Forged In Love

Chapter Seven

Henry followed Charlotte into the smithy. He wasn't done talking to her.

"You mean to tell me that your father just gave up being the steward of this land because he didn't have a son?!" That was the most unbelievable statement Henry had ever heard, but it must be true because here she was toiling away, and she clearly knew what she was doing. To think a grown man could behave like such a child, and abandon all his responsibilities like that. If her father were alive, Henry would give him a piece of his mind.

"Yes, that is exactly what i am telling you. And as much as I need to get married, I really don't want to subject these poor people to more of that. They work hard and deserve to be provided for. That is exchange between lord and servant, is it not?"

Charlotte hadn't stopped her movements as she spoke. Clearly, she was serious about getting her work done.

"Charlotte, what you have done for these people is most admirable. You are a wonder of a woman. When I came here, I had no idea what was waiting for me. I had never heard of this place or your father. I certainly never thought I would become a duke one day. What I have found here is beyond my imagination. You have done a brilliant job of running this place. Everyone seems happy and healthy. They love you and are seriously loyal to you."

Henry stepped up beside her, "Faced with an impossible task, you took on responsibilities that you shouldn't have had to. You have shown me exactly who you are. I just hope I can be the partner you deserve."

Charlotte stopped mid-movement and turned to look him in the eye. He really was a handsome man. His eye was the color a rich chocolate and just around the pupil there was an amber ring. It was beautiful. Charlotte could get lost in that eye.

As her gaze met his, Henry noticed how bright her green eyes were. They almost sparkled...like emeralds with gold rings around the pupils. There were depths in her eyes that he wished to explore. Henry reached out with his left hand and took the hammer out of her right hand and set it aside.

"I am not sure how to prove to you that I am not like your father, but I assure you that I am a man of honor, duty, and principle. I believe we can be a good match. The only goals and ambitions I have now, are to settle down, have a family and prosper.

Something deep inside Charlotte told her that she could trust Henry. At the very least, he was even tempered. Other men would have thrown a fit to see their future bride working a forge. Nodding her head, Charlotte decided to trust him and be open with him,

"Well then, now that that is settled, I suppose I should get back to work and get this done. Then we can plan our wedding."

" Charlotte, are you completely sure you want to marry me?" As soon as Henry asked, he wished he could take it back. It was a question brought on by insecurity and silliness.

"Henry, we may not know each other very well, but I think you are right that we will make a good match. We will have plenty of time to get to know each other and raise a family."

"Do you mind if I stay a while and watch you work? I would very much like to see the final piece and the process."

"Not at all, My Lord. Feel free to stay and watch."

"Please call me Henry. We are to be married in two days. I think we can forgo the formalities."

"Very well Henry. Please call me Charlotte."

"How about Lottie? I rather like the name the villagers have given you."

"You do? Well, if it pleases you, then you may."

Having gotten that out of the way, Henry settled himself on a stool and watched her work. He was entranced by her movements. Henry had seen plenty of blacksmiths work, and as he sat there and watched her work it was a completely different sight. She moved with a purpose, but also an elegance. Everything she did was so smooth, almost like a dance. When he watched her face, he could see the focus in her eyes. This wasn't something she played at, this was serious to Lottie. Blacksmithing was work and art for her. Henry had thought she was beautiful before, but there was something different in the way he saw her now. Henry really couldn't put his finger on it. Was it the way her muscles flexed beneath the fabric of her sleeves, or the way loose tendrils of hair curled around her face? Maybe it was the stubborn set of her jaw or the way her checks were flushed. It all almost reminded him of...OH GOOD LORD. Henry knew exactly what he was reminded of. She looked like a woman in the midst of passion. With that revelation, Henry could feel a stirring in himself. Would she look like that when they were together? He'd be damned if she didn't. Lost in thought about what their future love-making might look like, Henry didn't hear what she had just said to him.

"I beg your pardon, what did you say?"

" I said that I was almost done. I just need to sharpen the blade, and then one of the boys could deliver it for me."

" One of the boys? Oh, one of the Winslow boys. Do they handle all the deliveries for you?"

"Of course. Who wants to buy a sword from a woman? They do all the public work for me."

"Just one more reason you have succeeded. You are a very intelligent woman, Lottie. I rather like that."

"Is that so? How funny. Most men don't want a woman that is smart at all. Easier to control a stupid woman."

"I have no desire to control you."

Charlotte was surprised by his statement, but really she shouldn't have been. Henry was quickly showing himself to be very different from other men. He seemed to be interested in her mind and her body, if she read his expressions correctly while he was watching her work.

"Do you ever go on deliveries, Lottie?"

"No. I don't want anyone to associate the blades with a woman."

"So you have never seen the reactions of the customers' faces when they are presented with one of your works of art?"

"No, I haven't."

"Well, seeing as this might be your last order, I think we should both go with the boys. You deserve to see how happy your customers are."

"You know, I think you are right. I will go. But not as Lady Charlotte."

"Agreed. Then I should let you take care of the details. You just let me know when we are to leave."

With a nod of his head, Henry headed back down the hill to wait for Lottie. While he walked, he thought about what he had just seen and his own reaction to it. There was something very sensual about watching her work the steel and command the fire. She was like an ancient goddess, and he very much wished to worship her. Lottie intrigued him, and made him rethink what he thought was a good wife. He had definitely never met a woman like her. To begin with, she was very tall and almost as muscular as him. That made sense now, yet she was also very feminine. She was beautiful, but seemed not to even notice that she was. To be fair, though, she hardly had time to notice since she had other things to think about. She was also very smart and straightforward. Yes, Henry thought, their marriage would work out nicely.