Page 5 of A Lady's Passion Knows No Distance
“My, my, what a choice. I would dear say that I would find those activities very boring,” Lord Canton replied. His remarks satisfied her, because her goal was to show him that she wasn’t a good choice for a wife.
“It’s either that or horseback riding. I do love to ride,” Caroline added in a cheerful voice.
“Really? A young lady of your status rides?” he asked, seeming surprised.
“Oh, yes. I try to take a morning ride on every fine day. It’s such wonderful exercise.” Caroline very well knew that it was unladylike for an Earl’s daughter to ride a horse on her own, and she was hoping with each spoken word that she would discourage the older man from pursuing her in the future.
“You are full of delightful surprises, Miss Goldman,” he replied, causing Caroline to feel let down that her plan hadn’t been working. She tried instead to focus on the meal, the conversation her parents were having, and how close in proximity she was to William at any given time. These things gave her mind something to do while she waited for the dinner to come to an end. She did her best to speak with Lord Canton when she was spoken to, but she didn’t try to encourage the conversation, either.
Once the dinner was over, Caroline was finally allowed to return to the drawing room with the other ladies while the men went to the parlour to enjoy their evening port. Caroline sighed with relief to be away from Lord Canton, and she genuinely smiled as she went into the drawing room and sat down next to Miss Tera.
“A moment to yourself, I see,” Miss Tera said as they clasped hands for a moment. They sat together on the far side of the room with the other young ladies, the older and married women congregating around the fireplace and piano.
“I simply thought this was just another dinner party with my parents’ friends from the ton. I was completely surprised by all the eligible gentlemen in attendance. I regret not paying better attention to my parents’ conversations these last few days,” Caroline admitted.
“You usually are so wickedly smart, Miss Caroline. What has caught your attention?” Miss Tera asked. Caroline smiled at her friend but didn’t dare share even a hint of the truth—that she was madly in love with a footman.
“I imagine more romance in my life,” she said instead. “I don’t want to meet a man like a business arrangement. I want to enjoy parties without being pressured to be courted. I’d much rather dance with you than any of the men present.” This caused Miss Tera to laugh heartily, causing the other young ladies to look their way. Caroline shushed her friend, not wanting to cause a scene.
“How fantastically hilarious would that be if all the ladies decided to dance with one another, forcing the men to either choose male partners or not dance at all,” she said once her mirth had subsided.
“I think it would be splendid, and more enjoyable than what will be expected of us. Sometimes, I feel like a horse in a parade, admired for my beauty but nothing more when I attend these types of social gatherings. The older I become, the more society demands of me.”
“But would you have it any other way? Imagine being born common and not having ever luxury of life. I would much rather marry a nobleman and have all the comforts and protection I need then have to work every day for the rest of my life.”
Caroline thought about this. Had she been born common, she’d be able to marry William much easier. In fact, they would have been a perfect match. If she’d been born a farm girl, marrying a footman would have been a huge improvement for her life.
“Well, it is hard to imagine,” Caroline replied, knowing it was the right thing to say.
They talked for a time, of other matches that could be made tonight between the young ladies and the gentlemen. Caroline found that it was fun to play matchmaker. But as she and Miss Tera looked about the room and made romantic guesses, all she wanted to do was look at William and wish for the opportunity to be with him. She’d happily accept his offer of marriage and they’d be together forever. If only it were that simple.
After a time, the men returned to the drawing room. The ball room would have no doubt been prepared at the present time. Dread filled Caroline as the gentlemen returned, because she knew that soon she’d be portioned to dance and that it would be terribly rude if she did deny any one person. With three sets planned for the evening, she knew that the night was only just beginning.
Chapter 4
As the night finally came to an end, Caroline felt like she could breathe easier again. She’d danced the first set with Lord Canton and the sensation of his hands upon hers gave her an unsettled feeling, for he constantly kept his eyes on her throughout the whole number.
She didn’t care for his constant attention; his admiration was a little too obvious for her liking. For the second and third sets, she’d been obliged to dance with two other gentlemen, these at least being younger and closer to her age. But regardless of who her dance partner was, she paid them little mind and instead focused on the flow of the dance.
When each dance would come to an end, she always searched out William for a glass of punch. Their eyes would meet, and she prayed that he saw the longing in her eyes for only him. She would stand there and sip her punch completely before setting it back on his tray and walking away. She dearly hoped that a part of him understood how strongly she felt for him and that even though she was forced to play this part of dutiful daughter, she only would ever care about him.
But now, the night was behind her. She stood with her parents in the foyer, having said goodbye to all of the guests. Caroline was looking forward to retiring for the evening, exhausted from the night’s events and dearly wanting to begin sleeping. But as she turned, her father called out to her.
“Caroline, we’d like to discuss something with you in the sitting room,” he said, his voice commanding. Caroline grimaced, but tried to keep her composure as she turned back towards her parents.
“Certainly,” she said, then followed them into the smaller room. “What is it that you’d like to discuss?”
Her parents turned to her, and as she looked at her mother, Caroline could tell her mother was happy by the bright smile on her lips and the gleam of joy in her eyes.
“Lord Canton wrote to me a few weeks ago, asking for permission to offer his hand in marriage to you,” Lord Goldman explained. Caroline’s lips parted as all the air in her lungs seemed to rush out all at once. She felt dreadfully ill suddenly and wished dearly to not have this conversation with her parents right now.
“I responded with an invitation to dine with us, that it would be best if you two spent time together first so that I might observe this courtship and make a better decision,” Lord Goldman continued. “I wish to hear your opinion on the matter, as well. I am certain there are other suitors, if someone else has caught your fancy.”
“I am honoured that you would consider my feelings,” Caroline replied, glad that her father hadn’t yet agreed to Lord Canton’s request. “But I am not swayed by Lord Canton.”
“Why on earth not?” her mother asked, sounding rather put off by the high pitch of her voice. It was shocking to Caroline, and she hoped she hadn’t angered the woman.
“I simply did not enjoy his company, is all. I don’t see us getting along, and there is a considerable age difference between us,” Caroline explained, trying to keep the anger from her own voice.
