#Chapter 46: Charles in Command

Ms. Beale shuffled nervously and Charles looks at her. "I apologize, Ms. Beale. I don't for a moment think you had anything to do with this or blame you. Elena will tell you I sometimes get emotional and hearing this is one of those times." "It is hard to hear, and thank you for being brave enough to talk about it," I offered to Ms. Beale. "I think the public would react with similar outrage if they knew." Ms. Beale nodded at us. Having felt the full effect of Charles' power, I felt sympathy with her unease. I reached over and squeezed her arm. She inhaled, relaxed and then looked at me, her eyes quizzical. "Is it you that’s producing that divine fragrance?" Charles and I started in surprise and looked at each other. "You can smell me?" Ms. Beale hesitated. "I don't know. It's not something I can pinpoint as far as smell, but there's something there." She smiled at me and nodded. "And it's very comforting." Charles smiled and focused on organizing the crackers i