Page 8 of Celestes Forever Marquess
She studied him, and he saw the conflicting emotions swirling in her. Finally, Celeste said, “Then you are a fool.”
He watched her return to the main road before sinking onto a bench. He sighed and rubbed his face with his hands. Caleb shouldn’t have kissed her, but now that he had, how was he supposed to forget her?
***
Celeste stood in the ballroom at Derry Hall, watching Caleb move across the dance floor with another young lady. He certainly moved gracefully for a man who exuded such a wild appeal. A blush heated her cheeks as she watched him so intently. She hadn’t seen him since their walk this morning.
Had he already given up? A bit of disappointment flared in her, but she pushed it away. If that were the case, it was for the best. She’d told him he was a fool to pursue her. They were weeks away from the London Season being in full swing. He would understand things better once back in the city.
She sighed and decided she needed fresh air. Celeste stepped out onto the terrace. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply, acknowledging to herself that while London wouldalways be her true home, there was something peaceful about the countryside. Maybe someday she would buy a cottage to escape to.
“Good evening,” Caleb said.
She turned to him slightly. “Are you taking a break from all your dancing?”
“Jealous?” he mused.
Celeste snorted. “No. Dance with who you like, Lord Haven.”
He stood next to her. “I kiss you once, and now I’m back to Lord Haven.”
“You should have always been addressed that way.”
Caleb frowned. “Why aren’t lords a possibility for you?”
“How did you grow up, Caleb? Was it some fancy house in New York City? Fancy schools?”
He nodded, but she could tell she’d angered him. His jaw was clenched. She sighed. “Where I began in life is so different from your privileged world. Trust me when I say we don’t suit.”
His eyes connected with hers, and she was startled to see they were filled with anger. “I’m not judging your life. I would never. My father fell in love with a maid and had to start his life over again in America because he refused to let her go. Trust me when I say my parents raised me to understand that a person’s worth is not defined by their bloodlines.”
Guilt coursed through her that she was judging him so harshly. Still, he didn’t understand thetonor their sharp tongues. Celeste placed a hand on one of his arms. “I’m not saying you want to be that type of person. Still, this new title you have comes with responsibilities you are only beginning to discover.”
Caleb pulled her hand to his lips, kissing it. Her stomach dipped. She liked him. The realization made her nervousbecause usually, Celeste took a lover only to sate a physical need, but the connection with him felt different.
“Give me a chance, Celeste.”
She sighed. “Can we just agree to be friends for now? Please.”
He flashed her a grin. “Only if you agree to go back to using my first name.”
Celeste rolled her eyes. “I will.”
They stood there quietly. Celeste was surprised that no one else had wandered out onto the terrace. Intrigued, she asked, “Tell me about your family, please?”
A small smile flitted across Caleb’s face. “My father’s name was Christopher, and my mother’s name is Colleen. They found it amusing that they both had names that began with a C and decided all their children’s names should start the same way.”
Celeste laughed. “How did they meet?”
“They grew up together on the Haven Estate. She was the housekeeper's daughter and was training for a position as a maid. My father loved to say it was love at first sight for him, and he had to work hard to prove to my mother they were meant to be.”
Pain pierced Celeste’s heart, imagining how scary it must have been for his mother to realize she was in love with her employer’s son. “She was probably terrified.”
He nodded. “She had a valid point to be scared. Once they were discovered, my father’s parents and brother expected him to get rid of her. He refused. It was all very dramatic from what I understand.”
“Some might say romantic,” Celeste said, trying to put it in a more positive light.
“They loved each other deeply. I know my mother misses him a great deal. While he didn’t arrive in America with nothing,he worked hard to grow what he had. My brothers, sister, and I are grateful for all the lessons he instilled in us.”
