It seemed like an eternity, but it was likely less than ten minutes before I heard two sets of footsteps hurrying down the stairs and into the hallway. I saw the guard first, clearly leading the way, and then Calvin was in front of me.
“Oh, Charlotte, what have I done?” Calvin took in my dirty and worn form.
I put my hands through the opening in the door. “It doesn’t matter, Calvin.” Calvin immediately took both of my hands in his and kissed them.
“You are giving me your hands! You are not turning away from me!” he exclaimed, relief clear on his face.
“Calvin, I’m sorry. I need to be with you. Please take me away from here,” I pleaded.
“Yes, immediately.” He nodded to the guard, who instantly opened the door. I went to take a step out, but faltered, stumbling; Calvin caught me in his arms and picked me up.
“You are so weak. It is my fault. Can you forgive me, Charlotte? I will take better care of you. Please find a way to forgive me.” Calvin held me close to his chest, seemingly oblivious to how dirty I was.
“I know.” I smiled up at him, feeling wonderful just being with him again. Ruth was right; this part was a lot easier than getting down into the dungeon. Showing Calvin that I loved him was much easier because all it required was honesty.
Calvin addressed the guard again before walking away from the cell. “Hurry ahead and have Tara prepare for Charlotte.”
“Yes, sir.”
I didn’t dare look back at Ruth as Calvin carried me away, but I knew that she was smiling. I snuggled into Calvin’s chest as he carried me up the stairs; I felt his heartbeat accelerate. He kept looking down at me, trying to read my expression. He didn’t put me down until we were up in my room, and only when Tara had the bath ready.
“I guess I need to go,” Calvin said, looking toward the bath. “Call for me when you are ready, Charlotte.”
“Calvin?” I called softly after he put me down.
He stopped on his way to the door. “Yes?”
“I need to ask something of you.”
“Anything.” I noticed he looked mildly nervous.
“Could we please spend some time alone this evening? That’s what I need more than anything,” I told him in a near whisper.
“Absolutely, Charlotte, we can dine alone and have all the time we need.” He smiled brightly.
“I can’t wait.” I meant it, and not just because things were going as planned.
I took a hot bath and had some tea. I studied Tara as we sat together and realized that we actually looked a little bit alike. She seemed so relieved to see that I was back and being nice to Calvin. She stood to leave. “I assume that you want to dine with Calvin in here? I will call for him.”
Dressed in a light blue dress with a purple sash, I waited for Calvin and tried to contain my excitement.
Before long, there was a knock at my door. “Come in,” I called.
Calvin entered the room and closed the door behind him. He wore a bright smile on his face that only increased when he saw that I was smiling too. I sensed that he had been nervous that I might have changed my mind again.
He walked over to where I stood and pulled me close to him. He immediately kissed me like he had never kissed me before. It was urgent, passionate, and completely full of emotion. I could think of nothing while we kissed; it was just such a relief to be with him again. When he finally pulled away, he took both of my hands in his and put them on his chest, and we just stood there for a moment.
“I love you, Calvin.” The words came out with no warning, although I had been feeling it, I hadn’t planned to say it aloud.
“I love you, Charlotte,” Calvin said lightly. “You do not understand how good it is to hear you say that again. I knew that you never stopped loving me, but somehow I needed to hear it.”
Calvin kissed me again, taking me off guard. He moved away when a knock at the door announced our dinner. He insisted that we eat, concerned that I get sustenance after my time in the dungeon, but he held my hand throughout the meal, making it tough to cut the food. A servant entered again to take the cart, and then quickly excused herself. Calvin followed her out, and I heard him tell whoever was outside that he wanted no interruptions.
He joined me where I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled a wooden box from his pocket. He took out a small crystal rose, made of the same material as the orb and key on my necklace.
“Happy birthday, Charlotte,” he said softly, as he carefully lifted my hair and unlatched my necklace. He strung the rose on the necklace before replacing it around my neck. I picked up the chain and examined the new pendant; it was beautiful.
“Do you like it?” he asked expectantly.
“I love it; it’s perfect,” I told him warmly, feeling almost recharged by being with him again.
We lay down on the bed, and I relaxed in Calvin’s arms with my head on his chest. I didn’t move for a while. I just listened to Calvin’s even breathing while he absently played with my hair and traced my face with his fingers. I finally realized that I had to bring up the less pleasurable part of the conversation.
“Calvin?” I asked tentatively.
“Yes, love?” he said without moving.
“I’m scared.”
“Scared? Is this from your experience in the dungeon? Did you get hurt?” he asked in alarm, lifting up my face so he could look into my eyes.
“No. I’m scared that Blake is going to hurt me, retaliate somehow.” I knew my real fear was visible in my eyes.
“Charlotte, I would never let him touch you. Never. No one will ever hurt you,” he said gently.
“How can you be sure?”
“I am the Gerard; I have authority. I respect Blake’s advisement, but that advisement will not pertain to you. I learned that the hard way. He is not to be allowed alone with you. No man is now. I noticed the night of the ceremony that he made you nervous, and it was my own fault for letting him address you without me,” Calvin said, and I could tell that he meant it. “Does that quell your fears?” he asked when I didn’t respond.
“Yes,” I said quietly. “It’s just so strange being here, away from my family. I have such strong emotions, sometimes it seems overwhelming.” Without knowing it, I had started to cry. Just as he had the morning I had been thrown in the dungeon, he used his finger to wipe away my tears.
“I hate to see you sad. Please, tell me how to make you happy.”
“Is my family coming to get me?” I phrased it as Ruth had instructed, but even without the coaching, I would have known what to say.