Harriet saw the relief on Charlesâs face, confirming that she had broached a subject that he had indeed been worrying about and luckily her statement seemed to put his heart at ease ever so slightly. She loved Charles with all her heart, she was a lucky woman to have a husband who didnât wish to control her very being, he didnât try and cage her, he encouraged her, for Harriet his wealth and family name did not influence her reasons to love to man before her, she would have loved him even if he had been a poor farm hand. Their characters were so similar that she often thought she were looking in a mirror, she could tell what was on his mind by the expression on his face, she knew what troubled him, what enticed him and what scared him, she knew him down to his very core and loved every inch of him. Donât get her wrong, Charles was not perfect, nobody was, he was rash, stubborn and a down right scoundrel at times but he was also loving, tender and treated her as an equal and most importantly, he loved her, even her own faults. Poets could write sonnets about them and they wouldnât even brush on reality, for love in poetry is just that, poetic, but to Harriet love in reality was far greater; the arguments, the struggles, the bitterness, the romance, the tenderness, the sensuality, all were common denominators in the building of their love. So was her affection for Charles that even her own fiery temper didnât stand against him, the mere flash of his eyes or the touch of his hand whisked away any disdain or arguments she held against her husband.
Charlesâs lips pressed against Harrietâs, his eyes closing as his arms looped around her body, pulling her as close as was humanly possible, she sighed in utter content, her own eyes closing briefly. As he pulled away, their eyes met once more, his happy smile was infectious and Harriet soon found herself smiling along with him. âDear GodâŠI could not have been blessed with a better wifeâ His words felt Harriet with immense joy, she knew her words had been received well, but she did not realize just how much Charles had fretted over her relationship with Amalie. Although it did sadden her slightly that Charles had even entertained the idea of her loyalty being with the Queen, she could understand where he was coming from, she often wondered about William and whom he would choose if war came. His brow furrowed and Harried watched him curiously, his mind seemed to be searching for words yet his lips remained static. He pulled her close once again, this time a hand coming to cradle her neck, drawing her in, her skin peppered with goosebumps as his breath, accompanied by his facial hair tickled at her slender neck âI love youâŠI love you more than life itself.â Harrietâs heart leaped at his words, her breath catching in her throat, as she swallowed a wave of emotion.
Charlesâs pulled back slightly, once again looking into her now tear filled eyes, Harriet was not usually a woman who wept so easily, yet the emotion layered in his voice and the underlining eagerness in his tone, stirred emotions within her that joy and love a little too overwhelming. âNo matter what becomes of me, no matter what becomes of usâŠI shall always love you.â His words brought Harriet to the edge, tears escaped down her cheeks âand I youâ she whispered into the quiet carriage, she was educated enough to know that wars meant death and wasnât naĂŻve enough to believe that her husband would be safe in battle, knowing him like she did, he would most likely be leading a charge, he was an excellent tactician and warrior but even the most skilled and fierce werenât exempt from death.
Harriet bit her lip and lowered her head to rest on Charlesâs shoulder âI think I shall die if something were to happen to youâ she muttered into the crook of his neck. She did not mean to dampen their spirits but the words just seemed to fall off her lips so naturally that she truly believed that if Charles were to be taken from her then she would soon follow him to the grave, they were put upon this world to find each other, she had no doubt than one could not exist without the other.
Quickly, Harriet did her best to regain her composure, swallowing the lump in her throat and wiping away the tears in her eyes, she sat back up straight offering him a smile and small laugh âI am sorry for my sillinessâŠbut, lets not talk of what ifs and just enjoy the here and now.