Chapter 123: The Virgin And The Masters, Part 34, Consequences

MICHAEL

Richard talks for some time to Charlotte. And how can I blame him? By any measure, she saved Beth. And Beth is his. But Charlotte´s success is bitter-sweet for me. Now that we have her back, I find myself dwelling on the sheer abandon of her actions. She left James and I behind, apparently without a thought.

I need to talk with her, and I wait for my moment, for some privacy with her.

Richard leaves with Beth, James joining them to discuss what Charlotte has said, and what to do next.

“Charlotte, while it´s just you and me, there´s something I need to say to you.”

She looks at me, pale-faced, her green eyes vivid. She knows I´m not happy.

“I understand that you did what you did for good reason. Beth´s your friend, and you felt you had to help her, but she´s not the only person in your life. James and I both made it completely clear that we didn´t want you to do anything rash, and you simply ignored our wishes. What you did was horribly unfair to both me and James.”