Telling herself she wanted this moment over, Charlotte hurried to the door, not bothering to check her appearance. She was in mourning, after all. Lord Samuelson couldn’t expect much. The fact that Edward would be there gave her comfort. The conversation was only one step forward. Surely she could manage to take this one step. She would worry about the next one later.
But when she arrived at the drawing room doorway, her stomach knotted with dread, Edward wasn’t in sight.
Neither was Lord Samuelson.
The tall, handsome man standing by the window sent her heart hammering. She walked in slowly, unable to understand why he was there.
“James?”
He turned to face her, his eyes holding on her but revealing little. “Charlotte.” He moved to stand before her.
“I don’t understand.” She glanced about. “Where is Edward? I thought—” She couldn’t bring herself to say what she’d thought.
“He allowed me a moment of privacy with you. But only if you agree?”
“Of course.” She drank in the sight of his beloved features, and love welled up inside her, threatening to spill over. She might have kept her distance from him over the past ten days, but that hadn’t lessened her feelings in the least.
“First, please forgive me.” He reached for her hand and held it between both of his, their warmth seeping into her. “I never thought for a moment that our meeting with your father would cause him harm.”
“Nor did I. Please know I don’t blame you.” The fault was hers.
“You’re not to blame either. After speaking with Edward, I have to believe Lord Wynn was upset enough by the situation he’d created that he was already experiencing health issues. Even the doctor mentioned it.”
“That’s true. But—”
James shook his head. “No. You are not to blame. None of us are. His problem was of his own making, and he was wrong to bring you into the solution he chose.”
Charlotte drew a long, slow breath as the truth of that sank in, making her feel less burdened than she had since his death.
“Second, I have fallen deeply in love with you.”
“Oh, James!” She blinked back tears at his words, trying to pull her hand from his grasp. “I can’t—we can’t— Lord Samuelson—” She couldn’t catch hold of her reeling thoughts. If only he knew how much she wished it were possible for them to be together.
“Charlotte.” James reached out to touch her cheek, and she couldn’t help but lean her hand into his touch, no matter how wrong it was. His warm brown eyes swirled with emotions. “Lord Samuelson is no longer a concern. That matter has been resolved.”
She stared at him in stunned disbelief as his words sank in. “Truly? I don’t understand.”
“Truly. You can verify it with Edward.” He paused to search her face. “Given that, as well as the fact that we have his blessing, may I ask if there’s any chance you might still care for me?”
His uncertainty tore at her. “James, you are an amazing man. A hero in every sense of the word. You act with courage, kindness, and honor. Always. Not only do I admire you, but I also love you with all of my heart.”
A slow smile spread over his face until he positively beamed. “You’ve made me the happiest man, my love. You are so clever and sweet. Your joy for life and quest for knowledge make me want to do the same. Going on those adventures with you pulled me out of my despair and forced me to look at life differently. Most of all, you make me want to be a better man.”
He reached for her and she gladly stepped into his embrace, thrilled at his passionate kiss. Her heart soared as she wrapped her arms around him and held tight for a long moment before he drew back to look into her eyes.
Then he dropped to one knee, still holding her hand, and she gasped, butterflies fluttering madly in her stomach.
“Charlotte, I promise to love you beyond measure always and forever. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Charlotte drew him to his feet and kissed him with all that was in her heart, desperate to show him just how much he meant to her. “I love you so much, James, and I cannot wait to be yours.” They kissed again, love and passion twining, lifting her until she felt as if she floated on air.
“I am so blessed,” James whispered as he gazed into her eyes.
“We are so blessed,” she corrected him with a grin. “This is not what I expected when I came down the stairs. I still don’t understand how this is possible.”
How could she set aside her worry over the debt to Lord Samuelson until she knew the details? Then the truth dawned on her. “You paid the debt. Oh, James.” To think he cared so much for her to take it upon himself to do so overwhelmed her.
“I was happy to. I didn’t want anything to come between us, and I would’ve paid it even if you refused me.” His sincerity touched her more deeply than she could explain.
“I thought I would have to live my life without you, and that our adventures together would be the best memories I would have. But you’ve changed everything. I love you with all that I am, James.” She held him tighter. Words weren’t enough to express how much she loved this man.
A clearing of a throat had them easing apart.
Charlotte turned to see Edward and her mother in the doorway, both looking delighted.
“May I assume congratulations are in order?” Edward asked.
“Yes, you may.” Charlotte shared a bright, tearful smile with James.
“I couldn’t be happier,” her mother said as she came forward to take their hands. “Congratulations to you both.”
“Thank you,” they
