Page 42 of Falling for a Footman

“Well,” her father began gravely.

“Will you turn us in, Your Grace? Will we be deported?” William interrupted in a voice so thin that it seemed he had stopped breathing all together.

Charlotte’s father sighed.

“If you would let me finish: No, you will not be deported. We have decided not to turn you in to the magistrate. We do however believe that the crimes you have committed are so severe that they need to be punished.”

William let out an exasperated gasp at his words, but the only sign that Miss Walker had heard was that her posture stiffened slightly. Charlotte saw William raise his hand to her, but letting in fall again, when it was clear that he was not able to reach her.

“Since circumstances are... as they are, the duchess and I think it prudent that the two of you will be married as swiftly as possible,” Charlotte’s father went on. “After that you, William, will depart for my hunting lodge in a remote part of the Scottish Highlands, where you will spend the next two years.”

William nodded, his complexion completely white, his eyes wide and round, but there seemed to be an expression of relief in them.

“In the meantime, Miss Walker will work in the nursery, where your child will be allowed to remain as well. Both of you will not receive pay during the two years. After the two years is up, you will return here, William, and the three of you will live together as a family. I will make sure to provide a house and a suitable living for your family. As long as you refrain from stealing again, I will refrain from telling anyone outside of this room about your deeds. Are we in agreement?”

William nodded fiercely.

“Thank you, Your Grace. You are much too kind. I could never have dreamt...”

“Your punishment will not be easy, William, being separated from the woman whom I assume you love, not seeing the child that you have fathered until it turns two... This is not an easy punishment, but I hope you will find me more just than sending you off to prison or to the colonies."

William nodded solemnly. Even though he sat several feet away Charlotte was able to hear as he gulped loudly. He was clearly beginning to understand what the punishment meant for him.

All eyes now turned to Miss Walker who was still sitting stone-faced, staring at the floor.

“Now, Miss Walker, what do you think of this plan?” Charlotte’s father asked gently.

At first, Charlotte was uncertain whether Miss Walker had even heard her father. Her posture did not change and she did not even raise her eyes. Charlotte’s father cleared his throat and seemed about to repeat the sentence, when she startled everyone by raising her head and looking straight at him.

“Thank you, Your Grace. You are most kind.” Her monotonous voice made it impossible to hear whether she was being sincere.

Charlotte’s father nodded curtly, however.

“I will consider the matter settled then. You can disclose to James later where the stolen goods are. Right now, I think that the two of you need time alone to talk about how your life will be from now on. You may leave.”

William and Miss Walker quickly rose and left the room. Charlotte saw how William searched for Miss Walker’s hand and was relieved to see that she let him take it. At least their affection for each other seemed to be genuine; they would need that to comfort themselves the next few years.

“That was very generous of you, Papa,” she muttered and looked at her father.

“Well, it was your mother’s idea,” her father told her with a soft smile as he looked at her mother.

Charlotte’s mother smiled shyly and shrugged.

“I just thought it sad that the two of them would be separated for a long time. They do seem to care genuinely about each other,” she said.

Charlotte’s father took her mother’s hand and squeezed it, giving her another tender look, before turning to James, who was still standing by William’s empty chair.

“Now, Lord James, why don’t you sit down next to Charlotte, I think there is another matter we need to discuss.”

Charlotte felt nauseated at his words, and she looked startled at James as he slowly sat down in the chair next to her, avoiding eye contact with her. Lord James... she had not even thought to ask for his surname and now she learned that he was in fact the son of a peer of the realm. A younger son, since her father was using a cursory title, but a son, nevertheless.

The pieces were falling into place so fast that her mind was at work to keep up with them. The letters. The piano lessons. The trunk and shoes of good quality.

“The Marquis of Riplingham is your father,” she blurted.

James had an almost pained expression on his face when he turned to give her a curt nod.

“I apologize, Lady Charlotte. I should have mentioned earlier when you discovered that I was the investigator. I can honestly say that it slipped my mind...”

If he continued speaking Charlotte did not hear it. Her heart was drumming so hard that she was not able to hear anything. He had said that he was not good enough for her. Had it all been a role he was playing? Had what they had done all been part of him being undercover? Had he used her to gain information?

Charlotte gulped several times but was unable to swallow the lump that was gathering in her throat. She needed to get out. She needed to be alone. She needed air.

“If you will excuse me, you don’t need me for this part of the conversation,” she was able to press out, before she rose, bumped into James’s knees as she passed him, but kept on walking towards the door without hearing any protests.