Don't Look Back

Chapter 75

six weeks after Sidney's release

Charlotte paced the cottage. Boredom was her main annoyance, but it wasn't her sole concern.

She felt abandoned and was now too afraid to reach out in letters to ask what had happened to Sidney. Charlotte questioned if her heart would be able to take it if she heard the bad news. That was why Lady Susan sent her away. For her own good. Charlotte couldn't blame her.

When Charlotte heard he had been arrested for the murder of his wife, she fainted dead away and hit her head on a garden stone. Now, much recovered, Charlotte was certain she could manage serious news, but her friend wasn't too certain of that. She sent her to a cottage by the sea where she could hear crashing waves but not the sound of passing carriages. It was quite isolated here.

Charlotte knew why. Lady Susan could not guarantee a positive outcome for anyone, and this was the best way to protect her.

The last she heard from her dear friend, it had been depressing. An older man had come to the cottage in a bid to court her, and she was unable to think straight. Charlotte knew this must mean the worst for Sidney, but she feared to inquire.

Suddenly she could hear the sound of carriage wheels, and she raced to the window to look out.

It was Lady Susan's carriage. Her stomach jumped into her throat, and she felt the bile rise. It was lucky that a small bucket was near at hand, for the contents of her stomach did not stay put, and she heaved it all out. Dabbing at her face, she went to rinse her mouth out with shaking hands and drank some sweet honeyed tea before she went to the door.

There she found Georgiana and Sir Radmore were the first to exit the large carriage.

"Georgiana?" Charlotte said and came forward.

"Charlotte!" Her friend smiled. "Sorry it took us so long to come all this way, but Lady Susan hid you away from the world to protect you from scandal, and it was good she did."

"Sidney?" Charlotte's voice cracked.

Georgiana and Sir Radmore made room for Lady Susan to come out and join them.

"My dear,"

Charlotte felt her throat constrict. "He isn't?"

"Charlotte," A familiar voice came from inside the carriage, and hand moved to the side as a figure emerged.

Charlotte's knees went weak.

He looked at her and smiled.

"Your alive?"

He nodded. "I am." He had fully come out and walked without aid. His vision looked to have improved.

"You can see." She said, her voice caught. Her hand went out to reach for him but fell short.

He ventured closer and nodded. His hand gripped his cane which he leaned on for support. "Not entirely. I may rely on you to read to me in the future and perhaps for business, but I have gained back much of what I have lost. I am here to ask for what I should have had."

She swallowed and shook her head. Her head felt light, and Charlotte feared she would faint again. "What was that?"

He reached out. "Your hand." His dark brown eyes were fixed on her face and brimmed with emotion that was barely contained.

Charlotte could not believe he stood before her. The ups and downs of the past could not have evaporated behind them. She could not believe it.

"Charlotte," his voice was soft. "Will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

A breeze caught her hair and blew it about her face, and she stepped forward.

"Yes," she swallowed hard.

Sidney stepped forward and took her hand, and pulled her to him. Wrapping her in his arms, he came close.

"I never believed I would be so fortunate." He whispered before dropping his mouth to hers.