Page 19 of A Lady's Passion Knows No Distance
“But then my parents will be alone,” Caroline reasoned.
“That is their choice,” Lord Canton said with a sigh as he led her back into the ballroom. The dancing had come to an end and all eyes seemed to turn towards her as she was led in by the Earl. They made their way through the crowd until they came upon her parents. But this time, Lord Canton didn’t allow her hand to fall from his arm as he hugged her hand to his side, trapping her to him. In many ways, it was the truth—she was trapped with nowhere to run this time.
“Lord and Lady Goldman. It’s my great pleasure to announce that Miss Caroline has finally accepted my proposal of marriage,” Lord Canton said cheerfully.
Caroline remained emotionless at his side, unable to muster even a happy expression. Her parents were both shocked for a moment, but eventually her mother started to clap excitedly as she rose from her chair and was quick to embrace Caroline.
Only then did Lord Canton let go of her hand, allowing Caroline to return her mother’s embrace. It was her father then that raised his voice over all the other chatter and declared the engagement for all to hear. The ballroom exploded with celebrational clapping and congratulations.
Caroline stood amongst the throng of well-wishers, receiving their congratulations. She tried her best to smile at everyone, to not look completely miserable. But when Gwendolen finally reached her through the masses, Caroline could no longer keep up the act. Her smile fell as her friend embraced her.
“Why is this happening?” Gwendolen whispered into her ear. “We both know you don’t love him.”
“I had no other choice,” she replied softly into her friend’s curly black hair. “But he has agreed to let me go with you to town, that we won’t be married till the end of summer.”
“Good. We will prepare our journey straight away and allow everyone to catch up with us later. My parents are eager to return to town and don’t very much care for the heat of the country.” Gwendolen let go of Caroline and gave her a weak smile before making her way towards her parents.
Caroline was at least grateful to have one good friend amongst so many who only saw her for her father’s wealth. A part of her even wanted to trust Gwendolen completely. For now, Caroline simply stood next to her intended, wishing she was anywhere else but there beside him, receiving the compliments of everyone else. How could they all not see what a sham this was?
Chapter 10
William knew that eventually it would happen. After almost three years since he’d last seen Caroline, he knew the day would come when he’d either receive word from his father or see it from himself in the London papers. And now, before him, was the morning paper with the announcement written in large letters. It seemed Lord Canton wasn’t going to be subtle. He was letting all of town know that he was soon to be married to Miss Caroline Goldman at the end of the summer.
“Seems like he finally got her,” Daniel said as William folded over the paper and slid it across his mahogany desk towards his business partner. Daniel picked up the paper and read the announcement before setting it back down on the desk. “What are you going to do now?”
“I’m going to do what I wish I could have done years ago,” William said, running his fingers through his golden hair. It had finally started to grow out again after he’d had to keep it cut short to his scalp while he was a sailor. Now, with everything he’d been able to claim as his own, he could finally grow out his hair and start dressing like a true gentleman.
“Do you think she is still in love with you, though?” Daniel asked. William eyed him carefully. It always unnerved him how much he and Daniel looked alike. It was more like seeing into a looking glass than observing a person before him. It had been at the docks that the two had discovered one another, about a year after William first moved to town with his father and Grendel.
“I have to keep believing she’s still in love with me. It’s the only thing that keeps me going each day. After all, the engagement has only just happened. It’s proof that she’s still in love with me, if she was willing to wait so long.”
“Or do you think Lord Canton finally caught on to what you’ve really been up to all these years?” Daniel asked. William grinned, feeling proud of his many accomplishments without the Earl ever finding out.
“I doubt he has been able to figure things out. With you here and me working, no one was able to tell the difference.”
“Even your own father keeps getting us confused,” Daniel agreed with a smile.
“The man may do as he pleases now that he is healed. He’s so much like his own self that I know for the rest of my life I shall be indebted to you,” William said as he stood and held out his hand to him.
“I feel the same way, William. You gave me a chance to be with my mother before she passed when I was needed out at sea. Seems you’ve made a real name for me,” Daniel said as he stood and accepted William’s handshake.
“But William Ryan is still a nobody.” The men let go of each other and William sighed. “I hate to see you go.”
“I’ve been on dry land for too long, and you’ve gone and done this deed for me. May you enjoy the spoils of your success while I live a very quiet life. Perhaps one day I’ll marry for love, too.”
“When you are in port, please call on me. All that I am and have is because of you. You must also enjoy it as well,” William said, coming around the desk to walk with Daniel as he left the townhouse.
“I will want to meet this Caroline one day. After all, she’s the only thing you and your father seem to talk about. Even with all the other women that have thrown themselves at you or will no doubt try to get into your bed sheets with your new fame.”
“There is no woman besides Caroline. Now that she is engaged, I must fulfil a promise I made to her a long time ago,” William said, nodding to his butler as they reached the foyer of the modest townhouse. William was still getting used to his fortune and wealth and knew that it would be ideal for him to decorate his home more. But he wasn’t worried about all of that quite yet. He simply wanted to bid his dear friend farewell.
“Take care, Sir Roberts. May the fates smile upon you,” Daniel said with a dip of his head.
“And to you, too, Daniel. I look forward to the day we meet again.” William stood at the doorway after it had been opened and Daniel stepped out with his wetbag upon his back. He carried just enough to stay warm and dry aboard the ship that would be leaving in a few hours. William owed everything he now had to Daniel. If it hadn’t been for their arrangement, he wouldn’t be the man he was today.
Eventually, William stepped back inside the house, allowing the butler to close the door behind him. He was still getting used to the idea of having servants. It came with the rank and status in town, and with a townhouse so large to take care of, it was nice to have servants to give him a hand. Though, Grendel still tried to keep things tidy herself. Well off in age, she had started to make him worried about her health, now that his father was completely healed.
William made his way into the dining room to greet everyone while they enjoyed their breakfast. Grendel smiled up at him, dressed in an elegant day gown. No longer were her clothes dirty or tattered. She looked to be a proper lady now, with her nice gowns and hair pulled up in braids. Her lady’s maid was really taking good care of her.
