Page 30 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
Things were going to be all right. Her friends would find love, and she perhaps, might be able to find something for herself.
It was no coincidence that Charles’ face came to mind in that moment.
Chapter 30
“You have been most helpful, Lord Charles,” the baron told him after Charles gave him all the advice he could. “You will see me in London then, making my bets. I don’t know why I never thought to get involved before, but many of my acquaintances are now getting involved, and I did not want to be left behind. There is much good money to be made.”
“I understand you completely, My Lord,” Charles replied with a genuine smile.
He had enjoyed the past few minutes immensely, telling stories and listening to the baron’s plans for his future. He was a very pleasant man, and Charles could see where Caroline got her brightness from.
Even if she was currently unhappy with her situation at home, there seemed to be something always alight inside her. Something that made her ever-youthful. He could only imagine what she would be like when her home was a happy one.
“Well, I know that I have taken up much of your time. It is likely you will wish to spend some time with the young people again.”
Charles glanced up at the small crowd, and he spotted Caroline walking out of the sitting room and into the garden.
“I did not realise Mr Merryweather had a garden here. It seems a fine house, but I have ridden all over the area, and I did not see one attached to it.”
“Ah, he is very clever. He has a hidden one, built between the centre of his vast home so that it can be private. But he opens it for guests at his dinner parties, and everyone enjoys it. The doors are kept open so that people can move in and out. Mr Simpton enjoys his pipe too much to spend a lot of his time indoors. And Mrs Simpton, too, often needs a breath of fresh air. But all the guests enjoy it.”
“Thank you. I think I shall take a bit of air myself.” He stood and shook the baron’s hand. “Please, ask me any questions you have as you embark upon your new venture.”
“Thank you. Dinner will soon be served, I imagine, so do not linger too long.” There was a twinkle of something like mischief in the old man’s eye, and Charles nodded and smiled at him.
“Very well.” He took his leave, wondering what that was all about, and he slipped out of the sitting room doors and out into the fresh night air of the garden, hopefully unawares.
He took a deep breath, feeling all the tension of the last days leave him in a moment. The garden was beautiful, lit by torchlight and moonlight, and there was a gravel path that ran through it. Mr Merryweather had fruit trees lined up along the main path, and rosebushes, wildflowers, and many others dotted about.
He walked over the balcony and down the steps, appreciating the satisfying crunch of gravel under his boots. He had seen another couple on the balcony, but they paid him no mind as he left to walk the paths.
The floral scent in the air was like a sweet perfume, a perfume he recognized: Caroline. Caroline smelled like a beautiful, lush garden, and he couldn’t wait to be close to her again. But where was she? He couldn’t see anyone else as he wandered down the path and out of sight of the balcony. He had hoped to come upon her so they could speak again, so that he could find out what was between them and put his growing feelings aside if he must.
He was walking by a particular fragrant honeysuckle bush and leaned down to smell it when a hand closed upon his arm and yanked him to the side. He wanted to yell out, but before he could, he spotted Caroline in front of him, smiling. She removed her hand from his arm, and she was leaning back against the brick wall, her hands behind her back. It was an alcove, dimly lit, but it was entirely hidden behind the bush, and away from everyone else, in fact.
We are hidden away, yet again.
And again, without even speaking, he could feel the buzz of energy between them. Her eyes were wide and sparkling, and her beautiful mouth beckoned him, reminding him of what it had been like to kiss her in the pond.
“So, do you always capture victims who decide to take a walk in the gardens here?” he asked.
She laughed, an innocent, pretty sound. “This is my very first time doing so, if you can believe me. But I heard someone coming, and then I saw you through the bush, and I—well, perhaps you think me foolish for doing so.” She began to lose confidence, and Charles stepped forward, reaching out for her hand.
He knew it was wrong, but he grasped it, and she allowed him. He slowly brought it to his lips.
“No, I do not think you foolish.” Grinning, he said, “I think you very bold for doing what you did, and I am very glad you did.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and began speaking quickly. He could tell she was nervous by the way her chest heaved a little faster than usual.
“Alexander, Matilda, and I have been coming to Mr Merryweather’s dinners ever since we were children. Our parents always allowed us, but we were not allowed to eat at the main table. We ate elsewhere, and we were set free in these gardens every time. It was like a dream. We explored and played games, and we found these secret alcoves. I have found them useful for many an escape over the years,” she added a bit forlornly.
Charles wished with all his heart that he could wipe that frown from her face. “Thank you for showing it to me. Did you need a break from the entertainments indoors?” he asked, waiting for an answer that would tell him that she was not being courted by Lord Fitzroy.
Although the fact that she had not danced with him yet said something.
“Yes. My stepmother is a little too eager for me to not be an embarrassment as well as for Max to do well amongst the ladies of the party.” She shrugged, and she looked out of the alcove door. “I was tired of the constant scrutiny, and I thought I would enjoy the gardens once again. They are lovely, are they not?”
He did not join her gaze for he could not stop looking at her. In the dim light, she seemed even more beautiful, more ethereal, more the stuff of fairytale.
