Almost, Completely His

Chapter 20

Celeste

“Make sure to say hello to Charles dear, he’s been ever so gloomy since Arthur left.” Theodora said and she smiled sadly.

The Earl was at her side and while they both smiled at me there was a deep sadness in their eyes.

We were now at a tea party at Lady Thompson’s three years after Arthur had left. It had been three long years since we had heard from Arthur, yet Theodora and I hadn’t lost hope that we’d hear from him.

“I’ve reached out to commanding officers and they’ve told me that they’ll try their best to reach him,” the Earl said and squeezed his wife’s hand. “We haven’t lost hope.”

I nodded, trying to smile. I looked over at Charles who was standing outside on the porch. His auburn hair was neat as always and his thin mustache was trimmed over his full lips. His green eyes seemed tired and he had deep frown lines.

He was still ever so handsome but there was a deep sadness in him that broke my heart.

“I talked to him earlier, he definitely is trying to hide his sadness,” Enrique said. He was standing next to me with a small glass in hand. I noticed a group of girls next to us eyeing him up and down and giggling.

In the past three years Enrique had gained popularity as a charming, flirtatious man who could get a woman, married or not, blushing and gushing- in both London and Spain.

He would have no problem finding a bride. Which caused me to ask about Charles.

“How has Charles felt about finding a wife? I know it was a subject of conversation for the past three years.”

Theodora and the Earl sighed. “It’s been a conversation for longer than three years.” The Earl said. “But he hasn’t made much progress. If any to be honest.”

I raised my eyebrows. “But he’s so great. And I’ve seen young ladies show tremendous interest.” I looked at my brother who looked straight ahead avoiding eye contact. “Are you two keeping a pact of remaining single together or something?”

Enrique shook his head but looked straight ahead. Jaw tense. “Of course not. What an absurd question.”

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“This is a bore.”

“Rachel this is your mother’s tea party!” I said laughing.

Rachel shrugged. “It’s still boring.” We both sat in the shade outside while others promenaded around the gardens. I caught glimpse of Enrique talking and laughing with a girl with blonde curls and a bright pink dress. She laughed loudly and batted her eyelashes.

“That’s disgusting.” Rachel said looking at them.

I nodded. “That’s Sarah. From what Charles has expressed in his letters she’s been constantly pursuing him for the past two years.”

“I’m assuming Charles politely turned her down.”

“About five times. But she won’t stop. When I arrived he told me that she was furious when he last told her. So I guess she’s trying to make him jealous by flirting with my brother.”

Rachel snorted and a man nearby glanced disgustingly at her. “If I know anything is that your brother is not interested at all in marrying. Poor girl is wasting her time.”

“More than she knows,” I said.

“What an i***t. Laughing loudly and trying so hard to flatter a man.” She wrinkled her nose.

“Oh stop it. I’ll laugh when it’s you doing that soon.”

“Not likely. If you hadn’t noticed I don’t exactly have a line of suitors waiting to talk to me.” She said shrugging.

I wanted to argue with her but it was true. Most men ignored or overlooked Rachel. She preferred to keep quiet and stand in the background.

She didn’t dance, converse and barley looked at any man. Sometimes I felt like she didn’t want to be noticed.

I didn’t know why, she was beautiful. And really funny, in her dry sarcastic way.

“Well they’re all all hideous anyways.” I said and she laughed.

We sat in silence and out of the corner of my eye I saw Charles walking to the hedged maze in the garden. He kept his head down walked quickly.

“Excuse me Rachel, I’ll be back.”

I tried to catch up to Charles. I hadn’t talked to him the entire time and I wanted to check on him. But as I entered the maze but he was no where to be seen. I turned corners and walked down paths. I kept quiet trying to hear any footsteps.

I suddenly heard his laugh. He talked in a low voice and I eagerly walked in his direction.

Was he with someone? Did he have a secret affair? I got excited wanting to catch Charles in the act and see who was able to make him laugh despite him looking so somber.

I quickened my pace and turned a corner expecting to bump into a dead end, but what I saw knocked the breath out of me.

“Charles?” I let out.

Charles looked up at me, his neck flushed and lips swollen. His eyes bulged when he saw me and I saw panic and horror fill his eyes.

“Celeste!”

I looked at the person in his arms who was also looking at me in horror.

This couldn’t be happening.

———————————

The next five minutes were a blur.

All I remembered was trying to make my way back to Rachel with Charles running frantically behind me. I gripped a chair to regain my balance.

As soon as Charles stepped out Sarah raised her voice.

She’s pointed to Charles who looked scared to death.

Everything was blurry and my heart was pounding in my chest. I looked at Charles who was shaking with fear and next thing I know I’m talking.

Everyone turned to me in shock and Charles shook his head at me but I ignored him. Rachel stood carefully and looked at me with wide eyes.

Father and Enrique came into view, both angry and confused.

“It was me.” I said louder so I could hear myself.

“It was me in the garden.” I said raising my head and looking at them all in the eye.

My heart tightened, breaking at the fact that I was breaking my promise to Arthur but hurting at the idea of leaving Charles to sharks.

Sarah looked at me in anger and disbelief.

I straightened up, her face giving me more courage.

“It was me. I tempted him, and he kissed me.” I raised an eyebrow at the crowd daring them to argue with me. “And I don’t feel guilty about it.”

They all gasped and I narrowed my eyes at them. “And I refuse to be told otherwise.”