Chapter Thirty-Nine

                                    

                                          
Thomas sat in the parlor, hands nervously drumming on the armrest of his chair. He'd received a missive to meet Elijah and Ayo for tea. He knew what this particular discussion would entail. He had no stomach for these kinds of conversations. He had not seen Ayo since the day she'd been taken away by those highwaymen. He was truly sorry for everything she suffered. He felt partly responsible for it. In his mind, he'd convinced himself that he'd done it save her from the noose but part of him knew, it was a selfish endeavor to separate her from Elijah. He had known for some time what was truly in her heart. She wanted to be with Elijah, a fact that pained him to accept. He had since come to make his peace with this but he was not ready to face what was to come. He still did not completely understand why but he felt compelled to be with her when he knew it to be folly. Perhaps a part of him had always envied Elijah's luck and for once he wanted to be the one who ended up with the woman. 
                          
Heels clicked against the wooden floor. The lightness of them making their bearer likely of the female sex. The sounds increasing as the person approached. Thomas spun anxiously toward the entrance waiting for them to arrive. But to his infinite surprise, Charlotte stepped into the parlor from the hallway, in a yellow day dress. Her smile was as warm as the light of a new day. That smile was the prettiest thing he'd seen in a while, it extended to her eyes and deep into her soul. He felt the veil of uncertainty lift as she neared him. 
                          
"Thomas, it's good to see you," She said placing her hand on his arm. Her gentle touch was honest and pure. Her childlike innocence, so vibrant and free. He wondered how he'd never noticed these things before about Charlie and why it took him by surprise now. 
                          
"Charlie, my dearest," He said standing to kiss her hand in the elegant manner of a gentleman, "It is I who benefits from your presence. What brings you here? I am to have tea with Elijah and Ayo."
                          
"I thought you could use a bit of moral support. I considered that this may be hard on you," She said clasping his hand on her own. "You have always been a gentle sort of man."
                          
"You are an angel and I am undone." He said, grateful for her intervention. When they were children, they would find Charlotte interference an annoyance at best but as they grew she continue to insert herself into their affairs. Her intrusions often time saved them from their own recklessness as it was saving him now. 
                          
"Think nothing of it, Thomas. They shall arrive at any moment. Let us withdraw to the day room." She said leading him by the hand. Glad he was to go. His confidence built as her hand guided him on his way to the day room. 
                          
He and Charlotte were just settled when Ayo and Elijah arrived. Thomas could not tear his eyes from Ayo. She was resplendent. She wore a soft blue gown, a chain of pearls wrapped delicately around her neck. Her mass of dark curls was fashionably piled atop her head. Her wide blue-green eyes found him and lit up with a smile.
                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
"Thomas," She said running to him and throwing her arms around him. Thomas' eyes darted to Elijah to looking for a reaction. He stood back, looking on approvingly. His jealousy had been cooled by the confines of marriage. Ayo pressed a chaste kiss to Thomas' cheek. 
                          
"There you are, Old chap," Elijah vigorously shook Thomas' hand when Ayo released him. "Please sit," Elijah offered and the four sat around a table. Charlotte rang the serving bell. The servants hastily brought in the serving dishes. Charlotte's eyes were bright with enthusiasm. She had a liking for cakes and scones. Thomas' eyes seemed to unable to leave her face and her perceptive brother did not miss this fact. 
                          
 "Thomas, I have asked you here to make right some wrongs I have done you." Ayo started. Her dainty hands floated over the table to clutch Thomas'. Their eyes met. Thomas could see the shame and pain in Ayo's eyes. He did not wish these things for her.
                          
"Ayo, you are blameless in this. I would not see you suffer any longer," He said releasing her hand. 
                          
"Thomas, I misled you when I-"She did not have the time to finish before Thomas interjected again.
                          
"Ayo, you were vulnerable a fact, that I," He paused, a flush burning in his cheeks. He felt Charlotte's hand slip into his hand and squeeze gently to show him support. "A fact that I knew and to my great shame took advantage of."
                          
"Then we are settled. Whatever slights you think you have done me consider them forgiven if you can now forgive me." Ayo asked contritely. 
                          
"There is nothing to forgive, Ayo. I am just glad that everything has been set right." A weight suddenly felt lifted from his shoulders. He knew not how long he had borne it but he was glad to be rid of it. 
                          
Lucy entered the room, her head bowed apologetically. She knew she had walked into a very serious conversation. Interrupting felt awkward. She wished to postpone it but the men waiting were quite insistent.  "Lord St. John, My lady, I beg your pardon but there are some men, one of them an African, just arrived in the Parlor. He says he is Ayo's father and he's here to take her home."