William looked like he wanted to shake them both. “Please do not let her do this.”
Henry made one more attempt to dissuade her. “Even if you are willing to take the risk, and we find the blackmailer and pay them, are you also willing to risk any children we may have? Because they would be burdened with the same danger. It’s unlikely that the truth would come out, but if it did, they could lose everything. Their place in society, their security, their future.”
Charlotte didn’t even blink. Her voice was calm, steady. “Obviously, we wouldn’t have children until the blackmailer is identified and dealt with. Then, we would give it time and wait to see if they went away before moving forward. It would be a risk, but a relatively slim one, and eventually, anyone who knows the truth will die. Secrets don’t last forever, but neither do thepeople who keep them. When they’re gone, there will be no one left to tell.”
He stared at her as though seeing her for the first time. He shook his head slightly, as if trying to clear it. “I can’t believe you’re willing to do this… to make this sacrifice. For me.”
“Neither can I,” William said sharply before Charlotte could respond. His arms were folded across his chest, and his expression was thunderous. “You can’t seriously be encouraging this madness, Henry. You’re gambling with your futures. I won’t stand for it.”
“You don’t have to stand for it,” Charlotte replied, her tone clipped. “Once again, it’s not your decision to make.”
William’s jaw tightened. “I’m your brother. I am legally responsible for approving any marriage you make, andonce again,I will not approve this. It’s too dangerous.”
Her cheeks flushed. “And what would you have me do? Marry Sir Leonard? Shrink into a quiet corner of society as a spinster, or wait to be foisted upon some ancient peer with gout and three dead wives? If you won’t approve my marriage to the man I love, I shall simply run away. I have some small means.”
Henry’s head came up at that, eyes wide. “Charlotte.”
“Don’t worry,” she said, forcing a brittle smile. “I couldn’t really run off. I know my family wouldn’t let me. But neither will I dance to anyone else’s tune for any longer.”
Charlotte felt as though a dam had burst within her, setting free all of the feelings and frustrations she had repressed over the years. However precarious her situation, for once she knew she possessed the inner strength to deal with it. This crisis had leant her a resolve that she had never experienced before. She and her friends had decided to steer their own futures and she wouldn’t waver now.
Henry began to pace, agitation rolling off him in waves. “I don’t want anything to happen to you,” he said at last, stoppingin front of her. “You don’t understand what this secret means. I’ve kept it buried for years. We thought we were safe. Now that we aren’t, we can’t just... pretend there’s no danger.”
“I’m not pretending anything,” she said softly. “But you’re frightened because of a ‘maybe.’ A ‘what if.’ And I refuse to let fear make every decision for me. What I’m suggesting is not recklessness. It’s a calculated risk. And from where I’m standing, the risk is no greater than continuing to do nothing and hoping the blackmailer loses interest.”
Henry exhaled, long and slow.
William looked between them and then shook his head. “This is insane. You can’t be serious.” But he sounded less angry now. Charlotte knew her brother, and he was weakening.
“I am completely serious,” she said. “But no one needs to decide anything tonight. Henry, I know this is a lot for you to decide. I’m not asking for an immediate answer. Just that you consider it. And that we all start strategizing how to find out who this blackmailer is.”
There was a long silence.
Then, Henry gave a tight nod. “I’ll consider it.”
They both looked at William.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this to either of you,” he grumbled. “But yes, I’ll think about it.”
Charlotte stood up, sensing the edge of her courage had been reached. Any more, and she might begin to cry again. “Good night, William. Henry.”
She felt their eyes on her as she walked sedately to the door. She slipped out of the library and walked as calmly as she could through the corridor until she reached Felicity’s room.
When she knocked, it opened almost immediately to reveal all five of her friends already gathered inside as though they had been expecting her. She had no doubt that they were on tenterhooks for her news.
“Well?” Adeline asked, not even giving her a chance to enter. She tugged her in and shut the door before hurrying back to her seat.
“Tell us everything,” Genevieve said, leaning toward her.
Five pairs of eyes stared at her in anticipation.
Charlotte shook her head. “Not everything, I’m afraid. I gave my word to the duke that I wouldn’t speak of certain things.”
That sobered them slightly, and they gave her a moment to sit down and compose herself. Felicity passed her a glass of water and Miranda sat beside her.
“Will he marry you?” Helena asked, as ever the most forward of the bunch.
Charlotte looked down at her hands. “I don’t yet know. He tried to say he couldn’t… but also said that he wants to and that he cares deeply for me.” She felt herself flushing. “He said he would like nothing more than to make me his duchess.”
