repay me by stealing what rightfully belongs to your sister!" Lady Wentworth said through clenched teeth.

"What is going on here?" Henry said above both their voices.

"Forgive me, Your Grace. You must think me very unladylike. Could we discuss this in a more private setting?" Lady Wentworth said.

He looked at Charlotte, who did not look at him. He could not believe this deception they spoke of could involve her. Perhaps their behavior embarrassed her?

"We can go to the patio. I will have tea prepared." Henry said. "Sir, you have not introduced yourself." He said to the man who had not said a word yet.

"I do apologize, Your Grace. I fear my introduction will cause you some alarm. I am Lord LeBlanc and that lovely lady behind you is already promised to me," he said with confidence.

"Sir, I think you are confused. That beautiful lady behind me is my future wife, and she wears my ring," Henry said with a slightly possessive growl.

Lord LeBlanc smiled at Henry. He wanted nothing more than to strike the man.

How dare he come to my house and not only rudely not introduce himself but speak of my future bride in such a way! Henry thought as he turned to show his guests inside. He walked faster still as his temper started to boil. He showed them to the table and went to arrange the tea. On the way, he went into his office for a drink to steady his nerves. The auburn liquid burned his throat and stomach, yet did help him feel less tense.

He made his way back to the patio and pasted a smile on his face. "So who would care to explain this misunderstanding?" Henry asked and hoped that Bethany would be the one to answer him. It looked as though she wanted to speak when Lady Wentworth spoke.

"Your Grace, you see, I am as shocked by how far this girl will go. This is Bethany." She said and put her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "She was the one who should have come and not Charlotte." She said, pointing to her.

"What do you mean? That is Bethany, her father introduced her as such," Henry said, not sure what to make of this.

"My husband can be easily persuaded by his daughter. He even lied and said he had come here to see you alone. I am simply here to correct this. You deserve the best, Your Grace. My daughter has far more of a worthy pedigree," Lady Wentworth said smugly.

"Be that as it may. As you can see, I am engaged," Henry replied.

"Indeed, but in doing so, you break your word, Your Grace. A duke going back on his word shall not go over well with society. Would you not agree?" Lady Wentworth asked for more of a statement.

Henry sat for a moment before he answered. "We shall discuss this further in the morning. For now, you are all welcome as my guests for the night. I shall have someone prepare your rooms." He took his leave. He needed time to think, to clear his thoughts.

Why had Bethany, or whatever her name is, why did she not say anything? Is it all true? Henry thought as he walked blindly through the estate. He was unsure where to go. All he knew was that he wanted to be alone.

He found himself In the gardens rather than in his study where he spent most of his evening time. He knew that when he was troubled, he would drink more than what was necessary.

I have to go see her. Surely, there is an explanation. What if there isn't? What if she did deceive me? Do I even have the right to be offended? After all, I let her think that I could not walk. If she was not Bethany, then all that was needed was to know her name. It is her whom I can trust. She is the woman I love and want to marry, Henry thought as he went searching for her.

Only it was not that simple. He would dishonor his family by not marrying the woman he promised he would. The fact that he loved another served no purpose in an arranged marriage. At best, he could hope to eventually someday feel for this stranger as he did about the woman he loved. To have finally let his walls down and open his heart had been no easy task. He found now, as the walls started to rebuild, that it hurt to do so. He wanted to be who he was when she was with him. Now, he would go back to how he was before.

He walked through the gardens, hoping to quiet his mind. It was his body that became tired, his legs taking longer than he had thought they would, to get used to movement. He knew it was wise to go to bed now. He wondered what good it would do and rather decided to head toward Bethany's room. The Bethany he knew at least. He knocked on the door the moment he got there, not allowing himself the chance to back away.

He waited for a response, and instead, she opened her door. "Your Grace."

"I wondered if we could have a word, My Lady?" He said as he tried to sound more formal.

I must do what is expected of me as a duke and the titles I represent as well. I must put duty before what I want. If only she did not look so beautiful right now! He thought as he tried to regain his composure.

"Yes, Your Grace. Of course, please come in," Charlotte said, stepping aside to let him in. He walked in and stood behind her while she closed the door. He waited for her to turn to him before he spoke.

"My Lady, there seem to be a few issues that have now come to my attention. Least of which, that you are not who you say you are and that you are already promised to another man," Henry said and tried to remain calm.

"Your Grace, I am most certainly not promised to that man. Though my sister indeed is the one whom you were to marry and not me. It was not my idea. I overheard her and my Father speaking about the letter you had written. She did not want my sister to marry you and insisted I go in her stead. I did not want to, but I am glad that I did. I am glad that I came here and met you," Charlotte said, rushing.

"I am glad that it was you as well, My Lady. It is just a pity that I can no longer marry you."

They were the most painful words he had ever had to speak.

"I can not tell you how sorry I am. Can you not find it in your heart to forgive me? It is simply a name," Charlotte pleaded.

"If you look inside my heart, My Lady. You will find that you are there. This is not just as simple as a name. It is an official agreement that I can not back out of. If I do, then I will disgrace both my family and yours." He said, the pain in his voice evident.

"Is there no other way?" Charlotte asked.

"Not unless your sister would be willing to marry someone else, my lady," he replied, hoping there was a chance.

"Not very likely, Your Grace. She enjoys things that hurt me." Charlotte said in a defeated tone.

"I would rather not be part of hurting you, My Lady. I have my duty, a legacy to uphold. This would have you ostracized from society. I would rather not be the cause of that. I want to take care of you, not make your life unbearable." Henry said, reaching for her and then dropping his arms to his sides.

It is indecent of me to have called on her in her room, given the current circumstances. I had to see her or doubt would torment me all night. I cannot allow myself to be with her as we were. Not when I have been promised to another. He thought as he looked at her. He took in every detail of her that he could. Furthermore, he would soon not see her and wanted to remember her as clearly as he could.

"What is unbearable is having to be without you, Henry," she said softly, her teary eyes meeting his.

It was more than he could take.

His body seemed to move on its own. He felt her in his arms before he could think what was happening. Once he felt her mouth against his, all thoughts went away altogether. He allowed himself a brief moment to forget himself. Then, with increasing reluctance, he moved away from her. She held on to his hand. He moved closer and held her hands in his.

She moved closer still. He found that he could not deny her unspoken request. He moved closer, for what he promised himself was their last kiss. He then closed his eyes and tried to commit that one precious moment to memory.