Page 64 of A Lady's Dangerous Secret
“I have a lot to tell you. Arthur has been staying with you at night for propriety’s sake, but I have been allowed to sit with you during the daytime with Bailey present.”
Charlotte’s eyes roved around the unfamiliar room, catching sight of her lady’s maid dozing with her sewing on her lap. “Where are we?”
“One of the Rowley’s bedrooms. After you stabilized, Dr. Stone said we could move you from the drawing room to a more comfortable situation.”
“How long has it been?”
“Several days. Arthur and I have been easing you off the laudanum as quickly as we can. I saw too many sailors chase the dragon and didn’t want you to become addicted. How’s the pain?”
She tried to adjust herself and flinched. “It hurts, but I’ll get through it. You must tell me everything.”
“Are you well enough?”
“The suspense would be infinitely worse.”
Charlotte let out a hiss of pain when James adjusted her against the pillow that was propped up behind her.
James raised his eyebrows. Still, he did as she asked, and he told her all that had transpired. It was more than Charlottecould ever imagine. How her life had become intertwined with a long-lost son of the Duke of Westcliffe was almost too much for Charlotte to handle in her laudanum-induced state.
“You’re actually the heir to the Duchy of Westcliffe?” Charlotte could not fully wrap her mind around this development.
James shook his head. “The only fact I know is that I’m his son, but there’s no record of his marriage to my mother. We can’t prove that I’m the heir.”
Charlotte was curious. “Does that upset you?”
“Not particularly. You know what I think of theton. The only thing that matters to me is having you by my side. Lottie, I want to marry you. I know I may not have the protection of my own title, but I’ll fight with every breath I have left in my body to keep you safe. You are my everything. Losing you would have killed me. I need you.”
Tears streamed down her face. This was too much, but it felt so right.
“Yes, yes, YES! I love you, James.” She snuffled in the most unladylike fashion. After all that had happened and still with a touch of laudanum in her system, Charlotte was finally acknowledging her true feelings for James.
“You don’t know how much that means to me. I have loved you this whole time, but I knew I was never worthy of you. I still am not, but I don’t care anymore.”
Through her sobs, Charlotte choked out, “You silly man.” She tugged her hand from James’s clasp and slapped his arm.
“Charlie! You’re awake.”
Charlotte tried to stop the tears, but they kept coming. “Arthur.” She started to turn toward his voice but stopped herself as a jolt of pain shot through her arm.
Her beloved brother rushed to her side and leaned over the bed. His hair was a mess as usual, and his spectacles were falling down his nose. She loved Arthur beyond belief.
“Thank heavens—you had us all worried.”
“I’m sorry. I always seem to get myself into scrapes.”
Arthur shook his head. “Some things never change.”
“I’ll not be your responsibility anymore.”
“Oh?” Arthur responded with a knowing look in his eyes.
“James has asked me to marry him, and I said yes.” A grin spread across Arthur’s face, and he clapped James on the back.
“Good man. But could you not have waited until she could sit up unsupported? I’m afraid you have her at a disadvantage.”
Charlotte laughed tears. Arthur was always so serious and scholarly that many did not realize he was actually quite witty.
James responded smugly, “I was in the military. You always attack when your opponent is weakest.”
