Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Her vision faltered as the words were uttered from his mouth.
The power of the secret she had held slipped from her hands.
So many years spent as a wandering wraith haunting the halls of Fermoy, living a simple life and keeping out of sight.
Ashamed of herself, yet still in awe of the gift her daughter was to her existence.
It was hard to have regrets when her decision changed her life for the better.
Charlotte coughed, avoiding his unwavering glower, as he studied her every movement. Dodging the question with one more taste of the rather delicious wine, she released a slow exhale and straightened in her seat.
She must be courageous—for her daughter.
After all, Aurelia was her priority.
It would be awful to deprive her of the advantages he could offer their daughter.
Charlotte was willing to suffer to give Aurelia access to a more fulfilling life.
Clearing her throat, at last she managed to speak. “Her name is Aurelia.” Charlotte waited for him to respond. Her heart was in a vise as she watched for his reaction.
Though he seemed prepared for the revelation, Perry remained silent as she confirmed his suspicions. He closed his eyes and leaned forward, resting his head in his hand.
“Are you feeling faint? Do you need to return to bed?” she asked, worried at the sudden pallor of his skin.
“No. What I need is to understand why I haven’t been told this information until now. How could you do this to me?” he asked, lifting his head to reveal his eyes glistening with tears. “I would have helped you.”
“Your father was aware of the pregnancy. There was no secret. You were already wed by the time I discovered my condition, and my choices were limited. I cannot explain why he never told you,” she spoke softly, her eyes blinking back tears.
“My father told me to never speak of her origins. He had an understanding with the duke. It was in all our best interests to protect the secret.”
Emotion that had been suppressed for years lifted to the surface. The loneliness of isolation, the shame of holding a secret that she would have rather announced to the world in pride, and the pain of hiding a daughter she loved so dearly.
Perry gave a frustrated growl and slammed his fist on the table. Unfortunately, it was his injured arm, and he yelped in pain. As she watched him rub his shoulder, she searched for words to ease his anger or temper his sadness. There were none.
“You have been mistreated, and it was all my fault. I can think of no other solution than to do the right thing to repair the situation. You must understand,” Perry insisted. “I hope you will be amenable to my proposal.”
Swallowing nervously, Charlotte nodded. She dreaded what exactly he believed repairing the situation would entail. What if it meant losing her daughter?
“I understand. We must do what is right for Aurelia, though I can promise that we have both been happy here.”
Tears filled her eyes, unbidden. She could not lose her daughter. It would be like ripping her heart directly out of her chest. Her will to live would dissolve like sugar in swirls of hot tea. “Please do not take her from me.”
Understanding her fear, Perry shook his head. “I will not take her from you.” He reached out a hand to hold hers. Charlotte flinched at the touch. “I believe she has been deprived of one parent for long enough. I would not separate her from the only one she has ever known.”
Charlotte cast her eyes down, needing relief from his relentless gaze.
There were few solutions that would keep her close to her daughter.
She was cast out from society, or would be once the secret was out.
Becoming his wife would be a balm to a difficult situation.
A safe harbor in which to weather the storm.
The warmth of his hand on hers was reassuring.
Perhaps together, they could find a solution. The power was entirely in his hands.
“Will you acknowledge her?” Her voice was rough as she spoke the words.
He scoffed at the question. “Of course. I have no reason to doubt your character. I take full responsibility for the actions leading up to her conception. I was a very eager participant in our young courtship, if you will recall. Perhaps misguided and irresponsible, now that the consequences of my actions have come to light.”
“I was a willing accomplice.” Her gaze flicked to meet his. Warmth flooded her cheeks at the admission.
“Yes, but it never occurred to me that the consequences would be all yours. I believed we were careful, though not careful enough.” He pulled his hand away and reached for his wine. “It was na?ve to think there wouldn’t be repercussions.”
“What will you do?”
Clearing his throat, he replaced the glass on the table after taking a drink. “There is no solution more efficient than introducing you back to society. It is time you return to your rightful place among the upper set. No more hiding.”
Fear clutched at her chest; the thought of being so vulnerable, so exposed, was terrifying. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought, her hand shaking as it gripped the stem of the glass. She had no weapons against a society that wished to tear her apart.
A woman was never equipped for such situations; they were left to face the consequences of their actions, while a man could go on living unaffected. It was the reality of their time. She was nothing and he was everything.
“They will judge me horribly. I am a ruined woman. I have committed the worst crime in the eyes of society.”
“There will be ways around that. The situation has greatly changed for me since we were last together.” Perry massaged his temples as he measured his words.
Hope flickered in her chest, daring to come to life. Perhaps there would be a way for her to avoid society, perhaps she could remain reclusive, while also being near her daughter. Yes, that would be the best solution.
Out in the world, Aurelia would be Perry’s daughter.
Charlotte could remain in the shadows, her mother behind closed doors.
Somehow.
“We will do as you see fit, but I must be allowed to see my daughter. She truly is everything to me.”
Perry gave a half-smile and shook his head. “I will not go back on that promise. I will not separate you. There is an easy solution that ensures the two of you stay together.”
Her lips tugged into a cautious smile, doubt weighing heavily on her mind.
“How?” she asked, not daring to indulge in the small flicker of hope coming to life inside her.
“Let me explain. While we were apart all these years, my status has changed considerably. I fulfilled my betrothal contract as my family expected, gaining an estate and a title through my marriage. When you and I were together, I was simply a second son with a want of property and wealth. That man no longer exists. Upon the death of my wife’s father, I inherited a title.
I am the Earl of Winchester.” He tapped a hand to his chest.
Goosebumps scattered over her flesh at the admission.
He was an earl. Powerful. As the daughter of a baron and a ruined woman who had already borne a child out of wedlock, she was among the lowest set in society.
Better off discarded, forgotten, or dead.
The only reason she was safe at Fermoy was because of her loving parents and their mercy.
They would not have been out of place to cast her out as a ruined woman.
Was Peregrine powerful enough to shelter her from the storm?
Swallowing, she flicked her gaze up to connect with his. “How will you protect Aurelia? They will slander her for her origins.”
“I will give undeniable proof that she is acknowledged. That she is loved.”
“How can you love her if you do not know her?”
“I’m sure that our relationship will build over time, but do not doubt for one second that I care for your… Our daughter. Even without knowing who she was, I recognized her as pure sunshine incarnate the moment I laid eyes on her. Not unlike her mother.”
Charlotte laughed. “Indeed, she is that.”
“I have a plan to protect her, and it will require only a small sacrifice on your behalf.” Leaning forward, Perry watched her as she processed his words.
A small sacrifice? She would do anything for her daughter.
“What do you suggest?” Her heart hammered in her chest in anticipation.
There were few options but to trust him.
Her family didn’t have the power to initiate a return to society after such a long absence.
The Townsends would be shunned if she returned unwed with a child.
It was unfathomable. “Though I cannot imagine what possible resolution could silence the judgment of the ton. They are ruthless sharks, especially when they smell blood in the water. Trust me, I have kept up with some of the gossip mags from London and they love a good scandal.”
“I cannot completely avoid a scandal. But we can woo society into believing a love story.”
His words made no sense. How on earth would he make the ton care about a romantic tale?
A forbidden affair between two members of respectable families.
A violation of not one, but two betrothal contracts and a child born out of wedlock.
Charlotte flushed. It was so scandalous when laid out explicitly.
Giving her head a shake, she raised a brow in challenge. “A love story? I’m sorry, I do not follow.”
“I am the brother of a duke and of a marchioness. Once we arrive in London, we will have their full support, and they will help smooth our way into society. Being linked to them can only help us. We will strategize how to deliver the message to the gossips in the best light possible.”
“What message is that?”
“The earl has been reunited with his lost love, and they wed in haste, unable to spend one more day apart.”
Repeating the words in her mind, Charlotte gave a small gasp and locked eyes with Perry. “If that is the message, then that means we must…” Her words trailed off as she could hardly believe them. Her heart grew lighter as she watched his mouth curve into a smile.
Perry was triumphant. “We will marry immediately.”