Page 13 of Lady in Ruby
“Surely not.” Caroline supposed some women would covet the necklace, but it wasn’t as if she were living an extravagant life.
“You really are beautiful, Caro. You know that, don’t you?”
She laughed, though an odd little shiver ran through her as she caught an unfamiliar glint in Francis’s eyes. “It’s kind of you to say, but please don’t say it again. I shouldn’t wish to have compliments go to my head. Why I’d be like that young lady a few years ago—what was her name?—the one who was sure that all of London would fall at her feet just because she won the Queen of the May one year at the fair.”
“You’d win if you wanted to. Such a beautiful young lady ought to be courted. It’s a crime to let you rattle around this house on your own.”
“I’m not on my own. I’ve got my whole family. And Estelle. Not to mention everyone nearby and in the village.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about. You ought to be a wife. My wife.”
She was so surprised she almost stumbled. “What?”
“Why not? It’s rather perfect, really. Come, kiss me, Caro.”
“Francis, I really would rather not!”
He just chuckled. “So prim and proper. Fine, I shall kiss you.”
He took her, his hands gripping her upper arms, preventing her from stepping away. She turned her head to the side, still protesting that he was acting mad.
“Don’t be coy, Caro. You surely have been kissed before.”
“Not by you!”
“All the more reason to correct the—”
He broke off at the sound of approaching footsteps and a male voice humming a tune. After a second, Caroline recognized it as “The Holly and the Ivy.” Then Snowdon rounded the corner, past a large yew that was so thickly covered in snow that it served as a solid wall.
On seeing them, he stopped. “Oh, didn’t know anyone was out here. Excuse me.”
“No, it’s perfectly fine!” Caroline said in a rush, so relieved by the presence of another person, which would mean an end to Francis’s attentions. “How nice that you’re here. I mean, that you’re enjoying the gardens. Here. Now.”
Snowdon took a few more steps toward them. Though he couldn’t have known the nature of what had just been going on, Caroline’s manner must reveal that she was not exactly at ease.
“Miss Garland? What’s the matter?” Snowdon walked toward her, wearing his blue wool jacket over a snowy white shirt and cravat. Why did he not have anything more substantial on today, especially when he owned the fine greatcoat she saw before?
“Oh! Nothing! I say, aren’t you cold?” Caroline asked to cover her confusion.
“Cold never bothers me,” Snowdon said. “Actually, I was hoping I might find a guide. I’d love to see a bit more of your woods. Everything here is so beautiful in the winter.”
“Oh, I’d be happy to show you around,” she said, leaping at the chance to remove herself from the awkward situation with Francis. “There’s a very pretty pond we use for skating.”
“Excellent.” He offered his arm, and she took it.
Francis reached out and took her other arm. “A moment, sir! We were discussing a private matter.”
“But we were finished!” Caroline added, “And Mama would expect me to show a guest around. Excuse me, please.”
Francis didn’t remove his hand, and Caroline couldn’t step away, not without plowing directly into Snowdon’s side.
Then Snowdon reached over, lifted Francis’s hand up, and slowly moved it away. He didn’t say anything, but there was a sudden sense of icy menace in the air. Francis’s jaw flexed hard, but he held his temper, barely.
“I’ll see you at luncheon, Caro.”
“Of course.” She kept on a fatuous smile and hoped that some extremely precise snowstorm might bury her and hide her embarrassment.
Snowdon led her away, his free hand resting on her fingertips in some silent reassurance. After a few moments, when they could not be overheard, he paused.
