Chapter 104: Suitors, Part 13

James

She’s swallowing hard, struggling to speak and she won’t look up.

“He said that…. you think you are too old for me… that you will never marry me. He said that he loves me. He offered me the ring and asked that I think about it.”

…. At least the two versions of events agree…

“That’s better.”

She’s sniffing….

…. Calm her down….

I gentle my voice. “Charlotte, look at me. Charlotte…”

…. You must understand this, Jade….

Her eyes are still downcast, so I cup her chin with my hand and force her to face me. “Listen to me. Michael is correct. I will not marry you, however I may feel about you ….”

…. the gloss in her eyes increases….

“…. And I am too old for you. You are a young woman. You will still be a young woman when I am an old man.”

She shakes her head, everything about her screaming denial. “I don’t care about that, Master.”