Decision

Thomas rushed in, bringing light with him. He was surprised. "Why are you sitting in the dark?" He set the lamp down on the centre table. "You should have called for me to attend to you." He walked briskly to the hearth, scurrying around to revive the fire.

"Let it be." Charles said lowly. He needed the darkness to hide. What from, he could not say.

The other man obeyed and stayed. "Yes, Your Grace." He returned to the lamp, and adjusted it. "Is there anything I can do for you?" No one could help him, he alone could aid himself. "Or would you rather I bring Albert?"

His valet would prefer to talk, rather than listen, not that he was keen to share his thoughts with him.

He lit another cigar and took a drag. Was she really ill, or was it all a ruse to permit her liberty to meet the cad that had been arranged for her? He nearly broke his cigar in half. How dare the Fitzgeralds force a husband upon her when she never wanted to wed? She wanted to be free, why would they not let her be?

Why