Gerard cleared his throat. He was clearly very uncomfortable indeed, but he moved to sit beside Charlotte. He turned to face her, the blushing on his face increasing.
He wishes to continue the conversation from last night.
“Father, must we conduct this discussion in front of you all?” Charlotte asked tightly.
“Yes,” David said hurriedly, once more hiding what she thought was a smile behind his teacup.
Charlotte glowered at her father before turning her attention to Gerard. She didn’t think she had ever seen Gerard so uncomfortable, even on the night when they had first met.
“Lady Charlotte,” he murmured, turning to face her.
“Speak up a little, Your Grace,” she pleaded. “I cannot hear you.”
He cleared his throat and lifted his head, suddenly sitting beside her like the perfectly confident gentleman she had always known him to be before. He cast one cautious gaze at the rest of her family, before apparently deciding to ignore them, and settled his gaze on her.
“This is nae quite how I would have liked to have asked this question, but nevertheless, I will take any opportunity I can have.” He leaned a little toward her.
Charlotte went to lean toward him, until she heard Margaret’s teacup clink a little loudly in her saucer. At once, Charlotte leaned back again.
“After our conversation last night, ye can be in little doubt, I’m sure, of what I have to ask ye.”
I doubt it very much indeed!
Charlotte didn’t know what to think. He said he loved her, yes, but was it strong enough to defy his vow never to marry?
“Would ye do me the honor, lass, of being me wife?” The words escaped his mouth slowly, purposefully, and with complete confidence.
Charlotte could suddenly breathe again. Her heart pounding in her chest, her breath quivering, she leaned toward him and took his hand.
This time, Margaret made no sound of indignation or reproach to stop her.
“Are you certain?” Charlotte whispered. She knew to the rest of her family that this must have sounded strange, but she had toask, before she could possibly give an answer. “That you wish to marry at all?”
“I can now picture nay other future,” he whispered. “If… ye’ll have me.”
Charlotte smiled at once. Suddenly, she couldn’t remember what heartbreak felt like. She was elated, such happiness spreading through her that her palm was clammy as she entwined her fingers with his own.
“Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you,” she said hastily with a nod.
“Hurrah!” David suddenly cried from across the room as Margaret dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. “Shall we get some champagne then, instead of tea?”
“I’ll get it,” Harry cried, jumping to his feet.
“You most certainly will not. You’re still too young for champagne.”
“Oh, congratulations!” Margaret suddenly fell on the two of them in an embrace.
It was with some difficulty that Charlotte looked away from Gerard’s happy smile as Margaret kissed him on the cheek. David came over too, clapping him upon the shoulder. Where all sign of warmth had been gone before, it suddenly returned tenfold.
“You’re happy?” Charlotte murmured in confusion.
“I gave him my blessing,” David assured her. “I just had to be sure first that you would say yes. Now, come, let’s get that champagne.”
Across the room, Harry and Rose were in danger of breaking all of their champagne glasses as they got them out of the cupboard. David and Margaret ran after them to stop an impending calamity, as Charlotte found a moment to talk to Gerard alone.
“I thought…” she began, her voice tremulous.
“Forgive a fool for bein’ afraid to fall in love?” he begged of her. “I love ye, Charlotte, and I daenae wish to live me life without ye.”
