Forged In Love

Chapter Five

As Charlotte walked to the village, her stomach began to twist and knot. She knew Henry would find out eventually what she did in the village, but she didn't know how he was going to react. She had thought about him forbidding her from going to the forge again, and that she wouldn't stand for. Henry would just have to accept that she was the village blacksmith and there was no changing that. Maybe she would get lucky and he would be supportive of her role. Of course, marrying him meant taking on a whole new role as a wife and eventually a mother. Charlotte was not ready to even think about becoming a mother. She had no idea how to be one. Hopefully, Henry wasn't the kind of man to make demands of her and leave no room for discussion. As much as Charlotte wanted to put off this little confession, she had an order that was due in a few days, and she needed to finish it. This was an expensive order, and she couldn't pass up the money. Marrying Henry would finally release the estate's money, but to him, not to her. She couldn't take care of the villagers if her new husband was as bad as her father. There was no evidence to suggest that Henry was anything like Alvin, but Charlotte wasn't going to take any chances where her family was concerned.

Before Charlotte went to the forge she needed to stop and see Mary. Mary Winslow was the kindest, smartest, and toughest woman in the village. Charlotte loved her like an aunt. Alice had tried to raise Charlotte as a lady, but Mary had raised Charlotte to be strong and use her own mind. Both women held a soft spot in Charlotte's heart. She didn't want to know what her life would have been like without either of them. Mary was a short, plump woman with brown hair that was going gray. She was married to Edward Winslow. He worked in mines like most men in the village. Together they had five children, and Charlotte had grown up with them. She considered those five her bothers and sisters. The oldest was Micheal. He was 25 and worked in mines. He was married and had three children of his own. Next was John. He was 23 and was a fisherman. As yet he was still unmarried. The middle child was their daughter, Rose. She was 20, married and had one child. The last two were a set of twins. Arthur and Angela were 16 and helped their mother. The whole family was warm and caring. They also knew how to have a good time and were the best at celebrations.

Charlotte walked up the front door and knocked. She was greeted by Mary's smiling face and a warm hug.

"There's my girl! How are you today? Going to the forge? Have you had your midday meal?" Mary was always like that. Sometimes Charlotte didn't even get to answer her questions before being pulled into the house for tea.

"Hello Mary. I am fine and, yes, I am on my way to the forge. I wanted to stop by and talk with you first. it is very important. And yes, I have already eaten." Charlotte stepped into the house and made her way to the small kitchen to sit at the table with Mary.

"Well, good lord child, what is it? You seem out of sorts."

"That's because I am. Lord Henry has arrived. He made it to the manor before the meal and, of course, I was a good host. He was fed, and I had a bath drawn for him. He wanted to talk to me after he was done, and I informed him i would be in the village, and he could talk to me there. So he should arrive in town before too long. I wasn't able to tell him anything about what I do here or why."

"That...is quite a pickle, my dear. But then again, what could you do? Does he seem like the type to anger easily?"

"No, actually he came right out about wanting to have honest communication, and not keep secrets. That is what he wanted to further discuss with me. I have to finish the order I am working on, or I am going to miss a huge payday for us all. I think he is going to understand, but I am not sure that he is going to allow me to continue working as a blacksmith. I really don't want to give it up especially without an apprentice to take over. We need a blacksmith."

"And that is exactly what you need to tell him, Lottie. If he is smart, he will see that you are right."

"Thank you, Mary. I knew coming to talk to you would help. What would I do without you?" Then Charlotte hugged her.

"Now, tell me what he looks like? Is he dashing?" Charlotte filled Mary in on how handsome Henry was, even with the scars. Charlotte wasn't bothered by the scars or the missing eye. It just seemed to add to his rugged appearance. After what seemed like forever, Charlotte excused herself from Mary's company and headed to the forge. She really needed to finish the ornate sword she was working on.

Charlotte hurried into the smithy and fired up the forge. As the fire grew with the help of the bellows, Charlotte took off her kerchief and tossed it onto the table. She rolled up her sleeves and piled her braid on top of her head. She was grateful to have a pair of John's old boots to wear while she worked. Ladies leather shoes would not give her the stability she needed. Charlotte put all thoughts of Henry out of her head, so she could focus on her work. Peter had taught her that distraction could lead to injury or death in the smithy. Once the fire was blazing, Charlotte put the rough sward blade into the fire and waited for it to heat up. This sword was for an earl that lived three counties over. Micheal often helped her with taking orders, deliveries and general sales of her work in the markets. No one would want to buy from a lady blacksmith. When Micheal was too busy she would have Arthur take care of deliveries. Neither of them ever complained, but why would they?

Finally, the metal glowed white. Charlotte took her tongs and pulled the sword from the flame and placed it on the anvil. Then, with her right hand, she brought the hammer down. The sound was deafening, but she had grown used to it over the years. The rhythm that she hit the metal with was like a song to her. Today she was finishing the shape of the blade, and then assembling the whole thing. The pommel and hilt of the sword had taken her the longest. That was where all the details were. This earl thought very highly of himself. He had ordered that there be rubies and emeralds encrusted on the hilt. Charlotte wasn't sure how he could afford it, but as long as he paid, she didn't really care. In between hammer blows she thought she heard someone calling her name. She was far too busy to stop. Whoever it was would eventually find her. The village wasn't that big, and she was the only one that worked the forge. It was only after a few more hammer blows that she remembered Henry was coming to meet her. At that thought she stopped mid-blow and looked up. Henry was standing in her smithy with an indiscernible look on his face. The only word that came out of Charlotte's mouth was "s**t".