Page 65 of A Duchess Mistaken
Agnes couldn’t help her cheeky grin. “I’m disappointed that you thought it fit to wait so long to tell me about it. Haven’t I been your dearest friend for as long as we can both remember? And you have been keeping this secret from me all along?”
Caroline blurted out a laugh amidst her crying. “Agnes, I knew the scandal it would cause. And because of it, I was afraid you would try to talk me out of it. I could not take the risk.”
“I know better than to do such a thing. But perhaps you are right. It will cause quite the scandal, even more so now that you are out in society and expected to marry the duke by the end of the season.”
“Oh, what am I to do?”
Agnes held Caroline by the shoulders, leading her back onto the bed. “What would you like to do, Caroline? Will you truly go ahead with the wedding as planned?”
“I have no choice,” Caroline sobbed. The tears now rolled down her flushed cheeks without hindrance. “My uncle will allow no less. He has been working fervently to have me married off to any gentleman he believes may strengthen his social standing, all of which have been three times my age! I have managed to make myself undesirable to them thus far but he continued his pursuit to have me married up until he met the duke.”
She wiped her tears but they were quickly replaced. Agnes didn’t dare let go of her. She was a little afraid that Caroline would fall apart entirely if she did.
“I resigned myself to accepting the duke’s proposal since he was much closer to me in age. And when I met him, I found that he was rather kind. I thought it would be the best and, perhaps my only, option.”
“It is not your only option,” Agnes assured softly. “Your George followed you all the way here to show you that it was not.”
A rueful smile touched Caroline’s lips. “I was much resolved in my decision until he arrived. Now I do not know what to do. My uncle will stop at nothing to have me marry the duke when the only name I wish to take is George’s.”
“Are you truly willing to take his name?” Agnes asked carefully.
Caroline nodded without a moment of hesitation. “I would willingly give up everything I have for a lifetime with George.”
That was all Agnes needed to hear. “Then that is what must happen.”
Caroline’s tear-filled eyes widened. “Agnes…”
“It is enough for me that you love him, Caroline. So I shall endeavor to do anything in my power to make you happy.”
“But what can you do? Since my parents' death, my uncle controls all that I do. I cannot defy him.”
Agnes understood that perfectly. Lord and Lady Reeds were the only obstacles standing between Caroline and her happiness, perhaps the biggest difficulties Agnes would ever have to face. She doubted Lord Reeds would be open to considering anything other than a marriage between Caroline and the duke. As Caroline said, he was hungry for a rise in his social status.
She wondered how things were going between Johnathan and the earl at this very moment. Lord Reeds had certainly looked frustrated when they’d returned to the manor and she could only imagine how much of that was caused by Agnes’ meddling.
Agnes didn’t know the answer right now but that wasn’t the right thing to say now. Caroline needed hope for the future, not a dismal feeling that her fate was sealed.
“We will find a way,” Agnes assured her, squeezing her hand. She wiped away the tears still streaming down Caroline’s face. “I assure you.”
Caroline smiled hopefully. Before she could say anything in response, there was a knock on the door.
Agnes couldn’t imagine who that could be. She stood, hesitant to release Caroline. In such a fragile state, she was afraid Caroline would fall apart if left alone for too long. She was half tempted to bring Caroline to the door with her.
As if Caroline knew what was going through Agnes’ mind, she wiped her face and pulled her shoulders back as she put on a brave smile. “You should see who that is.”
Agnes nodded, unable to fight the curiosity any longer. She left Caroline on the bed, making her way to the door. Before she could open it, she noticed a slip of white paper right by the threshold.
Agnes picked it up with a frown, pausing to read.
Meet me by the hedge labyrinth at the back of the gardens. - J
“J?”
Agnes jumped at Caroline’s voice over her shoulder. She hadn't heard her approach.
“J?” Caroline repeated. “As in Johnathan Harken? Is that note from the duke?”
Agnes was afraid to answer. To give herself time to think, she turned to open the door even though she was fairly certain that no one would be on the other end. Sure enough, the hallway was empty.
