Page 38 of An Icy Christmas Engagement
Mr. Holloway smiled somehow without moving his lips. “Far better than the last time, I must admit. And at the rate you’re writing, you just may meet the deadline. I must say, I didn’t have much faith in you.”
“Don’t speak too soon,” she said quickly. “Though I am confident that Iwillmeet your deadline.”
“You don’t sound confident,” he pointed out. He handed her the portfolio. “The tone in your writing sounds far more passionate than before. What changed?”
“I simply came across some inspirations, that’s all.” She had many people to credit to that. Her time at the orphanage with the children, her scenic morning walk through Hyde Park with Lord Sotheby. Not to mention the man who had inspired her male protagonist in the first place.
“Continue like this and we just might make it then. However,” Mr. Holloway got to his feet and made his way over to his desk, “that isn’t to say there aren’t any revisions to be made.”
Caroline watched as he reached for his quill and began scribbling over what she’d written. She didn’t mind half as much. It was markedly less corrections than previous occasions after all.
She turned her attention back to the warm, crackling fire, a soft smile on her lips. It was possible, she realized. She hadn’t wanted to give in to the negative thoughts and doubts before but now they had completely vanished, leaving nothing but anticipation. For the conclusion of her book, for this new publication, everything.
At last, Mr. Holloway was done with his revision and handed back her unfinished manuscript with a grunt of farewell. Caroline didn’t mind it at all and left his office with that pep still in her step. Even though she plunged right into a fog so thick she could hardly see two paces before her, it did nothing to dampen her mood.
The street was eerily quiet. Caroline didn’t notice it until she was well on her way. She pulled her coat closer, a chill of unease running down her spine.
It was quiet and it felt as if someone was watching her.
She glanced over her shoulder, a useless feat considering the fact that she could hardly see anything. But the sensation didn’t abate. She kept away from the street, her head down and her eyes strained for any movement. Her heart began to pound as she thought of a pair of large hands reaching out to grab her in the midst of the fog.
You’re simply overthinking, she told herself as she hurried along.Your mind is far too active as of late.
Between daydreaming about the Earl of Colenhurst and thinking about how to progress in her book, Caroline’s mind was never at rest. She wouldn’t be surprised if that was the cause of her apprehension.
Still, she didn’t relax until she saw the steps of Louisa’s townhouse come into view. She quickened her pace, keeping her head down but her eyes alert as she hurried up to the front door. Caroline didn’t breathe a sigh of relief until she was safely within.
“There you are!”
That relief disappeared the moment her mother’s shrill voice echoed throughout the foyer. Caroline immediately tensed. Why did she always happen to return just as her mother was passing by?
Elizabeth flew down the staircase, lodging herself to Caroline’s side in excitement. “At this rate, I will begin to think that you do not enjoy spending your mornings with your mother. You are always gone by the time I come down for breakfast and it is already midday. We’ve wasted so much time already.”
Caroline’s heart sank. She didn’t fight it when Elizabeth began to steer her towards the drawing room. “Where is Louisa?” she asked.
“Oh, I think she may be in the gardens doing that infernal digging of hers. I cannot ever understand it.”
Caroline didn’t fight her on the comment, especially since she agreed to an extent. Gardening during the summer sounded like a splendid pastime. Fighting with the cold hard ground in the bitter wintery months sounded like torture.
But she would much rather that fate than to endure whatever scheme her mother had conjured up now. And she knew she had. The twinkle in Elizabeth’s eyes was unmistakable.
“Don’t get too settled in,” Elizabeth told her as she sat down. “We will be heading back out shortly.”
“For what purpose?” Caroline asked warily.
Elizabeth blinked innocently. “Did I not say? How odd.”
Caroline didn’t find it odd at all, but she neglected to say anything.
“Well, I will be having a dinner party this evening. Just a simple affair, of course, given our…circumstances.” She waved her hand as if to gesture to their surroundings. “But it will be quite festive and in celebration of the season. I think it would be best if we got you a new dress to match the occasion.”
Caroline sighed heavily. “I have no need for another dress, Mother. I have more than enough. Ones that I have never worn either.”
“I will have to be the judge of that. They may be terribly outdated and I do not want to risk anything that might chase Lord Sotheby away.” Elizabeth paused. “Did I mention that he will be in attendance? Well, I do not need to since that fact is a given.”
“I sincerely doubt Lord Sotheby cares about today’s fashion, Mother,” Caroline said wearily.
“That is not a risk I am willing to take.” Elizabeth paused, tilting her head to the side. “You do not look very excited.”
