Page 52 of An Icy Christmas Engagement
“Oh, goodness. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“It is all well. You could not have known.”
There was an uncomfortable silence and then, “I lost my father as well. Though it was when I was much younger, only ten years old. He died of consumption but left behind a small wealth for my mother and I to live on. That could only last so long, however, so my mother was eager for me to marry.”
“Which is how you came to marry the Viscount of Winterbourne.”
She nodded, finishing her wine. “It was a very quick affair, the wedding. The marriage too, I suppose, since it only lasted three years. I suppose I should be grateful for that small mercy.” Caroline paused, putting a hand over her mouth. “Was that terrible of me to say?”
“Not at all,” Cedric assured her. “I know many ladies feel trapped and unhappy in their arranged marriages. May the late viscount rest in peace, I am happy you were not one of the many.”
Caroline smiled softly. “As am I.” Then the smile fell. “Though I fear that freedom is now being threatened.”
Cedric’s heart thudded against his chest. Suddenly, he felt hesitant to ask his next question, even though he longed to know. “Do you plan on marrying again?”
Caroline thinned her lips. She looked at him with such profound sadness in her eyes that it took all his strength not to stand and pull her into his arms. Just when he thought he might give in to the insane urge, she looked away.
“I should go,” she said. “I have stayed here long enough. The last thing I want is to cause a scandal.”
Cedric stood with her. “I think that should be the least of our concerns, since the damage is likely already done.”
She smiled ruefully. “You may be right. But I should still leave.”
Cedric tried to hide his disappointment and it began eating him up on the inside instead. “Wait here,” he said. “I shall have my carriage take you home.”
She looked as if she was about to protest but when he gave her a stern look, she sighed. “Thank you, Cedric.”
Cedric nodded and headed out of the room. He ignored the curious looks trailing after him as he located his coachman and told him to prepare to leave. When he made it back to his office, Caroline was lingering by the window.
“You have a lovely view,” she said when he approached from behind.
He didn’t take his eyes off her. “I do.”
She was unaware of where his attention was, gazing wistfully out the window, her mind miles away.
“The carriage is waiting,” Cedric said softly, though he hoped she would find a reason to stay.
She simply nodded. “Let us go then.”
Together, they left the office once more and he led her to the carriage. Cedric didn’t leave her side, even taking her hand and helping her into the carriage though she was more than capable of getting in on her own. Her hand lingered against his palm and he nearly gripped her fingers and tugged her back down and out of the carriage to tell her to stay, but then she pulled it away.
“Thank you for your help, Cedric,” she told him. “I will return your coats as soon as I return home.”
“Keep them,” he said without thinking.
Caroline frowned. “But—”
“I insist.” And before she could continue to protest, he closed the door and hit the side of the carriage, signaling for the coachman to go.
They didn’t take their eyes off each other until the very last minute. Even then Cedric only stood there and stared after it, even after it was long gone.
Chapter Fifteen
Caroline was actually excited for Lord and Lady Whitmore’s ball. She didn’t think she would ever see the day.
Of course, she hid it well from her mother. Elizabeth was convinced Caroline had come to her senses—especially after disappearing so suddenly during tea with Lord Sotheby—and that she’d finally decided to accept Lord Sotheby’s advances. That was why she’d made sure to style her hair in an intricate updo, rather than her usual chignon, and wore a fashionable azure gown. Caroline didn’t bother to correct her. It was far easier than listening to Elizabeth’s lectures about how rude she had been.
It was a little more difficult hiding it from Louisa, though she was sure she’d managed it in the end. Even though Caroline had quickly put away Cedric’s coat before anyone could see her in it, she knew Louisa might hear about it from the housekeeper sooner or later. Caroline played off her excitement by saying she was putting herself in the mind of her female protagonist and wished to live out tonight through her eyes. Louisa seemed to have accepted that.
