The Second Season (Regency Romance)

by Heather Chapman

  “Mr. Clark, what a pleasure.”

  “Lord Hopkins, how do you do? I seem to have come at a most inconvenient time. Shall I return later?”

  Lord Hopkins swatted his hand at this. “No, by Job, you have come at the most convenient time, for Lady Hopkins, Lucy, and most of the staff are away! The staff has returned to Whitefield Hall, you see—Lucy’s wedding—but Lady Hopkins and Lucy are out and about this morning.”

  Thomas offered a polite laugh, but failed to see a fitting response.

  “Mr. Clark, what brings you to my home?” Lord Hopkins said with a smile.

  “Lord Hopkins,” Thomas began, “I am here for a fitting for Miss Caroline Hopkins. Your butler has gone to fetch her now.”

  Lord Hopkins nodded, shaking his head with a smile. “I see. I suppose my girl is off to spending more of my money!” It was silent for a moment. “I suppose I should say it bothers me not. It is not my money after all, not rightfully on any account. You see, Clark, I have finally come to terms with it all. I was nearly penniless when I married Lady Hopkins, and you see how she has blessed me—given me all that you see here and one hundred times more.”

  Thomas was once again caught off guard, and attempted to regain his composure at being taken into the confidence of the baron. “But you had your title, of course. You offered her station.”

  Lord Hopkins shook his head furiously at the mention of station. “I will not hear of station. If I have ever heard of such a preposterous notion as station! You must forgive me, Clark, but unlike Lady Hopkins, I could give fiddle for the title. I am sure you hear the gossip in town of my Caroline. She has been ousted from much of the ton for refusing the duke! I myself have never been more proud of the girl. She is brighter and has more gumption than most men of the ton. She will not be induced by station, and she will be the better for it.”

  Thomas smiled, reflecting on the similarities between the baron and Caroline. Not only did the father and daughter look alike, but there was also a resemblance in character, opinions, and boldness. Lord Hopkins cleared his throat, interrupting Thomas’s thoughts.

  Caroline was descending the stairs. She wore a simple white frock, but there was no mistaking any part of Caroline as simple. Lord Hopkins seemed to catch the admiring look in Thomas’s eye as he smiled warmly and offered a small wink toward Thomas. “I shall leave you to your fitting.”

  The two stood at the base of the stairs for quite some time, eyeing one another. Thomas had not been alone with Caroline since their last meeting in the parlor.

  She gave a small laugh. “I suppose we should start the fitting, Mr. Clark?” she asked, gesturing toward the small sitting room.

  Thomas nodded. The two were silent as she sat and lifted the skirt of her dress just enough for him to slip on the boot and fasten it. He felt around the boot, squeezing and pinching her foot in places, attempting to discover his error, but he could find nothing.

  “Will you show me where it causes you such discomfort?” he asked.

  Caroline pulled at the strings, pointing toward the lining. Her eyes fell, and her cheeks turned pink. “Perhaps you can tell me why you lined my riding boots in such finery?”

  Thomas swallowed hard. Small beads of sweat began glistening against his forehead. “Lord Searly assured me everything should be first rate.”

  Caroline’s lip curled upwards as she continued to prod him. “And was it Lord Searly that designed such intricacies and the inlay of leather? I have never seen such beauty in a riding boot.”

  Thomas, now darkened to a deep blush, only nodded. He had inwardly hoped that she would see his effort, but he had never supposed she would humiliate him for it.

  “It is strange, Mr. Clark, but I could have sworn I had seen this silk before. Perhaps at the merchant square?” When Thomas said nothing, she only pushed onward. “No, I suppose it is a different silk than what I had in mind.”

  Thomas stood, dropping her foot. He could not brush off the irritation he felt. “Is this your complaint? The lining is finery?”

  “It is not a complaint. I was simply curious.”

  “Why you would have me come to fit a boot without the least error is beyond me. Miss Hopkins, I shall take my leave, and endeavor to wish you well.”

  Caroline smiled at this, seemingly satisfied. “In a few days we shall be gone. It matters not. My mother is determined to marry me off to some other connection.”

  Mr. Clark stopped instinctively, turning to her seriously. “And you would be married to whom she directs you to marry?”

  Caroline’s green eyes threatened laughter, and Thomas saw she was not about to contradict him. “I would never do anything I did not wish to do.”

  Thomas shook his head. “I did not think you were so easily persuaded, though I doubt you will ever have to do anything against your wishes. Those of privilege hardly do.”

  His back was now turned toward her. The silence seemed to swallow them both. Thomas suspected he had injured her, but when he at last turned toward her, he saw she was not affected by his words.

  She stood, instead, a few feet away, a playful glisten dancing across her eyes. “And what of my wishes?” she said tauntingly. “You seem to take interest in my wishes, do you not?”

  Thomas found his pulse quickening as he began to step backward. He straightened his coat. “I only meant that I would be sad to see you unhappy.”

  Caroline raised an eyebrow. “But you do not wish to see me happy?”

  Thomas’s face was now clouded in confusion. He bit the side of his cheek, and then raised his arms. “I’ve lost your meaning. Of course I wish to see you happy!”

  “Then why do you refuse my affection? You allowed me to attach myself to you in every way I could without the prospect of anything lasting. You teased me with possibilities. Yet you refuse to even acknowledge you have caused me pain.”

  “Caused you pain? Do you think I have not suffered? Caroline, I have come to—” He sighed loudly as he let the words slip from his mouth, “I have come to love you. It is for your own happiness that I have refrained from any further advances. Why did you not, for your own good, forget me and accept the duke’s proposal?”

  She stepped forward, raising one hand to his jaw, placing the other to the lapel of his coat. She stared at him directly and whispered, “I love you, Thomas Clark.”

  Thomas’s brows furrowed, his dark eyes filled with concern, but he did not stir. She rose to the tips of her toes and placed a soft kiss upon his lips. She pulled back, staring into his dark eyes. In a moment of haze, Thomas found himself pulling her back into his embrace, kissing her quite forcefully on the lips. At last, he released her from his embrace, and shook his head gently. There was no denying it any longer. He could not stand to ever lose her.

  Caroline sighed as she pulled her hand away and touched one of his dark curls that had fallen across his face. “It was your dark curly hair and handsome eyes that first stole away my heart. Then there was your character. But, who could have withstood such a singing voice and such dancing?” She let out a small laugh, and then abruptly became serious once more. “I have never known a better man. And for that, I know I am dreadfully unequal. I hope you will give me a chance to prove myself to you. Will you allow me to try?”

  Thomas began to laugh in disbelief. “Are you offering for me then?”

  “Of course not. No lady of standing would do such a thing. I am only asking you to offer for me,” she said as she pulled him behind the curtain. “And, perhaps, to sing to me again.”

  Thomas found himself behind drapes once more, but this time there was no Charles Jasper to disturb them. Caroline only smiled up at him, her hand in his.

  “Caroline,” he said, at last at ease. “I cannot promise everything, but I promise you my heart.”

  She nodded, exhaling softly as she smiled. “I am glad to hear you say it, for there is nothing more I could hope for.”

  Suddenly, the drape was forcefully pulled back. To Thomas’s horror,
there stood an angry Lady Hopkins, followed by a blushing Lucy, a grinning John, and a seemingly pleased Lord Hopkins.

  “Caroline! How could you?” Lady Hopkins asked. “Do you wish to be both compromised and a topic of gossip?”

  The only reply Lady Hopkins received was the footsteps of Lord Hopkins as he approached the pair and set his arm heavily against Thomas’s shoulder while he grasped the other in a firm handshake.

  “So, I was right, then, in assuming that you are in love with my Caroline.”

  A

  CHAPTER 37

  Lord Hopkins leaned over his desk, a smile on his lips. “You mean to marry her?”

  Thomas nodded his head reassuringly. “I only hope that I will not be too much of a disappointment. I have tried to forget my feelings for Caroline, but it is to no avail.” He paused, considering his words carefully. “I did try to discourage her attentions. It was not my intention to persuade her into my affections.”

  At this, Lord Hopkins laughed aloud, shaking a finger at Thomas. “Thomas, my boy, if you should know anything about my Caroline, let it be this: You cannot discourage her from anything she sets her mind to. She is, unequivocally, incapable of being schemed upon.”

  A broad grin spread across Thomas’s face as he nodded in agreement. “So I have seen.”

  “It is not always a bad thing,” Lord Hopkins offered. “Fortunately, she is careful in her ambition and decisions.” He stopped, hesitating. “She would not love you, for instance, if she were not wholly convinced of your goodness.”

  Thomas swallowed uncomfortably at this, turning toward the closed door. His voice cracked as he inquired, “Will it be difficult to gain Lady Hopkins’s favor?”

  Lord Hopkins fiddled with a few trinkets on his desk. “I suppose she may prove difficult, but, if you are wise and up-front with her about your true feelings and intentions for Caroline, she will discover your good qualities just as Caroline did. Her only concern is for our daughter’s happiness. She must know you love her and that you do not wish for only the fortune.”

  Thomas shot up at the mention of fortune. “Lord Hopkins, I beg your pardon, but I could never with a clear conscience have any part of Caroline’s inheritance. You must persuade her to give it up. I will provide.” He stopped upon seeing the gleam in Lord Hopkins’s eyes. “Please, sir. It is a matter of great pride.”

  Lord Hopkins stood, motioning for Thomas to do the same. “I understand quite clearly your objections, but may I also make one thing clear? Caroline has a certain pride of her own and as it is her fortune, I am sure she will wish to do with it as she will.”

  Thomas sighed as his shoulders lowered in resignation. “And so begins my life with the only person with a will as strong as my own.”

  Lord Hopkins placed his arms upon Thomas’s shoulders. “You deserve each other.”

  A

  Lady Hopkins, at first shocked by the impropriety of the matter and then infuriated at the idea of Caroline marrying a tradesman, sat unmoved by Caroline’s words. Her daughter had attempted to explain the details of their unintentional courtship. Lady Hopkins, upon seeing her daughter’s mind quite made up, only nodded stoically. To refuse a duke and accept a shoemaker seemed absurd in every way. It was only when Mr. Clark took Lady Hopkins aside and humbly explained his affection for her daughter that she felt anything. And what she felt surprised her exceedingly. For behind his dark eyes and genuine face, Lady Hopkins saw the future of her daughter’s happiness. It would take time for her to fully accept him, but she was grateful his intentions were honest.

  The family was set to leave in just two days. The complications of Caroline’s engagement had left Lady Hopkins in a dizzy spell. Lord Hopkins and Mr. Clark had sat together for some time deciding what action should take place. It was decided that Mr. Clark would follow the family to Whitefield Hall, closing his shop for the whole of two weeks, where Mr. Clark’s and Caroline’s own wedding details would be determined after Lucy’s wedding.

  Lady Hopkins was needed at home. The servants endeavored to please her, and she felt her presence had been exceedingly missed. The season had not been without its hardships, but she had, upon further reflection, successfully secured offers for both Lucy and Caroline. Perhaps it was good that Caroline would be married shortly after Lucy. She now had the time to devote to Phillip John.

  Lady Hopkins smiled as she pondered her charming son. He had always shown the greatest of promise, much more than those silly sisters of his. And yet, Lady Hopkins admitted she had been too blind to see it before. With his sharp mind and handsome face, she was sure he would secure an abominably advantageous match in the future. For after all, Phillip John favored his father so very much.

  A

  BOOK QUESTIONS

  How might Caroline’s life be different if she married Lord Searly? Could she have been happy with him in the end?

  Was Thomas’s reluctance to pursue Caroline a reflection of his regard for her, his own pride, or a mixture of the two?

  Lord and Lady Hopkins’ marriage was very strained for most of the story. Did you think one of them was more at fault for the way things had become? What does their story teach readers?

  The book is titled The Second Season. Besides being a second season for Caroline, in what ways do multiple characters get second chances or seasons of life?

  Lady Hopkins seemed to change her tone and outlook by the end of the book. Explain the irony of this change.

  Do you think Lord Searly really loved Caroline, or were his efforts made only out of selfishness?

  In what ways do the weaknesses and strengths of Caroline and Thomas complement one another?

  How is Caroline different than other women of the regency period? How do you think she compares to women of today?

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  There are many people that have helped this book along, in one way or another. I would like to specifically thank my editors, Emma Parker and Jessica Romrell, for believing in my book and helping me to make it so much better; Michelle Ledezma for designing a gorgeous cover that never seems to get old; Emily Chambers for answering my many, many emails full of questions; the rest of the staff at Cedar Fort for giving me this opportunity; my friends and family for reading my early drafts, offering helpful suggestions, and entertaining my children while I wrote; my great-great-grandparents, the original Caroline and Mr. Clark, for giving me the idea; my sister Melissa for encouraging me from the start and reading my drafts almost as many times as I did; my sister Becky for making me submit my manuscript just one more time; my husband, Mark, for believing in and supporting me, giving suggestions, and being my walking thesaurus; and my children, for reminding me daily of the importance of dreaming.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  As the youngest of four sisters (and one very tolerant older brother), Heather grew up on a steady diet of chocolate, Jane Austen, Anne of Green Gables, Audrey Hepburn, and the other staples of female literature and moviedom. These stories inspired Heather, and she began writing at a young age. After meeting and marrying her husband, Mark, Heather graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University and settled down in a small farming community with her husband and four children. In her spare time, Heather enjoys volleyball, piano, the outdoors, and almost anything creative.