Page 87 of Touched By a Traitor
“I must admit, I don’t believe I would have had the courage to do what you did,” he continued, his tone light and teasing. “Your plan was certainly effective. I daresay there isn’t a man in all of England who would dare to propose marriage to you now, notafter two such public scandals. But did you really have to wait until I had spent a fortune on the wedding?”
The women chuckled, the sound warming his heart. Somehow, the gravity of the situation seemed to lessen in the face of their shared mirth.
Growing serious once more, Andrew asked, “What do you wish to do now?”
Charlotte glanced at Daisy, who nodded in silent approval. “We believe that Daisy ought to consider a marriage to the Duke of Chatham.”
“Chatham…” Andrew nodded slowly, understanding.
“He is drawn exclusively to men,” Daisy said, confirming what he’d suspected since Charlotte’s confession.
“And you agree to this?” Andrew asked his sister, who nodded shyly. Turning to Charlotte, he inquired, “Do you think he’d be amenable to the idea?”
“Yes. I believe he would deem it a perfect solution to his dilemma. He has someone important to him.”
Andrew sat in pensive silence, marveling at the strength and resilience of the two women, the loves of his life. He also realized how arrogant he’d been about what he thought he knew, how he had caused so much anguish to the women he loved, and how close he’d come to losing them. Perhaps he had already lost Charlotte forever.
Gazing at both women, he rose to his feet. “We better get some sleep. We have a long day of travel tomorrow.” Enthusiastically, Daisy hopped out of her chair, hugging her brother once more. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Kissing the top of her head, Andrew said softly, “I am so sorry I’ve been blind. I know the duke to be a good man, and pray you find happiness with him.” Releasing her and offering his arm to his sister, he said, “Let us continue this discussion during our travel tomorrow. We have much to consider.”
Andrew tamped down his compulsion to hold Charlotte back, and instead, watched her follow Daisy out of the room. Though his heart ached with the knowledge that Charlotte may never again be his, he took solace in the fact that she was here, by his side, to face whatever trials lay ahead. It was a small comfort, but one he clung to with all his might.
Borrowed Time
After she ensuredDaisy was tucked snuggly in her bed, Charlotte returned to her room at approximately one o’clock in the morning and stood by the open window, the gentle breeze providing a welcome respite from the tumultuous emotions that had consumed her. As she gazed at the sliver of a moon, a shifting shadow in the garden caught her attention. There, illuminated by the soft moonlight, sat a tall figure dressed in trousers and a housecoat, his head cradled in his hands. The sight of his anguished form mirrored the pain in her own heart.
Despite the hurt and resentment she had felt since his betrayal, Charlotte couldn’t help but admire the kindness and generosity he had shown his sister. It was a demonstration of his inherent goodness, even if he had betrayed her trust. But now, it was time to close this chapter of their lives and their union.
Donning her pelisse and slippers, Charlotte made her way to the garden, the gravel path crunching softly beneath her feet. As she approached his still form, he hastily wiped his face with the sleeve of his housecoat and looked up, his eyes glistening with tears and filled with sorrow. He rose to his feet, his hands digging deep into the pockets of his housecoat, and dropped his head.
“Are you all right, Andrew?” she asked softly.
He shook his head slowly, his shoulders sagging with the weight of his emotions. “I’ve been a fool, Charlotte. A damned, arrogant fool. I thought I knew what was best for you and Daisy,that I had all the answers. But the realization of the pain I’ve caused you both… it’s tearing me apart inside. I’m ashamed and wish I knew how to make amends.”
He approached her, anguish etched in his features as he clasped her hand between his own. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down her spine, memories of their shared past flooding her mind. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles with reverence. His eyes bore into hers as he spoke, his voice raw with regret.
“I am so deeply sorry, Charlotte. What I thought was love was nothing more than a selfish desire to control and possess you. But I’m ready to love you the way you deserve, with all the respect and adoration you merit. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, not yet. The wounds I’ve inflicted will take time to heal. But I’m begging you, please don’t give up on us. Give me one more chance to prove my love for you.”
“Andrew, I—”
“Even if you want nothing to do with me, I want to give you everything I can. We’ll go on our honeymoon. We’ll visit the finest modiste in Paris, and you’ll have your pick of gowns, shoes, and bonnets. And the townhouse, it’s yours. I’ll have the deed in your name within a week. If you don’t like it, you can have any of my properties, all of them if you want. I have—”
“Andrew!” Charlotte interjected, her fingers brushing against his wrist to silence him. As he met her gaze, she inhaled deeply, steeling herself for the words that would shatter his world. “I am leaving.”
The air rushed from his lungs as if he’d been struck. His eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth falling open in a silent cry of anguish. He staggered back a step, his hand slipping from hers. As though he couldn’t maintain the weight, he leaned against the stone table.
“Please,” he whispered, his voice broken and pleading. “Please don’t go. I can’t… I can’t lose you, Charlotte. You are everything to me.”
“I’m sorry, Andrew, but I must follow my heart’s true calling. I am bound for Ohio, in the United States of America, where a school that accepts female students awaits me. There, I can live with dignity and purpose.”
“Does this mean we shall become strangers once again? Won’t you give me a chance to salvage our marriage, regain your trust before you go?”
“Unfortunately, the summer holiday begins in just a month. I must leave in a fortnight to catch a ship bound for America, to plead with the dean to admit me. Otherwise, they shall become unreachable over the summer.”
A heavy silence hung between them, the weight of her words settling upon his shoulders like a lead shroud.
“I wished to inform you in person while I had the chance,” Charlotte said softly, her eyes downcast. “I shall not see you again after we speak to the duke.” Glancing up at his form briefly, she muttered, “Good night.”
