Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Charlotte had been a ball of nerves since the arrival of her stepmother and that terrible Lord LeBlanc. She could not believe she had come here with Bethany. Especially since it had been her stepmother's idea that she had come here in her place!

She had felt such a coward when her stepmother had told her secret. She had said it so easily, while Charlotte had agonized over it for weeks. Furthermore, she had thought she had lost him the moment he had heard of what she had done. Seeing him at her door had been more than she could have wished for.

She knew about duty and how much it influenced how one went through life. She had hoped that, on just one occasion, her happiness would not fall apart at some point. Furthermore, she could forget that this was coming to an end in his arms. Moreover, she could pretend that they were still going to get married and that there were no unwanted guests downstairs. Additionally, she would never forget Henry and would unlikely find someone she loved the way she did him.

I will not be wed to Lord LeBlanc, either! I am not something to be given as payment for a kindness done! Charlotte thought as she returned his kiss.

After a moment, he moved away from her. "What is your name?" He asked.

"What does it matter?" Charlotte replied.

"I need to know the name of my true love. Perhaps your stepmother is lying and your name is something completely different." It was the words she had been waiting for, given under the most bitter of circumstances. She felt fresh tears dying in her eyes as she felt him gently tilt her chin toward him.

"Charlotte, my name is Charlotte,"she replied as those tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Charlotte." He spoke softly, seemingly trying the name to see if it fit her.

"Yes, Henry?" She replied. Hearing him speak her name was the sweetest sound she had heard.

"A name as beautiful as the owner." He said. "Do you dislike your name that much that it brings you to tears?"

"Not anymore. Are you not angry with me?" Charlotte asked.

"No. I am not pleased with the situation, yes. I do wish you had told me, though. Perhaps there would have been a way." He moved toward the door. " I cannot stay too long. We will speak to your family tomorrow and make arrangements to make this right."

"Is it not right the way it is now?" She asked.

"Very much," he turned back to say. "Charlotte, you know as well as I do that we can no longer be together," he said gently.

"You would leave me to that terrible man? He wants my hand in marriage as a way of repayment for his mother helping mine. I find him repulsive." She said, trying to make him see what would happen to her.

"Charlotte, we must meet with them to see what their intentions are. Perhaps they will not want marriage if they feel they have received their due. Then there is a chance. Do you truly believe that I would be happy to see you with another? Especially not such an ill-mannered wretch as that LeBlanc," he said, and she could tell by his angry expression that he would rather punch the man.

"So even in your home, you must have others tell you how to live? Do you not find it in the least suspicious of how they have come here now? Not long after news of your recovery has spread far and wide?" Charlotte asked.

"Of course it is. That is not, however, what is being called into question here," he said, moving closer to her once more. "If I could, then I would run off with you this very instant. Would you want a man who would run from his word?" he asked.

Charlotte wished she had an answer that would allow her to say that she would find that acceptable. She could not.

"No, you know I would not," Charlotte admitted.

"That is the dilemma. What I want is the opposite of what is right."

"It is only made unjust by their lies. This, what we have, is no lie, Henry," she replied.

"Be that as it may. They made the lie and have now claimed it back. I shall do what is expected of me." He said, turned away from her, and walked toward the door.

"You so easily cast me away?" she murmured to his back. He stopped walking and replied to her without facing her.

"I could never cast you from my thoughts, My Lady. Let alone cast you away." He walked to the door, opened it, and left. Charlotte watched as he walked out of her room, and out of her life. Since she had arrived there, she had wanted to tell him the truth. She had not considered that Bethany would find a reason to want to take her place.

Bethany and her mother are as shallow as all the others! She does not care for him, She could never care for him the way I do! Charlotte thought as she stared at the door. It had been as though her dreams had brought him to her. She was still not sure if he had just been there or if her breaking heart had played a trick on her mind. A trick she hoped all night would repeat itself.

She lay in bed and tried to persuade her body to rest. Her mind had no intention of letting go of all its thoughts.

He is not even angry at me! That makes it so much worse. He feels the same for me as I do for him. All the things I have longed to hear he has said. He wanted to be with me and not for an agreement—but because he loved me. There must be a way to get him away from my sister. They do not know him and only want what comes with marrying him… money, and title, Charlotte thought as she started to drift off to sleep.

The next day, another carriage brought another guest, early in the morning. Charlotte made her way downstairs to greet them and was introduced to Henry's brother, Edward. He had sandy blonde hair and was a little shorter than Henry. He was seemingly as happy as Henry to see him. She was not sure how he would introduce her.

"This is my beloved Charlotte," he said, not wasting a moment. "Though there has been a development that means I may not be able to wed her." He told his brother with an openness she had not expected. Henry put an arm around his brother's neck and spoke to him in a whisper. Henry looked back at Charlotte with a wink. A gesture to let her know they were still a team, that he had not given up on them.

Charlotte decided to look for George. He had grown so rapidly that he mostly slept or ran around the estate. She would give Henry time with his brother, and if Bethany wanted to be married to him, she would have to entertain him at the drop of a hat.

Perhaps this will give her a taste of the life she thinks she wants. The reality may scare her off! Charlotte thought with a smile as she headed for her apple tree. She had found George nearby. He had taken two apples and searched daily for any that may have fallen from the tree.

Charlotte enjoyed the quiet of the orchid. She knew that the situation they were in would work out as it should. It felt ghastly to depend on how Bethany felt. Charlotte had no choice in her destiny. There were underhanded ways she could get what she wanted, yet that would make her no better than her stepfamily.

She started to play with George by picking a few apples and rolling them on the ground for him to catch and eat. He ran after them at full speed, often missing them with sheer enthusiasm. She heard footsteps on the path nearby and looked to see Henry as he approached her.

"Having a good time?" he asked with warmth in his eyes.

"George is having the most fun, I would say," Charlotte replied with a smile.

"Would you care to join us for tea in an hour?" He asked. "You see, I think it would be best as we have much to discuss. My brother would also like the opportunity to get to know you," he said, his smile widening.

"Even if I am not the one you are to wed?"

"It is not relevant, My Lady. You are the one I care about."

"Then I shall change and be there in an hour, Your Grace."

"I shall be counting the seconds, my lady," Henry said, and went back toward the estate.

Charlotte went to her quarters the moment Henry had left. She had not seen her stepsister or stepmother that morning, and it had improved her mood. She was more grateful that Lord LeBlanc had not come looking for her yet. During tea, she would treat them as guests while showing Bethany that it required more than the effort she was used to giving.

When tea was called, Charlotte felt more prepared for what was to come. She knew what they were there for, and that, at least, meant there were fewer surprises in store.

Her stepmother and stepsister sat next to where Henry was seated. Charlotte went to take her place beside him and greeted them both cheerfully.

"Did you both sleep well?" Charlotte inquired.

"Oh yes, indeed," Bethany said. "I think I shall very much like living here with my husband," she replied and stared at Charlotte, waiting for her hurtful comment to cause a reaction. Charlotte refused to give her one.

Once you find your husband, then you are free to. Mine, on the other hand, is off-limits. I do not care what arrangements have been made, you sneaky, underhand whelp, Charlotte thought.

"Well, I am glad to hear that. Occasionally, these large places can get cold at night. Even in the summer," Charlotte said instead.

"Lady Wentworth, if you would like to explain again what the purpose of your visit is? I am sure we can see eye to eye on the matter." Henry said as he turned to the two women. It looked as though Lady Wentworth was about to speak when Lord LeBlanc walked onto the patio. "Good morning, Lord LeBlanc," Henry added without skipping a beat.

"Good morning, Your Grace." Lord LeBlanc replied with a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"As I was about to say, Your Grace," Lady Wentworth said and was interrupted by the announcement of the arrival of Henry's brother.

"His Royal Highness King Edward the Third of Denmark." The footman announced, and they all stood to greet him.

What? His Royal Highness? If his brother is the king, then Henry must surely be a prince. Why not tell me? I'm not concerned about titles. Bethany, on the other hand, is all but smitten at first sight! Charlotte watched the other man enter the room and take a seat. He looked more embarrassed by the announcement than proud. She liked that about him.

When they were seated and Lady Wentworth tried for a third time, Bethany could not keep her eyes away from their royal guest.

"What I was saying is that it is only right that my daughter has what is rightfully hers." Lady Wentworth stated.

"I could not agree more. Then there is only one way to settle this. You want the title and to be taken care of, correct?" Henry replied. Charlotte felt her heart sink into her stomach as her stepmother looked at her with a victorious grin.

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Then you may stay here so that I may take care of you. You will have titles when I marry Charlotte." Henry replied.

"That is not the agreement." Lady Wentworth almost snarled.

"And it is your family that has tried to deceive mine. I was willing to marry Bethany yet you have all broken your agreement. In inviting you to live here, I am being generous." Henry replied.

What the hell is Henry playing at? Charlotte thought as she stared at him. She looked away as tears blurred her vision and managed to keep them at bay.

What kind of mind games was he playing?

She looked at Edward, who was looking at Bethany like a wild animal would its prey. Furthermore, she looked between Edward and Bethany and noticed they seemed fond of one another without having met before her knowledge.

Trust him, Charlotte! He called you his beloved, believe in him. Trust him. Her mind urged as she watched everyone closely. If she was reading the room correctly, then right now, Bethany had more interest in Edward than Henry.

What if she did and wed Edward instead of Henry? Would a king marry someone he just met? Unlikely at best. Charlotte disliked that her mind had gone in the direction it had. She did not enjoy playing with people and would not start now. She was just human, and she knew that if there was even a chance at a union that would free Henry, she would at least support it.

Lord LeBlanc had been gawking at her since Henry had said he would not marry Bethany. She would not allow him to speak to her alone as long as he was there. After tea, Henry walked up to Bethany and offered her his hand. Charlotte watched as she accepted it and walked with him. It was just his hand, and she wanted to rip Bethany limb from limb.

I will not survive seeing her with him. I know he does not love her, yet it is still as unbearable as if he had. Now he is saying that he will not marry her! I cannot bear being played with, Charlotte thought with misery, as she stayed closely behind them. Lord LeBlanc was about to approach her when Edward came closer.

"Lady Charlotte, may I escort you?" Edward asked.

"Your Highness, I would like nothing more," Charlotte replied with relief.

"A gorgeous lady such as you should just call me Edward," he said with a lovely smile. Charlotte returned his smile and was glad to see when Henry looked back that seeing her with Edward upset him as much as her seeing him with Bethany had upset her. More satisfying still was the look on Lord LeBlanc's face. He had been bested and knew he could do nothing about it. A Lord could hardly compete with a king.

They walked slower as they got from the patio and closer to the gardens. "You know, I do think my brother would rather be waking with you," Edward said in a whisper.

"That is kind of you, sir. Unfortunately, he must now soothe hurt feelings," Charlotte tried to sound matter-of-fact. but could not hide the bitterness from her voice. She would have assisted him if only he had told her he had changed his mind.

"It is a little odd to take some duties seriously and others not at all," Edward said. Charlotte was unsure what he had meant, yet did not ask him to elaborate. Whatever family business there was between the brothers, Charlotte would prefer to hear it from Henry.

"I am quite sure he has mine and my sister's best interest at heart, Sir," Charlotte replied. She had found Henry worthy of her loyalty and defense. She was not going to turn her back on him the moment a problem had arisen.

"You are loyal, Charlotte. I do hope you do not mind that I use your given name?

"Not at all, sir. It is my name, after all." Charlotte replied with a smile.

They walked closer to Henry and Bethany when Edward spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear him. "You know Charlotte, if my brother is to wed your sister, then I shall have to take it upon myself to make you my queen," Edward said with such charm that Charlotte was unsure if he had merely said it for an audience or if he had meant it. His unwavering smile convinced her that it was both.

Henry turned to look at her, and she smiled an uncomfortable smile. He looked both bored by Bethany's conversation and unsettled by what must look like his brother flirting with her. Edward was leaning in close, and speaking in a hushed tone. Furthermore, he smiled at her and looked directly into her eyes.

It was as though they had been courting and had not just met one another. Henry had looked over at them no less than three times since they had left the patio. A small part of her found comfort in the fact that Henry was unsettled. Indifference would have meant that he had accepted his fate as Bethany's husband and that he was easily swayed. She preferred a man with a mind of his own.