Page 8 of Papa's Captive
Was everyone at Talcott House trying to steal Lord Caldwell’s attention from her?
Without replying, she walked at a ladylike but eager pace to the drawing room. She paused for a moment and observed Lord Caldwell before he realized she had arrived. His dark locks were longer than the last time she’d seen him, framing a face with a strong square jaw and eyes that were slightly darker than his hair. Oh, how devilishly handsome he looked today, with his perfectly tailored clothes and polished boots. Though he always played the part of a well-bred gentleman, it seemed today he had taken extra care in his appearance. Her pulse thumped in her ears as she considered all the reasons he might have done so. Surely, he had never worn polished boots with such a gleaming shine before. Was there a special reason he was trying to impress her? She wished she’d had more time to fix her hair before meeting him.
But as she stared at his handsome profile, all of Rosie’s troubles vanished, if only for a moment.
Her heart soared at the sight of him. It had not really been so many days since his last visit, but it had been enough to make her anxious and for her heart to grow fond. More than fond, if she were honest.
In his lap he held a small wrapped package. Her body hummed with anticipation and she wondered what it might be. It was an unusual shape: several inches long and about two inches square. Could it be some item of jewelry which had been passed down through his family? A giddy tingle surged through her at the thought of a grand item to wear as a reminder she belonged to Lord Caldwell.
By then Garland caught up with Rosie and her arrival startled Lord Caldwell. He turned and greeted Rosie with a warm smile. He stood and held up both his hands to her. “Rosie, my dear, I have missed you.”
She could not contain the joyful smile which spread over her face as she rushed to him and laid her hands in his. A jolt of tension passed between them as they touched. When he gave her hands an affectionate squeeze, a sharp thrill coursed through her and for the first time in her life, her bosom began to tingle and suddenly felt heavier, as if her ninnies were aching for his touch. Heat seared her cheeks at the mere prospect of Lord Caldwell putting his hands on this part of her body.
Behind her, Garland cleared her throat. When Rosie glanced back at her ever-diligent chaperone, Garland tipped her head toward their joined hands and gave Rosie a meaningful look.
“Oh, for heaven's sake,” Rosie said, taking her hands away from Lord Caldwell’s. She did not wish to get into an argument about the propriety of their hands touching, particularly when Lord Caldwell wore gloves, though she could feel the warmth of his hands through the fabric and her fingertips still tingled from the contact.
“I am so pleased to see you,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. Much as she had tried to avoid it, she cared very deeply for Lord Caldwell.
When he had stood, Lord Caldwell had laid the unusually shaped package on the sofa next to him. But after their initial greeting, he reached back and picked it up. Rosie's heart fluttered with excited anticipation and she held her hands out to accept his offering.
To her dismay, he turned instead to Garland. “I have brought you a gift, Miss Garland,” he said, offering the item to her, “to thank you for all of the time and attention you have given to chaperone Miss Rosie and myself over the last few weeks.”
It was a wonder Garland didn't stumble over her feet, she rushed so quickly to Lord Caldwell’s side, a happy grin nearly engulfing her entire face as she took hold of the package.
Rosie's jaw hung open. He had brought Garland a gift, but nothing for her? Her ire from a short time before quickly rose to the surface. It seemed today was a day when everyone conspired to vex her, even her betrothed.
However, she did not wish for Lord Caldwell to see that ugly side of her, though she was none too pleased at being neglected only to have him arrive with a gift for Garland, of all people. Garland? Perhaps he truly was a thoughtless man.
Regardless, his presence thrilled her and Rosie quickly composed herself, but not before Lord Caldwell caught sight of the disappointment reflected in her eyes.
He took hold of her elbow and pulled her aside while Garland focused on unwrapping her gift. “I am sure you will see, my dear Rosie, that this gift for Garland is really a treat for both of us as well. Besides,” he said with a saucy smile, “I have a surprise for you too.”
Curious, she looked up into his face and then he nodded toward Garland who had already removed the paper from the package and opened the box to reveal a long shiny tube.
“A kaleidoscope!” Garland said, holding the item for them both to see, as though Lord Caldwell did not know the exact contents of the package which he had brought with him. “Oh, Lord Caldwell, thank you ever so much. I read about these inLady’s Monthly Museumbut I never imagined I would get to see, let alone own, one myself. You are much too kind, sir. Yes, much, much too kind. I thank you.” Garland blushed when she spoke to Lord Caldwell and any promises she might have made to give Rosie and Lord Caldwell some privacy were quickly forgotten as she stepped between the two of them, her gaze focused on him, a dreamy expression on her face.
“I am pleased the gift is acceptable to you,” Lord Caldwell said to Garland, who wavered between looking at him with adoration and staring at the shiny object in her hand.
“If you hold the kaleidoscope up to the window,” Lord Caldwell took Garland by the arm and led her to a picture window at the back of the drawing room, “the light from outside creates the best optical patterns.” Rosie suspected she understood his intentions, but still, the sight of his gloved fingers lingering on Garland’s beefy arm sent spirals of green jealousy throughout her being. He then held the kaleidoscope up to the bright sunlight and with a touch to Garland’s shoulder, moved her into position to gaze into the magical object.
“Oh,” Garland said and Rosie was not sure if her reaction was due to what she saw or Lord Caldwell’s attentions. Rosie hoped he knew what he was doing, otherwise she might be obligated to fight off Garland as well.
“What do you see?” Lord Caldwell asked Garland.
As she described the prisms and colors inside the long tube, Lord Caldwell encouraged her to provide as much detail as possible. As Garland spoke, he backed away from her and quickly escorted Rosie onto the front steps of Talcott House.
