Page 47 of The Brooding Duke's Fateful Letter
“Do we know what started the fire?” Charlotte asked. She knew that the tea might be more of a distraction from what had just happened. To Charlotte, it was a necessity to figure something out if it made little to no sense to her.
“The most logical deduction would be that a lamp was lit and left unattended. The dry bedding and old wood would have stood no chance,” Henry said with a sigh.
“It is just that…” Charlotte started to say.
“What is it, My Lady? Do not be afraid to speak your mind to me, please.” He moved closer to her.
“I did not think much of it at the time. I have encountered my fair share of odd people.” Charlotte tried to start an explanation. She looked at Henry, who was searching her face, confusion shining in his eyes and furrowed brow. “In the maze when I had gotten lost… a man spoke to me. He had a very deep voice. He said something about you and said that I was in danger of being here.” Charlotte said slowly and watched his reaction.
Henry nodded. “Did you recognize the man?” He asked.
“No, he wore a musketeer’s hat that hid his features. I do not know that voice. I would have remembered a person with a voicelike that,” Charlotte said, blinking as she tried to recall more detail.
“And you think that he had something to do with the fire? I am not sure that I see the connection,” Henry replied.
“I know I can not offer enough evidence to support it. The way he spoke to me felt as though it was a threat. My mind went to him when I started to think about what had happened,” Charlotte defended herself.
“Did he hurt you, My Lady?” Henry asked with a grave expression on his face.
“Not at all. He said a few words, and when you found me, he had left. I apologize for not telling you sooner. I did not think it mattered that much. Furthermore, I have, as I say, met rather odd people before and thought he might have an affliction of the mind.” Charlotte said as she reached for his hands. For the briefest moment, it seemed as though he moved away from her before letting her take his hand in hers.
It was to be expected. He needed time to think about her words. What devastated her was how much it would have hurt if he had pulled away from her completely. The small hesitancy in his actions already caused an ache in her chest.
“You say he had a unique voice. What did you mean by that?” Henry asked.
“It was the deepest voice I had ever heard. It was almost unnaturally so.” Charlotte replied.
“And it sounds like it comes from all directions?” Henry asked, looking suddenly pale.
“Yes! My goodness, how did you know? Henry, are you alright? You look rather poorly,” Charlotte asked with growing concern.
“I am quite fine, My Lady. It is just that the only man I know with a voice like that… was my father.”
Chapter 18
It is impossible! I was there when my father passed. My mother was beside herself with grief. It had cost her life! Surely, as much as the description matched, it is ridiculous! Henry thought as he searched his mind to make sense of it. Bethany had fallen silent.
“My father could not have been the only person with a deep voice. I simply meant that he was the only person that fits your description, and it can not possibly be him,” Henry said.
The thought that it could be his father was not one he would entertain. The false hope while knowing he had seen his father’s body being carried away that day was a recipe for insanity.
A knock at the door made them both jump.
“Yes!” Henry said loudly enough to be heard through the thick wood. The servant entered and gave a small bow.
“Your Grace, a carriage is at the gate. The driver insists on seeing you and says it is most urgent.”
“Let them in. We shall meet them outside,” Henry said, and looked at Charlotte.
“Who could it be?”
Henry shrugged his shoulders in reply. They both got up and made their way to the front yard. The fire had been more than enough to fray his nerves. Now they were headed into a situation blindly. They stood waiting in the yard until they saw the carriage approach.
Henry squinted his eyes and tried to see who could be in the carriage. He looked at Bethany, who seemed to be doing the same. Then a spark of recognition swept over her face. Her eyes went wide with shock.
Does she know these people? Had something happened to her stepmother? He thought as he started to feel restless.
The carriage came to a halt nearby. A gentleman came out first. Bethany seemed almost sickened at seeing him. Then, an older woman got out with a younger woman behind her. Bethany looked like she was struggling to breathe.
