''The Duke is a man of honor. You have brought shame on our family. The Duke has threatened us with prosecution for damages to his reputation. It could ruin us. It's all your fault. You are selfish and undeserving. You could have been a Duchess. But it seems you were happy to consign yourself to the gutter, with a murderer. I am pleased to tell you he will be hanged. And good riddance. The whole business has made me so upset. I'm going to lie down.''
Charlotte couldn't control the sobs that wracked her body as her mother left the room. Tears began to well up in her father's eyes as well.
''Charlotte. You know I love you dearly. I want to apologize to you for being such a weak father. You mother is a tyrant, and I have accepted her behavior on too many occasions. I promise you, I will be stronger for you against her in the future.''
''I don't know why you don't leave her. She is terrible towards you, and she is a spiteful mother.''
''Your mother is a wealthy woman. And although a woman's wealth becomes her husbands at the time of marriage, I have always respected the fact that it was her wealth that gave us this lifestyle. I will not abuse her trust.''
''Father, what am I to do? I love a man who will be hanged. I want to die with him.''
''Please, my love, do not talk like that. In time, you will come to terms with the situation and move on with your life. My dear, you are just twenty-one. You have your whole life ahead of you. You will meet someone else one day and live a happy life. I suggest you go back to London and forget about happenings here. I will write to you and come and see you when I am able. Perhaps you would like to see Mary before you go.”
''Is she here?''
''Yes, I brought her back from the Duke's. I am afraid you will find Mary a much changed young lady. She suffered some terrible abuse while she was in the employ of the Duke. I believe, that now, she is as happy as it is possible to be, under the circumstances.''
Charlotte ran to Mary and hugged her when Mary entered the room. ''I am so sorry, I left you. Please forgive me. I thought Mr. Bellingham would bring you to me.''
''He would have Miss, but he was arrested. I am only thankful that your father rescued me. The Duke did some terrible things to me. I am afraid I won't be able to bear............'' Mary broke down before she could say, 'children.'
''Oh Mary,'' Charlotte said as she held her and stroked her hair. ''What has he done to you? I am so sorry for getting you involved in this mess. I will make amends, I promise.''
''You should leave, Charlotte. I don't think it's safe for you to be around here. If the Duke hears you are here, I am sure he will do something terrible.''
''Mary, look at me. I will do what is right now. For everyone's sake.''
Chapter 7
''Charlotte, what a surprise. How dare you come here after running away and leaving me for dead,'' the Duke said. Charlotte was standing in the same cold reception room she and Mary had stood in when Ralph had returned them to the Duke some months ago.
Charlotte looked at him and winced at what she was about to say. ''My Lord, I have come to you today to offer you my sincere apologies. I have made a grave mistake, and I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me. It was wrong of me to deny you my body and my soul. I have learned a valuable lesson, and I promise you, if you take me back, I will prove to be the most caring wife you could wish for.'' ''Take you back, do you think I am mad? You are a.....''
''My Lord, please accept my apologies for interrupting, but I would like to ask your kind permission to come closer to you. I have something I think you will like.''
''What on earth could you possibly give me that would change my opinion of you?''
Charlotte stepped towards him, looked him in the eye, and lifted her skirts. She put a hand to her drawers and lowered them. The Duke swallowed hard as he looked at her most secret part. ''This is for you, My Lord, and you alone. You can take me whenever you chose. I promise you, if you take me back as your wife, I will always be wet and ready for you. Here, feel.'' Charlotte took his hand and rubbed it over her vulva. ''All this will be yours, forever. Please consider carefully before you deny me.''
''And what should I do in return? I feel there is something you want from me. Surely, you haven't just come back to tell me you want me, without attaching conditions. Not after you have run away twice.''
''My Lord is very perceptive. I bow to your foresight. I have just two things to ask. First that you drop the charges against my parents.''
The Duke raised his hand to his face and sniffed. ''If you promise to give yourself to me as and when I command, I shall indeed drop the charges. Your parents are, after all, an insignificance. And what is your second request?''
''That you ensure the release of Mr. Bellingham.''
''Ha. Now, madam, you are overstepping the mark. That will not happen. The man is a would-be-murderer. If I weren't so strong, I would be dead now. No, that man will hang for what he has done. Of that, there can be no doubt.''