Page 21 of A Duchess Mistaken
Caroline sighed. “I must admit that my heart does not beat for him. Kind though he may be, it feels much like you and Lord Christopher. There is very little chemistry between us.”
Agnes’ heart broke in her chest. Before she could think to stop herself, she threw her arms around Caroline’s neck. “Oh, Caroline, I understand you completely. And I assure you that no matter how difficult it may seem, just know that I will be here to support you in any way I can.”
Caroline gently pried Agnes’ arms away from her to look at her with confusion. “What are you going on about, Agnes?”
“I know about your late-night stroll,” Agnes blurted out.
Caroline’s eyes grew wide with horror. “How?” she whispered.
“I saw when you went into the forest last night.” After a beat, she added, “I also know who you went out to meet.”
Caroline pulled fully away, staring at Agnes as if she’d just grown a second head.
“You needn’t worry,” Agnes quickly assured her. “I do not mind in the slightest. As a matter of fact, I want to help you.”
“Help me?” Caroline squeaked.
“Yes.” Agnes grasped both of Caroline’s hands. “I know you, Caroline. I know how terrified you must be to speak the truth of your heart but I am here to assist you in any manner I can.”
“I cannot believe this.” Caroline pulled away from her, coming to a stand. She appeared agitated, pacing back and forth and wringing her hands together. Agnes waited for her to come to terms with what she’d told her.
At last, Caroline whirled to face her again. “How do you know?” she asked.
“I saw you,” Agnes admitted to her. “And I heard when you returned to your chambers.”
“Oh, dear God,” Caroline breathed, sinking into the sofa again. “I cannot believe this is happening.”
“You needn’t worry, Caroline,” Agnes assured her gently. “I shan’t tell a soul. Not until you are ready to speak yourself.”
Caroline looked up at her with tears in her eyes. Agnes held her arms out and Caroline threw herself into them, sobbing against her chest.
“Oh, Agnes, I don’t know what to do! I have been holding this in for so long.”
“There, there,” Agnes consoled gently.
“I am so in love with him, Agnes. I wish I could shout it to the world but I must keep it a secret. It would be such a scandal otherwise.”
“We only need a plan,” Agnes said. “If we devise a proper one, I’m sure we will be able to help you without damaging your reputation very much.”
Caroline pulled away, tears streaming down her face without hesitation. “How?” she rasped.
Agnes didn’t know how to respond to that. All she knew was her resolve, her determination never to allow Caroline cry over this matter anymore. If she loved Christopher as much as sheclaimed, then Agnes would do everything in her power to ensure that Caroline had her happy ending.
Something was off. Johnathan couldn’t tell what just yet.
It was dinnertime and the entire table was alight with conversation. Lord and Lady Reeds were talking with Lord and Lady Sutton with far more animation than they had done the previous night, having come out of their shell a little bit. Christopher and Mr. Parsons were talking with each other as if they were the best of friends. But Miss Caroline and Miss Agnes were quiet.
Miss Caroline had been crying. It was hardly noticeable and Johnathan would have missed it had he not been studying her closely for the past few minutes trying to ascertain why she seemed so despondent. Certainly she hadn’t figured out what he was doing?
With Miss Caroline, perhaps not. But when he looked at Miss Agnes, he couldn’t be sure.
She seemed to be in intense thought. She hardly paid attention to her meal, staring with focus at a spot on the table with her fork limp in her hand. Miss Caroline might not have figured out Johnathan’s motives but perhaps she had.
The guilt that had been nagging at him for the past few days overwhelmed him at once. This was not the way he wanted things to be. Preying on these young girls for nothing but their dowry made him feel sick on the inside. But it was the quickest way he could think of to help with his family’s financial situation.
He could tell that even Christopher was growing uncomfortable with their situation. But Miss Agnes didn’t seem to mind that Christopher was not paying her much attention. Her focus was on something else entirely, though what that was, Johnathan hadn’t a clue.
The thought perplexed him all throughout dinner and well into their time of relaxation in the parlor. Lord Sutton had suggested that they play cards while the ladies entertained themselves on the other side of the room but he could not focus. He lost round after round with his mind worlds away and his gaze constantly straying to Miss Agnes.
