“She’s going to faint,” Eloise said.
“She’s fine,” Liza argued. “Go and tell him your news, Ros. We’ll follow behind.”
I met her gaze. Her confidence, her assurance, was everything I needed. I chewed my bottom lip and nodded, then released Liza’s arm and took a step forward.
Charlie raised his hand over his forehead to shade his vision, but he still did not seem to recognize me. His sister waved, and he waved back hesitantly.
I took another step forward. Then another. It was now or never. I had one last item left on my list, and I would see it through.
“Oh, good! Father is with him,” Eloise said from a few paces behind.
My shoulders tightened, and I suddenly felt light-headed.
Meeting Charlie’s family before we’d even had a chance to discuss our future? Before he’d so much as declared himself? Had I rushed into this?
Perhaps I should have had Ben send him a letter first. Or waited a few weeks for him to settle into his own home. Instead, I was throwing myself at him yet again, and what did I expect him to do? Run to my side and twirl me around and kiss me senseless?
Yes. That was exactly what I had expected.
Somehow, I moved with a steady pace, and I’d drawn close enough that we could see each other’s faces. Each other’s expressions.
Charlie was frowning. He shifted his weight from one foot to another. Then he straightened.
Then he started to move toward me.
I lifted a hand in a little wave.
A wave? Are you twelve?I chided myself.
I rubbed my cheeks and tried desperately not to gnaw my lips into oblivion.
We met somewhere in the middle, and his face came into focus. He looked exactly as I’d left him. Bruises still healing. That crooked nose. The little scar on his lower lip. His tousled brown hair and warm chocolate eyes.
“Charlie,” I breathed.
His brow pinched, and he stopped an arm’s-length away. “R-ros?” He drew a hand through his hair, his expression one of complete surprise. “That is, Your Grace, I assume. I imagine ...” He looked over my shoulder, then back to me. Then down at his hands. “Forgive me, I did not see your wedding in the papers, although I cannot be certain it would have posted yet.”
His sister laughed from somewhere close behind. “He’s been watching every day.”
He shot her a death-like glare.
I took a step closer. “It did not post.”
His eyes flicked to mine. Then back down again. “Right.” He frowned. “I shall continue to look for it, then.”
“No,” I said, wincing. I was botching my explanation, and horribly. “Itwon’tpost.”
Charlie furrowed his brow again. How desperately I wanted to smooth it. He stood still save for the rise and fall of his chest.
I swallowed hard. It was my turn to look away. “I’m terribly sorry to have neglected you after everything that happened.”
“You left before the wedding?” His voice was incredulous, and my eyes snapped up to meet his. He looked breathless. Hopeful. “Why would you do such a thing?”
I threw my hands in the air. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
His lips twitched.
“I had one last thing to check off my list.”
