Page 17 of A Lady's Passion Knows No Distance
“Happy birthday, Miss Caroline,” Lord Canton said, dipping his head as he raised her hand to his lips. She withdrew her hand before his mouth could touch her glove. The Earl had begun a bad habit of kissing her hand last Season, his way of showing others how serious he was about pursuing her. And now that his father had passed and he was officially an earl, his pursuits had become bolder.
“I was unaware that you were in attendance. I don’t remember your name being on the guest list,” Caroline said, her smile disappearing as a bit of her misery rose in her chest once more.
“You parents were kind enough to send me an invitation. After the wonderful Season we had together, I couldn’t miss this opportunity to share my company with you. Or have you already forgotten that you are to be keeping me company?” he said in a soft voice. Caroline groaned inwardly. Lord Canton was always quick to remind her of their deal. Any time she’d tried to refuse him, he’d remind her of the information he would so easily release if she tried to create distance between them.
“I was just heading over to my parents. I’m sure dinner will be served soon,” Caroline said, her voice becoming lifeless once more. How could she have thought she could enjoy her birthday without being reminded of her dreadful past?
Lord Canton extended his arm towards her and she placed her hand upon his, allowing him to escort her through the room. Caroline understood now that this was only for show, that he only wanted to be seen with her.
He rarely showed any signs of endearment towards her besides the kiss on the back of her hand or the occasional gift that she always refused to wear unless she knew for certain that he wasn’t going to be present at a social function. Caroline knew deep down in her heart that Lord Canton only pursued her because he enjoyed the game of it all.
“Ah, Lord Canton. It’s always good to see you,” her father said in greeting as they came near to where her parents were sitting with their friends. Caroline lowered her hand and sat down next to her mother, forcing Lord Canton to find another empty chair a bit further away from her.
“It’s good to see you as well, Lord Goldman. What a lovely function this all is. Lady Goldman, you always do throw the most splendid parties,” Lord Canton said with a wide smile. The look on his face made Caroline’s stomach tighten in knots. He was always so charming towards others, but she understood his true character. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
“My word, Lord Canton. You honour me with such kind remarks,” Lady Goldman said, giggling. Caroline wanted to scold her mother for being so fickle, but she knew that it would be terribly rude.
“Miss Caroline, I do hope your dance card is not full quite yet,” Lord Canton spoke up, sending a shiver passing over Caroline’s skin. She dearly hated to dance with the man. She not only loathed him, but had found out that he wasn’t the best dancer, either.
“Not yet,” she told him.
“Good. Then I shall request the last dance of the night with you,” Lord Canton quickly replied.
“Of course, Caroline would be delighted,” her father spoke up before she could reply with her own well-thought-out denial. She looked at her father and saw the stern look in his eyes, knowing that she didn’t dare refuse him. She simply nodded in return, becoming silent as conversation flowed around her. She looked at Lord Canton and noticed the smirk upon his lips. It was a clear sign that he was planning something particular this night and she suddenly regretted the idea of ever having a birthday celebration in the first place.
The dinner was as lovely, as Caroline had predicted it would be. Cook had been kind enough to work with her on preparing all her favourite dishes, even if they didn’t really pair well together. It gave Caroline something to talk about with the other young ladies she sat with during the meal. Instead of everyone dining at the same long table, Caroline had instead decided to place several round tables around the dining room, as though it was a French café. She then was able to sit with those she chose instead of being forced to sit with Lord Canton. And while the dinner commenced, she was able to relax and laugh freely with her dear friends.
“I did not fail to see that Lord Canton is in attendance this evening,” Gwendolen remarked during the dessert course, leaning close to Caroline so that they could speak with one another. She was so focused on her cake that she had almost forgotten about the man.
“Yes, indeed. Seems like the Earl has followed me into the countryside once more,” Caroline replied.
“But why on earth does he continue trying to win your hand in marriage? You’ve already refused him and clearly show no interest in him. Why do you think the man still pursuits?”
“I have come to think that he simply wants what he cannot have. Therefore, he tries even harder.” Caroline was running out of excuses. She knew so much more about Lord Canton’s intentions that she wished sometimes that she could trust someone to confide in. But when Lord Canton always seemed to appear when she least expected him to, she was certain that one or many of her father’s servants spied on her for him.
“Then perhaps you are right in thinking about marrying someone soon. Only then would you honestly be free of Lord Canton,” Gwendolen mused before taking a bite of cake. Having lost her appetite, Caroline set her half-eaten slice of cake aside and instead focused on what the other ladies were speaking about in hushed giggles.
“Pray tell, what sort of gossip are you sharing? I want to hear,” Caroline insisted.
“Miss Caroline, have you heard about the handsome Sir Roberts?” Miss Penelope asked. Ringlets of brown curls hung around her face, bouncing to the excited motions of her head as she looked at Caroline.
“No, I have not. Tell me more about this man,” Caroline eagerly encouraged, always loving a good bit of gossip.
“I heard from another that Sir Roberts is a recently knighted man after sailing in the Navy and defeating dreadful pirates. Because of his bravery and heroic actions, the King decided to bestow upon him a great title and wealth,” she explained.
“Was he not popular during the Season?” Caroline asked then, wondering why she hadn’t heard of such a man.
“No, he was not. But I am sure he’ll be the only person the Ton will want to speak about, come next Season. He’s not only wealthy, but supposedly not much older than us. Handsome, young, single. Every debutante will be after him.”
“Sounds like the perfect man,” Gwendolen spoke up in a cheerful voice. “When I return to town, I’ll be sure to inquire of him further. Oh, Miss Caroline. You must return with me. I know that summer will be upon us, but we would have such a wonderful time together.”
“I highly doubt that my parents would allow me to travel so far without their presence. More so my mother,” Caroline said, taking a long drink of her wine. She liked the effect it had on her body, helping to soothe her tired spirit. Caroline wasn’t particularly interested in chasing after a man she knew so little about. And when her heart still belonged to another, she reasoned that it would be unfair to whomever she married. She’d never love them.
“You must at least ask them,” Gwendolen protested. “You never know until you ask.”
“Fine, I shall ask them once the guests have gone for the night. I will write to you in the morning with their answer.” Caroline laughed with their friends as they all talked about this Sir Roberts and what type of man he must be if he had been awarded a tittle due to his bravery.
When the dinner came to an end and everyone took a small reprieve before the dancing, Caroline started to become nervous. Normally she loved to dance. But the idea of being stuck with Lord Canton as a dance partner again didn’t settle well with her.
