Page 20 of A Duchess Mistaken
Was it the duke?
Agnes’ heart sank for some reason and she didn’t dare to look at the duke, who was talking with Paul about going hunting soon. If it were the duke then it would be such a bad thing, would it? They were meant to be married, after all. Even if their reason for meeting was…improper, it would not court scandal if they were caught.
Agnes tried to catch her breath at the thought, forcing herself to think straight. No, if it was the duke then why would they have reason to meet all the way in the forest? It was his castle, after all. If they did not want to be seen, surely could think of more convenient locations to meet. He must know of many discreet areas tucked within the castle. Would it have been necessary to drag Caroline to the forest?
She eagerly dismissed the thought. Caroline glanced up at her, noticing her stare, and offered a smile. Agnes quickly pasted a smile onto her face so that she wouldn’t notice anything was amiss. When Caroline returned her attention to her tea, Agnesglanced at the duke, wondering why she felt such a profound sense of relief.
As if he sensed her eyes, his gaze fell on her. It was for a brief moment but he stumbled over his words nonetheless and then began scratching his chin as if he needed something to do with his hands. Agnes’ lips twitch. She was beginning to sense that the duke was the nervous sort.
Back to the matter at hand, she told herself, looking away from him and at her best friend. Who did Caroline meet last night?
Her father was completely out of the question. He didn’t have a single bone in his body capable of affairs.
As did Paul. Agnes studied her brother and could not fathom any reason Caroline would want to meet with him. Caroline looked at Paul like Agnes did, like a little brother—though markedly less annoyed with him at all times. Agnes could not imagine that it was him.
And Lord Reeds? Well, Agnes doubted Caroline could even stomach being alone with him, being the horrible man that he was.
The only person left was…
Christopher yawned widely next to her, putting his hand to his mouth a beat later as if the urge had taken him over before he had the chance to mind his manners.
“Are you all right, Lord Christopher?” she asked, feigning idle curiosity.
He gave her a sheepish grin. “I’m afraid I did not get much sleep last night, Miss Agnes. Forgive me if I seem rather out of it this morning.”
“Think nothing of it, sir,” she managed to say, heart racing at her discovery.
It had to be Christopher. It had to be! He had not slept much because he had spent the night waiting in the forest for Caroline. It made so much sense.
Agnes looked back up at her friend, her heart tearing in two. She had no fond emotions towards Christopher. Yes, he was nice enough, but it was clear they had no chemistry. There would be no love lost if either one of them decided to entertain someone else.
But Caroline…oh her dear friend must be stricken with guilt knowing that she had feelings for her friend’s betrothed. Agnes would not mind stepping out of the way to let their love flourish. She only wanted Caroline to be happy.
She could talk to her later, Agnes resolved. They would be able to figure out what to do together. It would be quite scandalous, perhaps, but it was a situation they would be able to navigate if they were careful.
This time, when Caroline met her eyes again and smiled, Agnes’ answering smile came easier to her lips.
CHAPTER 9
“Is something wrong?”
Agnes jumped at Caroline’s question, even though she had been expecting it. She lingered at the doorway to Caroline’s chambers and had been watching her friend read for a while before Caroline noticed her.
“Nothing,” she said quickly, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. “How…are you?”
Caroline frowned, setting her book aside. “I am fine, Agnes. However, now I am beginning to think that something is actually wrong. What is it?”
“It is nothing,” Agnes lied again, coming to sit next to her friend. She had no idea how to broach the topic at all. She’d been thinking about it all throughout breakfast and still had not settled on anything proper.
Finally, she asked, “How is the relationship between you and the duke progressing?”
“Oh. Well, the duke is nice.”
“Just nice? I would hope you wouldn’t marry someone just because they are nice.”
“You should tell that to my uncle,” Caroline sighed. “His Grace could be a tyrant and he would still be desperate to marry me off to him. I should be glad that he treats me kindly since I stand no chance of backing out of this marriage if I wished to.”
“But what do you feel for him?” Agnes pressed.
