Page 60 of The Brooding Duke's Fateful Letter
“My father arrived during the commotion, Your Grace. They are safely in their rooms.” Charlotte replied. She felt touched that he would be concerned about people who had only wanted to use him.
Charlotte looked toward the road that led out of the estate. One after another carriages left the estate as guests made their way home.
“I do not think anyone will want to come to dinner here again.” Henry’s voice spoke next to her.
“Well, it might be a while before we have visitors again, Your Grace,” Charlotte said, feeling saddened by what had happened earlier. Edward had seemed like a good man. He displayed many of the same good qualities that Henry had. The thought that she had spent a good amount of time with him without noticing anything quite that frightening.
What if I had been the one that had annoyed him, right at the point that he had taken a weapon out and fired it? The events of the evening played out in her mind.
“You look bothered, My Lady. Do you wish to rest?” Henry asked.
“I wish to spend the rest of the evening with you, Your Grace. My stepmother and Bethany did not receive the support they had hoped for from my father,” Charlotte said with an uncharacteristic smirk.
“Is that so, my lady?” Henry asked.
“We will be sure when you and he talk tomorrow, Your Grace. He might feel otherwise by then,” Charlotte replied.
“Be that as it may, My Lady. I would rather not waste any more time. If he does not wish to give me his blessing, then I will not stop until he does.” Henry said it with a smile that made Charlotte feel that everything just might end well after all.
They walked back into the house together. Fatigue started to claim Charlotte, and she had the feeling that she would sleep rather well for the first time in days if not weeks.
“I am sorry for what happened with Edward,” Charlotte said, unsure if it had been wise to mention it.
“It was quite a shock, My Lady. I do want to see him the moment it is allowed. I want to be sure that he is treated well,” Henry said, seeming to seek her approval.
“I think that is a fine idea, Your Grace,” Charlotte said as they walked up the stairs to the rooms.
“Sleep well, my lady,” Henry said.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Charlotte said as she opened her door and stood inside her room facing him. She closed her door reluctantly and went to prepare to sleep. Charlotte used the small bathroom sink and water that stood in the corner of the room. Once her face had been washed and her hair brushed, she changed into sleepwear and went to extinguish the lamp that stood near the door.
Once Charlotte got comfortable in bed and closed her eyes, she felt herself fall into a deep sleep. She awoke with a start in the middle of the night. The situation that had happened the night before had plagued her dreams, twisting them into frightful night terrors. They were so close to reality that it had taken Charlotte a while to realize she was safely in her bed and not in any danger.
She tried to find a comfortable way to fall asleep again. This time, it did not happen as easily as before. Charlotte threw the blankets from herself with an exasperated sigh. She walked to her door and went down to the kitchen. She had found that having a warm drink before bed would help her fall asleep. The servants immediately stood up when she entered.
“No need,” Charlotte said, and the three ladies sat down again.
“Is there something we can help you with, Lady Be… Charlotte?” The eldest lady asked.
“I would like some tea, if it’s not too much trouble,” Charlotte replied.
“I shall get that to you right away, Milady,” the older woman said with a smile.
“Thank you,” Charlotte said and headed back to her room. It did not take long for her tea to arrive. She thanked the servant and prepared a cup. This time, when she tried to sleep, she managed to do so an hour or so before waking time.
A knock at her door prevented Charlotte from taking a few more moments to rest. She made her way to the door to see who it was.
“Lady Charlotte, the duke wishes to know if you have packed for your voyage,” a maid said the moment she opened the door.
“Voyage?” Charlotte inquired.
“Yes, My Lady. The duke said it was planned. That he had invited family as well as his closest friends.
“Thank you,” Charlotte said, and the servant gave a slight nod before she left.
The voyage? He wants to leave already? What about speaking with my father? Charlotte thought as she got dressed and started to gather things she would pack to take with her. Charlotte went down for breakfast and could not help feeling that she had walked into a room where a conversation had just been held that she was not to know of. The mumble of voices stopped the moment she entered the room.
“Good morning,” Charlotte said to the room. Henry and her father greeted her with more enthusiasm than Bethany and her mother did.
