All the love and longing and hoping Charlotte had buried, tamped down under a chasm of despair, started to bubble up from inside of her like a geyser. She lowered her voice to an intense whisper. “My feelings are most certainly the same, threatening always to grow stronger.” She bit down on her lip. “But how will we live?”
He spun her once again. “I have an apartment available for us after we are married. I will keep my job, which pays somewhat well, and the pay will hopefully increase. You would have to economize, I realize, but—”
“I don’t care if our future is grand or not. My brother may disown me, but I would finally be happy and free, and that is worth more than all the gowns and niceties in the world. But this gamble of a plan has involved so much preparation, has forced you to include so many others, cost you money, put your very life in jeopardy—”
“Knowing it would all be worth it,” he finished for her. “Does this prove how much I care about you?” His voice turned husky. “I can’t live without you, Charlotte.”
The music drew to a close, and a shrewd tightness fell over his face. “Tell me once and for all if you wish to be rid of me forever, and I will leave immediately.”
She contemplated all that had happened the last several weeks and found courage. This was their chance. “No,” she breathed, and her words from long ago came to her mind. “I–I trust you, Alex, and”—she gulped in a breath of hope—“I’ll go with you.” He grinned, recognition of those long-ago words lighting his countenance. Now she did lean closer to him, just for a moment. “How will we manage to escape, and how do I keep you safe?” She tried to remind herself to stop letting her mouth say every thought that entered her mind. Her heart had never felt so full and free while at the same time so paralyzed. Within reach she had a future with the man she loved, and one misstep could ruin it forever.
“We will rendezvous after the ball,” he said, bowing. “Go to your room at the end of the night and change into something simple. Then do you think you could manage to meet me outside the conservatory? It might be a good idea to bring a change of clothes or things that are dear to you. I’ll have everything else ready from there.”
“Oh my.” She reeled at the glorious possibility. “It’s just one horse ride unchaperoned, and then it’s official.” She sighed. “I love you more than anything.”
He escorted her to one side of the room while the other dancers also left the dance floor.
She curtsied low. “I will meet you,” she breathed in the smallest of whispers.
Couples prepared for the next dance, bowing and curtsying, and every part of Charlotte fractured into reality as Alex disappeared into the throng of guests. She tracked his movements for as long as she could, until a gentle arm came through her elbow and led her away.
“Best not to stare, Charlotte,” Rebekah whispered. “Don’t give him away.”
Charlotte felt her cheeks blanch. “How did you—”
“We all want your success.” She winked. “The vicar and I were just about to dance our final dance and return home early.” She put her hand on her belly and then gave a purposeful nod toward Charlotte.
Charlotte cleared her throat. So Alex’s proposal and plan hadn’t been a dream.
No, indeed.
No matter her brother’s expectation, no matter her agreement with Harris, she had what she wanted before her and a way to make it happen. She pushed all ramifications and dissenting voices aside, ready to seize her happiness.
Alex would be her future.
Chapter 31
Every minute of the ballgrew longer, like a wax drip on a candle, but finally the guests cleared the great hall. Charlotte’s feet ached from dancing, but the throbbing in her toes was drowned out by her rejoicing heart.
Across the room, Harris remained, and Charlotte knew she must talk to him. She’d be vague and say nothing of Alex, but Harris deserved to know she could not marry him.
Once he finished bidding farewell to a guest, he came to join her. “You were truly splendid tonight.” He smiled, and she wished he would desist with any more compliments. “I was dancing with others, but I was watching you.”
“Oh, Harris.” She felt the guilt of her duplicity, especially as his name fell from her lips.
A discerning look of concern wrinkled his brow. “Are you well?”
“Yes, of course.” She forced a smile. How should she tell him?
“I am so glad.” His eyes softened. “If it’s not too bold to ask, I knew most of your partners, but who was the crow?” He removed his own mask and attempted to flatten down his wavy hair.
She drew a breath. This was as good a segue as any, she supposed. She took him by the arm just as Christopher drew up to their sides and cleared his throat. “I was wondering the same thing, Harris. I thought I knewallthe guests.”
Charlotte stared at her brother, and her heart began to pound. He’d followed her every move this week. Did this mean he had an idea of who the crow was?
“He was a friend of the vicar’s wife,” she answered as quickly as she could. It wasn’t untrue.
She feared Christopher’s reaction, but he nodded. “I didn’t realize we’d allowed Rebekah to bring friends, but what is done is done.” Christopher’s many drinks must have taken off his edge just a little, and she was grateful.
