“Thank you, Madeleine,” she replied, taking the maid’s hand in her own. “For everything!”
“Of course.”
Caroline left her room, and when she entered the dining room, her aunt was already sitting there, looking as she always did. “Good morning, Caroline.”
“Good morning, Your Grace.” Her voice sounded foreign to her ears. She felt as if someone else was speaking the words that left her lips, as though she was hovering above herself. “I am glad to see you are feeling better.”
“Thank you, dear,” the Dowager Duchess replied. “I hear that Lord Estaria will join us for breakfast today?”
“Yes,” she said, sitting down. She did not have the strength to explain to her aunt the reason for his early arrival. This way, she could avoid thinking about what was going to happen for a few moments.
But time was cruel. She felt as if she had just sat down when the butler announced Lord Estaria had arrived.
All her focus and strength was to keep her tears at bay and to remember to breathe. Her movements felt slow and clumsy, and when Lord Estaria explained to her aunt the reason for his visit, she did not look at him. The joyous flight of a bird outside the window caught her attention.
It soared up, higher and higher, before letting itself plummet down at a mesmerizing speed. She hated and envied that bird. She would give all she had to trade places with it. To be able to fly away, to escape her daunting fate.
Suddenly, she realized that someone had spoken her name. She turned to look at her aunt and Lord Estaria, who were both staring at her.
“I do apologize, what did you say?” She had expected her aunt to give her a scathing look for being so blatantly unfocused, but to her surprise, Her Grace was regarding her only with concern. The same could not be said for Lord Estaria, who squared his jaw and clenched his fist tightly.
“I was just explaining to the Dowager Duchess that I have asked for your hand in marriage, and you were going to give me your reply this morning.” He spoke in with a light and polite tone, but she felt as if he had been bellowing profanities at her.
The birdsong outside seemed much too loud all of a sudden. She wanted to yell at them to be quiet, to throw pebbles at them until they flew away and stop their incessant singing. There was no place for joy or happiness here. She looked at Lord Estaria, who sighed and turned to face her aunt.
He will tell her everything if I don’t accept his proposal. I cannot do that to my family…
“My answer is yes,” she said slowly. “I would be honored to become your wife, My Lord.”
It was impossible to smile, but it did not matter. He rushed toward her, kissing the back of her hand, and her aunt approached them with congratulations. At once, the conversation revolved around the banns and wedding preparation. Lord Estaria said he wanted them to marry as soon as possible, and her aunt began writing a letter to send to Lord Brighney. All the while, Caroline remained mostly silent, only speaking when it was absolutely necessary.
It is all over now.
Owen stood in the foyer of the gentlemen’s club. It was not the club that he frequented most often, but the location was ideal. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass around, wafting the fumes to his nostrils. A strong sense of power and indomitability exhilarated his mood. When Louisa had informed him that she had failed at her task, he was sure all was over. But now he stood, celebrating his recent engagement with Lady Caroline.
Her entire fortune will be mine!
“Old chum, why are you gazing out the window?” Mr. Pratt sauntered to him. They had been celebrating for most of the evening, but he could hold his liquor better than his friend.
“No reason,” he replied, but was unable to hide his grin.
“Did I not tell you that talking a sweet, little lady into marriage would be an easy task for you?” Mr. Pratt mumbled, putting his arm around his shoulders drunkenly.
“You surely did, I never should have doubted you.” He still stared ahead, the sight of the wreckage bringing him immeasurable joy every time he saw it.
“What’s that smell?” Mr. Pratt repeatedly sniffed, turning in a circle, trying to find the source of the burning smell.
“I believe there was a fire nearby,” Owen replied conversationally.
“It’s making me hungry.” Mr. Pratt stumbled, but his focus on the strange smell dissipated as soon as it had begun. “We should go, the food here is terrible. Let’s go to the Oyster Room.”
“Not yet, Mr. Pratt.” Owen dismissed. He was enjoying himself far too much to leave.
“I have to say, I thought that Lady Caroline was going to refuse you,” Mr. Pratt said. “Just like all the others.”
“Lady Caroline just had not met the right gentleman.” He thought about how close Mr. Pratt was to the actual truth. But all was going to work out as he planned, even despite Louisa’s debacle with Mr. Langley. This had been an excellent day, one worthy of celebrating into the night.
“Perhaps, I should find me, someone.” Mr. Pratt downed his drink in one gulp and bellowed at a waiter to bring them more.
“What do you mean?” Owen asked exasperatedly.
“A little lady to marry, of course,” Mr. Pratt slurred. “What else could I be talking about?”
“You’re already married, you idiot.” He finally looked away from the window to raise his eyebrows at Mr. Pratt.
“Blimey, you’re right.” For a moment, Mr. Pratt seemed confused, but then he roared with laughter, sounding like a sea lion. “This is good rum, it made me forget about my wife!”
The waiter arrived with their drinks, and Mr. Pratt yanked the glasses from the silver tray and thrust one of them in Owen’s hand. “To Estaria!” He raised his glass, spilling himself generously as he spoke. “May your marriage be fruitful, your wife obedient, and the rum tasty!”
He clanked their glasses harshly, and then he wandered off. Owen chuckled to himself and took a sip of his drink. The scene outside grabbed his attention again. The fire was almost out, but the building was completely ruined. Just as he had planned.
Jasper watched the scenery pass by as the carriage rode ahead. There was not much of his journey left, and as soon as he would arrive, he would begin his work with Lord Brighney. But he wondered whether it would have been more prudent to send a letter with some excuse and remain behind. He was not sure he would be of much use.
His thoughts revolved solely around Caroline, and her visit that morning. When she ran away from him, he had tried to follow, but when he turned the corner, she had disappeared. In the distance was a familiar carriage, riding away.
How can she have known about Lady Louisa? This is all slightly suspicious, but her expression when she left scares me. I will have to explain everything to her.
He decided he would send her a letter as soon as he could, but immediately he questioned whether that was wise. What if someone found it? Perhaps, he could send the letter to Selina and ask her to give it to Caroline? Deep in thought, the carriage door was opened, filling the small compartment with daylight.
Thankfully, the work took all his concentration. He worked far into the evening with the Lord Chief Justice, determined to be of service, and to keep his attention and focus on the case they had been preparing for such a long time.
Once he arrived in the spacious room Lord Brighney had provided him with at the inn he was staying in, Jasper fell into the bed fully dressed. The room was bigger than anything he could ever have afforded, but he did not manage to enjoy it at all as he fell into a deep, restless sleep, almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.
The morning after, he woke early, determined to send a letter to his sister, asking her to try and approach Caroline. After he finished writing, he hurried down to the reception area. Hopefully, he would be able to send it with the earliest post carriage.
“Mr. Langley,” the clerk said as he walked passed the desk. “A letter arrived for you.”
“Really?” Jasper turned around swiftly.
Who on earth could be sending me a letter here, not even a day after I left?
“It was sent with the express post chaise.” The inn employee handed him the letter. He accepted it, and hastily opened it and read. He nearly dropped it as he read the short message. There had been a fire, and his office had been completely destroyed.
I have to return to London at once!
Chapter 39
“How wonderful they look!” Lady Adams exclaimed to the Dowager Duchess as Caroline swirled around on the dance floor. Lord Estaria held her hand tightly, almost painfully. The engagement party the Dowager Duchess of Aston had organized was the most elegant she had ever attended.
Caroline had been engaged to Lord Estaria for a week. Seven miserable days. But she could not remember ever being so busy with various gatherings, luncheons, visits to the dressmaker, or dinners. Lord Estaria wanted their wedding to be an extravagant affair. This was already widely known throughout the ton, that the evasive Lady Caroline had finally accepted a proposal, and to none other than the handsome Marquess of Estaria.
The tune finished, and she curtsied to him, and they walked elegantly away from the dance floor. At once, Lord Estaria was pulled into a conversation with his father and some of the Duke of Astons’ acquaintances. Caroline left the room and walked outside to the back garden. She gazed over at the dark outlines of the fountain in the distance.
This is the place where my life ended.
She was not sure if she would ever experience happiness again. This morning she had seen her reflection in the mirror, and she had been startled. Her face was cold and emotionless—she reminded herself of her aunt. It made her think of strictness, propriety, and elegance.
“There you are.” A voice nearby spoke, with such tenderness that she thought for a wild moment she was about to see her mother. She turned around just as Lady Anna sat down next to her on the cold bench.
“Oh, how good to see you,” she replied. “I must have missed you when you arrived.”
“How…” Lady Anna’s voice trailed away as the sound of voices grew closer. The owners of the voices walked passed them, and she continued. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m very well. Excited for the wedding, of course.” She stared ahead at the spot where Lord Estaria had crushed her dreams.
“You are not all right!” Lady Anna sounded on the verge of tears.
“Of course I am,” she replied defiantly.
“Sweet Caro,” Lady Anna said, taking her hand in hers. “What happened?”
“Whatever do you mean?” She pulled her hand away—not able to bear feeling anyone’s touch.
“When Mother told me you were engaged, I could not believe it was true,” Lady Anna said earnestly.
“Lord Estaria proposed, it was the obvious path for me.” She was using all her strength to remain calm, but she was failing. Having her dear friend next to her was chipping away her cold mask of disguise.
“But what about Mr. Langl—” Lady Anna began, but she hushed her.
“Don’t!” Her voice trembled. “Don’t say his name.”
“What has happened?” Lady Anna’s voice was strangled with worry and concern. “This is very unlike you.”
“I cannot discuss this,” she whispered. “Not here.” She had just noticed that the Dowager Duchess of Aston stood very close to them, by the open door that led to the garden.
“Take a walk with me.” Lady Anna stood up.
“Walk?”
“Yes, I would love to get a better look at the garden, it is quite exquisite.” Lady Anna spoke in a raised voice. “It will soon be too dark.” Lady Anna turned to the Dowager Duchess. “Is it true that the fountain was carved by Gutierrez and Michel, Your Grace?”
“Why, yes it was,” the Dowager Duchess replied, seemingly impressed by Lady Anna’s knowledge.
“Well, Caroline, you simply must show it to me,” Lady Anna continued. Slowly, she stood up, curtsying to Her Grace before walking into the garden with her friend.
“Thank you,” she muttered.
“Can you tell me what happened?” Lady Anna asked in a quiet voice.
“Lord Estaria found out… Well, he found out about everything.” They walked along with the trees and neatly trimmed bushes, arms linked.
“Is that why you accepted his proposal?” Lady Anna stopped and bent down, pretending to admire a statue on a raised platform.
“Yes.”
“I truly thought you would rather elope to Gretna Green than marry him,” Lady Anna said.
She felt the now very familiar dull pain in her chest intensify. The memory of Jasper uttering Lady Louisa’s name reverberated in her mind over and over.
“Caro?” Lady Anna pulled her further into the garden, behind the fountain they had been walking toward.
“Mr. Langley betrayed me,” she said after a long pause.
“What are you saying?” Lady Anna looked shocked.
“There is no more I can say regarding this.” She glanced at the house and saw Lord Estaria standing beside his grandmother. “I must return inside.”
“Wait!”
“There is nothing more to discuss,” she said and began walking away from the fountain. Lady Anna had to run to keep up with her.
“I don’t believe you,” Lady Anna replied when she reached her again.
“I have made peace with my decision. It is for the best,” she said rigidly. “I must go. It was good to see you.” When they reached the house again, she smiled politely at Lady Anna and entered the ballroom with Lord Estaria. She knew that Lady Anna did not believe her. It was not surprising—she did not even believe herself.
Jasper waited until the butler opened the front door. “Ah, Mr. Langley, I will inform Lady Featherstone you have arrived,” Mr. Bolton said, moving aside to let him enter the house.
“Good morning,” he replied, although it was almost noon. He was not sleeping these days, and leaving his lodgings proved more difficult every day.
He had arrived in London five days ago, after a disastrous two days with Lord Brighney in Bath. After he had received the letter, he had informed a very disappointed Lord Brighney that he must return to London. In an attempt to appease him, Jasper decided to take the latest carriage to London. But he missed that one, as Lord Brighney kept him busy with work.
When he finally arrived in London again, he had been devastated to find that his office was completely ruined. There was nothing left.
“Jasper!” Selina ran to him when he entered the drawing room, where she had been alone reading.
“It’s good to see you, Selina,” he replied.
“Come, let me get the cook to fix you something.” She pulled his hand, heading to the dining room.
“No,” he said quickly. “I have no appetite.”
“You look like you have not eaten for a long time,” she replied.
“No, Selina,” he insisted.
“Fine,” she said, but did not seem pleased. “How have you been? I've been worried.”
“Dreadful, to be honest.” They sat down on opposite ends of the couch.
“Do they know what caused the fire?” The authorities had been investigating the fire, and they had been very curious why he had arrived so late upon hearing his office had burned down.
“They refuse to tell me anything,” he said angrily. “The only information I have received is that this was most likely arson.”
“Arson?” Selina gasped, one hand covering her mouth. “Who could do such a thing?”
“I don’t know.” He sighed heavily. He had met with the insurance company yesterday, and they behaved most peculiarly. Refusing to tell him anything, and asking him to leave just after he arrived.
They sat in silence for a long time, until Selina finally spoke. “Did you hear about Lady Caroline?” She asked tentatively.
“I did,” he replied curtly. Once he had arrived, he had stood in the ruins that used to be his office, lamenting the destruction th
at surrounded him. When he returned to his lodgings, he had overheard two elderly ladies, chatting animatedly about the latest engagement, which they had said would surely be the wedding of the decade.
When Lady Caroline would marry Lord Estaria.
He had never before experienced such an emotion. He could only describe it as what he imagined being keelhauled must be like.
“You must go to her,” she said. “Explain what happened that night.”
For the Lust of a Rogue: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 24