Page 64 of The Ice Queen
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Julian excused himself as soon as they reached the front entrance to the castle, and as he walked away, Caroline softly sighed.
Her first real kiss had been everything she had hoped for. She put a fingertip to her lips. Memories of the scent of his cologne flooded her mind. The heady mix of sandalwood, jasmine and cedar had been intoxicating.
Midas bumped hard against her leg, demanding her attention. She bent down and gave him a rub behind the ears. The dog buried its head in her lap. She sensed his worry.
“It’s alright, boy, your master and I are still trying to find our feet. These things take time with us humans,” she said.
She was annoyed with herself, angry that she had reacted in such a way when Julian had told her she was beautiful.
The notion of love had now taken seed in her heart. Emotions that were both foreign and surprising only a day or two ago were well settled and familiar within her soul. The odd feeling that she experienced every time she saw Julian, she now understood and embraced.
Will, as per usual, had been right. Love was something that you didn’t seek. Love was that unusual guest who slipped quietly into a room and waited patiently for you to notice them. And once you did notice, then your life was forever changed.
She placed her hand over her heart, feeling it beating strongly in her chest. Her destiny was now calling to her. It was time to decide whether she was strong enough to reach out and claim it.
“I must try.”
Julian sat silently through supper, pondering the countless permutations of actions he could undertake to win Caroline’s heart.
“You were saying that your sister is travelling to Paris with her new husband. Is that wise?” asked Lady Margaret.
Julian knew she was throwing a line for him to pick up on, but he was in no mood to explain to Lady Margaret that Paris was perfectly safe for English tourists. France was slowly returning to the fold of being a friendly nation with the rest of its European neighbors.
“Yes. Several members of the family have visited France since the end of the hostilities. In fact, I understand it is quite the fashionable place for members of thetonto visit,” replied Caroline.
“Your father is French, is he not?” asked Lady Margaret.
Caroline nodded. “Yes, though I don’t know if he has any plans to ever return to France. My grandmother fled to England after my grandfather was killed during the uprising in the Vendée. Papa still feels conflicted over the whole thing,” replied Caroline.
Julian silently chided himself. He was being taciturn and rude by focusing on his own concerns.
“Your brother Will visited the family’s hometown with me when we were in France. He found it quite emotional to stand outside the house where your father was born,” he said.
Caroline met his gaze and softly smiled. “I would like to visit Fontenay-le-Comte someday. I know a lot of the town was burned during the bloody uprising against Robespierre and his reign of insanity, but it would be nice to walk the streets where my French forebears once trod.”
Lady Margaret sipped the last of her wine and set her glass down. As she rose from the table, Julian stood.
“Well perhaps when you marry, you can ask your husband to take you to France. Any man who succeeds in winning your heart would know what joy it would bring you.” She looked straight at Julian as she spoke the words, leaving him in no doubt as to where her opinion of Caroline now stood. “I shall bid you both a fond good night. I have a number of letters to write.”
“Good night,” said Caroline.
With Lady Margaret now gone, an awkward silence settled in the room. As Caroline finished a hearty serving of hot baked apple, Julian studied his brandy glass.
After the misstep of the morning at the ice pond, he was unsure as to what to say, but forced himself rather than risk having her follow Lady Margaret out of the room. “I was planning to take a walk down to the cottage by the lake shortly. I am not sure if you wish my company, but you are welcome to join me.”
To his surprise, Caroline immediately rose from her chair. “I shall get my cloak and things. I won’t be long.”
A few minutes later, they left the castle behind them and made their way toward the lake. The full moon lit the garden, and on the frozen surface of the lake, it left a silver ribbon of light.
Taking the key from his coat pocket, Julian slipped it into the lock of the cottage door. Standing back, he waved Caroline inside.
The cottage was warm, and the glow from the fireplace bathed the room in a golden light. He quickly added a few more logs to the fire, expecting to spend a lonely night in the cottage if Caroline told him she did not want him. He was treading new ground, unsure of himself. If she did say no, he would have to rethink everything.
“Wine?” he asked.
“Yes please. I must say, you have a wonderful wine collection here. Francis was impressed when you showed him the castle cellars. James declared his intention of sleeping in them, if he got the chance,” she replied.
