Page 35 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
“Nor I. When I was younger, I used to believe that this was where faeries and elves lived, that the trees around the pond and the pond itself was full of magic.” She giggled, and Charles listened with interest as this unique woman he could not believe he’d found spoke of her childhood with such cheerfulness.
“I can imagine you standing right here, dipping your fingers into the water as you are wont to do, and dreaming that something magical lives underneath the surface.”
She put a hand to her chest and threw her head back and laughed. “You have said it exactly right! I would come and touch the water and wish that whatever swam beneath its depths would come to meet me, would tell me of its magic, and perhaps even grant me a wish.”
“Ah, I see.” He interlaced his fingers with hers. “Well, then, what did young Caroline want when she was younger? What would her wish have been?”
She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment as she sank back into the past. Charles wanted to lean over to kiss her on the cheek and more, but he held back. There would be time for that later.
“I think she would have wished to be free of her lessons. That she could take down the ribbons in her hair and kick off the shoes from her feet and run off into the wilds.” With her eyes still closed, she smiled. “Yes, that would have been her wish.”
She blinked and turned to face him. “And what would your wish be now, Caroline?” he asked, wanting to hear the answer with all his heart.
“Now that, Lord Spencer, is a very great secret. Women have all kinds of secrets, and I shall keep this one all to myself. At least for now.”
Charles breathed in, the heady scent of her in his nose. Unable to help himself, he reached out to caress her cheek, and then she leaned forward to press her lips to his.
The kiss heated in a moment. It seemed that whenever they touched one another, sparks of energy flew between them in a way that he’d never had with anyone. He placed both hands on her face and turned her head to deepen the kiss. A soft moan escaped her, and his whole body surged to attention. His length hardened, and he could not wait for the day when they could be in bed together, when she would be writhing beneath him in ecstasy as he entered her again and again.
“Caroline,” he breathed, pulling away, his every muscle tingling, “I want you like I have wanted no other, but I’m afraid I have some business to attend to before the dinner.”
“Oh?” she asked, looking a little dazed as she stared back at him. “But of course, you must go.”
“Until this evening, my dear,” he said, kissing her hand. “I must go and meet with my steward about a few improvements to the land.”
She smiled. “That sounds like a very good thing to do. I should like to hear more about your land, but for now, you must assuredly go. I would not want to stand in the way.” She hopped down from the rock, and he joined her, holding out his arm for her as they left the pond’s edge to return to the path.
“You would never be in the way.” When they parted, he said, “I will once again miss you until I see you in a few hours.”
She rolled her eyes and laughed, and he walked away, turning only once to wave back at her. She stood on the path waving at him, and Charles had never been more loath to go anywhere.
Chapter 35
The ball was a larger affair, since the Chatsworth home was one of the largest in the area. And so there were many more people who had been invited, some from farther neighbouring estates and some from London.
Normally, Caroline would have greatly minded, for the time in the countryside was her sanctuary away from the crazed Season in which she’d been plucked and pulled. But that evening, she was glad for more people, for it meant more distractions for her stepmother. It also meant more ladies upon whom Max could set his sights.
“This is the finest ball of our time in the country, Max,” Penelope said on Max’s arm as they approached the Chatsworth estate.
Penelope had dressed with extra care that evening in a dark gown, and a dark feather rose up from her coiffure. She wore dark gloves, as well, and was grinning from ear to ear with her nephew on her arm.
Caroline tried not to roll her eyes as she walked to the door on her father’s arm.
“It looks very fine,” Max said, nodding to himself and giving his aunt a sweet smile. “I am looking forward to it. And it appears that the viscount is doing well.”
Caroline gritted her teeth. Despite the disappointment the other night at the Merryweather dinner party, it seemed Max and Penelope were still hoping for Max to woo Matilda. But she was certain that would not happen. Alexander just had to make sure that he continued to fight for the one he loved.
“You look very well, my dear,” her father whispered in her ear as they entered the home.
“Thank you, Father.” She smiled at him, noting that he seemed to look even more tired than usual, and she put a hand on his arm. “You look tired, Father. Did you not sleep well?”
He waved away her concern with a hand. “Don’t you worry yourself, Caroline,” he said, chucking under her chin. “You just enjoy yourself tonight. I know you will if a certain man is in attendance.”
“Father,” she said, her cheeks suddenly turning furiously warm, and he winked.
“Your secret is safe with me. For now.”
Caroline was unable to say anything else before they had to greet their hosts, and Matilda took her away from the line of guests to the ballroom.
