She and her brother and Alex continued to hold each other, the emotion and turmoil of Christopher’s soul seeming to permeate her own soul. Never had she dreamed of a reconciliation like this. Her tears joined his, and Alex finally succumbed as well. The night grew darker and colder, and yet Charlotte had never felt so warm.
Chapter 39
The next morning Alex awokein one of the spare rooms of the castle, not sure if he was in a dream. But as the morning light brightened, he remembered every detail of the night before and turned over in the softest bed he’d ever slept in, proof that finally he was a guest and not a pariah.
He dressed hastily, wanting to find Charlotte, who he hoped hadn’t been awake too long. He found her in the breakfast room, alone. “Charlotte.” He smiled.
She crossed the room and clasped his hand.. “Good morning, Alex.”
Her touch flustered him, but ever since last night, there was so much to speak of that it felt like it couldn’t be contained within the walls of this castle. “Would you go riding with me this morning?”
“I hoped you’d have that idea.” She lifted the hem of her gown to expose her riding boots. “Why don’t you eat some food, and I’ll be back with my cloak in a moment.”
He nodded, and when she returned, they went to the stables. Once on a borrowed mount, he began to express all that weighed on him. “I marvel that I am here with you, and with your family’s blessing.”
Her grin spread across her cheeks. “As do I. George is so much better, and Christopher has begun to change—everything is starting to work out.”
He nodded but couldn’t keep back the worry in his voice. “All but one thing. As I said yesterday, I still have no way to provide for you. I left my position at the mine.”
“But we will have my dowry now, and the land I own—”
“I refuse for you to fund our marriage with your land or your dowry. I want to prove to you and the whole world that I am not marrying you for that.”
She shook her head. “I know you aren’t,” she said. “But I can help you. I can help us.”
“I can be just as stubborn as you, I am afraid. I must find a job first.”
She eyed him, and a bit of the fiery eleven-year-old he’d once known shone through her gorgeous blue eyes. “I suppose I can try to develop more fortitude and restraint toward the matter and see your side of things too. We ought to figure out how to get along properly if we are to be married.” Her coy smile melted his heart.
“Thank you.” He chuckled. “I will travel to London and see what can be found there.” He looked away and took in where they were on the path, far from the house, near where they’d first found the jewels at the ruins. “Have you led us to the woods? After all that has happened, you wished to come here? Last time you and I rode here, you nearly ran me off with your words.”
She smiled and fingered her necklace. “I like this place much more knowing my stone and yours both came from here.”
Alex nodded. “I think that means we were always meant to be together. Two people, though vastly different, complementing each other.”
He drew his horse closer to hers, wishing they were on foot instead of separated by two great animals. Just as his hand took hers, another rider came down the path. When he saw them, his eyes went wide, and he pulled to a stop.
“By all the saints.” The man with a chipped tooth and a countenance Alex would never forget grinned, riding on Cobalt, no less. “I didn’t even have to risk coming up to the castle.”
“Moxham!” Alex cried. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“Word travels fast. As soon as I ’eard the feud was ended and ye were ’ere, I had to come.”
Charlotte crossed her arms and eyed him. “I did hear the servants bustling after we came inside last night. I didn’t know, though, that word would travel this quickly to town.”
“Oh yes, miss. Mags had to come on an errand. She was at me door earlier than breakfast, else I wouldn’t have approached the castle, for fear your brother would have me ’ead.”
Alex remembered his manners. “I am not sure you’ve ever been properly introduced to Miss Roylance.” Heaven knew how much they’d already endured together without the introduction.
“Pleased to officially meet ye, Miss Roylance,” Moxham said, tipping his worn hat toward her with a little chuckle.
“I am honored, Mr. Moxham.” Charlotte beamed.
Moxham turned his gaze to Alex. “It’s true, ain’t it? All is well?”
“Aye, my friend.” Alex nodded.
“Well then, here ye go,” Moxham said, gathering his wits. “Came to my address.” From within his jacket pocket he pulled out a sealed letter and handed it to Alex.
