“Charity, please, get inside,” Seth encouraged, guiding her towards Isobel, who remained tearful as she clutched Charity’shand. “Rest assured, they will not be taking you anywhere. That, I vow.”
Before she could leave, Charity squeezed his arm and offered him a wistful smile. She was trying to veil her apprehension. To demonstrate a resilience and fortitude that her father had never acknowledged. Seth knew her well enough now to read it in her expression as easily as he could read any book. “I want to remain at Axfordshire,” she whispered.
“The decision is yours, it always has been. From that first night I brought you here.” Noting Charity’s still anxious countenance, he hooked a finger below her chin and lifted her face to meet his. “Listen to me. This is your home now as much as it is mine. And not a soul will change that.”
Chewing her lower lip and with a bittersweet nod, Charity joined Isobel at the threshold of the manor.
Seth heard the mad steps of Lord Holmwood lunging forward. He turned to confront the earl, watching as the man scampered back onto his heels. Apparently, the glare Seth offered was enough to make him think twice on what his next move was.
By the awaiting carriage stood Baron Tynefield, who had made it to his feet with the help of the coachman, nursing a bloodied jaw and sniveling in pain.
“Your daughter has made her wishes clear,” Seth exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “She considers Axfordshire her home and desires to stay. That is where the matter will rest.”
“Why?” the earl interjected with a low rumble as he glared menacingly at Seth. “Why wouldyouof all people take in that impudent chit?” The earl was more than well aware that Seth held a grudge against him, ever since the great fire of Aldenbury. Though he did not have the slightest inkling of how deep that pit of hatred ran—it was there, and he knew it. “Is this… are you…” He hesitated, leaving his question hanging in the air.
Upon my soul, the insolence of this man. I mustn’t take leave of my senses.
“I have offered Charity a home and my hand in marriage. Which she has graciously accepted. Neither of you is welcome here, so you would do well to leave, lest you bear an affinity to be staring down the wrong end of my firearm,” Seth declared, his fingers gesturing toward the cast iron gate of Axfordshire Manor.
“Preposterous!” Baron Tynefield raged from the carriage. “We shall summon the constable, rally the town, and see to your arrest for abduction with haste, young Duke!”
“And they will release me when Charity tells them she was not abducted but left of her own accord. I will hear no more of this. Get off my grounds immediately.” Seth mounted the final step and entered the manor, followed by Rufus, Shelby, and Bates in tow.
Slamming the door behind him with finality, he felt a decisive shift in his priorities.
Charity comes first. Pursuing revenge against that tyrant… it is not as important, not until her safety is assured.
CHAPTER 20
Charity's whole body quivered uncontrollably as the sound of Seth forcefully closing the door reverberated through the room, silencing Rufus and Shelby. One of them was whimpering, though it was unclear to Charity which it was. Isobel was gripping her hands, attempting to calm her tremors, but Charity could sense Isobel's own distress through the shaky tone of her voice.
“My goodness,” the maid whispered. “What a family. What a father. Fear not, my Lady. The master has sent them away, their carriage is on its way out.”
“Thank heavens,” Charity managed to murmur, though she couldn’t muster more words. She fell silent once more.
“My Lady, your hands…” Isobel noted quietly, feeling them tremble in her own.
“Isobel, perhaps you could prepare something soothing for Lady Charity? Maybe some tea,” Seth suggested.
With evident hesitation, Isobel let go of Charity's hands and quickly left to do as asked.
“And Bates, can you check with the groundsmen to ensure that they do in fact leave the estate?” Seth then asked.
“Right away, Your Grace.” Bates’ footsteps faded as he swept away down the corridor to the servant’s entrance.
When Seth finally grasped Charity’s hands, she shuddered. He lifted one to his lips for a gentle kiss, and her deepest desire was to melt into his caress, but she was trembling like mad, her fears on edge, as she pictured her father and Lord Tynefield bursting back through the door, determined to take her away this time.
“They’ll keep coming,” she whispered faintly, her voice trailing off into trepidation. “You don’t know my father as I do. Or… or the baron. Now that they know where I am, they will persist. They won’t rest until—"
“Charity… Charity! Hear me. You will not be forced away," he interrupted her ramblings, shaking his head with conviction. "Should you choose to stay, there is nothing the Earl, nor even a constable, could do to make you leave. I will secure that special license very soon. You have my word. You won't need to go anywhere you don’t wish.”
She gave a small nod. She should say something, she knew that, but the air was trapped in her lungs.
“Now is not the time to pull away from me, my sweet,” he implored softly, leaning in so close she could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek, and taste the spice of sandalwood and musk on her tongue. She knew why he did that—ever since the first night at Axfordshire where she found herself afraid and alone, he had come to her rescue and developed this quirk, moving his face close, scarcely touching, to reassure her he was near while allowing her the space for comfort. She found herself basking in that sensation of his proximity—always anticipating more. “I should not have left you alone today. Not until the special license was secured and our nuptials read. I apologize for it.”
Charity felt her heart sink like a heavy pebble at his words. “Pardon? How can you think this is your fault?” She shook her head hastily. “Seth. You are entitled to leave your own home and go as you please. You bear no guilt in this.”
“Don’t I? I’m not so sure,” he said softly, his lips briefly touching her forehead in a gentle kiss. She held her breath, cherishing his touch. “I should have at least had a valid reason to leave you on your own,” he whispered against her skin there.
