Page 91 of Touched By a Traitor
Glancing at the ticket, the sailor paused briefly, then said, “Yes, of course. Oakley at your service, Miss Morton. Follow me, please.” He took the trunk from her and led the way.
As they ascended through the ship, Charlotte grew increasingly confused. She had purchased the cheapest ticket available, yet they climbed higher and higher. Finally, theyreached an ornate door that seemed far too grand for her modest fare.
As Oakley turned the lock, Charlotte’s eyes widened in disbelief. The suite before her was a marvel of luxury and opulence. Rich wood paneling covered the walls, plush carpets cushioned her steps, and exquisite furniture filled the space. A large four-poster bed dominated the room, promising a level of comfort Charlotte had known only with Andrew.
“There must be some mistake,” Charlotte said, bewildered. “I couldn’t possibly afford this.”
Oakley smiled knowingly. “No mistake, Miss. This is your room for the voyage.”
As he left, Charlotte sank onto the bed, her fingers tracing the smooth wood. She was convinced Andrew had arranged this unexpected luxury. Here, in this opulent suite, she imagined drifting off to sleep, lulled by the roar of waves and howling winds—a stark contrast to the constant activity that had made sleep a rare commodity at Madam Tansley’s brothel.
A sharp rap at the door startled Charlotte to her feet. “Come in,” she called out.
The door swung open, revealing Andrew’s imposing figure. Charlotte’s breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she was certain her heart had ceased to beat. It had felt like an eternity since their last encounter, and the sight of him, thinner and paler than she remembered, only confirmed her suspicion that he, too, had been suffering in their time apart.
“Andrew,” she managed, swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat. “What a surprise.”
“Hello, Charlotte,” he replied, closing the distance between them until he stood a mere arm’s length away. “This is a momentous day for you. Congratulations.” His smile was genuine, almost boyish, a stark contrast to the ruthlessbusinessman she had known. In that instant, he was simply a man, humbled.
“Thank you for arranging this accommodation,” she said, gesturing to the room. “You really didn’t have to.”
“I know, but I couldn’t bear the thought of you falling prey to rats in the steerage.”
Charlotte wrinkled her nose at the unpleasant image.
“How are you, Charlotte?” Andrew’s voice was solemn, yet tender.
“I am both excited and terrified. I haven’t received word from the school, so I’m not certain of my admission. Regardless, I intend to find work there and forge my own path.”
“You know that’s unnecessary. I would gladly provide for you, no matter what happens between us, for the rest of your days.”
She inclined her head in gratitude. “Thank you, but you may remarry, and I cannot rely on your generosity indefinitely.”
Something flickered in Andrew’s eyes, an intensity she couldn’t quite decipher. Their conversation was interrupted by the ship’s horn, announcing its imminent departure.
“Oh, you must hurry. The ship is leaving,” she urged.
Andrew’s eyes, dark and intense, locked onto hers. “I’m not going anywhere, Charlotte. I intend to journey with you.”
The meaning of his words hung in the air between them. Charlotte felt as though the ground had shifted beneath her feet. “What? Why?”
Andrew took a step closer, his presence filling the room. “I’m here because I hope to earn your forgiveness, if you’ll allow me the chance to prove myself worthy of your trust once more.”
Charlotte shook her head, struggling to comprehend the magnitude of his decision. “Andrew, that is not something that will happen within the duration of this voyage. You can’t simply abandon your life, your business…”
“You are my life… my family, Charlotte,” he said, his voice low and fervent. “I love you, and I’m willing to spend whatever time it takes to become the man you deserve, if you’ll let me.”
The intensity of his gaze made her breath catch. She watched as he reached into his coat, producing a neatly folded newspaper. “There’s something you should see,” he said, handing it to her.
As Charlotte unfolded the paper, her eyes widened in disbelief. The bold headline proclaimed Lord Wilson’s arrest, detailing his embezzlement from the Inner Temple. She looked up at Andrew, her mind reeling.
“You did this?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Andrew nodded. “I have you to thank for that.”
“Me? How so?”
“The night I entered your room because you had fallen asleep with candles burning, I noticed the date on which one of his properties was purchased. It aroused my suspicions, as I knew he lacked the funds. That led me to investigate further.”
