Page 21 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
“Oh.” The baroness did not seem pleased, however odd that looked to Charles.
He assisted her to her seat and then he found his own, his heart thumping wildly when he saw that Miss Caroline was already seated there, and Oliver on the other side.
“Good evening to you, Miss Caroline,” he said with a bigger smile than was perhaps proper.
“And to you, My Lord. I was glad to hear that you both were coming to my family’s dinner.”
“We were happy to accept the invitation,” Oliver said to her other side, and then as the others were getting seated, Charles introduced them.
“Forgive me that I did not do so before. Let me introduce my dear friend, Mr Oliver Blackwell. Oliver, this is Miss Caroline Turner.”
“Yes, I know. I have heard very much about you.” Oliver’s eyes twinkled with amusement. Charles glared at him while Miss Caroline was turned toward his friend. “Very nice to meet you, Miss Turner.”
“And you, Mr Blackwell.”
The first course was served, and they spoke idle chatter for a few minutes. Charles was burning to ask her more, especially after what had nearly happened in the forest before she’d returned to her house, but he bit his tongue. It was enough that he was so near her that he could smell the light scent of her perfume. He smiled to himself when he realised what it smelled like: flowers.
How perfectly appropriate.
“I see that your stepmother’s nephew is visiting, but I have not yet had the pleasure to meet him,” Charles said as they ate their soup.
Miss Caroline’s eyes widened ever so slightly as she looked at him. “Yes, you are right. Max is his name, and he is just there.” She nodded towards the end of the table where he was in merry conversation with a pair of young ladies. “I will introduce you later if you like.”
“Thank you.”
He stared back at her, wishing he could tell her that whatever it was about this Max that made her nervous would not touch her. Not if he had anything to do about it. But while she did appear to not like the man, she did not seem to be pale or wide-eyed as she had been when she’d first seen his arrival.
“Tell me,” Oliver said, making Miss Caroline turn to him, “what do you think of the countryside? Do you prefer it, or do you prefer your time in London?”
Charles already knew the answer, after what her stepmother had said about her, but he waited with bated breath anyway.
“I much prefer the countryside. It is like a balm to my soul. And you, Mr Blackwell?”
Charles could feel himself practically unfurling after her answer. He enjoyed the city and its amusements, of course, but it was nothing to what the country offered. Each day away from the smoke and bustle of London brought him more joy and satisfaction. The fact that Miss Caroline enjoyed it as well made him glad. It suited her too, and she looked so well amongst the flowers and the trees, as if she had been born to grow in the green.
“I am the same. Nature is my preferred form to paint.”
“You’re a painter?” Miss Caroline cried. “How fascinating.”
Oliver began to speak of his work, and Charles found that he was jealous of his friend. Oliver was not acting flirtatious in any way, and yet Charles ate quietly, seething a little.
This does not bode well. Perhaps I ought to do what Oliver suggests and court her properly.
Miss Caroline turned back to him eventually as the second course was served, and she offered him a pretty smile. His tension melted away and, unable to resist, his eyes flicked to her mouth. If only he had kissed her while he had the chance. He could know then what she tasted like and just how soft her lips were. He wondered if she thought of it as well, or if she knew just how mad he felt around her.
“Do you paint as well, My Lord?” she asked, and Charles cleared his throat to return his mind to focus.
“I’m afraid not, and my attempts at the art have all been seen and scorned by Oliver.”
Oliver chuckled and nodded. “I fear he has no talent in that regard, Miss Turner. But I beg you to not hold it against him.”
“No, I will not,” she answered softly, her blue eyes finding his. “For I believe that Lord Spencer has a great many other talents.”
Charles believed that was the single most erotic thing a woman had ever said to him.
Chapter 22
Caroline had just been attempting to be kind to Lord Spencer in her compliment, but the way his eyes had darkened and his jawline twitched made him look at her the way he had done in the woods.
