Secluded with the Rogue

Chapter 21

Twenty-One

D rew walked downstairs after a night of fitful sleep that saw him rising much later than normal. Despite Polly's attempts at bringing some cheer into the house, he found the silence oppressive as he ate a late breakfast that bordered on luncheon.

He missed the music of Charlie's laughter, the dulcet tones of her voice as she spoke to Polly, and he particularly missed the defiant tilt of her chin whenever she challenged him about something. Anything. He just…missed her.

With that painful thought, he wandered into the music room and approached the pianoforte. It remained uncovered from her original assault on his ears, so he sat down at the keys. It had been many years since he last played with any regularity, but every once in a while he felt the need to put his fingers to the notes.

So, what should he attempt?

Drew started playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata . The music spoke to his soul as he pressed the first keys and the mournful sounds erupted from the instrument. Drawing breath grew more difficult as the pain of loss intensified throughout the piece.

He loved Charlie, but could find no way in which they could be together, no way they could indulge their love without ruining the lives of so many others. He was in trade, she was a noblewoman. She had been betrothed before, she needed no further scandal.

Drew continued caressing the keys, coaxing every emotion that rattled around in his chest from the music. As the piece came to a close, moisture welled in his eyes, causing him to blink repeatedly.

Applause sounded, startling him out of his thoughts. He looked up to find not Polly, but—Lord Brookhaven?

“That was beautiful. I did not know you were such an accomplished player.”

Drew cleared his throat as he stood. “Thank you, my lord. I fear I am not nearly so proficient as my dear mother would have liked. I have not played in some time.”

“It was an excellent rendition of a tragic piece. If I recall correctly, Beethoven wrote that for his lost love.” Lord Brookhaven looked at him pointedly.

“In…indeed,” Drew nodded. “She was young and her father refused his suit when he asked.”

Lord Brookhaven inclined his head. “Do you perhaps have a moment for me?”

Curiosity piqued, Drew held out a hand toward the hall. “Why don't we retire to my study where I can offer you a libation?”

“That sounds like a welcome idea.” Charlie's father seemed far more affable than any of the last few times they had met. What on earth had occurred—and was there any chance that the man’s daughter had accompanied him?

Apparently not. As they settled by the fire with their respective drinks in hand, Drew couldn't stand the suspense. “To what do I owe the honor of your visit?”

Lord Brookhaven snorted. “I believe the last time I met you here, I was perhaps a tad precipitous in my handling of the situation.”

“How so?” Drew asked, unwilling to offer the man an easy way out of his apparent apology. The man would have to earn it.

The older gentleman took a sip of his scotch and cleared his throat. “I believe I treated you as a predator, and not the rescuer you were. My daughter has made it abundantly clear that you were a perfect gentleman. A man of honor.”

Drew nearly choked on his scotch as he digested those words. He would not call himself a perfect gentleman, but he did care for her, he wanted to marry her. Perhaps it didn't matter when their wedding night came, if they eventually reached the desired state. Or perhaps what he was about to do was not the cleverest idea in the world. “I appreciate her efforts, but my lord, I feel I must be honest with you.”

Lord Brookhaven's gaze pinned him in his chair. “About what?”

“I am no gentleman. Not now, nor have I ever been,” Drew said clearly, holding his head high. “I am a sailor at heart, a businessman out of necessity, and a man in love by a possibly cruel twist of fate, depending on why you are here.”

The other man relaxed his shoulders, though not entirely. “I don't suspect my daughter spent nearly a sennight in a house alone with a virile man and did not…let us say, make choices I would prefer she had not. But she is a woman and a strong minded one, so I do not hold you solely responsible for her conduct.” He sighed. “And on such a topic, I have also been made aware that I am the primary obstacle to the two of you finding, and I quote 'eternal happiness'. You can blame my wife for that poetic phrasing.”

Drew tried very hard to repress the grin that threatened to appear. “I see. And what, if anything, are you planning to do about that?”

“I am here to rescind my promise of retribution for sullying my daughter's reputation. You proved the other night that you are no threat to her, and truly you are nothing if not her champion. Without placing any pressure on you, I want to apologize for my hasty threat and ask your forgiveness in the matter.” Lord Brookhaven looked quite unlike himself—utterly contrite.

Drew nodded gravely. “I imagine you went easy on me, considering your suspicions. I might be less gracious when my turn comes to protect a daughter one day.”

A laugh barked free of Lord Brookhaven. “I promise my daughter's presence is the only thing that stayed my hand in becoming violent. The females in our lives are a gentling influence, whether or not we realize it.”

Drew smiled. “I can certainly agree with that.”

Lord Brookhaven cleared his throat. “I have also been instructed to extend an invitation to yourself and any of your staff who are in residence to join us for Christmas dinner tomorrow.”

Drew's heart lurched in his chest. This time, the invitation came from Charlene ‘s parents, and was approved. “That is very kind of you.”

“Do not be fooled, boy. It is a very self-serving invitation, as I fear for my life should you not accept.” The older gentleman drained the last of his glass and set it down. “I assume you will come.”

“We would be delighted to attend.” Drew followed suit and finished off his drink.

The men stood and shook hands.

“Please tell Lady Brookhaven that I appreciate the invitation and look forward to spending Christmas with you all, as do my housekeeper and stable master. They would enjoy seeing your coachman, John.”

“Excellent. No need to bring anything else, my wife has once again planned a feast fit for twenty.” Lord Brookhaven chortled and turned to leave.

“Very well.” Drew smiled and escorted Charlie's father from his home. Then he went in search of Polly to alert her to their change in plans.

D rew, Polly, and Billy walked into Brookhaven Manor with more than a little trepidation. Drew could not help but feel guilty that Polly and Billy were going to be sent off to the servants' wing to eat separately—it was their tradition to share Christmas dinner. Polly and Billy were worried the upper crust servants wouldn't welcome them, though they knew John the coachman. He suspected they—well, Polly really—would willingly suffer far more punishment than being snubbed if it allowed Drew to be with Charlie on this special day.

They knocked on the door and were greeted by the butler, who allowed them entry.

Lady Brookhaven smiled warmly as she came into the foyer. “Welcome, and merry Christmas! We are so glad you all could join us today. Polly and Billy, isn’t it? If you would like to mingle with the rest of the servants, they are in the servants' area downstairs for now, enjoying some punch and refreshments. James can show you where to go. Later, when we sit down to eat, we shall all gather in the ballroom, upstairs and downstairs celebrating together.”

“That sounds lovely, my lady. Thank you very much for including us today.” Polly curtsied and took Billy's hand as he bowed and mumbled a thank you, before dragging him off behind the Brookhaven butler.

“Thank you, my lady, for allowing them to join us. The three of us often celebrate holidays together.” Drew bowed his gratitude, his heart beating faster. Where was Charlie?

“We often do the same here at the country house,” Lady Brookhaven said with a smile. “Our London staff would probably be more offended by the gesture than appreciative, but out here we feel a bit more like family when it is just us. Unconventional to be sure, but it's how we prefer things.” She smiled. “Please, come this way. Be aware, we have not told Charlene you are joining us.”

Drew laughed. “This should be entertaining.”

“Indeed,” she said and grinned as she led him into the front salon.

“Who was at the door on Christmas day, Mother?” Charlie asked as they walked into the room, sounding a little annoyed at the intrusion. “I?—”

“It was our very special guest who we invited to join us. I believe you two are familiar.” Lady Brookhaven smiled as she stepped out of the way, revealing Drew trailing behind her.

And that was when his heart stopped.

“Drew?” Charlie rose hurriedly, surprise evident in her tone.

“Merry Christmas, Charlie.” Drew smiled at her, his face tight with how big his grin was.

“How…how on earth?” Charlie looked around the room at both of her parents, grinning as well. “I don't understand.” Her brow wrinkled. “Why?”

Her father stood up and turned her to face him. “I was given to understand that you care about Drew,” he said, shooting a pointed look at his wife. “And that I am the largest obstacle keeping you two apart at the moment. I wanted to remedy that. I may not always show it, but all I have ever wanted was to see you happy and well taken care of.”

Charlene's eyes filled with tears as she hugged her father. “Thank you. Thank you for understanding.”

“I was young and in love once too, you know,” he breathed as he hugged his daughter.

“And now you are old and in love, if you know what's good for you.” Her mother's dry tone made them all laugh. “Now, I believe we have a few gifts to exchange.”

As her parents went to settle near the Christmas Tree, Drew walked over to where Charlie still stood. “I…well. I hope this is a pleasant surprise.” He kept his voice pitched low so only she could hear.

She beamed up at him. “It is a lovely surprise if it means my father has removed his threats against your business.”

“It does. He apologized for everything,” he confirmed for her.

“Then come join us. I'm delighted to have you here.” She led him over to the tree, but stopped. “Oh no! I don't have a gift for you!”

Drew chuckled. “Do not worry, being here with you is gift enough.” He pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek.

Lord and Lady Brookhaven exchanged gifts. He gave her a lovely pendant, and she gave him a new, very fine razor with a filigree handle. They gave Charlie a lovely blank journal. Apparently, she wrote in one every day and her latest one was nearly full.

They also gave her a new pair of leather boots. “I do hope you will consider retiring that old scuffed up pair you insist on wearing everywhere,” her mother lamented as Charlie looked the leather footwear over.

They were not dainty ladies' boots, Drew noticed. No, these were large, clunky men's boots, though well-made and clearly of some value. “Thank you, Mother. I promise to finally relinquish and donate my old pair to the church, after I clean them up.”

“It's a Christmas miracle!” her mother declared, and they all laughed.

Drew cleared his throat. This was the moment. “I did manage to get a gift for Charlie.”

Three pairs of eyes turned to him in surprise. He felt his cheeks heat as he withdrew the small box from his jacket pocket. Well, no time like the present.

He dropped to one knee and held the box out to her. “My dearest Charlie, we have perhaps not had a terribly traditional courting, but I have known you for so long that I think we can dispense with certain traditions. I was always fascinated by you as a boy, felt compelled to protect you from even yourself at times. When you stormed back into my life, a few weeks ago, you proved that my fascination was no youthful infatuation. Somewhere between your awful pianoforte playing and finding you half frozen in the snow, I fell in love with you. Not Lady Charlene, but Charlie. You. You, the fiery woman who will always stand her ground and fight, but will also love just as fiercely. You make my life brighter and more complete. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

C harlene's heart pounded in her chest. Drew wanted to marry her? And her father was standing there not arguing or threatening him for it?

Her head swam for a moment, her lungs forgetting to breathe. She took in a long, deep gulp of air and tried to put her rampaging thoughts into some order. As much as she wanted to say yes…she had questions.

“Will you continue to go on long voyages?” Charlene stared at him, willing him to say no.

“Yes. But only if you will come with me.” Drew grinned up at her from where he knelt.

Her heart skipped a beat. “And will you attend balls or other social occasions when we are in residence?” Charlene was perhaps being a mite mean in asking this, because she wanted to attend social gatherings less than Drew did—but she knew her mother would force her to attend at least some.

Drew's eyes sparkled with mischief. “Only those we cannot avoid.”

Then she grew more serious, as she prepared herself to ask the question she knew he would never expect. “And will you promise to always call me Charlie?”

“I promise.” Drew laughed as he remained on his knee, still holding the ring out to her.

She bit her lip then grinned. “I would be honored to be your wife.”

Drew rose and slipped the ring on her finger, pulling her into his arms for a long and wildly inappropriate kiss. Her heart was full to bursting as Drew’s lips ravaged hers. All the years of waiting for the right man had truly not been in vain. Joy and perhaps a bit more desire than was appropriate swirled through her as they kissed.

A loud clearing of the throat by her father broke them apart finally.

As she got her feet under her sufficiently to stand, Charlene smiled up at Drew. “I love you, Andrew Wentworth. I don't care if we are welcomed in Society or not. I want to spend my life at your side going on adventures, and seeing the world, and being snowed in during winter far from polite company. Wherever you are is where I want to be.”

Drew looked down at her, love shining in his eyes. “It wouldn't be an adventure worth having without you. And as for being snowed in? I couldn't think of a better way to spend a few weeks. I love you, Charlie.”