To Dare a Rogue - Lana Williams (novels for beginners TXT) 📗

much. James had the same concern and soon left him to pace the corridor outside his father’s bedchamber while the doctor examined the lord.

Charlotte sat on the settee, staring into space, her hands folded on her lap. She remained silent and still, her face pale. He dearly wanted to know what she was thinking but each time he approached, she only shook her head as if too overcome to speak.

Lady Wynn appeared stunned as well. She held tight to the needlework on her lap though James had yet to see her take a stitch.

Guilt slid through him, unnerving and unwelcome. Had they pressed Lord Wynn too hard? Had stress caused his heart to give out? Perhaps James should’ve spoken to him alone again after all. Or perhaps he should’ve asked Edward to speak to Lord Wynn on his behalf. Or...

He halted his circling thoughts. The advice his commanding officer had told him so often rang through his mind. I prefer to regret the things I’ve done rather than those I haven’t.

How true. A look at Charlotte proved he’d been right to do all he could to win her hand. Any other option was impossible to consider. A life without her would be no life at all.

Love welled inside him, and he moved to take a seat beside her, trying again to think of what he could say or do to ease her worry.

“Charlotte?” He kept his voice low, barely above a whisper as he reached for her hand, shocked at how cold it was.

She turned to look at him, her eyes wide and filled with fear. “I wish—”

Before she could finish the thought, Edward walked haltingly into the room, his pale face etched into taut lines as he glanced at his mother then Charlotte, and finally James.

Charlotte stiffened and pulled her hand from James’ to stand and James followed suit. “Father?”

Edward’s lips twisted then his gaze shifted to his mother. He shook his head. “He’s gone. The doctor said there was nothing he could do.”

“Oh!” Charlotte placed a trembling hand over her mouth as she blinked back tears.

James put his hand on her shoulder, but she moved toward her mother and knelt beside her chair. Lady Wynn showed little reaction to the news, her body stiff. Edward joined Charlotte, and they each took one of her hands.

“Mother?” Edward spoke gently. “Did you hear me? I’m so sorry.”

Lady Wynn looked at Edward after several moments passed. Then she nodded as tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry too.”

James remained where he was, witnessing the painful moment, his heart aching, all too aware he could do nothing to ease their grief. Lord Wynn might have been an irritable man with little good to say about anyone or anything, but he had still been their father and Lady Wynn’s husband. Their lives wouldn’t be the same without him.

Worst of all, James was to blame for his passing. He took several steps closer. “My deepest condolences.” How insufficient the words seemed.

Edward offered his mother a handkerchief, and she dabbed her eyes and drew a shuddering breath. “I want to see him.”

“Mother—” Charlotte began to protest.

“We shall all go see him and pay our respects before we discuss what needs to be done.” Lady Wynn lifted her chin and edged forward in her chair, giving both Edward and Charlotte no choice but to stand. “I want to speak with the doctor myself.”

James moved closer, his gaze on Charlotte.

She turned toward him, her brow puckering as she saw him, making him think she might have forgotten he was there. Then she moved toward him, wiping away a tear.

He offered her his handkerchief which she took. “Perhaps it’s best if you go,” she said as she twisted the linen between her fingers.

“I could wait here,” he began, not wanting to intrude but hoping to lend support in whatever way he could. “I want to help however I can.”

“No need. Why don’t I send word if we require assistance?”

Though he wanted to protest, he held back. “I am so very sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you.”

Edward escorted his mother out of the room without looking at James, causing unease to curl through him. Did Edward blame James for his father’s death? Did Charlotte?

“Charlotte, I—”

She shook her head, her gaze focused on the floor. “Please go.”

~*~

The days following that terrible moment passed in a blur for Charlotte. Her father’s body had been laid out for mourners to pay their respects for two days. Word spread quickly, and the visitors had been numerous.

Margaret called on her, which Charlotte appreciated. But despite numerous messages from James, she held off seeing him. How could she when her selfish wish to spend her life with him had caused her father’s death?

Her mother never said as much, but Edward nearly had. The three of them had gathered around her father while he still lay in his bed after her mother had spoken with the doctor—after Charlotte had asked James to leave.

“I should’ve spoken to him privately,” Edward said as they stared down at him. “I never guessed this would happen.”

“I’m the one to blame,” Charlotte insisted. “If I had only done as he told me, he’d still be here.”

“Neither of you are to blame.” Her mother studied her husband for a long moment then reached out to briefly press his hand. “I will ask his valet to prepare his body.” She left the bedchamber, leaving Edward and Charlotte alone.

“This morning was a terrible mistake,” Edward said. “One that can’t be undone.”

Guilt warred with grief inside Charlotte, clogging her throat, causing more tears to fall. He was right. “I am so sorry.”

“I don’t know what I was thinking,” Edward continued. “I should’ve realized how upset he’d be to have not only his plan for you changed but his debt revealed. And now it’s my debt.” He ran a hand through his hair then tipped back his head as if it were too much to endure. “All his problems, including the debt, are mine now.”

That phrase