The Colonial Heart

Chapter 22

                         W I L L I A M

As I gazed into Ama's eyes, I felt an inexplicable sense of wonder. The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could contain them, and I watched in rapt attention as her eyes widened in astonishment.

"I think the champagne was getting to me; you don't have to reply to that..." I trailed off, but she whispered,

"Of course."

Her gaze drifted toward the starry sky, and my heart fluttered.

"You're a lovely person, William. I'd rather make mistakes with you than anyone else."

Her voice was barely audible, but it resonated deep within me.

Emboldened by her words, I lifted her chin, and our lips met in a tender, exploratory kiss. The world around us melted away as our mouths danced together, the connection between us crackling with electricity.

Ama's hands wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer, while mine encircled her waist, drawing her near. In that moment, nothing else mattered – no titles, no obligations, no expectations. Only the thrum of our hearts, beating as one.

As our lips parted, Ama's face lingered in the crook of my neck, her warm breath whispering secrets against my skin.

I enveloped her in my arms, holding her close as the night air serenaded us with its sweet melody.

The starry sky above twinkled like diamonds scattered across the velvet expanse, bearing witness to our tender moment.

"You are enchanting," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the gentle hum of my own heartbeat. Ama's giggle was a symphony of delight, harmonizing with the crickets' gentle serenade.

In that suspended moment, I knew I was irretrievably lost to her. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, swaying to the rhythm of the night.

I felt the gentle curve of her smile against my chest, and my heart swelled with emotion.

"Would you be a gentleman and escort me home?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of mischief and a sparkle in her eyes.

I smiled, knowing that I would follow her anywhere, into the depths of the ocean or the heat of a ten blazing furnaces.

"I wouldn't have let you venture home alone tonight, even if you'd asked,"

I replied, my voice low and husky.

Ama's eyes sparkled like fireflies in the darkness, and I knew in that instant, I was forever changed by this captivating woman and her alone.

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"Oh Henry, I've done it!" I exclaimed, my voice trailing off as I gazed upon the disheveled sight before me. Henry, my dear friend, was surrounded by empty bottles of whiskey and Viceroys, his eyes once bright with joy now dimmed and gloomy.

"And then?"

I prompted, my curiosity piqued as I approached him. He looked up, his green eyes clouded with a mixture of guilt and defiance.

"I messed up," he muttered, burying his face in his palms. "But I don't regret it."

I nudged him gently, urging him to continue. "What did you do?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.

He hesitated, as if weighing his words carefully. "You wouldn't care, and if you did, you'd have me beheaded," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I smiled reassuringly. "Why would I ever harm my best friend?" I asked, and he groaned, his shoulders sagging in defeat.

"I'll enlighten you but only if you promise to be my friend for once and not the prince," he said, his eyes pleading for understanding. I nodded, and an uncomfortable silence followed.

Despite his inebriated state, I could sense him gathering his thoughts.

"There was this angel,"

he began, a faraway look in his eyes. "We became fast friends, and when you were away on business, I invited her over. We had tea, I showed her around...and then..."

His voice drifted off, lost in the memory. A soft smile played on his lips, and I couldn't help but smile too.

"And then we...did it, and now she's pregnant," he said, his smile vanishing as quickly as it appeared.

I felt as though I'd been punched in the gut. "What!" I exclaimed, shock etched on my face.

Henry just sat there, his expression resigned. "Is she a local?" I asked, trying to process the situation.

He nodded, and I knew this could be disastrous, especially if the court found out. Henry wasn't betrothed, but many ladies back home were vying for his attention.

Not only that but also his loyalty to the throne would be questioned due to the fact that he was not meant to wed a person below his status.

But alas ,I decided to set aside my concerns and focus on the present moment, I could indeed understand where he was coming from since I also feel helplessly in love with a woman I cannot love.

"Is she as lovely as my Ghanaian lady?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood with a hint of playfulness.

Henry's smile returned, and he chuckled. "She's far more stunning," he said, and I shook my head in mock disbelief.

"I disagree strongly"

Just then, I remembered my own situation. "We're courting now," I said, and Henry's jaw dropped.

"You're courting," he echoed, and I nodded, feeling the same flutter in my chest whenever I thought of her.

He looked at me, his eyes searching. "You love her," he said, and I nodded.

"Too much," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You know, Henry, my...dear," I began, choosing my words carefully. "Pursue the lady. Forget about the consequence's."

I said truthfully

Henry chuckled.

"Don't ever call me that again, and I was going to pursue her with or without your permission."

We shared a laugh then a comfortable silence lingered in the air. The pair of us most probably thinking of the women who stole our hearts

But then reality set in. "What about our parents?" Henry asked, his voice laced with concern.

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. If I told them, I risked losing my throne. If I didn't, I could continue living my life as normal...soon to be wedding Katherine....

"I don't know," I admitted honestly, feeling Henry's gaze upon me.

"You're still obsessed with the crown,"

Henry said, his voice tinged with disappointment.

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Thank you for reading have a great day/night!