“This is what a slain dragon looks like.” Char turned. “I’m going upstairs now.” She started up as fast as she could but Sarah stopped her.
“Wait. You’ll want a candle.”
Char did. She came down a few steps so she could take the wax stub Sarah picked up off the hall table where they kept the bits and pieces from around the house. Sarah lit it from a candle in the front room and carefully brought it back to Char. She offered it to her.
As Char accepted the candle, Sarah said, “The duke is a good man.”
“I know.”
Sarah waited a beat and added, “Choose the good man, Char, the one whose character is well known.”
“I understand my responsibilities, Sarah,” Char answered. “I know what is expected.” With that, she turned and went upstairs.
Inside her room, she lit the lamp by her bed and blew out the candle.
“I know what is expected,” she whispered to herself as she looked at Leo’s hat that had been the pride of his wardrobe.
However, when she finally fell asleep that night, her dreams were not full of dukes... but of a man whom she had confided in. A man who had proved not only that he could be trusted, but that he would fight for her.
This had been what her father had meant.
Chapter Fifteen
Jack did not return directly to Menheim after leaving Charlene.
He walked and walked, hoping that in movement he would take ahold of himself. And failed. He realized the futility of what he was attempting to do close to midnight when he found himself in Hyde Park.
“I’m in love.” He spoke to no one. There were few out and about at this hour on a Sunday night or, at least, no one who would give a care to a man speaking to himself, and he was tired of pretending. “It isn’t just her looks that intrigue me. I loveher.”
Yes, her—Charlene Blanchard. His kindred spirit.
After Hope’s death, he had believed he’d never love deeply again. Her loss had almost crushed him. What man would willingly suffer the possibility of such pain again?
This one.
Years ago, when he’d been Leo’s age, he’d done what he must to direct his own life. He’d made a rash decision, and yet he had fearlessly carried on. He’d survived. Both good and bad had come out of his leaving, but he derived a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that the choices had all been his.
Charlene was a survivor as well. She was not afraid to break with tradition, to do what she must to live life on her terms.
With her spirit, she would take over Boston. The local society would not know what to do with her candor and they would adore her.
Hewould adore her.
In one fell swoop, Jack could imagine her as his wife. He allowed himself to think of children again. Their sons and daughters would be strong-willed and brave. They would also be imaginative and full of dreams.... just as their parents were.
Best, Jack’s days would never be dull. Nor his nights.
The thought of having her in his arms, holding her, making love to her...
Jack gave himself a shake. Charlene had awakened a part of him that he’d thought he’d lost with Hope. It was more than desire or even lust. She had rekindled in him the sense that life in all its circumstances was worth living, and living fully.
But she was not his.
Gavin had staked his claim. Gavin wanted her.
And that was the crucial point of the matter.
He’d come to realize that the person who had been the most affected by his leaving years ago had been his twin. Jack could see now that, back in school, he had been a tether for Gavin. His leaving had left his brother feeling isolated with only their father for guidance.
