Page 37 of A Lady's Passion Knows No Distance
There, he saw Caroline sitting in a chair by the fireplace, a small fire burning. It caused the room to be rather warm, but when he saw how pale Caroline looked, he figured the fire had been built to keep her warm during her time of pain. On one side of her sat Miss Gwendolen, who held Caroline’s hand firmly. And on the other side was Lord Murphy, his eyes red as though he’d been weeping right alongside Caroline.
As William stepped near, he extended the flowers towards her. But it was Miss Gwendolen who accepted them with a smile and set them aside with the other flowers that had been brought for her friend. Caroline didn’t look up from the space before him that she seemed to continue to stare into as though she could not help so. Therefore, William lowered himself onto one knee until they were eye-to-eye.
“I’m so terribly sorry for your loss, Miss Caroline. I wish to offer my condolences and services, if there is anything I can do to ease your pain,” he said. His voice seemed to shake her awake as she blinked a few times and finally focused on William.
“Thank you for coming,” Caroline said in a voice that sound very rough and raw. He could tell that she’d not only been crying, but weeping openly by the soreness in her throat.
“Of course,” William said softly. “When I heard the news yesterday, I made plans to come see you as soon as it would be appropriate.”
“How did you come by the news so soon?” Lord Murphy asked, drawing William’s attention to him.
“An errand boy did come to my townhouse early yesterday morning and told me the news. Having ears and eyes on the streets is one of the ways I maintain my business dealings, Lord Murphy. I like to know who I can trust,” William explained. Lord Murphy nodded, seeming to be content with his answers.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Caroline said, causing William to quickly look back at his beloved. He could see the tears pooling in her eyes once more and he wished desperately to take her pain away.
“I felt the same way when my mother passed away. She had become so sick and needed rest. Then, one day, she was simply gone from our home. It will take time,” William said, hoping to encourage Caroline. She felt suddenly alone in the world, but William wanted her to know that she wasn’t completely alone. That she could rely on him.
“But I don’t have time, William. I don’t know what to do any more,” Caroline whimpered, tears coming down her face again. William saw Lord Murphy motion towards the open door and William then heard it shut behind them, ensuring they had some sort of privacy.
“No decision needs to be made today,” William told her with a soft smile on his lips. He then turned to Lord Murphy and asked, “Has she a guardian?”
“I have assured Miss Caroline that all her needs shall be met. She may remain in my home till the day she is married. The young lady shall want for nothing,” Lord Murphy assured him. William nodded, grateful for the Earl’s generosity.
“You have a strong family around you, Miss Caroline. I have the highest hopes that you will be taken care of, that you need not worry about anything,” William said as he turned his eyes back to her, still in his kneeling position.
Caroline was trying her best to dry her eyes on an already soaked handkerchief. William quickly removed his own from his vest pocket and handed it to her. She mustered up a small smile for him as she took it.
“I take my leave. Please let me know if there is any way that I can be of service,” William then said, giving Caroline a long look before glancing at both Miss Gwendolen and Lord Murphy. He wanted all three of them to understand that he was very much serious. William stood and bowed before turning and walking towards the door.
“William!” Caroline called, causing William to stop suddenly and turn towards her. She rose from her chair then and hurried forward, wrapping her arms around him. He returned the gesture, very well aware of the surprised eyes watching them. Eventually, this action would need to be explained, and more than likely Lord Murphy would demand he tell his side of the story. For now, however, William simply held Caroline as she wept, shushing her softly.
“You’re going to be quite fine, Caroline,” William whispered softly into her hair. “But this is not the time nor the place for such shows of affection.” His words seemed to snap Caroline back to her reality, and she dropped her arms and took a step back.
She curtsied then before saying, “Forgive me, Sir Roberts. I don’t know what overcame me.”
“No need to ask for forgiveness, Miss Caroline. I understand that you are very grieved at this moment and must feel as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders. I understand,” William said as he bowed. Miss Gwendolen came forward then and helped Caroline back to her seat. William nodded towards Lord Murphy once more as the man gave him a stern look. It was only then that William took his leave of the room.
The hallway was still filled with people who had come to pay their respects to Caroline. In the reception line was even Lord Canton, who also appeared grief-stricken. But when the Earl made eye contact with him, he stepped out of line and approached him.
“I’m surprised to see you here, Sir Roberts,” Lord Canton said, blocking his way to the open front door.
“I came to pay my respects to the young lady. Such a tragedy to lose both one’s parents in a single moment. I am glad to know that Lord Murphy has taken guardianship of her,” William said as he straightened his posture and looked hard into Lord Canton’s dark eyes. How desperately did William want to shout from the rooftops the evil deeds of this man. But he knew that the time had yet to come.
“Does not matter when we shall soon be married,” Lord Canton said, his voice like a growl.
“At the end of the summer, if I do remember,” William stated.
“We shall see. If Miss Caroline is without any parents, and the intent of Lord Murphy unknown, it would be best if we were married right away.”
“The woman is grieving, Lord Canton. I do hope that you won’t pressure her.”
Lord Canton looked at William then, distaste written all over his face as he turned his nose up at the younger man.
“‘Tis not a matter for your concern,” the Earl replied in a low voice, finally stepping out of William’s way as though to dismiss him as a servant.
William only dipped his head for a moment before hurrying out of the townhouse. If he stayed any longer, he’d be influenced to take Caroline from this home right away and secure their marriage. He was becoming more certain that Caroline still had feelings for him, especially after her outburst.
William knew that now was the time to finish putting his plan in action. With Lord Goldman now dead, it wouldn’t surprise William if Lord Canton found a way to pressure Caroline into marrying within the week.
