Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Henry had not viewed any woman as his property. He was proud of the fact that he had always been a gentleman. Now, as he stood there looking at Charlotte, her expression filled with pain, he realized his mistake.

I have hurt her and let myself down! Henry thought as he shook his head. What is it about Charlotte that drives me to act like an animal?

"I apologize, My Lady. You are free to spend time with whomever you choose," Henry said.

"You are the one I want to spend time with, Henry." Charlotte said." You seem to forget that we are forced to spend time with other people."

"My brother has a way about him. He can persuade the wool from a sheep, My Lady." Henry said.

"Surely, you are not comparing me to a farm animal, Your Grace?" Charlotte asked.

"That was not what I meant to say." Henry tried to rephrase his words when Charlotte laughed. "You are teasing me," he said, and joined her with a chuckle.

"It is the least you deserve, Your Grace. After thinking so little of me," Charlotte said with a smile, but he could see the hurt still in her eyes.

"I assure you, My Lady. I think the world of you. It is why can't I fathom why you would spend time with me. Even when it is what I want, more than anything." If nothing else, he needed her to know how much she meant to him.

"Lady Louisa Swindon." He heard the doorman announce. Louisa walked in and walked up to Henry.

"When did you arrive?" Henry asked. He took his sister's hands in his before he hugged her hello. Louisa stood frozen on the spot.

"Henry. You can walk? How? When?"

"I have been working on it for a while," Henry replied calmly.

"Oh, Henry, this is the best news I have ever received," Louisa said, and this time hugged him properly.

"I know I just arrived, but I know my way around, so I went to my usual room to freshen up. I suppose I should now go over to Edward to greet His Highness." She smiled brightly. Henry watched as she greeted their brother. He was as happy to see her as he had been.

She has always been the one who keeps us together, Henry thought with fondness. After a few minutes, Louisa came back to Henry. "That woman with Edward..."

"Bethany." Henry offered.

"Bethany, I feel as though I have met her before. Is she the new one for Edward?" Louisa asked.

"It is a rather long story, dear sister," Henry replied. "This is Charlotte, the woman I intend to marry. Bethany is her stepsister and feels she should be my wife."

"Charlotte. It is indeed a pleasure. When I left, my brother was single and in a chair, well done," Louisa said, as she embraced Charlotte.

"Likewise, Lady Swindon," Charlotte said with a warm smile.

"Louisa please. I am going to have to ask why a lovely lady such as yourself would want my boring, old brother," Louisa said as she whisked Charlotte away to chat. Henry knew that by the time Charlotte returned, she would know everything about him since birth.

Tristan and Cecil arrived shortly before dinner was served. Henry noticed that Bethany had allowed him to introduce her to Cecil, yet when he had gone over to Tristan, she had seemed to recognize him.

"Let me go see if my mother needs anything," Bethany had said, then left before he could answer. It had been so obvious that he had decided to speak to Tristan about the matter.

He was still on his way to Tristan when he saw him approach Bethany. She had seen Tristan heading over to her and had moved out of the dining room. Tristan had gone after her, and Henry had decided it might be a good idea to see if she was alright. Tristan was not the type of man to harm a woman. But he did not want there to be an argument either way.

He made it outside, but he could not see Bethany or Tristan. Henry walked in the direction he had seen them go, but there was no sign of either of them. He heard George bark and changed direction.

When he came closer to George, he could see a man standing close to George, with what looked like a stick in his hand. The man held the stick above his head and looked as though he was about to hit George. Henry went closer and opened his mouth to speak. Before he could get a word out, a man with an eerily deep voice spoke.

"Do not dare hurt this animal! If you value your life, you will leave this estate and not return," the voice warned.

"And who is going to stop us?" The man who had wanted to hurt George spoke.

Wait, I know that voice. The robbers on the road! They had known exactly who I was, and now they were here on my land. Henry waited to see what would happen next. If this man who saved George needs help, then I will act. Currently, the element of surprise could be just the thing he required.

The man with the voice had not come there alone. Others emerged from all around them and came to stand by him. The one man who had been talking to him was also joined by a few men.

Had the other men who stood been the robbers? Had they been there before? Were they responsible for the fire that burned the stables down? And why? Henry thought as he carefully approached the small crowd of men.

"What has this got to do with you, anyway?" Another one of the robbers asked as he came to stand next to the first one.

"Well, seeing as this is the family I have vowed to protect, it has everything to do with me," the man with booming voice replied.

Vowed to protect this family? Who are you? Henry thought, as he had enough of hiding in the shadows.

"I want all of you to get off my land!" Henry demanded as he went close enough for them all to see him. They turned to look at him, and the man with the voice took his hat off.

"Father!" Henry exclaimed. He stood on the spot staring at a man he had mourned the loss of. "How? And why did you not reveal yourself? How could you have let me believe you were dead? "Henry went to the man and looked at him.

"I was at death's door for months, son. By the time I could return, it seemed safer for you boys to carry on without me. I have tried where I can to protect you all," Henry's father said. "You do not know how difficult it was to stay away from you. The moment word spread of my demise, you were no longer under threat."

"Except that we were, still are father. My accident was not one at all and could have left our bloodline erased from history. How do you consider that to be protected?" Henry replied.

The robbers had tried to make their escape while the two men had been in a discussion. The men who had stood by Henry's father sprung into action and captured the men. They brought them to Henry with their hands tied behind their backs.

"Take them into town. They shall have their day in front of the judge," Henry said as the men were escorted off the property. Henry turned back to his father when a commotion could be heard coming from the house.

Charlotte! Henry thought as he heard women scream, and gunfire erupted inside the house. Henry swung his arms at his sides as he tried to run faster than he already was. The house had not seemed that far away before, as he ran and ran for what felt like an eternity to find her. He entered the dining room to find their guests gathered around something.

Henry's heart beat so loudly in his chest that he was surprised that nobody turned to look at him. He moved through the people to find his brother sitting calmly in a chair with a pistol in his hand.

"Brother, what are you doing?" Henry asked. He was unsure what had happened but knew there was something amiss. Not one person dared to move or even speak. When Henry made it to stand in front of Edward, he could see that someone had been fatally injured.

"What have you done?" Henry moved to check on the person lying motionless on the floor. Henry took the man's wrist in his hand and felt for a pulse. There was a faint tremor.

Edward stood up and walked over to his brother. "He irritated me and paid the price," he said, his expression emotionless.

"You cannot do as you please, let alone in my house. This man needs medical attention. Is there a doctor present?" Henry looked around.

"Here!" a man replied and came closer. Edward pointed his pistol at the man. He stopped and put his hands up at his sides in surrender.

"Edward this man requires help. It is also in your best interest that he survives," Henry said as he stepped between Edward and the doctor. Edward did not adjust his aim and now had the gun trained on his brother.

"You always had to be better at everything. These people all think you are such a hero, and I am crazed," Edward said softly to Henry. He lifted his head to address the room. "You do not know this man the way I do. He is a coward who ran from his country to stay in yours," Edward said with great pleasure.

"Edward, stop this before you throw everything away," Henry warned. He had never seen his brother like this. As much as it disturbed him, he wanted to keep his guests safe.

"It is you who threw your life away. I have everything you have always wanted, and you can not stand it." Edward spat at Henry.

"I have not the faintest idea what you are speaking of, brother. Let these people take their leave, and we shall sort this out, alright?" Henry said calmly.

"No, not alright. I want them to see who you are. Not one person leaves here until I am satisfied!" Edward roared in the room.

"Edward, stop this now!" A booming voice spoke from the other side of the room. The guests cleared a path for the man to walk toward Edward and Henry.

"Father?!" Edward said. Henry took his chance at that moment and took the pistol away from Edward. He nodded to the doctor, who wasted no further time in helping the injured man. Edward turned to Henry.

"You knew about this," he accused.

"I only found out moments ago," Henry replied.

"Edward, please," Louisa spoke from the group of people. "This can all be sorted out. It was just a lapse in judgment, and it is a good thing there is a doctor present." She continued to speak as she made her way to stand by their father. She gave him one look, and she burst into tears.

"I am so sorry," he said to his daughter as he held her close. The door on the other side of the room burst open as the constable and his men arrived. Edward was surrounded. The guests made their retreat now that it seemed safer to do so.

"Sir come with us now," the constable said.

"I do not have to go anywhere with you. I am a king!" Edward yelled in response.

"Not anymore," Henry said, as he stepped forward. He swung his arm and yet did not put all of his power behind the punch. It was sufficient to land on Edward's temple. Edward was taken away from the dining room and led to a waiting carriage. Henry, Louisa, and their father followed. Since the other men seated in the carriage had their hands bound, it was no secret where Edward would be spending his time from then on.

"We have much to discuss," their father said. "I must speak with Edward," he said before going to the carriage.

"Has anyone seen Charlotte or any of her family for that matter?" Henry asked.

"Cecil made sure that both Charlotte and his wife got out the moment Edward pulled that pistol out," Louisa replied.

Henry felt the tight ball that had been forming in his chest start to disappear. "Good man. I hope all her family is safe as well. How are you feeling after all that?" Henry asked.

"It was not the family reunion I had hoped it would be," Louisa said with a humorless laugh.

"Once Father comes back, I must find Charlotte. If anything had happened to her tonight…" Henry closed his eyes briefly, trying to steady himself.

"She told me what had happened with her stepmother and her schemes. She does care deeply for you, Henry. Do not be too angry with her." Louisa pleaded.

"I have no right to be angry with her. I want to see her and tell her as much. I will no longer wait for her father to decide our fate. Furthermore, I would like to be with her," Henry replied.

"I think she would make a marvelous queen," Louisa said with a knowing smile.

"It is why I have no right to be angry with her. She was dishonest about who she was, though it was not intentional. Whereas I lied about who I am, willingly," Henry admitted.

"Here comes father now," Louisa said.

"I will be there shortly," Henry said, as he started to walk away. He turned back as his father approached.

"If she will still have me, there is an important lady I wish for you to meet, Father," Henry said.

It was strange to be speaking to his father! A man he has had sorely missed for eleven years! Henry thought with a smile, as he went to seek Charlotte.