Charlotte had agreed to marry him because she could see no other way. Being tortured and killed was certainly not on her list of desirable things to do, and she’d feel responsible if Henry lost everything. So she agreed. In time, she’d hoped they’d continue their relationship, but she’d thought it would be years, not days before the subject of marriage came up.
She was in her chamber, washing off a day’s worth of dirt, when there was a knock at the door. Henry strode in, and she was struck again by how handsome he was.
“I hope I didn’t cause you to send men out for nothing. My eyes were probably playing tricks on me.”
“’Twas a scout. One of Hallsey’s men.” He led her over to the window and pointed. “His lands are to the north. He would like nothing more than to take Ravenskirk and control access to all the land to the south.”
“Are we in danger?”
“I think not. After we killed the men responsible for burning the village, he will be loath to lose more. Though I have doubled the guard to be safe. Edward would strike. My brother stabs first and questions later.”
“How many brothers do you have again?”
“Five. Edward is the eldest. And there was John. Then me, Robert, and Christian. Christian is the youngest at a score and two.”
“You’re how old?”
“I am a score and seven.”
“You must be awfully good at being a knight to have done so well for yourself at such a young age. I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.” She laughed. “I guess now I will be Lady Ravenskirk.”
Charlotte put a hand to her throat. “I’m still trying to get used to the idea, so I go around saying ‘Lady Ravenskirk’ all day. I think everyone believes I’m daft.”
Henry chuckled. “They already think of you as my lady. Many of them have told me I should have married you the day I found you.” They sat down in the window seat and he stroked her cheek.
“I am truly the luckiest man in the realm. You are kind and beautiful. Intelligent and strong. Any man would be lucky to have you for a wife.” He looked into her eyes, and Charlotte wanted to lose herself in him.
His voice came out as a whisper. “I have come to care for you a great deal. I hope in time you will feel the same. Mayhap one day, we will love each other.” He leaned forward and gently kissed her. He paused for a moment, his lips an inch from hers, and Charlotte felt the tension between them filling the room. It seemed to stretch out and out until finally it snapped.
Henry pulled her to him and kissed her again. The kiss was not gentle. It was the kiss of a man who cared for his woman. She lost herself to the feelings. The sensation traveled from her head all the way down to her toes, as they tingled. When he sat back, she put her fingers to her lips. They felt bruised and swollen, and she thought she must have a goofy smile on her face. He smiled at her in the way that men seemed to do when they were particularly happy with themselves.
“I will be counting the minutes until I see you in the hall for dinner.”
Oh my. She was in deep trouble. He was kind, responsible, and thoughtful. Not to mention charming, handsome, rich, and a great kisser. Yes indeed, she was in trouble.
Charlotte could almost hear Aunt Pittypat from the great beyond laughing hysterically. Whenever she complained she couldn’t find a good boyfriend, her aunt always said not to worry. For when she finally found the man meant for her, she would fall, and fall hard.
Aunt Pittypat was always right.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“You own all this?” Charlotte couldn’t believe it. “Are you richer than the King of England?”
He laughed. “Nay. My brother Edward is, though.”
She sat across from him. All morning she’d been distracted and hadn’t accomplished anything. Charlotte joined Henry in the solar for a few moments of quiet.
“I don’t have much to offer. This is all I own.” She untied the scarf and dumped the coins and gems on a small table.
“You have much to offer. I care not for gold and gems.” He looked through her offering. It was odd to see the old coins back in the time they belonged.
“There is a great deal here.”
She snorted. “Not compared to you. I would like to add it to the household for whatever is needed.”
“Keep it for yourself to use as you see fit.” Henry rubbed the material of the scarf between his fingers. “Such fine workmanship. The craftsmen in your lands are skilled.”
For machines, she thought. “Thank you.”
“Charlotte?”
The look on his face made her tense. “I’m going out for a walk. It’s a beautiful day.”
“Wait.” He ran a hand through his hair and stretched out in the chair, hands folded across his stomach. The somber look made her even more nervous.
“What is it?”
“Would you prefer to live elsewhere? I will see you settled in your own estate. With men to guard you and ladies of your choosing. You need not remain with me.”
She blinked. Hurt sliced through her heart, so sharp that for a minute she thought she was having a heart attack. All the emotion she’d felt since Lucy went missing, then Melinda, bubbled up. The fear when that man tried to kill her, and the sensations of traveling through time. Her own insecurities about men. It was too much.
Charlotte stood, one hand on her hip, one finger pointed at Henry.
“I understand you’re sacrificing a great deal by marrying me. If you don’t want me around, just say so. Quit being so damned charming and solicitous.” Her finger trembled, but her voice rang out across the room as the fury built to hurricane status inside her.
“Charlotte, perchance you misunderstand me.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. Henry, sensing the change in mood, jumped up from his chair and stood in front of the windows, hands out in front of him. Too late; she was in a state, as her sisters used to say. He better run.
“I guess I should be grateful you’re not packing me off to a convent. Will this estate be anywhere near Ravenskirk? You’ll come visit me once or twice a year so we can have an heir to continue your name? I will not be locked away to sit and wait for the mighty lord to visit me.” Charlotte poked him in the chest.
“We can speak reasonably. You are vexed.”
“No you didn’t. Did you just tell me to calm down? You have a hell of a nerve, Mr. Prince Charming. I’ve heard all about you. The women here have filled my ears with tales of your conquests. You must have women in every village in the entire country, and probably France and Scotland too! I thought you were charming, but you’re nothing more than a womanizing pig! Take your offer of an estate and go to hell. I’d rather be drawn and quartered and my head used as a fricking bowling ball than marry an ass like you!”
She stomped out of the room, slamming the door.
Royce stuck his head in, grinning. “The lady sounds most displeased.”
Henry was bewildered. “What did I do? I offered Charlotte her own estate where she could live in peace if she so desired.”
“You told her to go?”
He ran his hands through his hair. “I thought she might not want to remain here with me.” He threw back the contents of his mug. “She has a fearsome temper.”
“She thinks you do not want her as your wife. That you are marrying her to save her and your own sorry self. Women want to be wooed.”
“I’m giving her the protection of my name. My body. She will want for nothing.” Henry stalked back and forth across the solar. He needed his sword. “To the lists.”
“The men have made themselves scarce. They heard Mistress Charlotte bellowing, and you will not see them until supper.”
He cursed. “She knows I am not a prince. Why did she call me one?” He scratched his head. “And I know what a pig is, but what is ‘womanizing’?”
“From her speech, ’tis a man who enjoys the favors of many women while remaining true to none.”
“Bloody hell. I have n
ot shown another favor since I rescued Charlotte. I cannot change what happened in the past. How can she be angry with me?”
His childhood friend snorted. “Women. Who knows why they do the things they do. But Henry, you marry her in three days. Make it right or lose everything. Again.”
“And what is a bowling ball?” All the time Charlotte had been here he’d never seen her thunder and bellow as she did today. He must send her away. He could not bear her to scream at him every day the way his parents treated one another. He would marry her as ’twas his knightly duty, but he would not remain by her side. All women were the same: marry them and any affection turned to hatred. Lasting until their dying breath.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Three days passed in a blur. Was it really her wedding day? How did you marry someone you weren’t even speaking to?
Charlotte thought Henry cared for her. She knew he liked her. Hadn’t they moved beyond like to something deeper? In time, she would call it love. Grumpy, she drank another cup of wine.
The next thing she knew, Charlotte found herself standing outside, the sun shining down on her, in front of the chapel. Father Riley beamed at her then ducked his head. The man was shy and stumbled over his words. She didn’t know why he was nervous; he wasn’t the one getting married to someone who planned to ship him off to another house for the foreseeable future.
A shadow fell across the ground in front of her. Charlotte looked up as the raven cawed, circling above her head. The bird landed on top of the chapel as if watching the proceedings.
It wasn’t too late to stop this farce. She would ask him for a horse and a guide to Falconburg or Blackford. Surely they wouldn’t turn her over to the bishop. He’ll lose everything. The people will suffer. Are you willing to take the responsibility?
The priest cleared his throat, and she realized she was scowling at him. Now if she told Henry she was from the future, he might lock her up. She’d gotten by so far without having to tell him. Based on everything she’d seen, medieval England was crazy superstitious. While he seemed reasonable and open to new ideas, she kept thinking what she would do if someone told her they were from the past or from the future.
Charlotte snorted, and Henry raised a brow. She shook her head. Jerk.
She’d call the authorities and have them locked up without a second glance. And so she would keep her secret, hoping the powers that be would understand. Didn’t all couples come to a marriage with at least some kind of secret between them?
Henry shifted, and she hoped he was as miserable as she. And wasn’t that mean and snippy? He wasn’t cruel, just damaged. Shaped and forged by his past. In his case, his parents’ relationship. In hers? She quit believing in love after a disastrous high school relationship.
First love. Spencer Todd had been her world. Smart, athletic, nice to everyone. Or so she thought. At the time she was going through a chunky phase, and was shocked when he’d expressed interest. They dated most of sophomore year. He was two years older than her. He invited her to prom. Excited, she and Aunt Pittypat spent the day getting ready. She waited and waited. He never showed up. Never answered his phone or texts. It was all over social media. He’d taken the stuck-up skinny cheerleader. Said he’d never liked a fatty like her. Only dated her to see if she’d put out. After that, Charlotte dated but never gave her heart away again.
Or so she thought. Henry had stolen a chunk when she wasn’t looking. Father Riley stuttered on, and Charlotte decided she was done. The marriage would proceed to save his people and her own skin. She would use his money, influence, and men to find her sisters, and she would live wherever he sent her. It wasn’t as if she could go home. She was stuck in 1330 medieval England, and being married to a powerful noble was the best she could hope for. They would be civil to one another, but she’d be damned if she’d provide him an heir. He could knock up some village girl for all she cared.
Charlotte sniffed. No, she would not cry. Instead she bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. The wind blew the ribbons holding her hair back. They were dark blue to match her dress. That morning she’d been presented with the most amazing dress. It was dark blue with embroidery all over the neckline sleeves and hem. It even had pockets, as Henry had seen them in her dress and knew how fond she was of them. A few of the women had helped her get ready and put her hair up. It was in a mass of curls, and she’d never felt so beautiful in all her life. Pretty and empty inside.
The small things in life. Like someone noticing something you liked and doing it for you without being asked. Pain shot down her arm and side. Why didn’t he care for her the way she cared for him? His actions told her he cared, but after what he said?
It was as if she was having an out-of-body experience. Charlotte knew she was standing in front of the chapel, reciting vows, and yet it didn’t seem as if she were truly present.
She heard something about a ring, felt something heavy and cool slide over her fourth finger. A wide gold band with a large dark amethyst shone in the sunlight.
Just great. She didn’t have a ring for him. Before he told her he was sending her away, she’d made a mental note to have one made, but then everything blew apart. Just as she was about to have a major meltdown from the emotions of the past few days, she felt a tug on her dress. It was Addie.
“My lady. Chester and I took the coins and the sapphire from your bag and had a ring made,” the little girl whispered as she pressed a wide gold band carved with ravens and set with a beautiful sapphire into her hand.
Charlotte looked at her blankly.
“Don’t you remember, lady? We did ask your permission.”
Heck, all she remembered from the past few days was being furious all the time. This wasn’t the time or place to show her butt, as her aunt would have said.
“Thank you,” she whispered as she accepted the ring.
Addie had come from a noble family to serve as a lady’s maid at the castle, but for some reason she and Addie had never talked about her parents. Charlotte felt bad and made a note to rectify the situation as soon as things calmed down. Would the girl want to go with her to her new home, wherever it was?
She exhaled and slid the ring on Henry’s finger. It fit perfectly. Too bad they no longer fit together.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Henry softly knocked at the door to his own chamber. No, ’twas their chamber now. He ducked as he entered in case she threw something at him. After she raged at him, she had refused to speak to him. Not a word from then until the wedding this afternoon. And then she only answered the vows. During supper she sat quietly, speaking to others when asked a question but otherwise ignoring him.
He’d tried several times to engage her in speech, but she rebuffed his attempts.
The women led her to their chamber to make her ready for the wedding night. She threw a pitcher at him when he entered. Told him hell would freeze over before he touched her. Some of her curses…he’d never heard the like, but understood the meaning.
Finally he’d gone across the hall to her room and slept there. Hours later he’d woken. He was an arse. Of course she was angry. She thought he did not want her. He did.
In trying to offer her a way to live apart if she did not want him, he had caused her great offense. He truly cared for her. In her place, he too would be angry. From the moment he’d met her, she had been kind and caring. She was not his mother. He was not his father. Together they were well matched. He would make her understand his meaning.
’Twas early, still dark outside, when he knocked on the door.
“Charlotte. ’Tis time to talk. You cannot remain angry with me the rest of your life.”
“Of course I can.”
“Will you hear me out?”
“Whatever.”
He wasn’t sure what whatever meant, but he was a warrior. Henry took a breath.
“I was an arse.”
She snorted.
“I let my parents’ life influence me. I do not wan
t to be apart from you. I only offered you the estate so you would not feel you had to stay at Ravenskirk with me the rest of your life if you did not desire to.”
The light from the fire showed her curves through her chemise. She was beautiful and strong. He wanted her by his side. Needed her.
“Please accept my apology. I care for you a great deal. I believe in time we will grow to love one another. Will you forgive me?”
A tear fell, and Henry wanted to curse. Never again would he be the cause of her tears.
“When you offered me the estate, I thought you didn’t want me around. And after all the stories I heard about your past, I figured you wanted the freedom to be with other women without having me near.” She wrapped her arms around herself, and Henry took a step forward. Seeing the look on her face, he stopped.
“I realize your past is simply that. The past. When I was sixteen, someone hurt me very badly.” She sighed. “I need to work through my own issues. Given we had to marry, well, I didn’t know how you felt about me.” Her voice wavered.
Henry took her in his arms, stroking her hair. “I have been miserable without you by my side. Stay with me. I will do everything in my power to make amends. I care for you a great deal. I know in time I will love you.”
“In time, I think I will love you too. I’m sorry too. I said some hateful things. Forgive me for being such a witch?”
Then she let out a shaky laugh. “I don’t mean a real witch. A witch is someone who isn’t very nice where I come from.”
“I would forgive you anything, Charlotte.”
Charlotte woke in the morning to find Henry gone. Last night she didn’t think she’d eaten more than a few bites during supper. But she’d had way too much to drink. The women had finished undressing her, making all kinds of lewd suggestions as to how she should spend her wedding night. She kept thinking he could have their marriage annulled whenever he got sick of her.
Lonely is the Knight (Merriweather Sisters Time Travel Romance Book 3) Page 11