Ruined And Redeemed(3)

Looking down at her, his eyes searched her face, confusion mingling with the rage so clearly edged in his features. “Why not? Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t go out there and challenge him.”

“Because he’ll kill you,” Charlotte sobbed, knowing her words to be true. “Believe me. He doesn’t fight fair. If you get in his way, he will kill you. And I’d rather marry him than lose you. You’re the only one who−”

“Marry him?” Kenneth’s eyes bulged. “Are you out of your mind? After what he did to you, why would you even consider−?”

“Because my father insists on it.” Swallowing, Charlotte looked into his eyes, remembering the moment she had gone to her parents for help, certain that they would protect her.

She had never been more wrong.

“What?” Disbelief written all over his face, Kenneth stared at her. “Why?”

As her hands began to tremble, Kenneth reached for her and pulled her into his arms, holding her tight until her body began to still. “He said,” Charlotte began, remembering the look of disappointment on her father’s face, “that I should not have allowed him to take advantage of me.” As fear surged to the surface, she lifted her head and looked at him, her eyes pleading. “But I…I didn’t. I tried to stop him. Believe me.” Agonising sobs tore from her throat as she pleaded her case. “Please, believe me. I tried. I−”

Once more, Kenneth lifted her head and made her look at him. “I never thought I’d say this,” he forced out through clenched teeth, and Charlotte’s heart stopped, terrified to see him turn against her…just as her parents had, “but your father is not the kind of man I thought him to be.” He swallowed, raw emotions underneath his calm exterior. “You,” he looked deep into her eyes, imploring her to believe him, “have done nothing wrong. Do you hear me? This is not your fault. None of it!”

Closing her eyes, Charlotte sagged against his shoulder, and once again, his arms held her tight.

Until that moment, she hadn’t realised how desperately she had needed someone to believe her, to not accuse her of wrongdoing, but to stand by her side…even if there was nothing he could do to help.

“Look at me,” he said once again, and she opened her eyes. Holding her gaze, he smiled, “Marry me.”

Charlotte’s eyes opened wide. “What?”

“Marry me,” he repeated, “and I swear I’ll protect you. That man will never lay a hand on you again.”

At his offer, a faint hope began to blossom in her heart, but Charlotte immediately crushed it. “No, I can’t let you do that. You can’t−”

“That is for me to decide,” he insisted, his gaze unwavering. “Your parents demand that you marry him to avoid a scandal, is that not so?”

Swallowing, Charlotte nodded.

“Then marry me instead,” Kenneth said, his warm hands wrapped around her chilled fingers. “If all they care about is to avoid a scandal, then marry me.” Holding her gaze, he nodded. “This is the choice you have: either I go out there and kill that bastard,” the muscles in his jaw tensed, and he swallowed, “or you marry me and give me every right to protect you from him.”

“But−"

“It’s either or,” he interrupted. “And don’t for a moment think that you can talk me out of it.”

Surprised beyond comprehension, Charlotte stared up at him; yet, deep down, she had known that he would be her only hope. She had been so afraid for him to find out, not because she’d feared he wouldn’t believe her, but because she’d known that he would sacrifice himself to save her.

A soft smile tugged on the corners of his mouth. “Marry me,” he said once again, and Charlotte wished she had the strength to refuse him.





Chapter One – Smoke & Fog



England, spring 1807 (or a variation thereof)





Three Years Later





Like a monster advancing, smoke curled out from under the closed door, reaching out its talons for her.

As though in a daze, Charlotte stood alone in the middle of the long corridor, eyes fixed on the nightmare slowly materialising before her. Could this be real? She wondered. How ought she to know?

Ever since … she couldn’t remember. Ever since when? It had been a long time since a clear thought had occupied her mind. All she could remember was the strange fog that hung about her, keeping her separate from the world around her, keeping her safe.

Inside the fog, it was dim and cushioned. There were no loud noises or bright lights. No pain or regret. Nothing. It was as though she were floating in water. There was nothing sharp or hard, but simply a liquid essence of life, carrying her wherever it chose.