Chapter 13 ~ Love and Memories

Charles lay upon the soft bed, his body humming with excitement and the calm of release, while Margaret quietly slumbered beside him. Her angelic face peaceful, the faintest of smiles playing across her lips as she dreamed of something. Guiltily he rose from the bed, quietly exiting the room so as not to disturb her, for he desperately needed a moment to himself as the vision of his wife wrought a painful memory…

“I am betrothed to Prince Roberto,” Annette cried out in agony as she flung herself into his arms. “Oh sweet Charles, how can I marry another when I’ve given my heart to you…” she sobbed against his shoulder, the fat salty drops soaking the cloth of his coat.

“When?” he finally managed to stammer, frightened nervousness encompassing his words as they did his emotions at the prospect of losing her to the future seat of Spain.

“Mother told me this morn,” Annette whispered sadly her blue eyes reflecting the torment she felt. “Yet that is not all…” she sighed, shifting her weight in his arms. “I am with child…”

Charles hadn’t realized he was crying until he felt the cold chill of the shed tears against his bare chest, how would he ever get over his personal torment. Knowing that he had taken her without the ability to ever right his wrongs, mournfully he let out a shuddering sob. He worried over the fate of his daughters, and wondered of the child he had never met. Did he have a boy? Silently he wished it to be as such, for the sanctity of his families title, for the child's welfare. He of all knew if Francis had bore a girl all would be lost, his shame engulfing him deeply as he meandered into the room where his and Maggie’s children slept. Their angelic faces curled into the warm linen covered bedding; tenderly he tucked the covers in over Michelle…

“Annette, are you positive?” Charles was frantic at that moment, “it is not a false alarm,” he pleaded. Fear snaking through his body as he thought of how Francis herself was several months along with his child as well.

“Yes, I am swelling and have not had my cycle for four months,” Annette’s reply was mournful, heartbroken filled with grief and fear at the situation…

Charles broke away from her embrace, his love for Annette surging through him, “Well…” he excitedly yet tentatively began. “I shall let a house in the country next month and when you give birth we shall head for America.” He offered, uncaring that their life would be a harsh existence. Unknowing that sooner or later all would come crashing down upon them. “We shall make a fortune breeding horses…”

The memories engulfed Charles very soul, the guilt at his lack of having been able to care for his dearest love, his personal torment that would haunt him the rest of his days especially now as he continued his lechery, and still he could not deny he loved Maggie intensely. “Forgive me Annette for it is now that I realize your heart was never mine to have, I vow still that I shall always love you best yet Margaret is in my heart and I cannot let her down,” he sighed out mournfully, pitifully as he lowered his head into his hands and let the sobs come…

Francis read the letter twice, before her soul was seemingly ripped from her, the man her family had chosen for her was gone.

He'd chosen another, yet not just any other, Charles had chosen a women beyond even his own title...

Heart broken and angry Francis fell to the floor, her animal sobs echoing through the room; the baby as if experiencing her torment kicked, a child she immediately loathed for it's relation to Charles, the horrid man she had once called her husband.

How had she not known? Francis cried out in agony and anger, her very mind seemingly shattered while her torment manifested itself into a physical pain.

A pain that shot through her entire body, focusing in her abdomen, Francis's eyes went wide with agony as it occurred to her, the child was coming...

Marianne lay uncomfortably upon the bed, waiting for Henry to enter, tears began to fall as she thought of this past weeks events, the sickness her inability to eat much and most distressing the lack of her monthly cycle. She knew she was with child, her worst fears were coming to play for if this was indeed the heir, she would lose everything. Henry’s words coming to her once more.

“Once you get even the smallest taste, your body will forever crave release.”

Initially she had not believed him, yet Marianne found that as the three weeks, since that night had passed she did indeed crave his body, needed his touch, wanted his kind words and attentions, especially now as she found she was in love. The mere thought erupting a bitter laugh and a fresh surge of heartache for she had fallen in love with a man Marianne would never completely have. The sound of the door opening distracted her from her thoughts, causing her to reflexively cringe. “H-Henry,” she tersely called out hurriedly ending the tears.

Henry’s heart was torn, his mind confused how could he crave Marianne with every ounce of his being, yet still long for Ava with such force and desperate need that he would if she accepted him, leave? Henry silently contemplated, as he crawled onto the bed, noticing the tears that still clung to Marianne’s lower lashes. “Mary,” he sighed pulling her soft body against his and burying his head in her falls of hair inhaling deeply the scent of lilac. “Have I upset you?” Henry whispered a pang of guilt washing over his heart, as he feared he had.

Marianne snuggled closer to her husband gently kissing him, “no Henry I was just thinking,” she lied, deciding tonight would not be the time to tell him, she would wait until after the ball, wait for the doctor to confirm, for at least that would give her an extra few days…

Marianne’s words eased Henry a bit, despite his knowledge that she was being less than truthful, he knew she had fallen in love with him. Something that weighed heavily upon him for his plan was to convince Ava to leave with him, he could not keep these pretenses up for much longer, for despite his own growing affections for his wife, they paled in comparison to the searing aching all consuming love he felt for the one he could not have. “Henry what do you contemplate upon?” Marianne’s gentle voice broke through his thoughts bringing his attention to her full lips as he leaned down and possessed them. His entire body rejoicing as she opened to him, skimming her hands over his body, down his arms over his chest and when her hand found the part of him that ached his eyes went wide with surprise, he would not have expected her to be so blatant with her desires.

Marianne had been unsure of what his reaction would be and hurriedly pulled her hand back, blushing profusely at her outward approach. “No sweet, don’t stop,” Henry shakily growled against her ear, “I like that your taking an interest,” his words although embarrassing her swelling her heart as she let go of her inhibitions, gave herself over to Henry fully and completely…

Alexander purposefully strode towards Duke George’s office, his heart beating madly with nerves and fear, unwarranted fright for he knew that neither the Duke nor Duchess would ever deny him, Ava on the other hand, was a cause for concern. She was so sweet and calm one moment, chatting amiably with him and yet when he would bring up his intentions she immediately closed herself off generally ending the situation with a biting insult with the exception of the day at the pond.

Hesitating briefly he knocked and entered George’s office, wondering if he would ever possess her heart the way she did his. A slow smile crossing Alexander’s face as he thought of her, his love, his heart he knew Ava cared for him, it was evident in her mannerisms the way she would gaze upon him when she thought him unaware. “Alexander,” George greeted brightly as Alex closed the door behind him.

“Sir,” Alexander replied confidently, “I have come to make a request…”

Beatrice rushed into George’s office, concern written across her face hurriedly swallowing her concerns as her vision fell upon Lord Alexander. “I apologize, I had not known you were otherwise occupied My lord,” Beatrice breathlessly stammered to her husband unable to resist an interest in what the conversation pertained to, especially as she noted the ecstatic and strained look upon George’s face.

George knew that there was something upsetting Beatrice, could sense it in her tense posture and the tight line of her lips, “I swear the women in this household have all seemed to forget that when my door is closed I am in the midst of business.” George sighed out playfully, despite the growing urgency within him, a small laugh erupting from him as he noticed the faint inquisitive gaze in her eyes.

Alexander smiled, unaware of Beatrice’s upset assuming it probably had something to do with the ball as he turned his vision towards her. “I do not mind, in the least and I believe that her ladyship would in fact be rather interested in our discussion,” he laughed out.

George could not help but laugh himself, “I must whole heartedly agree,” he grinned standing and walking towards his wife. “My love, Lord Alexander has purchased Orville Manor, so that Ava may stay in close proximity to her family,” George grinned.

“What does that have to do with Ava?” Beatrice breathed out in confusion, suddenly clapping her hand over her mouth as the realization sank in. “She has accepted you then?” she cried out in elation suppressing the urge to dance about the room in glee, her previous upset temporarily forgotten.

Alexander grimaced inwardly at Beatrice’s comment, “Not as yet…” he sighed sadly.

Sensing Alexander’s discomfort George took control of the conversation, “lord Alexander is in a peculiar situation, for his uncle has given him six months to find a suitable wife.” George began rather nervously. “Yet until now he has not found a bride he wishes to be unified with, for as he explained to me his values of marriage are strictly reserved to love. Which he is most certainly lost in with our stubborn grandchild,” it felt odd to be talking to Beatrice of the young lords situation when Alexander sat in the very room, yet George continued. “I have decided the match would be of great benefit, she would have a husband who loves her deeply, he will have a wife that is sure to keep him entertained.” George smiled, as he thought of it, imagining that Alexander would surely be driven mad by Ava, yet knowing in the depths of his heart his granddaughter would blossom in the passions of the young lord, and eventually allow her love for him to grow.

Beatrice stared with a mixture of disbelief heartache and nervousness upon her husband, his words sinking hard against her heart. For even though she understood what her husband explained she did not think Ava would take it. “You will force the marriage,” she sighed out fear snaking into her mind as her thoughts once again returned to her upsetting news.

“Yes we will announce the nuptials at the ball, Lord Alexander will be going to speak with her privately as soon as we are finished.” George murmured sensing Beatrice’s discomfort. “His intention is to post the banns the following day,” he finished.

At the final comment Alexander stood facing his hosts, “Duke, Duchess, if you do not mind I shall take my leave now.” He murmured for he had one final stop to make before he went to Ava, Alex had to inform his sister of the coming changes. Changes he was positive Sophia would certainly take kindly to…