Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Henry watched as Edward performed the same old trick he always did. Growing up, it had happened from the first adolescent love Henry had experienced. He had been stronger and more handsome than Henry and had bested him in every way, whether it was academically or with relationships. Henry had thought that by giving his brother the throne, he would have felt as though he had bested Henry for once and for all.

Now, as he looked at Charlotte, his stomach turned at every smile she gave Edward instead of him.

If he takes her hand, it shall be the last thing he touches before I break it! Henry thought as his breath started to become ragged. He had never before experienced jealousy that powerful. It overwhelmed him.

"Are you alright, Your Grace?" Bethany asked him.

"Yes. I was just thinking that I had been neglecting my brother. I should spend more time with him on his visit here," Henry answered through clenched teeth, while he wished it were Charlotte beside him.

"Do you not like your brother, Your Grace?" Bethany said with a furrowed brow.

"I love my brother. My legs are simply fatigued." Henry replied. With Charlotte, he could speak freely. Bethany made him feel the opposite. The effort required not saying what he meant and guarding his words was harder to bear than his legs.

"Would you like to rest, Your Grace?" Bethany asked. Her words were caring, though her expression looked more annoyed.

"I would not want to ruin our walk," Henry replied.

"As you wish, Your Grace," Bethany said. Henry felt as though his mind had been made up for him. He did not enjoy it at all and found that it was not as easy to find affection for his supposed bride-to-be. He had hoped that she might be like Charlotte. The two were oil and water, complete opposites that would never be like the other.

"At least if I had stayed in an invalid chair, I would have been less of an inconvenience," Henry said. He had not meant to have this conversation yet. He hated to waste time, and her uncaring manner spurred him on to ask her a few tough questions.

"You are not an inconvenience, Your Grace," Bethany said with the least sincerity he had seen in a long time.

"As I understand it, my condition was too inconvenient for you to begin with," Henry said plainly.

"Your Grace, that did not have anything to do with it. Charlotte came here with my stepfather, her father, whom she could get to do what she wanted. The moment we found out what they had done, we came to see you, Your Grace." Bethany replied with her chin held high. "We are both victims in this, Your Grace. I trusted my sister, and she tried to take what was mine."

The mere fact that her every sentence is a manipulation! Henry thought as his head started to throb.

"And what is it that is yours? Me? Is a human being owed to you? My lands and title, perhaps? You do not know me, so it is safe to assume at this point that what you feel is owed to you is financial," Henry asked calmly. He wanted answers and not an argument.

"Your Grace, those are but a few perks. I remember you fondly from childhood. I have dreamed for years of becoming your wife," Bethany replied smoothly as she moved closer and put her palm on his shoulder. Henry knew that this tactic must work with most men. Bethany looked confident that the false look of hurt on her face, along with the promise that seemed to come from her touch, would sway him to her thinking.

Perhaps it would be easier to get her to think she had succeeded. Once her guard was down, she would expose herself. Henry thought as he summoned his best theatrical talents. He took her hand in his and looked into her eyes.

"Is that so?" He asked as he forced himself to kiss her hand. A smug expression crossed her face, and he knew he had her right where he wanted her.

"Oh yes, Your Grace." She replied.

"What made you so fond of me?" Henry asked, hoping he sounded as conceited as she seemed to think he was.

"Besides the fact that you are so handsome, Your Grace?" Bethany said with the epitome of a saccharine smile.

"Come now, we should leave the formalities behind surely," Henry said as he tried to be as charming toward her as he could be. "We are to be wed, after all, Bethany."

She replied with a giggle that would suit a young girl rather than a grown woman. It pierced his ears and grated on his nerves.

I just need Bethany and Edward to believe that I want to be with Bethany and not Charlotte. That will ensure that sibling rivalry will turn its ugly head. Edward has always wanted the woman I have been with. This time, instead of pain, it will bring me freedom. I dislike using tactics, though I will in no way force what I am sure will happen by nature. He gritted his teeth.

"Now I would, of course, have to get your father's permission to start our courtship in the first place. Since he was here with Charlotte, I hope he knows that you are here with his blessing," Henry said, hoping he could at least prolong the agony.

"Well, you see, Your Grace. He is traveling presently though we have sent a letter to where we know he will stop on his return. He will be here as soon as he can." Bethany said, and he now knew what it looked like when she spoke the truth. She did not paste a smile on or try to sound more cheerful than she was for once. She had said the last words plainly and softly.

"Do you think he will disapprove?" Henry could not help but ask. If there was a chance that her father would not approve, then he would not have to marry her.

"No, I do not think so, Your Grace. I think he will be most pleased we have set things right," she replied, and his stomach turned.

"We shall have to see when he arrives. Until that time, you are here as my guest," Henry said, pleased that he had found a way to postpone going through with the agreement. He watched her reaction. Bethany looked more angry than disappointed. It further confirmed that this was about money and stature and not about marriage.

They had been walking in the garden and came to the riverbank where tables and chairs had been made from carving ancient logs from fallen trees. Henry was about to take his seat next to Bethany when Edward took his place. He Looked up at Henry and gave him the same smile he always had when he thought he'd bested Henry.

Henry tried to look upset, so as to let his brother think he had won. When in truth, if he wanted to court Bethany, Henry would be relieved.

"How are the horses, Your Grace?" He heard Charlotte's voice behind him. He only realized at that moment how much he had missed the sound. Furthermore, he turned to her and took in every detail of her appearance.

She looks perfect. He thought as he forced his arms to stay at his sides.

"They have settled down nicely in the temporary stables, My Lady. We are making sure to build the new stables closer to the water. Although, we would do well to keep a few barrels at hand." He said, smiling at the memory.

"They could have gotten badly hurt, Your Grace. Do you truly believe it was an accident?" Charlotte said with deep concern.

"It very well could have been, My Lady. I must say that it is odd how accident-prone I have become since my father's passing," Henry said, calmly, as he tried not to cause Charlotte any alarm. He did admit to himself that there had been signs of sabotage at the stables. Then there was his accident that should not have happened in the first place.

The carriage had been new, and he had a great driver. The road they had traveled had been a safe one. There was no reason the carriage should have crashed the way it had. There were questions about the stables as well. It had been made with wood that waxes stubborn to burn, and no groomsman worth his salt would take a lamp anywhere near the dry hay. They would certainly not leave it unattended if they had.

"I do not understand why anyone would want to hurt you, Your Grace. Though being honest, if your brother is royalty, then it stands to reason that your entire family would be a target," Charlotte said softly.

"It is true. However, not many people know that Edward is my brother. They think at best that I am perhaps a royal duke," Henry said without thinking.

"And who are you really, Your Grace?" Charlotte asked.

"It is a long story, My Lady. One that I will tell you one day," Henry answered.

"I have the time, Your Grace, or Your Royal Highness… or whoever you are. You see I am quite tired of this. You tell me you are a duke, but then you are prince… but not really. You questioned everything about me; my upbringing, my name—even when you are still not honest with me. You say you will marry me, then that you will marry my sister. Let us not forget being able to walk yet not doing so." Charlotte let the words flow, unfettered.

"I needed to know if you could be trusted," Henry replied.

"And in turn I now know that you cannot be," Charlotte replied through clenched teeth.

"I am so sorry," Henry said softly.

"It is not enough." Charlotte replied.

"I know but I shall spend every day making it up to you," Henry said hopefully.

"Why do you still tell me one thing and do another?" Charlotte asked.

"It is something I have always done to protect my family and myself. I wish you would please give me the chance to explain."

"Perhaps. If you believe you can trust me with the truth." Charlotte held firm in her request.

Henry nodded.

"Do you want to marry me?" Charlotte asked plainly, trying to mask the hope in her voice.

"Charlotte… I am quite sure of what I want. Whether I can is in question."

Charlotte looked at him with a sad expression. "I should give this back to you, Your Grace," she said, discreetly handing him her engagement ring. Henry put his hand out to take it and for a brief moment, her fingertips touched his palm.

It evoked memories of when they had kissed in the maze and when he had held her in his arms. Currently, he couldn't care less for all the eyes that would be on them. He wanted to declare his love for her and to have her in his arms again. Now and always.

"I will keep this safe, My Lady, but know this. It will soon take its rightful place in your hand." He said it as a vow, to both of them. Charlotte looked up at him, and for the first time, she looked resigned… cold even. Then she turned and began walkin away from him.

He looked back to where Edward and Bethany had been seated. They were no longer there. Henry looked around him in every direction and could not see them.

"Have you seen where your sister has gone to?" Henry called after her, actually perplexed. If he had been courting Bethany, he would have found her actions to be offensive. Then again, it did give Henry the opportunity to spend time with Charlotte. The problem lay in the fact that he needed to appear uninterested in her for his plan to work.