Page 40 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
“Tomorrow, then, I shall go and see her, to see if everything is well with her father. It would not be suspect, for we are neighbours,” he said aloud to reassure himself.
And then, he settled in with a book before the hearth in his study. It was early yet, and he was not tired. Besides, he knew if he laid down then, it would only be to think of Caroline and what their uncertain future held.
Chapter 39
The next morning, Caroline woke, still feeling groggy. She remembered that her father was ill, and so she slid out of bed, pulled on her dressing gown, and left the room. She would not wait for the maid to come and tend to her; she needed to see her father, to make sure that he had survived the night. After the doctor had come, Penelope had come to tell her that her father was resting comfortably and should not be disturbed.
They had retired to their rooms for the night, and Caroline had lain awake for most of it, wondering what was to become of her father. Softly, she knocked on his door and opened it to see him already sitting up in bed. He looked gray still, and her heart fell. Rest had not done what she’d been told it would.
“Father,” she said, slipping in beside him to sit on the edge of the bed, “are you well?” Tears welled in her eyes.
He smiled at her, his lips a little dry. “I see that you are worrying, my dear daughter. Do not do so.” He slowly reached for her hand, and she clasped his gently. “The night did not see me well, but do not give up hope. The doctor was not terribly concerned.”
“Do not lie, husband,” Penelope said, stalking into the room, already fully dressed. “You are unwell. You should not shield your daughter; she is old enough.”
Caroline felt a twinge of pain in her chest and stomach, and she let one tear slip down her cheek. Her father clasped her hand even harder, and when she looked into his eyes, he winked at her. Penelope sat on the other side of the bed, looking grim and slightly gray, as well, as if she too had been kept awake at night by worry.
Although I do not know why. I have never thought her to truly love my father.
“Penelope, do not scare the child. I just need my rest. You must all do as you wish for the next few days while I recover. Do not allow me to hold you back.”
Caroline’s chin wobbled, but she looked away, hoping she could keep it from either of them.
“Caroline, I think you should go and prepare for the day. There are visitors coming this afternoon, as I have asked some of the young ladies and their mothers to come visit you.”
Caroline’s heart fell. “But you have invited them to see Max, surely.”
“But of course. What of it? You are already friends with them, and so it will be no hardship.”
Her father squeezed her hand again, and it was the only thing that kept her from saying what she truly felt. With a kiss to her father’s forehead, she left the room without saying anything to Penelope. Her maid helped her to dress, and then she ate breakfast on her own, thinking over what her day would contain.
When could she and Charles bring their courtship to light? Why hadn’t she insisted that he come to visit her father and declare himself?
Because you were afraid he would disagree. You were afraid that Penelope would get in the way of your match.
After breakfast, she went to the sitting room to bury herself in a book when a few minutes later, the butler entered.
“There is a gentleman here for you, Miss Turner. Lord Spencer. Shall I send him in?”
“Yes, please,” she said far too desperately, rising to her feet. “Please send my lady’s maid down as well.”
“Of course.”
The butler left, and a minute later, her maid entered to sit in the corner, and then Charles entered with the butler behind him. He wore a handsome smile, and Caroline nearly rushed across the room to throw herself into his arms. He was the most comforting sight she had ever seen. She wished in that very moment that he would take her away from the dreadful place and to somewhere safe and comfortable.
“It is so good that you’ve come,” she said. “Sit, sit. Please bring tea,” she said to the butler, and then they were on their own with the maid in the far corner.
He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, and she could see his earnest look. “I was sorry to hear that you left the ball so early.”
“Oh, I know. I’m sorry for that. I had hoped that we would see one another—”
He held up a hand. “I didn’t mean to make you feel guilty; forgive me. I only wanted to hear how your father is faring.”
She sunk back in her seat, her hands falling limp into her lap. “Thank you, Charles. That is so very kind.”
He was not angry with her for leaving; he wanted to do something kind. She wasn’t sure, but she had a feeling that she fell in love with him at that very moment. Her heart had done so without thought, and she knew now that there was no turning back.
“I’m afraid that the night did not serve him well, but the doctor is not afraid, so I hear. I think he will get better in the next few days, with enough rest. But surely you can understand how frightening it is.”
