Charity Point of View
I can't open my eyes and look at the two men and I start to sob and I feel someone wrap them arms around me.
"Charity, it's ok" I hear a familiar voice and I look up to see Ernest holding me and I lose it, and break down completely and I grip hold of him, I can't believe he won. I cry loudly and he rubs my back and he kisses my head.
"I want to go home" I sob and he looks.
"I'll go get you a horse" He whispers.
"No, I want to go back with you" I say and he looks into my eyes and makes Mr Harper hold me to make sure the Duke can't hurt me.
"I won fair and square, so I believe it's time that you called of your engagement to Lady Charity" He says and I see the duke is very much defeated.
"I believe we must, it's only fair to follow the rules, your Grace" I say and Mr Harper rubs my back.
"We don't have to do that now my lady, you need to get inside and need some rest" He says.
"Mr Harper is right, my lady, let's get you to Ledford Park" Prince Hamid says and I grip hold of Ernest as he comes over and I look at him.
"I can't thank you enough" I whisper and he held my face in his hands.
"I would take anything for Charity, I love you" He whispers and he gently leads me to my horse and helps me on and we get to Ledford Park and Ernest helps me down, my eyes are sore from the crying that I have done and we get back to Ledford Park and we go inside.
"Can we make, Lady Charity a cup of tea? One with plenty of honey, she's had a shock" Ernest says as he sits down with me on the sofa and Prince Hamid and Mr Harper also come in does Briar who I look at and she rushes over and pulls me into a hug.
"How the hell am I meant to explain this to my grandmother?" I ask.
"Charity, don't worry about that, just breathe, your ok" She whispers and I hold her and cry and she rubs my back.
"I almost lost Ernest" I whimper.
"But I'm here, Charity, we won" Ernest says and I feel him tangle his fingers in my hair and play with it.
"Can me and Ernest have some time to ourselves?" I whisper and Briar, Annabelle, Hamid and Luke all nod to me.
"I think a walk is in order" Briar says and they all go off as Ernest's butler brings through my tea.
"Thank you" I say and Ernest nods to her and she leaves and I just cuddle up to him.
"How are you?" He whispers to me and I just hold him.
"I feel relieved and traumatised" I whisper and he holds me.
"I promised you we'd be ok, Charity and we are ok" he whispers.
"I love you" I say and look up and before I can say anything else, he presses his lips to my own and I kiss back, my passion, my fear and everything in the kiss and I push him slightly in the sofa.
"Charity" he whispers and strokes my cheek, his touch soft like a feather and I look into his piercing eyes.
"Ernest" I whisper and I lean into him and realise now I can finally shout to the world that this amazing man will be my husband.
"I love you" He utters gently, his words felt so refreshing.
"I love you so much Ernest Sinclaire!" I say and I lean forward for my cup of tea and I grab the saucer and the handle of the tea cup and I take a gentle sip.
"That's very sweet" I chuckle and he smiles.
"You've had a shock, you needed it" Ernest murmurs as he wraps his arms around me.
"There is one thing I need to do" I whisper and he nods and leans back slightly, and I grab his hand and look into his eyes.
"Name it, and if I can make it happen then I will" Ernest says.
"I could really do with talking to my grandmother" I say and he looks.
"No, your not ready. If you want, I will send Briar to spread the news but you need rest and your grandmother arranged this wedding to Duke Richards and she didn't consider what you wanted" Ernest says, clenching his fists.
"She's responsible for my well-being" I say.
"I understand that but we wouldn't be in this situation if it wasn't for her" He says.
"I know but she said she's sorry and she regrets it" I say and he just rubs my arm.
"Just relax for a little bit for me, you need to just relax my love" He whispers.
"Ernest, please never leave me" I whisper and he squeezed my hand.
"I think we should pick a date to wed, if Duke Richards makes it, He will want to put any curve ball in our way" he whispers and I nod.
"I think it should be as soon as, so that way we can be sure our marriage and we are protected" I whisper.
"Yes so do I, and I promise you, we will be ok, you wait and see, within two years, we'll have children, we'll be so happy and as the Countess of Edgewater, you will enchant everyone and within a year, we will be husband and wife" he tells me and I can't help but let a stray tears fall down my cheek.
"I hope your right Ernest, I really hope your right" I say and he presses his lips to mine.
"My Charity, my love, you have made me reevaluate what real love is and I am so glad you came in my life" He whispers against my lips.
"Likewise, I've never felt so happy, I love you so much" I whisper and I wrap my arms around his neck.
"My Lady Charity, you will soon be Mrs Charity Sinclaire, the mistress of Ledford Park and Countess of Edgewater and it will be the most amazing thing, and I will show you of, the proudest husband in the world" He whispers and I press my lips firmly to his.
"Ernest" I whisper.
"Charity" he says gently.
"You know how to make a fiancée feel so special" I utter softly stroking his cheek.
"I only treat you how you are, and your pretty special" He hums as he kisses down my jaw but we pull away hearing the door slam open and we come eye to eye with the last person I want to see.