The next afternoon an outing was arranged for the ladies to go to Bredon. They walked along the main street of the lovely village and went inside the Norman church with its high spire. Lady Ferrier came along with them, but was soon complaining of being tired and wanted to return to the estate.
“You may take one of the carriages and ride back with Lady Sylvester.” Caroline spoke sharply. “At least she has a reason to be tired.”
“I must say, Lady Royston, you are not a very concerned hostess. Why I would certainly return home the first time a guest voiced any discomfort,” Lady Ferrier snapped back.
“As you are never at home, it’s unlikely you ever have a guest,” Joan spoke up in Caroline’s defense.
“I can see it is useless to continue this conversation. Come, Lady Sylvester. We will leave.”
“I wish I could stay, Lady Caroline,” Katherine said. “I must not overtire. Edward would be most upset.”
Caroline took her hand. “I agree with him. You must rest and take good care of yourself. We will be returning soon,” she reassured Katherine.
After watching the carriage drive out of sight, Caroline took Sara and Joan’s arm, and Hannah and Sally followed. They went into the nearest shop to explore.
When she returned home, Caroline went out to the stables to check on Gallant. The little dog ran to her barking and jumping happily around her feet.
“’Tis a fine puppy you brought home, milady.” Peter followed the dog to the door of the stables. “He’ll make you a fine protector. Dogs don’t forget who was good to them, nor who hurt them.”
“I believe you are right, Peter. As soon as his wounds are completely healed, I will take him with me to the house.”
“Yes, milady, that would be good. He’ll be able to join you soon.”
Caroline walked slowly back to the house. Overall the party was going well. Another day and night and her guests would be leaving. She would miss Joan and Sara, but she’d be glad to have the peace and quiet of her home back. Her home. She’d never had that thought before. Was she starting to accept Atelstone?
If only Charles were gone, she and Damon might get closer and be happy.
* * * *
Caroline had eaten the final dinner with their guests and now it was time to prepare for the ball. She sat in her bath and tried to relax. She would be very happy to see Lady Ferrier leave and Sir Charles back at his own house. Both had glared at her during the meal when Damon wouldn’t notice.
Hannah and Annie seemed to have made friends, and Caroline had noted a warm regard developing between Hannah and Arthur.
Wouldn’t that be a nightmare, if Hannah were to become serious about that young man? He was very nice and certainly acceptable, but being part of Marguerite’s family would make things difficult, to say the least.
After the long horse ride she and her friends had gone on this afternoon, Caroline needed the warm water on her aching muscles. They’d ridden farther than she’d gone in the past year. She leaned back and closed her eyes. She’d almost fallen asleep when she heard Damon’s voice.
“I hope you aren’t planning on missing your own ball.” She surged up in the tub, sloshing water on the floor.
Damon laughed. “It’s a little late to blush, my dear. Seeing you looking so beautiful, and your skin so rosy, I’m tempted to join you, but we must be downstairs soon. Did you overdo this afternoon? I noticed you ate little dinner.”
“I must have. I was almost asleep when you entered my room.” Damon held out her towel. When she stood, he wrapped the soft cloth around her. Then he picked her up out of the water and set her feet on the floor.
“I will get Agnes to help you. I can’t imagine what is keeping her…”
The door started to open. Damon and Caroline stood in surprise when a petite, gray-haired woman stepped in the room.
The woman smiled. “I hope I’m not interrupting, but Agnes said you would need to dress for your dance.”
“Nanny.” Caroline rushed across the room, almost losing her towel when she pulled Nanny Fowler into her arms. Looking beyond Nanny, she saw Mary. “Mary, how wonderful that you are here, too. I am so happy to see you both.” Caroline drew the women into the room and turned to Damon.
“This is my husband, Lord Royston.” Nodding to Damon, she added, “Damon, this is my nanny, Dottie Fowler, and my lady’s maid, Mary.”
Damon’s eyes twinkled when he looked at Nanny Fowler. He bowed politely and backed out of the room.
“I like him. No nonsense, but a good sense of humor,” Nanny stated emphatically.
“How could you possibly know all about him with one glance?” Caroline asked. “I have certainly not seen much of a sense of humor.”
“Maybe you haven’t been looking for it. The man has good sense. He sent for me and Mary.”
“At my suggestion,” Caroline said.
“True, but not many would send a comfortable barouche for the nanny and maid to travel in. He must understand the pain in old bones.”
“Oh, Nanny, it is wonderful to have you here. Mary, I am pleased you’ll be my lady’s maid. Agnes was fine but not as good as you.”
Mary pulled back her shoulders and stood tall. “I’m thinking we’d best get you ready, or your husband will be sending me packing.”
“What time is it? I can’t be late.”
“Just show me what you want to wear and we’ll have you ready to greet your guests.”
* * * *
Charles paced the floor of the small house where he resided. Tonight was the grand ball and he was due to leave soon for the event. Anger filled him when he thought of the woman who called herself mistress of Atelstone.
He had berated himself many times for his shot missing her the day she was riding with Damon. He’d hoped to injure her just enough to scare her into leaving well enough alone. He’d heard rumors she was asking questions about Damon’s father’s death. Of course there was no way she could find out what really happened. However, he didn’t like the questions. It was best to not stir people’s memories.
Why couldn’t she be like other wives? They took care of the house, visited neighbors, and had teas.
His life was finally how he wanted it, and then Damon brought her home. Someway, he had to change Damon’s attitude toward her. Then perhaps Damon would send her to London to stay in his townhouse, or anywhere but here.
Walking over to his chair, he picked up his gloves and whip. He slapped the whip against his hand. He’d work on Damon to get rid of her soon. With brisk steps he went out to his horse.
* * * *
Sara felt like she was in a dream as she danced around the floor with Rook. Now if she could only get up the courage to ask him to help her with her visit to the caretaker’s house tonight. This was the last opportunity to help her friend, and she did not intend to fail.
“You seem deep in thought, Lady Sara,” Rook commented, and looked down questioningly at her. “Would you care to share your thoughts? You look much too serious for a ball.”
“I have been trying to think how to ask you to do me a favor,” Sara replied.
“I’m always happy to be of help.”
“Will you promise not to say anything to anyone?” Sara asked.
“I don’t know if I can promise you that, at least not until I know your concern.”
“Why do men have to be so difficult? Very well, I’ll do it on my own.” Sara glared at him and walked quickly away when the music stopped.
She excused herself to the ladies gathered at the sidelines. “I believe I have torn the hem on my underskirt. I shall go and repair it,” Sara fibbed.
“It doesn’t show. Do you want me to help?” Joan asked, looking at Sara’s hem on her gown.
“No, I have seen the marquis looking your way. He may ask you to dance. I’ll be fine.” Sara hurried toward the stairs before anyone else could offer to go with her.
Rook had disappointed her when he refused to help unless he knew her problem.
She supposed he was right to ask, but still she wished he’d just gone along. She couldn’t tell him without his promise.
When Sara left the ball, she had seen Caroline dancing with Lord Royston. Charles was showing attention to Reverend Smitten’s niece. Hopefully, she would keep him busy.
Pulling on her dark blue cloak, Sara slipped out the back door and went to the stables. Earlier today, she had asked one of the stable boys to have a horse saddled for her tonight.
He had done as she asked, and he helped her onto the saddle. He never questioned her odd request. After nodding his head, he walked deeper into the stable. Sara saw him pull an old blanket over him and lay down to sleep until she returned.
Sara hoped she wouldn’t get lost. She had managed to get a glimpse of the caretaker’s place when riding yesterday. Or at least she hoped it was the right place.
The small house was dark. She found a partially open window, but how would she get up and over the sill? She had left her horse tied to a tree at the edge of the woods. She couldn’t fail after she’d come this far.
“Now I see why you needed my help. However is a lady to get in through the window?” asked a sardonic voice from behind her.
Sara almost screamed before she realized it was Rook behind her. “How did you find me?”
“I followed you. Your request intrigued me, especially when I saw you leaving the ball right after our dance. I wondered what a proper young lady planned to do out at night alone. I’m quite surprised to see you about to enter a home in the manner of a thief.” Rook raised his eyebrow at her.
“I couldn’t tell you for fear you’d say something to Lord Royston. Caroline needs our help. She suspects Charles Royston may be a murderer. I am here to look for clues.”
“Good lord, have you no sense. If he is in fact a murderer, do you think he would not hesitate to kill you? Come, we are getting out of here. I’ll escort you back to the main house.”
“No. I refuse to leave without checking for evidence. I have come this far and will not turn back.” Sara stamped her foot.
“I could easily pick you up and carry you away from here.”
“If you do, I shall tell everyone you ravished me, and then you would have to marry me. Think how miserable you would be then.” Sara smiled. She was certain she had won.
“Ah yes, to have to marry you would surely be an ordeal. I guess there is nothing for it. I must help.”
Sara’s face fell for a second. She was not sure she liked that he had agreed with her, but more importantly he was going to help.
“Lift me up, and I will go in by this window.”
“Here.” Rook pushed the window open further. He hesitated. “It’s not too late for me to take you back to the ball.”
“Hurry, we have no time to waste arguing.”
“Thank god women can’t be generals. All right, my love, there you are.” He lifted her up, and she crawled over the sill and dropped to the floor.
Rook followed her inside, but she could tell he wasn’t happy about the idea. She started looking in drawers and under cushions and motioned for him to help her.
“I knew I was making an unwise decision when I helped you over the sill and now I’m an accomplice,” he grumbled, but started to search the next room.
She’d almost given up when she felt a board in the bedroom give slightly under her foot. She knelt and tried to pull up the end of the board.
“Let me help.” Rook reached around her and freed the board. Nestled in the tight space were several letters and a black wallet.
Chapter Fourteen
Caroline enjoyed dancing the waltz with Lord Edward. Katherine sat on the sidelines, smiling as they danced by.
“You are a very good dancer.” Caroline smiled up at Edward.
“Damon’s mother taught us all to dance, shortly before her death. She said, as gentlemen, we must be able to dance without stepping on ladies’ toes.”
“By all, you mean the four of you?”
Edward nodded. “We often came to visit. We had a good time. I’m glad to see things changing for the better since your arrival.”
“Thank you,” Caroline said. She glanced over at a striking couple coming around them and realized it was Joan and Rand. Caroline stumbled. “Forgive me, I’m not usually clumsy, but it is a surprise to see my friend, Joan, dancing with the marquis.”
“A pleasant surprise to his friends,” Edward said. “He has seemed more himself at this house party than in a long time.”
Caroline glanced around the room and realized she didn’t see Rook or Sara. A thought popped in her head. During the ride yesterday, Sara had mentioned wishing she had a way to help Caroline. It was the first she’d mentioned it since their discussion when she and Joan had first arrived.
Surely Sara didn’t talk Rook into her foolish scheme of going to Charles’s house. Rook would have more sense and talk her out of it. Nevertheless, after this dance Caroline planned to find Sara.
As soon as the dance ended, Caroline excused herself and worked her way around the sidelines of the dance floor toward Joan. She was relieved to see Charles dancing with Mrs. Smitten’s niece, Annie.
“Joan.” Caroline took Joan’s arm and whispered, “Walk with me outside.”
“It is much cooler and refreshing out here,” Joan commented as they stepped out on the veranda. “What is the matter? You look worried.”
“Have you seen Sara and Rook lately?”
“Sara said she ripped her undergown and went upstairs to repair it. I haven’t been watching for Rook,” Joan answered.
“They’re neither one around, and I haven’t seen them for some time. You don’t suppose she talked Rook into her wild scheme to visit Charles’s house, do you?” Sara whispered.
“I would hope even Rook would have better sense than to fall in with that scheme,” Joan said dryly.
“Sara can be very persuasive, and if she threatened to go by herself, he might have given in.”
“What can we do? Maybe you should tell Lord Royston.”
“No, he would blame me and be furious.”
“Might I be of assistance?” Rand’s voice brought two heads jerking around to look at him.
“You followed us out here,” Joan said angrily.
“I have been concerned. It’s apparent from your expressions that something has gone amiss. Forgive me for meddling, but I would not like to see either of you hurt, or involved in matters best left alone,” Rand said. He patiently waited to see if they would confide in him.
“We do need help, Lord Milbrough, but I would prefer my husband not know about this problem.” Caroline glanced nervously around his shoulder.
“Normally, I would not agree to secrets, but I imagine you will not accept my assistance otherwise. I have a feeling you do need help.”
“Then you will keep our secret?” Joan asked.
“Yes, quickly tell me what’s happened. Lady Royston, you should go back inside before you are missed,” Milbrough instructed.
“Lady Joan and I will take care of your concern.”
Caroline agreed and stepped into the ballroom. She looked around at her guests. Charles had been dancing, but now she didn’t see him. She strolled around the edge of the dance floor, stopping occasionally to speak to some of the local gentry she had met this week. Her heart pounded in her throat.
When she came to the Uptons, she stopped. “Miss Upton, I am sorry we have not had an opportunity to talk about the teaching position at Atelstone. Perhaps you would visit me in the morning, and we could have our discussion then.”
Annie Upton blushed with pleasure. Tonight she’d dressed in a pink gown with small roses on the sleeves and bodice. Her pale, plain face glowed in the candlelight and from all the attention she had been receiving.
“Miss Upton, I saw you dancing with my husband’s cousin, Charles Royston. Do you know where he might have gone? I need to ask him a favor.” Caroline still hadn’t seen Charles and hoped her voice did not giv
e away her increasing anxiety.
“I have no idea, Lady Royston. He brought me back to my aunt and uncle and walked off.” Annie Upton glanced around also. “He said something about having to check on some business, but he did say he would return.”
“Thank you. I’m sure I’ll see him later.” Caroline nodded and forced herself to walk slowly toward the open doors to the veranda. Looking out she saw Joan and Lord Haddon were no longer in the garden.
She chewed the corner of her lip. What was happening out there and were her friends in danger?
“I know when you chew on your lovely lips, you are upset or concerned.” Damon stood behind her and looked out into the darkness. “Whatever are you looking for in the garden?”
“Nothing. I’m enjoying the cool breeze coming through the door.” Caroline hated to lie and especially to Damon. If Sara were here, she’d be tempted to shake her. This was going to blow up in all their faces, and just when she’d hoped Damon and her were getting closer. Caroline kept her face turned away for fear Damon would see her expression and know she hadn’t told the truth.
“Come dance. We must be attentive to our guests. Perhaps you would dance with Arthur Thomlin, and I will dance with his sister.”
“But of course you must dance with the lovely Lady Ferrier. She has been sending you messages with her eyes all evening.” Caroline moved to go and Damon caught hold of her arm.
“This is but a courtesy dance, my dear. If you have not noticed I have danced with my wife many more times than any of the other ladies.”
Caroline stared at him. His dark-blue eyes seemed to probe into her mind, looking for an answer.
She wished she knew what he wanted or needed from her, if anything. Resigned to not understand her enigma of a husband, Caroline went to find Mr. Thomlin.
Hannah stood beside him. “This has been a lovely evening,” she said, and then she hugged Caroline. “The flower decorations have made this room even more beautiful.”
“Thank you for the nice compliments.” Caroline noticed the admiring look in Arthur’s eyes. Hannah’s eyes glowed and she looked like an angel in her cream-colored satin gown with gold trim. Her maid had piled her golden hair on her head with gold stars scattered throughout her curls.
The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 20