“Charlotte!”
The voice came from Anna. I sat up. She was running toward me, and I squinted. There was a square of parchment in her hand.
“This came for you,” she panted as she stopped beside me.
“What is it?”
She didn’t speak but held the letter out in her hand. It came to my eye level where I sat on the grass. My heart lodged in my throat. It was from James.
I was afraid to touch it. How could I bring myself to open it? For a moment my spinning mind thought that he had sent this as a reply to my letter, but Anna had just posted it this morning. He had written this—whatever it was—several days, if not weeks, before now for it to be arriving today. My hands were sweating and shaking as I took the letter from Anna. It was so unexpected, so nerve-racking, that I worried I would faint.
“Go on,” Anna said with a grin. “Read it. Read it!”
I held the letter at the corners and tore the seal. James had held this letter not too long ago—he had written the words I was about to read with his own hand. With one final leap of my heart I unfolded the letter and let my gaze touch the parchment.
Dearest Charlotte,
I thought I knew what it was to love before. I thought I knew what it meant to be hurt by love. I thought I would see an end to this suffering, this longing for you, but I know I never will. You told me love wasn’t real, and that it wouldn’t last, but it seemsthat I have proven you wrong yet again. If what I’m feeling isn’t real, then please tell me why I cannot sleep at night, why I see you every time I close my eyes, and why I want nothing more than to hold you in my arms and never let you leave me again. I know more surely than I have known anything before, my lovely friend, that my heart has chosen to love you forever. My words might not have kept you here, and they might not bring you back, but at least you will know you are loved. Because, dear Charlotte, you deserve to be loved.
It isn’t my intention to keep you from your dreams, no matter how strongly I disagree with them. If they will make you happy, and you are certain I cannot, then please disregard this letter. But if by some miracle you have changed your mind, then send word, and I will find you.
I can’t offer you a life of grandeur. No endless wealth and prestige, but I offer you my heart. I hope that will be enough.
With love,
James
I could hardly breathe. I sat there in the wet grass, reading the letter over and over again, until my eyes stung with tears and my heart threatened to burst. James loved me. He hadn’t forgotten me. I read the last line again,I offer you my heart. I hope that will be enough.It was more than enough. It was everything I had ever needed. How had I been so blind?
I blinked my eyes dry and stood on my shaking legs. Anna was still standing there, and when she saw my face, she smiled back. “Oh, Charlotte! Is it good news?”
I laughed, a choked sound, and her grin grew wider.
“He doesn’t hate me!” I wiped my nose with my sleeve and grabbed Anna’s hand. I was practically jumping. “He wrote methis beautiful thing…a love letter. For me.” I shook my head and more tears, joyful, relieving tears splashed from my eyes. “He doesn’t hate me.”
She squeezed my hand. “Upon my word, it would be nearly impossible to hate you.”
“I must go back!” My heart pounded. “I need to leave today.”
Anna nodded and her curls bounced. “I will have your trunk and carriage prepared immediately.” She started to walk away, but I stopped her.
“Come with me.”
Her brow wrinkled. “Of course. Your mother would never have you travel unaccompanied.”
I shook my head. “That is not what I meant. Leave your position at Bentford Manor and come to live in Craster! Clara and Lord Trowbridge will surely employ you. You will be treated with kindness there, and I am certain your wages will improve. You have become such an invaluable friend these months, Anna, and you deserve every happiness.”
Her eyes were round with shock. “Are you certain?”
“Yes!”
She hesitated for a moment longer before her face broke into a smile of such gratitude and joy that my heart melted. “Thank you.”
“Shall we leave in the morning?” I asked.
Anna nodded. Everything I had been missing these last months came flooding back to me, and all the hopelessness and uncertainty fled. I knew, without a doubt, that I would travel anywhere in the world if it meant I could see James again. I also knew, without a doubt, that the next ten days would feel like a lifetime.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
