Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Charlotte felt more at ease after spending most of the day with the duke. She had been truly dismayed at how he had been treated by the town's people. His family was well known for helping better the land. They settled in centuries ago. Besides that fact, to treat a person with disgust who simply has a minor affliction, it was unthinkable.

It is so unnecessary and cruel. Why must people be that way? Charlotte could not understand it. Then again, are you not just as cruel? You are not the heir he was promised and every day you lie to him. What will happen when he discovers your deception?

Her mind taunted. She shook herself from her reverie as the duke invited her to see the town park.

"Since you enjoy gardens, My Lady. I thought it may be a good idea to show you this one," the duke said.

"You are so thoughtful, Your Grace," Charlotte said barely able to contain her enthusiasm. Charlotte was used to being left to care for herself. She doubted any of her family would endure a walk in a park or garden just to see her happy.

Does the duke care that fully or is he being a good host? She tried to decide and could not.

They entered through the aged iron gates and into the manicured park area. Lord Wentworth was in tow as they came closer to what looked like a wall of shrubbery.

"This maze has a fountain placed in the middle of it, My Lady. They say that one can have a wish granted if it is one made with good intentions." The duke gave her a wry smile.

"That does sound worth the adventure of finding it, Your Grace."

"After you, My Lady," the duke said as he gestured toward the maze entrance. She stepped into the maze and looked back to the duke with a smile.

"So tell me more about yourself, My Lady."

"What would interest you, Your Grace?" Charlotte asked.

"Well, where did you grow up?" The duke asked the perfectly innocent question. Charlotte could not dismiss the feeling that her answer should be well thought out.

"Mostly in France, Your Grace. I grew up on the lands. Oh it was magnificent, Your Grace. The air there is sweeter and it is where I felt free." Charlotte said as fond memories filled her mind.

"That is rather interesting, My Lady," the duke said with a mysterious smile.

"How so, Your Grace?" she asked.

"It is a known fact that you spent your entire childhood in England." The duke said as anger made his eyes almost obsidian. His gaze so intense that Charlotte felt that she dare not look away.

Remember you are supposed to be Bethany! I am useless at lying. Think Charlotte, think!

"I am flattered Your Grace would bother to know anything about me. It is true that I grew up in England. I had my education in France. Since I had a proper education, I was there for several years." Charlotte replied as evenly as she could.

It seems I have improved my lying skills, Charlotte thought with disappointment. She had always prided herself on her honesty. The duke stayed silent for a while before he nodded. Charlotte felt her ability to properly take air into her lungs return to her. She exchanged a look of relief with her father before venturing further in. This reminded Charlotte of her homeland. She had first seen how a maze worked when she had visited Versailles.

Her family had been invited to an important ball with the French Royals and she and her sister had just wanted to have fun.

"My sister and I almost lost the French Royal heir in a maze like this, Your Grace." Charlotte began.

"That might have started a war between the two countries, My Lady." The duke replied.

"I assure you, Your Grace. We have a very good standing with the families there."

"That is quite fortunate, My Lady… do turn left just in front." Charlotte nodded and followed his instruction. "What type of education was it that you obtained in France? I am rather curious where England might have failed you, My Lady."

"I was but a child, Your Grace. Perhaps my father could answer that, Your Grace." Charlotte said and gave her father a meaningful glance.

That is more than fair. My father dragged me into this deception, he should suffer the same discomfort I must endure!

The duke looked to Lord Wentworth. His red face and panicked eyes would more than do. Charlotte turned back to the maze before a fit of giggles consumed her. To her amazement and disappointment, her father did not even pause for a moment before he made an excuse.

"Your Grace, her mother and I felt that she would learn about being a proper Lady in more detail." Lord Wentworth began to weave his story. Charlotte wanted to stop her father yet knew that would mean shame on their entire family. Her choices were shame and landing into the hands of Lord LeBlanc or excepting her fate once the duke caught on to the lies.

It is loathsome enough that I am taking Bethany's place. Now I must live with a guilt that she would not have struggled with! Charlotte thought as she strolled ahead. She was in thought and did not notice she had ventured further into the maze without the two men. When she did turn back to see where they are, she then knew that she had gotten lost.

She started to pace around and surmised that she could simply just find her way back by reversing the way she had come. Unfortunately, she quickly realized this tactic was not going to work.

"Daughter!" She heard her name being called and answered.

"I am here." She said raising her hand above the maze in hopes of being seen.

"My Lady, please do stay where you are. We shall get to you and then find the center together." Hearing the duke speak, she felt safe again.

"My Lady," A deep voice spoke from behind her. She turned to address who was speaking to her. The man wore all black with a French musketeer hat that covered his face in shadow.

"Who are you, sir?" Charlotte asked and looked about for any sign of the duke and her father.

"That is a question I could quite easily ask you," the voice said, in a calm tone that had an edge of malice to it. His voice sounded unlike anything she had heard before. It had a rough, gravely tone to its already deep baritone. His accent sounded to be that of a French noble who had been taught English.

"Sir, I do not know you. I warn you that both my father and my intended will be here within moments." Charlotte warned.

"I warn you, My Lady. You have not the faintest inclination as to what you have involved yourself with. The duke holds more power than most think," the man declared.

"My Lady, have you been harmed?" The duke asked the moment he laid eyes on her.

"I am unharmed, Your Grace, thank you." Charlotte looked to where the man had been standing. He was no longer there. Charlotte wanted to make mention of the encounter yet feared that he might know too much. The man had known she was not her sister. She felt it in her bones.

What does he want? What will it cost to be rid of him? What had the man meant by saying that the duke held more power than most thought he did, and what did that matter?

Charlotte yearned to tell the duke of the man. She yearned to tell him who she really was and to beg his forgiveness. She looked to her father who immediately knew she was out of sorts.

"My dear daughter, I feel this ordeal has been far too much for your constitution to bear." He might have meant being lost in the maze, but Charlotte knew better. She knew that he was apologizing for her having to go against her nature.

"My Lady, we shall leave at once," the duke said.

"No!" Charlotte blurted out. Her cheeks grew red as she corrected herself. "I meant, no thank you. I really do wish to see the fountain. Perhaps my wish would come to fruition." There was a childlike wonder in her expression. The duke appeared concerned and looked as though he was still deciding if he was satisfied with her welfare.

"My Lady, please do not overexert yourself on my account. The voyage here was a long one and I am unsure of the quality of rest you may have received since being here."

"Your Grace, once again I am deeply moved by your concern for me," Charlotte said speaking from her heart.

"It is only proper that I do so." The duke's reply was enough for Charlotte's hope to fade. She had for a moment felt that the duke expressed his true feelings. In the next instant he reminded her that she was merely a duty.

Her heart had soared and now beat against its prison. When they had entered the maze. Charlotte had the idea to wish for a happy marriage. Now her wish was to put an end to her romantic heart.

"My Lady you looked paler still. Perhaps this is not a good idea."

"I will be just fine, thank you, Your Grace." Charlotte said politely. "I believe it has been a while since we have eaten."

"We are not far from the exit, My Lady. Let me take you to lunch and then we shall return, I promise." He held his hand out to her like she had earlier. The privacy they had allowed them that moment. Charlotte took his hand and looked into his eyes. She felt delighted that he would offer her such an intimacy and for it to be a comfort and not a flirtation. Not that she would dislike the latter.

The duke led the way to a Caf where they could enjoy a lovely meal.

"Would you allow me the honor of ordering your meal, My Lady?" The duke asked once she had been seated.

"Would you please, Your Grace." Charlotte responded cheerfully.

The duke waited for service and then arranged their meal. Charlotte liked the way that he did not speak down to the man. Instead his tone was respectful and friendly.

Soon freshly baked bread and a platter of meat was put on the table. As two servants left, another two came with wine and gravy. While the servants dished the food for them, the duke found Charlotte's gaze. She looked around her to find the source of his contentment, only to find he was looking only at her.

Charlotte took a sip of the wine to ease her suddenly parched mouth. The slightly sour taste mixed with the steam from the food before her. Charlotte found that she was indeed in need of nourishment as her stomach twisted in response.

They ate the moment the food came. Once the meal was done the duke took Charlotte back to the maze as promised. This time she made sure to stay closely by the duke's side. He had been using his own strength to move his chair and Charlotte now caught a glimpse of his powerful arms.

Usually a gentleman would have his sleeves buttoned at the wrists. However with the duke touching the sides of the chair wheel, it would soil his garments and ruin them. This gave Charlotte a rare perspective. One that she found she admired.

His forearms flexed with every movement and showed the muscles clearly. They were also more tan than they should be for a duke. The thought that the duke was strong and would protect her was a value she found most appealing. She ripped her eyes from him before her imagination had her wondering further under his garments.

Even though they were to be wed. It was unthinkable to even suggest consummation. Charlotte wondered if that were even a possibility.

Still, if we do wed I will remain by his side no matter what that entails.

"Do you have any more siblings, My Lady?" The duke asked as they walked through the maze. They were so engaged in their conversation that they had not noticed that Lord Wentworth was no longer with them.

"You would have to ask my father about that sort of thing, Your Grace." Charlotte said as she turned to see if he would answer. "Father?"

"I am sure we will find him, My Lady." The duke tried to ease her concern.

"I do apologize, Your Grace. I fear my poor sense of direction is hereditary."

The duke burst into laughter. The pleasant, deep chuckle played havoc with her pulse as the sound poured into her ears. She joined him and felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

The duke moved closer to her and she in turn took a step forward. Their eyes conveyed promises they dared not say aloud. Charlotte felt her feet move beneath her of their own accord. With one final brave step she once again accepted his hand. The look of pure relief and joy on the duke's face was endearing.

"My Lady, I would like to express how glad I am to have your company. I would just like to say that…"

"Ah, there you are. I do apologize, Your Grace," Lord Wentworth said as he joined them.

Charlotte was elated to see her father was unharmed.

Could he not have seen we were in conversation! Charlotte thought with an unusual annoyance. She eased the frown from her brow and greeted her father.

"That is quite alright, Lord Wentworth," the duke said. He sounded as put upon as she felt. She hoped that meant that he might still finish what he had wanted to say. They walked in silence as the duke showed the way to the fountain. Charlotte had expected it to be built like those in the town square or in the palace gardens. When they arrived at their destination, Charlotte was delighted to find it was a natural spring that had been preserved.

The clear water that came from beneath the earth cascaded down rocks that had eroded and fallen with time. The birds that gathered there scattered as Charlotte walked closer to inspect the plants that grew nearby.

"The idea is to throw a coin or trinket into the water and then to make a wish, My Lady." The duke explained the process as he looked for a coin in his pocket. The only one he had was one that meant a lot to him. You know this coin was the last thing my father ever gave me," the duke murmured.

"Then I cannot use it for a simple wish, Your Grace," Charlotte said shaking her head.

"I insist. My father gave it to me just before he became sick. He would have liked you, and have wanted you to have it."

Charlotte took the coin and held onto it as she made her wish.

The duke watched with glee as she threw it into the water. He had not been able to think of his father without pain.

Charlotte made a secret wish of her own. She knew it as folly and that it was meant to amuse children. She could not help the infectious joy she found in sharing this with the duke and hoped for once that magic did exist. When she opened her eyes, she found the duke staring at her quite intently. If she did not know any better, she would have sworn he wore a look of affection.