Page 33 of A Lady's Passion Knows No Distance
“Are you familiar with the route these ships will take? I will consider it for my own ships,” Lord Canton spoke up at one point.
“Forgive me, Lord Canton, but there are some secrets I must keep to myself. I reserve them only for my business partners,” William said, causing the gentlemen to chuckle. He was certain to gain their respects by showing that he was a logical thinker and not too eager to make new friends. After all, if he was going to continue to grow his wealth and provide a good life for his family, then he needed show these reputable gentlemen his business ethics.
When dinner was announced, William rose and led Grendel by the arm to the dining room. She giggled softly, pleased as punch to be the one escorted to the dining room first with his father following behind them. Once everyone was settled at the table and the dinner commenced, William used his position at the head of the table to keep a close watch on his guests.
He allowed himself the luxury of gazing at Caroline from afar while still keeping up with the conversation around him. The food was delicious and his company very enjoyable. But all the while, he was biding his time till he would be able to speak to Caroline alone.
Chapter 18
As the evening progressed, Caroline was feeling more confused than ever. She had been convinced that Sir Roberts was William. But when the man had said he knew William, that he had died during a pirate attack, Caroline felt as though her heart had been ripped out of her body and presented to her in a bloody mess.
She had batted her eyes furiously to get the tears to go away. If she began to cry now, she’d not only make a spectacle of herself, but she was sure that Lord Canton would take some pleasure from it as well.
When the dinner came to an end and the gentlemen left the room to enjoy their evening port in the drawing room, Caroline felt a sense of relief. She was finally free of Lord Canton for a short time, who had seemed rather intent on remaining close to her for the night while seeming to pick Sir Roberts’ mind for business techniques.
She was pleased that at least Lord Canton was distracted. But if she was being honest with herself, so was she. Caroline couldn’t help but often stare at Sir Roberts, because he looked so much like William that she was convinced it was truly him. But after his story, she wasn’t sure what to believe anymore.
“Gwendolen,” Caroline said softly as the women rose from the dining table and made their way towards the sitting room once more. “I’m going to step outside for some fresh air. If anyone asks, tell them where I am.”
“Are you feeling well?” Gwendolen asked as they stopped walking in the hallway leading back to the sitting room.
“I am. Just a bit stuffy is all,” Caroline reassured her. “Go on. I believe I heard Sir Roberts’ grandmother talking about signing and playing the piano. You have a wonderful singing voice and should show off to Lord Sergio.”
Gwendolen nodded as she hurried off, leaving Caroline the opportunity to slip out of the back door and venture into the gardens.
“Free at last,” Caroline said as she stepped out onto the veranda and leaned over the stone railing. She gazed up into the stars above, thinking that it would a beautiful night despite being stuck next to Lord Canton’s side.
“If you like, I can leave you be,” came a voice from behind her. Sitting in a chair was Sir Roberts, hidden in the shadows. The embers from his pipe were the only sign he was there, and when she’d stepped outside, she’d passed right by him without ever noticing.
“Seems it is I that should be leaving you to your pipe,” Caroline said as she curtsied. “Forgive me.”
“Please, Caroline. Do not go,” Sir Roberts said as he stood and placed his pipe on the iron chair. “Walk with me through the garden for a short time.” When he offered her his arm, she could not deny him. Not when she had so many questions running through her mind as to his true identity. With her hand securely on his arm, he led her down the stairs of the veranda and through a garden that consisted of blooming rose bushes and tall shrubs.
“Sir Roberts, I must confess how confused I am. I thought you were someone else when I saw you the night of the ball and—” Caroline tried to say, but Sir Roberts stopped walking then and turned to her, the moonlight showing the guilt-stricken look upon his face.
“It is I, Caroline. I am your William,” he said softly.
“But… you said…”
“Yes, I need Lord Canton to think William Ryan is a dead man. But I assure you, Caroline, that I am very much alive.”
“Then, how did you become Sir Roberts?” she asked next.
“I met Daniel Roberts in a tavern after my father recovered and I had begun to think about joining the Navy to create a name for myself. Daniel does in fact look just like me and it was quite strange to see the man. He is a few years younger, though. When his own father became ill, we struck up a deal. He would pose as me and live with my father while still caring for his own while I went out at sea to pose as him so he wouldn’t get in trouble with the Navy for abandonment.
“That is how Daniel Roberts became so famous and I was knighted with the title. The real Roberts signed on to be a crew member of a merchant ship and left not that long ago after his father passed away.”
Caroline could hardly believe her ears. She couldn’t believe that this was her William after all and that he was only pretending to be another man. Though, it seemed that William would forever be Sir Roberts, since the real Roberts had already left England.
“Why did you never write me?” Caroline asked after a while.
“My dear, I did write you often. At first, it was at least once a week. But as time went by and I never heard a reply, I stopped writing,” he said, taking both her hands in his then so they could face each other properly.
“I never received any of your letters. Do you think they were intercepted?”
“I have many theories, my dear. But for now, I am still testing all my thoughts. So far, this evening has proved rather valuable for my research,” he said. His hand drifted up then and came to rest on the side of her face. Caroline leaned her head into his touch, feeling as she once used to whenever she was alone with William. She looked up into his eyes, searching out the blue in them through the dim moonlight.
“I have missed you, William,” she whispered, tears starting to come to her eyes once more. “I have prayed for so long that one day I would get to see you again, if only once.”
