“No. What I need is to understand why I haven’t been told this information until now. How could you do this to me?” he asked, lifting his head to reveal his eyes glistening with tears. “I would have helped you.”
“Your father was aware of the pregnancy. There was no secret. You were already wed by the time I discovered my condition, and my choices were limited. I cannot explain why he never told you,” she spoke softly, her eyes blinking back tears. “My father told me to never speak of her origins. He had an understanding with the duke. It was in all our best interests to protect the secret.”
Emotion that had been suppressed for years lifted to the surface. The loneliness of isolation, the shame of holding a secret that she would have rather announced to the world in pride, and the pain of hiding a daughter she loved so dearly.
Perry gave a frustrated growl and slammed his fist on the table. Unfortunately, it was his injured arm, and he yelped in pain. As she watched him rub his shoulder, she searched for words to ease his anger or temper his sadness. There were none.
“You have been mistreated, and it was all my fault. I can think of no other solution than to do the right thing to repair the situation. You must understand,” Perry insisted. “I hope you will be amenable to my proposal.”
Swallowing nervously, Charlotte nodded. She dreaded what exactly he believed repairing the situation would entail. What if it meant losing her daughter?
“I understand. We must do what is right for Aurelia, though I can promise that we have both been happy here.”
Tears filled her eyes, unbidden. She could not lose her daughter. It would be like ripping her heart directly out of her chest. Herwill to live would dissolve like sugar in swirls of hot tea. “Please do not take her from me.”
Understanding her fear, Perry shook his head. “I will not take her from you.” He reached out a hand to hold hers. Charlotte flinched at the touch. “I believe she has been deprived of one parent for long enough. I would not separate her from the only one she has ever known.”
Charlotte cast her eyes down, needing relief from his relentless gaze. There were few solutions that would keep her close to her daughter. She was cast out from society, or would be once the secret was out. Becoming his wife would be a balm to a difficult situation. A safe harbor in which to weather the storm. The warmth of his hand on hers was reassuring. Perhaps together, they could find a solution. The power was entirely in his hands.
“Will you acknowledge her?” Her voice was rough as she spoke the words.
He scoffed at the question. “Of course. I have no reason to doubt your character. I take full responsibility for the actions leading up to her conception. I was a very eager participant in our young courtship, if you will recall. Perhaps misguided and irresponsible, now that the consequences of my actions have come to light.”
“I was a willing accomplice.” Her gaze flicked to meet his. Warmth flooded her cheeks at the admission.
“Yes, but it never occurred to me that the consequences would be all yours. I believed we were careful, though not careful enough.” He pulled his hand away and reached for his wine. “It was naïve to think there wouldn’t be repercussions.”
“What will you do?”
Clearing his throat, he replaced the glass on the table after taking a drink. “There is no solution more efficient than introducing you back to society. It is time you return to your rightful place among the upper set. No more hiding.”
Fear clutched at her chest; the thought of being so vulnerable,so exposed, was terrifying. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought, her hand shaking as it gripped the stem of the glass. She had no weapons against a society that wished to tear her apart.
A woman was never equipped for such situations; they were left to face the consequences of their actions, while a man could go on living unaffected. It was the reality of their time. She was nothing and he was everything.
“They will judge me horribly. I am a ruined woman. I have committed the worst crime in the eyes of society.”
“There will be ways around that. The situation has greatly changed for me since we were last together.” Perry massaged his temples as he measured his words.
Hope flickered in her chest, daring to come to life. Perhaps there would be a way for her to avoid society, perhaps she could remain reclusive, while also being near her daughter. Yes, that would be the best solution.
Out in the world, Aurelia would be Perry’s daughter.
Charlotte could remain in the shadows, her mother behind closed doors.
Somehow.
“We will do as you see fit, but I must be allowed to see my daughter. She truly is everything to me.”
Perry gave a half-smile and shook his head. “I will not go back on that promise. I will not separate you. There is an easy solution that ensures the two of you stay together.”
Her lips tugged into a cautious smile, doubt weighing heavily on her mind.
“How?” she asked, not daring to indulge in the small flicker of hope coming to life inside her.
“Let me explain. While we were apart all these years, my status has changed considerably. I fulfilled my betrothal contract as my family expected, gaining an estate and a title through my marriage. When you and I were together, I was simply a second son with a want of property and wealth. That man no longer exists. Upon thedeath of my wife’s father, I inherited a title. I am the Earl of Winchester.” He tapped a hand to his chest.
Goosebumps scattered over her flesh at the admission. He was an earl. Powerful. As the daughter of a baron and a ruined woman who had already borne a child out of wedlock, she was among the lowest set in society. Better off discarded, forgotten, or dead. The only reason she was safe at Fermoy was because of her loving parents and their mercy. They would not have been out of place to cast her out as a ruined woman. Was Peregrine powerful enough to shelter her from the storm?
