Page 6 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
Since her mother had died when she was a child, he was all she had in the world, and even though she and Penelope did not get along, she would do anything to keep her father smiling. If he loved Penelope, which she did not exactly understand, Caroline would do her best to be kind to her.
“Ah, I should remind you, before I forget. Penelope’s nephew, Maximilian, will be here the day after tomorrow as well, so he cannot join us at the ball, but there will be many more occasions for him to take part in.”
Caroline nearly dropped her knife to hear that. It made a shiver run down her spine. The delightful tingle in her belly that came from thoughts of Lord Spencer was instantly doused. “Max will be here?”
“Yes. You know how Penelope dotes on him.”
“Yes, I quite remember.” Far too much, in my opinion—far too much for an aunt and a nephew.
“Well, I just thought I’d let you know. It will be nice for you to have someone your age in the house. We can all be a big, happy family together in our time in the country.”
“How long will he be staying?” she asked, trying not to sound too nervous.
Maximilian Thornhill was the vainest, proudest man she’d ever met, and she loathed him deeply. Every time he looked at her, she cringed inwardly, and she had to clench her fists until her nails bit into her palms to keep from showing it.
“I don’t know, but I’m certain at least a few weeks. They are so close, Penelope and he.”
“Right.” She nibbled on her toast, worrying about seeing him again. But at least he will not be at the ball tomorrow.
No, at the ball tomorrow would simply be Lord Spencer. He was like a hero of old, rushing to her aid, lifting her to her feet and staring at her as if he wished to look at nothing else. She smiled to herself again, but then a new thought assailed her.
But what of our odd meeting?
She would have to think of something to say to him to make sure that he did not reveal to the neighbourhoodhood at large the circumstances of their rather… unusual meeting. He seemed kind enough, but one could never tell. There were always snakes in the grass.
Chapter 6
Caroline’s heart was in her throat as the next night, she, Penelope, and her father approached the steps of Lady Fenton’s estate. The carriage ride over had seen her listening incessantly to Penelope’s instructions while she’d thought only of meeting Lord Spencer again.
“Do remember to keep your pins in their place. Go to the ladies’ retiring room if you need to adjust them. Also, do not take off your gloves. Remember not to yawn unless you are alone, and do not, by any means, scratch your nose.”
She and her father had exchanged looks a time or two, and he’d smiled at her encouragingly. But Caroline wondered why he never stopped his young wife from speaking as she did. Now, they were approaching their hosts, Lord and Lady Fenton, and Caroline was trying to keep her breathing steady.
Throughout the whole of the last Season, she hadn’t come across a single young gentleman of any taste or interesting conversation. There were handsome ones, to be certain, dangerous rakes as well that the young ladies all tittered about, but there was no one with whom Caroline could really talk.
And after yesterday, she wondered if she’d finally come across just such a gentleman. The instant their eyes had met, she’d felt something deep and low in her belly. It was sudden but strong, and she wondered if she would feel it again tonight when she saw him.
Oh, do stop being foolish. It was one meeting. You barely spoke!
She lifted her chin as they stepped up to the hosts. Lord Fenton, a man in his fifties, was dressed soberly in black, and he had the sort of mouth shape that made him look as though he was constantly frowning. As a child, Caroline had assumed he was a clergyman. His wife looked just as somber, but she wore bright colors, and had feathers in her hair.
“Lord and Lady Wentworth, Miss Wentworth,” Lady Fenton said. “You are most welcome.”
Caroline curtsied.
“Do enjoy yourselves.” Lady Fenton motioned to the entrance, and they were released to walk into the home and the ballroom to mingle with the other guests.
Caroline had dressed with care that evening, more so than normal, and Penelope was inordinately pleased that she no longer looked “common.” Her maid had curled her hair and pinned it just so, leaving curls to frame her face. She wore a pearl necklace, and her gown was a pearly colour as well, matching the long silken gloves on her arms. She felt elegant, and yet she felt not exactly herself.
“You look very well, my love. Now go and spend time with your friends,” her father whispered in her ear as he and Penelope turned away.
Smiling, Caroline turned to the crowd, and she waved when she spied her dear friend Lady Matilda Chatsworth speaking to another friend, Lord Alexander Fitzroy. She grinned to herself as she walked through the crowd toward them. With her hands behind her back, she stood in front of the pair and gave them a cheerful greeting.
“Good evening to you both.”
They both turned at the same time, almost surprised that they’d been interrupted.
She knew why. The two of them were more in love with each other than Caroline had ever seen before, and yet neither had spoken the words.
