Chapter 24
1062 Words
I didn’t see Arthur the rest of the night.
I was sure that he was avoiding me.. I didn’t blame him.
But it still hurt.
It hurt knowing that the man I loved didn’t want to see me or be around me.
“Sir Arthur being back.. how do you feel Miss Celeste?” Pearl asked as she helped me out of my party gown.
She eyed me when I sighed.
“Definitely not how I imagined us seeing eachother again. Doesn’t exactly fill my stomach with butterflies..”
She helped me into my nightgown and took out the pins from my hair, letting my long dark curls fall.
“If it’s worth anything Miss Celeste, I saw how he looked at you. Before he noticed the ring..” she said, following me as I got into bed. She perched herself next to me and smiled. “His eyes were full of love, wonder and excitement. He was so happy to see you.”
My eyes filled with tears.
“I wish I would have seen that… I’d give anything to have him look at me like that again..”
“I know miss.. I do remember the way he looked at you all those years ago.” She squeezed my hand. “Sir Charles himself looked pained as well. Absolutely heartbroken.”
I nodded.
Pearl knew about Arthur and I, but she also knew about Charles. She was the first person who knew- Charles had entrusted her with his secret years ago.
It wasn’t until my engagement to Charles that I realized that the nervous conversation and avoided eye contact between them wasn’t attraction… but the secrecy of Charles’s love life.
“Yes, I can’t imagine what Charles is going through too.” I thought back to his sad eyes. He did a good job of hiding it.
He smiled, hugged and joked with our guests. He thanked them when they congratulated us on our engagement and smiled at me and his family.
But I knew him well.
I saw him scanning the room looking for Arthur. I saw the pain in his eyes when people brought him up and when guests asked us about our relationship.
“She’s the most amazing, selfless and brave woman I know..” he’d say. “She saved my life with her love.”
Why was true.. he did love me. He told me everyday how thankful he was for me and that he loved me, and I loved him.
But only as dear friends.
There was nothing romantic between Charles and I. The most intimacy we had was on the dance floor or in conversation- jokes, laughs and comfort was what we shared.
Pearl got up and began to close the curtains and blow the candles out.
“Pearl?” I asked.
“Yes Miss?”
“Will you.. will you deliver a message for me to Charles?”
“Of course.”
I quickly wrote him a note.
Sleep well. I’m sorry for tonight.
I promise you we will get through this.
Love, Celeste.
Arthur
I walked up the stairs with a drunk Frank by my side. He was singing and laughing, while he swayed with a drink in his hand.
“Your parents sure know how to throw parties my friend.” He said loudly.
I shushed him and took his drink, handing it to a servant walking by.
“Yes they do. But I swear I will lock you the garden shed next time if you don’t compose yourself.”
Frank was about to snap back when his eyes went wide.
I looked behind me and saw Charles and Enrique walking down the hall and chatting.
“Arthur! Great night wasn’t it?” Enrique asked. His deep voice booming.
“Yes. Very.”
“It’s great to have you back brother.” Charles said quickly.
I thought about snapping at him or ignoring him completely, but the way Enrique was looking at me told me I’d better do otherwise.
“It’s nice to be back and see mother and father. I missed them.” I said through my teeth.
Charles flinched. Frank let out a not so discreet wince next to me and Enrique raised an eyebrow.
“I’m sure you missed your brother too. Surely you must have.. you two were inseparable.” Enrique challenged in a low voice that made me feel small.
It also made me feel guilty.
Charles was looking at me with sad eyes. He looked conflicted yet hopeful for my response.
Memories of us playing, riding, wrestling, pranking our governess and stealing pastries from the kitchen filled my mind.
The man in front of me still resembled the charming shy boy I grew up with- the brother I looked up to, respected and would give my life for.
Enrique was very right. I had missed my brother.
More than my mother and father.
I was about to respond when Pearl walked up to us.
Her eyes bulged when she saw me.
“Well hello sweetness, I’m Frank.” Frank bowed and winked at her.
Pearl turned as red as her hair but she only smiled then turned to Charles.
“I have something for Your Grace. But I can wait.”
“It’s no problem Pearl, truly.”
She took a deep breath.
“Your Grace this is for you.” She pulled out a small piece of parchment from her apron.
“Who is it from?” Charles asked.
Pearl cleared her throat. She glanced at me but quickly looked down.
“Miss Celeste Your Grace.”
Charles nodded but I noticed him tense.
Enrique didn’t say anything and even Frank kept quiet.
Charles looked at me but instead of seeing my brother I only saw a man who betrayed me. The man who took advantage of my time away and stole the love of my life.
“Goodnight.” I said coldly.
I turned quickly and sped to my room.
Frank followed but didn’t say anything.
Good.
I would have punched him if he did.
- Writer
