Page 47 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
“Thank you both.” Caroline sighed, and she closed her eyes for a moment. “I feel as though I’ve not slept in days, when I only found out yesterday that this was to happen.”
“Is this to happen only if your father passes, forgive my saying so, or no matter what?” Alexander asked.
“I think no matter what, since the inheritance will fall to me, no matter what,” Caroline said with resignation.
“But perhaps your father will get better, and then Max will be forced to seek out faster ways to have money at his disposal. He will not wish to wait for an inheritance to come his way.”
Caroline nodded, only slightly comforted by the idea. It still all hinged on whether her father lived or died, and she did not want to think about that. Music suddenly filled the room, and she turned towards the ballroom floor to stand at Matilda’s side.
“Hopefully, they will keep the suggested engagement to themselves this evening,” she whispered to Matilda, and Matilda nodded.
But then, across the way, Caroline noticed Charles and Oliver entering the ballroom in conversation, and her heart leapt. Charles would come to her aid, of course! Why did she not think of it? He would be able to tell Penelope that Caroline was already spoken for. It might be a bit rushed compared to what they had planned to do, but if there was no other option, then she was certain he would do what needed to be done.
She was about to walk toward him when she saw Penelope striding right up to him with a confident look. Max was at her side, still looking just as smug as he had since she’d first been told of Penelope’s plans.
Caroline went cold. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, what her stepmother was about to tell Charles.
But why tell him? Is it possible she knows of our secret affection and wishes to warn him off or to hurt me?
But Penelope had to know, for it was the perfect way to exact her revenge against Caroline—and Penelope had never shied away from hurting someone to get what she wanted.
Chapter 47
“Ah, the baroness seeks you out again, Charles,” Oliver said, whispering to him as they entered the ballroom and saw the woman in question heading their way.
Charles tensed, but he pulled on the sleeves of his coat and smiled as best he could as the baroness approached. Yet again, she had dressed in a dark dress with a large, dark feather in her tightly pinned bun. Her oily nephew stood next to her, his hair slicked back, his mouth wide and smug-like, wearing the latest fashion.
“Lord Spencer, what a delight. You have graced us with your presence so often this year.”
She blinked at him coquettishly, and Charles felt his smile falter a bit.
“You are too kind, My Lady. Good evening to you, Mr Thornhill.”
“Good evening, Lord Spencer,” Max said with a bow.
“And you know Mr Blackwell.” Charles motioned to Oliver, who bowed his head at her.
“But of course,” she replied, with nary a glance at him. “But I approached you, My Lord, because I thought you would like to be privy to a bit of fresh gossip.”
“Oh?” he asked, feeling rather exposed so close to the doorway of the ballroom. He did not wish for Caroline to have to see him yet again in earnest conversation with the one person she disliked above all others. “Well, in that case, perhaps I can persuade you to join me by the refreshments. I find these warm ballrooms can often make me a bit thirsty.”
“What a fine idea,” she said with another big smile, and he offered her his arm to lead her towards the table.
Oliver left them while Max trailed them. “How is your husband? I have heard that he is unwell.”
She stiffened, but she answered clear enough. “He is not well, I’m afraid, but a bit of rest will do him good. He has asked that we not curtail our activities because of him. That is why you find us here this evening.”
“I see.” He tried not to look around, even though it was very tempting. He wished to simply get a look at Caroline, to make sure that she was well, and that she was actually present. He needed to speak to her. “I hope your stepdaughter is well. I have not yet seen her this evening.”
“Oh, yes. She is around here somewhere,” the baroness said offhandedly, waving her hand in a random direction. “I’m sure you will see her at some point throughout the evening.”
“Very well.” He picked up a glass of champagne and passed it into the lady’s hands. She took it gratefully and again with a large, satisfied smile.
Max stood silently by, drinking his own glass while Charles took a sip. “I believe you have some news for me, My Lady. News you thought I ought to know? I wonder why it is so urgent that you must tell me. Has the gossip to do with me?”
“Not exactly, but I am the type where I am very able to keep a secret. But sometimes, the secret is so delicious that I often find myself unable to keep from telling at least one other person. One other person whom I can trust completely, of course.”
“Of course.” He smiled, but he was eager to get away from her as fast as possible.
