Page 53 of The Brooding Duke's Fateful Letter
“Your Grace, those are but a few perks. I remember you fondly from childhood. I have dreamed for years of becoming your wife,” Bethany replied smoothly as she moved closer and put her palm on his shoulder. Henry knew that this tactic must work with most men. Bethany looked confident that the false look of hurt on her face, along with the promise that seemed to come from her touch, would sway him to her thinking.
Perhaps it would be easier to get her to think she had succeeded. Once her guard was down, she would expose herself. Henry thought as he summoned his best theatrical talents. He took her hand in his and looked into her eyes.
“Is that so?” He asked as he forced himself to kiss her hand. A smug expression crossed her face, and he knew he had her right where he wanted her.
“Oh yes, Your Grace.” She replied.
“What made you so fond of me?” Henry asked, hoping he sounded as conceited as she seemed to think he was.
“Besides the fact that you are so handsome, Your Grace?” Bethany said with the epitome of a saccharine smile.
“Come now, we should leave the formalities behind surely,” Henry said as he tried to be as charming toward her as he could be. “We are to be wed, after all, Bethany.”
She replied with a giggle that would suit a young girl rather than a grown woman. It pierced his ears and grated on his nerves.
I just need Bethany and Edward to believe that I want to be with Bethany and not Charlotte. That will ensure that sibling rivalry will turn its ugly head. Edward has always wanted the woman I have been with. This time, instead of pain, it will bring me freedom. I dislike using tactics, though I will in no way force what I am sure will happen by nature. He gritted his teeth.
“Now I would, of course, have to get your father’s permission to start our courtship in the first place. Since he was here with Charlotte, I hope he knows that you are here with his blessing,” Henry said, hoping he could at least prolong the agony.
“Well, you see, Your Grace. He is traveling presently though we have sent a letter to where we know he will stop on his return. He will be here as soon as he can.” Bethany said, and he now knew what it looked like when she spoke the truth. She did not paste a smile on or try to sound more cheerful than she was for once. She had said the last words plainly and softly.
“Do you think he will disapprove?” Henry could not help but ask. If there was a chance that her father would not approve, then he would not have to marry her.
“No, I do not think so, Your Grace. I think he will be most pleased we have set things right,” she replied, and his stomach turned.
“We shall have to see when he arrives. Until that time, you are here as my guest,” Henry said, pleased that he had found a way to postpone going through with the agreement. He watched her reaction. Bethany looked more angry than disappointed. It further confirmed that this was about money and stature and not about marriage.
They had been walking in the garden and came to the riverbank where tables and chairs had been made from carving ancient logs from fallen trees. Henry was about to take his seat next to Bethany when Edward took his place. He Looked up at Henry and gave him the same smile he always had when he thought he’d bested Henry.
Henry tried to look upset, so as to let his brother think he had won. When in truth, if he wanted to court Bethany, Henry would be relieved.
“How are the horses, Your Grace?” He heard Charlotte’s voice behind him. He only realized at that moment how much he had missed the sound. Furthermore, he turned to her and took in every detail of her appearance.
She looks perfect. He thought as he forced his arms to stay at his sides.
“They have settled down nicely in the temporary stables, My Lady. We are making sure to build the new stables closer to the water. Although, we would do well to keep a few barrels at hand.” He said, smiling at the memory.
“They could have gotten badly hurt, Your Grace. Do you truly believe it was an accident?” Charlotte said with deep concern.
“It very well could have been, My Lady. I must say that it is odd how accident-prone I have become since my father’s passing,” Henry said, calmly, as he tried not to cause Charlotte any alarm. He did admit to himself that there had been signs of sabotage at the stables. Then there was his accident that should not have happened in the first place.
The carriage had been new, and he had a great driver. The road they had traveled had been a safe one. There was no reason the carriage should have crashed the way it had. There were questions about the stables as well. It had been made with wood that waxes stubborn to burn, and no groomsman worth his salt would take a lamp anywhere near the dry hay. They would certainly not leave it unattended if they had.
“I do not understand why anyone would want to hurt you, Your Grace. Though being honest, if your brother is royalty, then it stands to reason that your entire family would be a target,” Charlotte said softly.
“It is true. However, not many people know that Edward is my brother. They think at best that I am perhaps a royal duke,” Henry said without thinking.
“And who are you really, Your Grace?” Charlotte asked.
“It is a long story, My Lady. One that I will tell you one day,” Henry answered.
“I have the time, Your Grace, or Your Royal Highness… or whoever you are. You see I am quite tired of this. You tell me you are a duke, but then you are prince… but not really. You questioned everything about me; my upbringing, my name—even when you are still not honest with me. You say you will marry me, then that you will marry my sister. Let us not forget being able to walk yet not doing so.” Charlotte let the words flow, unfettered.
“I needed to know if you could be trusted,” Henry replied.
“And in turn I now know that you cannot be,” Charlotte replied through clenched teeth.
“I am so sorry,” Henry said softly.
