Page 20 of The Brooding Duke's Fateful Letter
“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 mazebefore 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.
