Page 55 of The Brooding Duke's Fateful Letter
“Ah yes, so it would seem to those who benefit from a women’s money as you do. No wonder you have no scruples when it comes to finding money to marry, just like your father did,” Charlotte said, and watched as his eyes seemed to bulge in his head.
“How dare you, you ungrateful…” Lord LeBlanc began, as he lifted his hand above his head. Charlotte stood firm and would not show him fear.
“Raising your hand to a lady LeBlanc? And a lady you claim you love, no less?” Henry said, as he grabbed LeBlanc’s wrist.
“You have no idea how rude she has been to me, Your Grace,” he pleaded.
“There is no excuse for your behavior, and I will not stand for it. You will leave at once and not return here for any reason,” Henry said as he came to stand between Charlotte and a red-faced LeBlanc.
“You should be careful, Henry. If you had not regained the use of your legs, then you would be the one at the receiving end of the rejection,” Lord LeBlanc stated smugly.
“Henry is twice the man you will ever be, and that was when he was still confined to his chair,” Charlotte stated resolutely, an icy resolve in her tone.
“You can have her. She is too plain and untamed. She will only serve to embarrass me,” Lord LeBlanc said to Henry, before stalking off.
“Did he hurt you, My Lady?” Henry turned to her immediately to ask.
“I am unharmed, Your Grace. Thanks to you,” Charlotte replied. “Have you found Bethany?”
“Yes, she had gone inside to show her harp-playing skills,” Henry replied with a grin on his face.
“She did not have lessons with me,” Charlotte said with a frown.
“It shows,” Henry replied before he burst out laughing. Charlotte joined him and felt the tension lift from her shoulders. “My brother thinks otherwise, of course, and he is now convinced of her talent.”
“That is kind of him,” Charlotte replied.
“Yes, I suppose it is, My Lady. May I walk with you?” Henry asked, offering her his hand.
“I think that would be wise,” Charlotte said as she motioned in the direction of LeBlanc’s retreating. They walked back to the estate at a slow pace. The house was not far from the water yet they both wanted their short time together, to last as long as possible.
“My sister will be arriving from Naples tomorrow,” Henry said.
“It will be lovely to meet her at last,” Charlotte replied.
“I am excited for her visit. The problem lies in our current situation. When I had invited her, I had thought I would introduce you as my intended,” Henry said, seeming to wait for her reply.
“We will be honest with her, Your Grace,” Charlotte replied.
“It will not do to be any less. She knows me too well, my lady,” Henry said as they entered the estate.
“I think we should still take that voyage we wanted to, My Lady. I know the circumstances have changed, yet I feel it would still be a good idea,” Henry said.
“We shall have to wait for my father and your sister to arrive. My sister dislikes the sea. It will, at the very least, be entertaining.” Charlotte replied. When they found the others, he let go of her hand. She felt the loss immediately. She looked at Bethany, who had mercifully stopped trying to play the harp and had come over to them.
“Your Grace, you have missed most of my performance,” she cooed.
“That is a shame, Lady Bethany. I shall have to be certain not to miss it the next time.”
“I could, of course, have a private performance just for you, Your Grace,” Bethany continued to flirt.
“That is very kind of you,” Henry said with obvious discomfort. Bethany smiled her sweetest smile in response and stalked off, looking satisfied with herself. She returned with a glass for her and Henry. He took the glass and handed it to Charlotte, who took the glass.
“You two have not had the opportunity to spend time together as yet,” he said before going over to sit with Edward. Charlotte smiled at the way he had averted Bethany’s attempt to exclude her. She did not look as impressed as she glared at Charlotte.
“You will not win, Charlotte. You will not take what is mine.” Bethany hissed at her.
“Strange, it looks to me as though you have come to my new home and have been trying to take what is mine,” Charlotte countered.
