Page 58 of A Lady's Passion Knows No Distance
Lord Murphy raised his hand then and rubbed his chin, appearing to be thinking long and hard about William’s words. But when a smirk came upon his lips, William was no longer worried and sighed heavily with relief.
“I will hold you to your words, Sir Roberts. And if at any time I feel that Miss Caroline is not being taken well care of, I will ruin you completely and open my home to her once more,” Lord Murphy finally said.
William couldn’t help but chuckle as he reached across the table and shook the man’s hand. “I will always be mindful of your words, Lord Murphy. I don’t take you as a man who says anything lightly.”
“Indeed, I don’t, young man. Now, let’s move on to the dining room. I am famished,” Lord Murphy said as he stood and led the way to the dining room. William was at least grateful that their conversation had gone well. He was excited to tell Caroline the good news about Lord Murphy approving their match. As he waited for Caroline to recover once more for visitors, he looked forward to writing his father to give him all the details about the recent events. There was certainly a large amount to write about.
~*~
William didn’t get the opportunity to speak to Caroline once more till the following day. After eating a hearty breakfast at the tavern, he returned to Lord Murphy’s estate once more to pay Caroline a visit. Lord Sergio joined him, of course, saying that he had plans to take Miss Gwendolen on a picnic that afternoon.
William couldn’t help but rib the man a little as he said, “You will soon be longing to return to England not for business, but for personal matters.”
Lord Sergio laughed along with him as he nodded his head. “I have become very much attached to Miss Gwendolen. I shall be saddened when my time to go does come.”
“Surely you can plot a return trip shortly after returning home to Spain?”
“Ah, we shall see. I must know how my family is doing first. The post takes so very long from Spain, if it even does arrive. I must return to them,” Lord Sergio admitted with a sorrowful voice.
“You’re a good man, Lord Sergio. I am confident that you will discover what to do once you’ve returned home.” William wanted to encourage the man because he could easily see the attachment between the two when he did see them together in the evenings, talking quietly together in the drawing room.
Upon arrival at the coastal estate, William and Lord Sergio were warmly welcomed by Lord and Lady Murphy. Then, William was shown up to Caroline’s bedchamber, where the door remained open and her lady’s maid stood right outside the door as a way to give Caroline a chaperone.
As William entered the room, he saw Caroline sitting in bed once more, though she looked well rested and had a happy smile upon her face. Her long brown hair had been freshly combed and she appeared as though an angel would.
“You are looking well today,” William said as he rounded the bed and came to place a kiss upon her forehead just as he’d done the day before. Then, he settled down on the edge of the bed where he then took her hands in his.
“I am feeling better today, if not still sore. I have ideas to talk a walk out to the veranda, but my lady’s maid is insistent that I continue to rest,” Caroline told him with a chuckle.
“I am sure she is only worried about your care. There is no shame in resting,” William encouraged.
“Yes, but I long to sit in the sun and look out over the ocean. I don’t like the idea of being in this room for very long,” Caroline said, her voice becoming very soft as she spoke.
“Are you afraid?” William carefully asked. Caroline nodded, turning her head away from him. William reached out his hand and guided her head back towards him so that he could look into her beautiful eyes.
“You need not feel afraid any longer, my love. Lord Canton can’t harm you anymore.”
“Even though I know that, I am still afraid. I was taken in the night and can’t help but be afraid of something like that happening once more,” Caroline confessed.
“Then we should talk to Lord Murphy about having you moved to another room. Perhaps a change of scenery would do you some good?”
“Perhaps,” Caroline reasoned as she raised her hand and rested it on the side of his face. William leaned into her touch, closing his eyes for a moment as he simply enjoyed her presence.
“I’ve spoken to Lord Murphy about us marrying. He has approved the match, yet suggests that we wait till the end of summer to make the announcement of our engagement,” William said as he opened his eyes once more.
“I am glad that he approves,” Caroline said with a wide smile. “I long to be your wife, William. All these years, my longing has not changed.”
“I do greatly agree, my dear. I would take you to a priest this morning if you were well enough to walk down the aisle with me. And though we are both eager, I believe there is much truth in Lord Murphy’s advice,” he said.
“William, people are going to talk no matter if we wait or not. My marrying the man that slayed my last fiancé is bound to get tongues wagging nonetheless,” Caroline said, her voice becoming stern. William smirked, knowing how stubborn she could be. Her strong desire was just one of the many things that William loved about her.
“It does not need to be decided right at this moment. This morning I did post a letter to my father to explain all that has happened. It won’t be long before the articles on Lord Canton are published, along with the names of the other lords that have hired pirates to do their evil biding,” William explained. “We have some time.”
“In that case, I shall simply enjoy your company. Will you soon return to town?”
“Not unless my father sends for me. I am finding this neighbourhood rather refreshing,” William said, wishing he could be alone with Caroline for some time. His passion and desire for her was rising and he longed to feast upon her body once more.
“I take comfort in knowing you’ll be staying close by,” Caroline admitted.
