Page 75 of The Ice Queen
Chapter Forty-Five
Aknock at Caroline’s bedroom door roused her from a deep sleep. She had been dreaming of a tall man pulling her along at high speed on the frozen Thames. Every time she tried to skate faster and catch up to him, he drew away and she was left struggling to remain upright.
She rolled over and faced the door as Adelaide came into the room bearing a large box. She set it down on Caroline’s dressing table and then stood, waiting.
“What is it?” asked Caroline.
Her mother hurried over to the chair where Caroline’s dressing gown hung, picked it up, and handed it to her.
“I have no idea, but I had hoped that your efforts in dissuading young gentlemen from making rash displays of devotion would have had an immediate effect. Clearly, I was wrong. Whatever it is, you had better open it and then send it back,” said Adelaide.
A reluctant Caroline put on her dressing gown and padded barefoot to where the box sat. She looked at it for a moment, examining the outside.
It was an elegant pale blue box, with silver ribbon wrapped around it which finished in an enormous bow. Someone had spent some serious blunt on a gift, if the box was any indication of what was inside.
Caroline pulled on the ribbon and loosened the bow. Adelaide leaned closer. Then, with a great flourish, Caroline whipped the lid off.
“Oh.”
Inside the box was a pair of ice skates.
Adelaide screwed up her face. “That is an odd gift. Who would send such a thing?”
Tears pricked Caroline’s eyes as she picked up the small note which lay on top of the skates. Her bottom lip trembled as she read it.
Midas misses you terribly, as do I. We shall be in Hyde Park at 5pm this afternoon. I have an appointment with your father at 3pm.
She closed her eyes and put a hand to her mouth. Julian knew exactly how to touch her heart.
Adelaide slipped a hand around Caroline’s waist. “May I ask who has sent you this?”
Smiling through her tears, Caroline handed her mother the note. “Lord Newhall, Julian. Midas is his dog.”
Julian had waited only a day before setting out to follow her. Knowing that he was impatient to see her again brought a welcome sense of relief.
“Do you love him?” said Adelaide.
Caroline nodded. The past days being separated from Julian had been torture. Almost every waking moment was spent thinking about him, and wondering where he was and what he was doing.
She looked at the note once more. He would be in Hyde Park at 5pm today. It would only be a matter of hours before she saw him again.
“He is going to speak to Papa this afternoon and ask for permission to court me. I had better go and tell Papa that he can finally say ‘yes’ to a young gentleman. After that, will you come with me to Hyde Park? I would very much like for you to meet him,” replied Caroline.
“Of course. I am pleased to hear that his intentions are serious. Now hurry and get dressed. I need to hear more about what happened at Newhall Castle, and why an earl would be sending you a pair of ice skates.,” said Adelaide.
Caroline pulled one of the ice skates out of the box and held it up. The blade glistened in the morning light. “Rest assured Mama, both of us are serious in our intentions.”
Adelaide smiled. “Countess Newhall. I think you would do the title a great service.”
