But apparently, he'd missed all the fun. A sleepy eyed Brandon greeted him upon arrival as usual and Thomas told him to retire for the day. He wanted to ask him about the party, but seeing how sleepy the poor fellow looked, decided against it. While going upstairs to his chamber, he noticed the kitchen lights were still on. He decided to see who was up this late and saw Charlotte, dressed in that pink gown, rinsing something at the sink.
He moved closer and noticed she had tied her hair in a lose bun. The skin at the back of her neck was exposed to him and he fought the urge to bend down and kiss her there. As if sensing his presence, she turned around.
They both just stared at each other for several seconds, unable to move. Then Thomas moved forward, closing the already limited distance between them.
"How was the party, Charlotte?" he asked softly.
Their faces were so close that Charlotte could feel his breath on her face. Oh God! Was this some kind of a dream?
Charlotte's mouth went dry and she was unable to respond. She looked up at him and saw him staring at her with hunger in his eyes.
Thomas raised his hand and touched her cheek. Her skin was as soft as he had imagined. When she looked up at him with those big blue eyes, he couldn't resist himself. He lowered his face and gently kissed her on the lips.
That simple kiss filled his heart with an emotion that he couldn't name. He wanted her. Badly. She had been haunting him in his dreams and even today while dancing with Shirley, he kept on envisioning HER face.
He put his hand on the small of her back and pushed her closer. She laid her hands on his chest and sighed. Thomas deepened the kiss and crushed her body to his. He could feel her softness of her lush breasts against his chest.
Charlotte felt so light headed. She wanted this kiss to go on forever. She'd never been kissed before! Her whole body felt alive under Thomas's touch. Somewhere inside her head, a voice told her to stop, that this was totally improper. But she couldn’t stop herself, she didn’t want to stop!
Both of them were experiencing emotions they had never felt before. Though Thomas had been with women before, he had never been subjected to such unrestrained passion. As for Charlotte, she was an innocent, totally unaware of the level of intimacy that a man and a woman share.
Thomas moved his hand up and freed her hair from the few pins that held them in a loose bun. Her hair fell to her waist in waves. He ran his fingers through them and could feel their silky softness. He then started kissing her neck softly and her body involuntarily arched to give him better access.
“Jesus, Charlotte! You are so soft,” he murmured between kisses.
As his lips moved towards the swell of her breasts, Charlotte stiffened. She had never allowed anyone to touch her so intimately. It was like her mind snapped out of a trance and realized the enormity of the blunder they’d just committed.
Chapter Five
When Thomas felt her stiffen, he too came back to his senses. What had he done? Worse, what was he about to do had Charlotte not reacted the way she did! He had almost robbed her of her innocence!
Thomas immediately stepped back as if he had just touched a live wire.
“I….I am extremely sorry, Charlotte. This should not have happened.”
Charlotte felt sudden tears well up in her eyes. So, he was sorry for what happened!
“Please don’t cry, my dear. I mean…Charlotte. I….I don’t know what came over me. Please, believe me. I didn’t mean to take advantage of you. It’s just that…..”
“I understand, my lord,” Charlotte wiped her tears.
There was an eerie silence in the kitchen.
“You can call me Thomas,” he said quietly.
“No, my lord. That would be highly improper. And I’ve already had my share of improper for one night!”
Thomas flinched at her words.
“Please don’t think that I blame you for what happened. I was an equal participant. For a while, I forgot that you are an Earl and I, a mere assistant housekeeper. I promise you this will never happen again,” she added and hastily left the kitchen.
Thomas felt as if he’d just been slapped. He almost forced himself on her and she was taking the entire blame on herself! He had never felt so lowly in his entire life. He was ashamed of himself. This was how he was repaying Mr. Nesbitt for his loyalty and honesty- by compromising his daughter!
Charlotte could not sleep the whole night. Why, oh why had she let her emotions override her better sense! She could not forget the regret that she saw in Thomas’s eyes. He regretted having kissed her, he even apologized for it! What else had she expected? Why would he want anything to do with an accountant’s daughter?
She cried a little more. She dreaded facing him again, that would just be too humiliating for her! Living under the same roof, it was impossible to avoid him altogether. But she could make sure that their paths never crossed, at least for some days.
Thomas didn’t see Charlotte the next few days. He understood that she was deliberately avoiding him, and rightly so. After all, the girl had loads of self-respect and Thomas admired her immensely for that. But he could not understand why HE was feeling so rattled by her absence. He missed seeing her move around the castle, giving instructions, or occasionally helping Mrs. Ridgeley with the books. He missed seeing her smile, hell, he missed all of her!
It wasn’t as if she had locked herself up somewhere. He knew that she did her routine chores but she just made sure to avoid HIM! Served him right for acting like a libidinous teenager, he thought.
Charlotte had not been her usual self these past days. No one but Mrs. Ridgeley had noticed this change in her.
“What is the matter, my dear? You seem a little upset about something since a few days,” she asked.
“Oh! It’s nothing, Mrs. Ridgeley. It’s just that I am missing papa,” Charlotte lied. Well, it wasn’t a lie exactly. She did miss her father terribly, but more than that, she felt guilty for behaving in such an untoward manner that night. It had been extremely hard to avoid Thomas later on, but she did her best. And when he didn’t make any effort to reach her, she understood that he had just been carried away in the moment that night. She meant nothing to Lord Thomas Cornwall.
Chapter Six
Lady Rebecca Cornwall had just arrived at the Devonshire Castle along with her future daughter-in-law, Lady Shirley Stanton. Lord Peter Stanton and his wife were expected to join them by evening. The castle was buzzing with activity that day and everyone was excited about their arrival. Except Charlotte.
Although she greatly admired Lady Cornwall for all the love and sympathy she showed towards her when her father expired, she wasn’t too keen on meeting Lady Shirley. Whenever someone mentioned her name, she felt a feeling of jealousy swamp her heart. She knew it was foolish of her to feel this way, but she couldn’t help it.
“What are you doing Charlotte? Come on, Her Grace is already at the dinner table with Lady Shirley and Lord Thomas. Would you mind helping Genelia in serving the main course? Julie is on leave today and the poor girl needs some help there. You know how flustered she gets under pressure!” Mrs. Ridgeley called her.
Charlotte could not make any excuses this time. If God wanted her to come face to face with Lord Thomas AND his fiancée, so be it!
As soon as she entered the dining room, she was greeted by Her Grace herself.
“Why, is that you, Charlotte? How have you been doing, my dear?” she enquired.
“Very well, thank you, Your Grace. I am comfortably settled here now and Mrs. Ridgeley is the most wonderful woman to assist,” she replied with a smile.
Thomas’s heart skipped a beat on seeing her smile. But Charlotte was completely ignoring him hitherto. She was looking lovely as ever in a pale blue dress that offset the color of her eyes beautifully. Thomas couldn’t help staring at her. When Shirley cleared her throat, he looked at her and realized that she had caught him openly staring at Charlotte. Good Heavens! He was in trouble!
�
�Mrs. Ridgeley is all full of praises for you. And that is no small feat, considering she is a hard woman to please,” Lady Cornwall chuckled. “And Thomas also informed me that you have been discharging your duties diligently.”
“Oh! Charlotte, meet Lady Shirley Stanton, Thomas’s fiancée.” Lady Cornwall introduced the two women.
“Good evening, my lady,” Charlotte bowed a small curtsy.
“Good evening, Charlotte. So you are that accountant’s daughter who died a few months back! What was his name? Mr. Nesbitt, right?” Lady Shirley asked.
“Yes, my lady.”
“Shirley, Mr. Nesbitt wasn’t just an accountant. He was like family for us,” Thomas said a bit sternly.
“Oh! Trust you Thomas to consider an accountant a part of your family! You would even consider the stable boy your family, you have such a kind heart,” Shirley retorted.
What was the matter with her! Why was she being so mean, Thomas thought.
Before he could say something, Charlotte spoke up.
“You are right, my lady. Her Grace and Lord Cornwall have extremely kind hearts. Had it not been for them, life would have been extremely difficult for an orphan like me,” she said. Thomas could see the infinite hurt in her eyes.
"We haven't done anything extraordinary, Charlotte. It is the least we could for a man who gave his entire life to us," Thomas looked at her.
"I am sure Lord Cornwall wouldn't mind opening an orphanage right here in this castle for young women like you, such is his big heart. After all, that would serve the twin purpose of charity AND recreation," Shirley said in an acidic tone.
"Shirley!" shouted Thomas.
Charlotte's face grew ashen and Lady Cornwall looked as if she could not believe her ears!
"Why? Have I said something wrong? Now I understand why you've been trying to avoid my company these past days," Shirley also raised her voice.
"And you," she wagged her finger at Charlotte. "Pretty, young and lonely- seems like you've found the perfect company, huh?"
"Enough, Shirley! Keep her out of this," thundered Thomas.
Most of the staff, including Mrs. Ridgeley and Brandon had gathered in the dining room by this time to see what the commotion was all about. Charlotte was looking stunned and Lady Cornwall wore an appalled expression.
"Calm down, both of you," she pleaded.
"Don't you dare talk to me in this tone, Lord Thomas Cornwall! First you cheat on me with this piece of worthless trash here and then you have the audacity to shout at me!" cried Shirley.
Thomas wanted to slap her right across her haughty face. He got up with such force that his chair fell with a loud thud behind.
"Get out!" he said in a low, menacing voice. "Get out right now or I'll forget that I am a gentleman and you are unfortunately, still my fiancée."
"You shall pay for this Thomas. I am going to tell papa about all of this and then you just watch what....."
"GET OUT!" roared Thomas again. Shirley got up hurriedly seeing the raw fury in his eyes and rushed out. Lady Cornwall went after her calling her name.
"Shirley, listen to me, Shirley!" she called after her.
Inside, Charlotte looked too stunned to move.
"Charlotte, I am sorry for all that Shirley said. I don't know from where she..."
Before he could complete his sentence, Charlotte ran out of the room. He pleaded Mrs. Ridgeley with his eyes to follow her.
Chapter Seven
Mrs. Ridgeley was slowly patting Charlotte's head as she was crying uncontrollably.
"Come on, my dear. Don't take her words to your heart. Lady Shirley was just blinded with jealousy and she didn't know what she was saying."
"Charlotte," she added softly. "Are you and Lord Thomas in love with each other?"
Charlotte looked up at her shocked.
"I saw both of you in the kitchen that night. The night we celebrated my birthday."
Charlotte felt her cheeks heat up.
"I had come to fetch a glass of water when I saw Thomas....ummm...kissing you. I quickly came back as I didn't know how to react. I thought of talking to you about it but when I saw that you were totally avoiding him, I felt it was for the best," she continued. "Do you think Thomas has feelings for you?"
"Oh! I don't know Mrs. Ridgeley!" she cried. "He apologized that night for kissing me, I saw regret in his eyes. But the way he looks at me sometimes, I feel as if he really cares for me. But love....? How can an Earl love a plain girl like me?"
"It is not impossible, sweetheart. Earls are humans too. And there have been so many instances where the nobility have married beneath their title because of love. The way he confronted Lady Shirley when she was mistreating you shows that he cares for you deeply."
"No, Mrs. Ridgeley. I can't live in false hopes. Caring for someone and loving someone are two entirely different things."
"Do you love him?" she asked softly.
"I do, Mrs. Ridgeley, I do," she wailed. "And I don't know how to control my foolish heart that wants the impossible."
“Oh dear! Charlotte I have known Thomas since he was a small babe. He has a heart of gold and I am sure he must feel something for you. Why else would he….”
Just then, Brandon knocked at the door.
"Lady Cornwall has summoned Miss Charlotte to her room."
****************
"Thomas, what is going on here in my absence? Why was Shirley accusing you of being indifferent towards her?"
"I have no idea, Mother."
"And what was she saying about you and Charlotte? Is it true?"
"No, Mother. I mean....yes, to some extent," Thomas replied sheepishly.
"Do you have any idea what you are talking about?"
"Mother, I don't know how and when it happened. But the truth is….. I think I love Charlotte. I know this may sound ridiculous, but no matter how much I try, I am unable to get her out of my mind."
There was pin drop silence in the room for a few moments.
"And does Charlotte also feel the same way about you?"
"I don't know. She has been avoiding me of late."
"And may I ask why?"
Thomas narrated the whole Mrs. Ridgeley-birthday-party-night incident to her.
"My goodness, Thomas! What were you thinking? You should have known that she's an innocent girl. I trusted you to keep her safe here and you only…. For the first time Thomas, you have let me down," said Lady Cornwall sharply.
Charlotte was by now outside Lady Cornwall's room but couldn't muster the courage to go inside.
"Do you have any idea how all this is going to impact the hydroelectric power plant project? When Shirley will tell her father about what happened today, not only will Lord Stanton cancel the engagement but he'll also refuse to invest further in that project that was your father's dream."
"I know, Mother. Do you think I have not thought about this? But you only tell me what should I have done? Should I have let Shirley belittle Charlotte like that?"
"Of course not, dear. I know Shirley's reaction was uncalled for. But you should have shown some restraint. Now the project shall suffer because of your behavior. Is there no way you can mend ways with Shirley?"
"Mother! I cannot believe this! You know that I love Charlotte and you still want me to mend ways with Shirley?" Thomas was shocked.
"Thomas, be practical. You know how much time and money you've already invested in the project. Do you want all that to go down the drain? And you know very well that you'll not be able to find another investor at this point of time."
Thomas knew his mother was right. On one side was Charlotte, the only woman he wanted, and on the other was that power plant that was his father's dream. He had to choose one of them.
Charlotte overheard the entire conversation. Lady Cornwall was right. This project had been HER father's dream too. He had often discussed it with her. Charlotte had to go from here. She couldn't be the reason behind the project's failure. Hundreds of people would ben
efit from that hydroelectric power plant. She couldn't be so selfish. She reveled in the fact that Thomas loved her. She could spend her entire life happily with this knowledge.
Charlotte quietly went back to her room. Thankfully, no one was around. She gathered whatever belongings she had and left the castle. She had no idea where to go. She could go back to her home in the village but Thomas would find her there. No, she had to go somewhere else.
But it was beginning to get dark. She would have to wait until morning to decide where she wanted to go. Charlotte decided to spend the night at her home in the village.
Chapter Eight
“Don’t worry Mother. I am well aware of my duty towards the people of this county. I’ll marry Shirley if that’s the only way to keep this project running,” Thomas said after a long pause. He knew he would never be able to love Shirley, but he was bound by duty—duty towards his people who trusted him blindly, duty towards the memories of his late father, duty towards Mr. Nesbitt without whose support and guidance, this project would not have been possible. He would have to stop his traitorous heart from dreaming about Charlotte.
“Thomas, I am proud of you,” said Lady Cornwall with a smile. “I knew my son would be willing to sacrifice his love for his duty.”
Lady Cornwall moved closer and held Thomas’s hand.
“But what kind of a mother do you think I am? You have done your bit by upholding your duty towards your people and now it is my turn.”
Thomas looked at his mother in confusion. What was she trying to say?
“Don’t look so confused, my dear,” she laughed. “As your mother, it is my duty to ensure that you get all the happiness that you deserve. If Charlotte is also in love with you, I promise you that she will be the woman that you get married to!”
BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE: The Unforgettable Billionaires: The Complete Collection Boxed Set 1-12 (Young Adult Rich Alpha Male Billionaire Romance) (Alpha Bad Boy Billionaire Romance) Page 105