Sense & Sensuality: Caroline's After Dark Georgian Romance (The Gravesmeres Book 3)

by Alicia Quigley

  “I could think of no other way to see you,” said Allegra. “You can hardly come to Gravesmere House, and if I sought you out in public it would only cause talk.”

  “Hence the surreptitious visit,” he replied. “But I hate to disappoint you, Your Grace. My acquaintance with your sister-in-law is slight indeed.”

  Allegra folded her arms and glared at him. “Nonsense,” she retorted.

  Gresham gave her an inquiring look. “May I ask what you mean by that?”

  “Only that is it very clear to me that your acquaintance with my sister-in-law is not at all slight,” she responded. “It has been obvious for some time that the two of you are extremely intimate.”

  Lord Gresham appeared to be surprised. “May I ask how you reached this astonishing conclusion?”

  “The two of you are not nearly as discreet as you think you are,” said Allegra, bending a withering look on him. “Which, given your proclivities, hardly surprises me. Your affaires have never been much concealed. But I would have thought that Caroline would have more sense, and that you would care enough about her to guard her reputation.”

  “I have taken excellent care of her,” snapped his lordship, stung.

  Allegra smiled widely. “I’m sure you have. She’s been looking very contented and smug of late. Quite like the cat who has been at the cream, in fact.”

  Lord Gresham shook his head. “Your Grace, may I once again ask the purpose of this visit? If you merely wished to inform me that you are aware of my interest in your sister-in-law, you have achieved your purpose. Surely, as she is a grown woman and not your responsibility, or her brother’s, it would be better if you discussed your concerns with her?”

  “When it first became apparent to me that she was involved with you, I attempted to dissuade her. But eventually I understood that Caroline needs—diversions—in her life, just as the rest of us do, and that you were—providing her with these diversions,” said Allegra delicately. “But I am concerned that she may have come to care for you, and I hoped to convince you to break this off before she becomes too attached. I would not like to see Caroline in pain. I am very fond of her. I thought I might appeal to your better instincts, which I have reason to believe may not be fully extinguished.”

  “I gather you haven’t discussed this with Lady Eskmaine,” said Lord Gresham sardonically.

  Allegra shook her head. “She doesn’t realize that I know what is happening. She seems to think I am very blind.”

  “She has good reason,” remarked Lord Gresham. “You have not previously given her cause to think you see what is happening directly in front of you.”

  Allegra flushed. “I am no longer a child, Lord Gresham,” she snapped. “I have learned some things these past two years.”

  “Yes, you are all of twenty years now,” he said mockingly. “You are quite the sage.”

  Allegra paused and looked at him, her head tilted slightly, and a touch of laughter in her eyes. “You are trying to make me angry so that I leave,” she said.

  He shrugged and leaned against the corner of his desk, his arms folded. “You do not appear to be taking the bait.”

  “No. As I said, I am wiser than I was,” agreed Allegra. “Now, if you please, will you be so kind as to consider ending your connection with Caroline? Before I left for Gravesmere she was clearly in poor spirits, and she seems no better now. You are the only possible cause for her misery.”

  “The only possible cause?” repeated Lord Gresham. “What of the impetuous child she has had to chase up and down London this entire Season?”

  “Cecilia can be headstrong, but she would ordinarily not ruffle Caroline at all. No, there is something else, and I think it must be you,” said Allegra.

  “I suggest, Your Grace, that you discuss this with Caroline. I have nothing to say to you.”

  Allegra’s eyes lit with a spark of anger. “This is not kind of you, Lord Gresham. I realize that Caroline is both beautiful and witty, and that you must enjoy her company greatly, but to keep her in your thrall when you are certain to abandon her is not right of you. Please end this now, before she is hurt further.”

  “You appear to have a very high opinion of my charms,” replied Gresham. “I suppose I should be flattered. I seem to recall you found me eminently resistible; why do you now think that Lady Eskmaine must necessarily be pining for me?”

  “She has allowed you liberties that I know she has granted no other,” said Allegra. “It is quite clear to me that she is besotted with you. Do you truly think I believed she was with her solicitors all those afternoons?”

  Lord Gresham laughed. “Your sister-in-law is not besotted with me,” he said. “Rather, she has her emotions well in hand. The only thing you have said to me today that is of interest is that she is sad, though I have no idea why that may be. But it does give me hope.”

  “No idea?” echoed Allegra. “The town talks of nothing but how Lady Lansdowne pursues you. I wonder Caroline can tolerate it.”

  “Caroline, Your Grace, does not concern herself with my actions,” said Lord Gresham.

  “You are being very unkind to her, flirting with another woman under her nose,” persisted Allegra. “What can I do to convince you?”

  Lord Gresham gritted his teeth. “While I have a constitutional dislike of sharing my thoughts with others, I see that you will not let this matter be. I will be blunt with you, in the hope that you will then leave me in peace. I have asked Lady Eskmaine to marry me. She has rejected my suit.”

  His lordship was gratified to observe that Allegra’s jaw dropped open slightly as she gaped at him.

  “You proposed marriage?” she echoed, in a stunned tone. “My mother said something to that effect, but I discounted it as a misunderstanding.”

  “I did indeed,” said Lord Gresham. “She was quite definite in her refusal. As a matter of fact, she has reiterated it more than once.”

  “She cannot possibly believe you meant it,” said Allegra. “After all, who would? I certainly am having difficulty finding it a credible notion.”

  “Alack, my sorry reputation,” said Lord Gresham. “Please believe me that my proposal was utterly sincere, and I believe Lady Eskmaine understood that. She would have none of it, and probably quite rightly.”

  “Rubbish,” said Allegra briskly, recovering herself. “What did she say to you?”

  Gresham shrugged. “I have betrayed her confidence thus far; you might as well know the rest.”

  He picked Caroline’s letter up from his desk and handed it to Allegra, who gave him a curious glance as she took it. She perused it quickly, stopping once or twice to shake her head.

  “You cannot possibly believe this arrant nonsense,” she said. “Caro is desperately in love with you.”

  Gresham gazed at her in astonishment. “Are you quite sure we read the same letter?” he asked. “She makes it quite clear she will never accept my suit.”

  “Only because she feels she cannot hold your attention,” said Allegra. “The poor thing is eating her heart out for you. If I did not know her hand, I would think that some other woman had written this. It does not seem to be much like Caro.”

  “Oh, it is definitely Caro,” said Gresham. “She has made it abundantly clear on more than one occasion that she feels I am not likely to remain faithful to her and that she will have none of me in marriage.”

  Allegra looked faintly shocked. “Do you mean she wishes to keep—”

  Gresham grinned unrepentantly. “She seems to have few problems with that. I am that one who has refused to play that game.”

  “You astonish me.” Allegra folded up the letter and returned it to him. “Well, this seems to be a great piece of silliness. She is obviously in love with you, and, as you have proposed, which is the most astounding thing I have ever heard, I presume you are in love with her as well.”

  “What do you mean, she is obviously in love with me?” demanded his lordship.

  “Why should she not be in lo
ve with you? You can hardly be unaware of your ability to attract any female you choose, and if you have determined to intrigue Caro, I am quite sure that you succeeded. And that letter reeks of it,” said Allegra. “I thought you had a vast deal of experience with women, yet you seem to have no more notion of love than a babe. She is letting you go because she feels she cannot hold you, which I daresay she has reason to believe, so I can scarcely blame her. But if you truly do love her, you should make her marry you.”

  “And how would I do that? She is damnably sure of herself.”

  “She is in love with you. You have been seducing women for nigh on twenty years, and yet you cannot convince one woman, whom you actually love, to marry you? I didn’t think you were so inept.” Allegra shook her head at the thought. “If you cannot coax her to do what she clearly wishes to do, then I have no more advice to give.”

  “And what of your husband?” asked Gresham.

  “Leave Adam to me,” said Allegra.

  “Gladly.” Gresham gave her a shrewd look. “And to what do I owe your sudden support of my suit? I know you are not fond of me.”

  “No,” agreed Allegra. “But I am fond of Caroline and wish her to be happy. I don’t envy her, however. But, if you do marry her, and are then faithless and make her miserable, I will make certain that you regret it.”

  Gresham looked at the floor for a moment, and then back at Allegra. “I have no wish to be aught but a good husband to her,” he said with an unmistakable air of candor and desperation. “I have realized that my future without Caroline will contain nothing but the empty pleasures and insincere affections of my past. I no longer wish to tread that path. Caro is not just my true love, but also my compass in setting a better direction for myself. It is all to me to win her hand.”

  Allegra was silent for a moment, somewhat shocked that Gresham was capable of feeling such a depth of emotion, and even more astonished that he would express it. “I don’t know what you have said to her,” she answered slowly, “nor do I wish to be told. But since your love for her is so great, you must find the key to convincing her. Caroline is far wiser than I, so I cannot tell you what that may be, but you must seek it out.”

  Lord Gresham took her hand and kissed it. “You have given me hope, Your Grace,” he said. “I assure you, though the rest of the world may find it difficult to credit, that when I win Caroline, I will have no interest in looking elsewhere.” He glanced away for a moment, his thoughts clearly elsewhere, then turned back to her. “And now Your Grace, if you don’t mind, I must think on this. How came you here? Do you need my carriage to take you home?”

  “My carriage is at the end of the street, and I brought my maid; I am quite well attended,” said Allegra. “I bid you good afternoon, my lord.”

  When the library door closed behind Allegra, Tristan walked to the window, and watched her descend the steps of his house and climb into her carriage, followed by her maid. While the duchess’ visit had lifted his spirits, it had offered him no solution to his problem. When he had received Caroline’s note earlier in the day, he had come as close as he ever had to despairing of winning her hand. She had been most definite, and while he knew that he would be able to lure her into his bed again if he chose—indeed, she had indicated she had no objections to his physical attentions—he had thought that she had closed her heart off from him completely. That the duchess, who knew Caroline so well, disagreed, gave him hope.

  He turned away and paced the room. How indeed, he wondered, could a man, whose name was practically a byword among the ton for dissolute behavior, convince an intelligent and desirable woman that he had truly reformed his way of life? Even worse, he reflected, Caroline knew, from her own experience saving Allegra from his wiles, the lengths to which he would go in pursuit of sometimes indefensible ends. That he had rescued Cecilia from her own folly was little in comparison to his prior offenses. He continued to pace.

  Chapter 28

  A fortnight later, the dowager Viscountess Barford hosted a party to celebrate the approaching nuptials of her son to Miss Ashdown. Caroline and Cecilia dined en famille at Gravesmere House, amid much gaiety and toasting of the bride, and then the entire group repaired to the Barford’s town home.

  As they entered the drawing room, Adam heaved a sigh. “I have to tell you, Caroline, that all this is a bit of a relief,” he said to his sister. “Cecilia is a lovely girl, but I’m glad to see her well settled, and the family’s responsibility for her and her sisters on Barford’s shoulders rather than ours,” he said softly.

  “Well, you can hardly have been said to have suffered much, outside of parting with ten thousand pounds,” she teased.

  “And I’m grateful for that,” Adam acknowledged. “I know you and Allegra spent a great deal of time escorting Cecilia to parties and the modiste and lord knows where else. It seems an awful lot of nonsense just to get someone to propose marriage to her.”

  “I suppose it is,” said Caroline. “But not all gentlemen are as fortunate as you were in having a bride foisted on them by their parents!”

  Adam gave her a rueful glance. “I suppose if that hadn’t happened, I’d still be unwed. Though I like to think I might have found Allegra anyway.” His eyes followed his wife as she flitted around the room. “Do you ever think of marrying again, Caro?”

  Caroline blinked. “Do I what?” she asked.

  Adam looked slightly embarrassed. Over the past days the idea had slowly formed in his head that Caroline’s life might possibly be more complicated than he had previously imagined. “I just thought that perhaps you missed—having a husband, and that you might want to find another. Your devotion to the rest of us is admirable, but I can see that you may need a family of your own.”

  Caroline gazed at him in amazement. “Why Adam, how thoughtful of you. But I believe I am fine as I am now.”

  “You don’t ever wish for something more?” asked Adam cautiously.

  “I truly have all I need,” replied Caroline. “If the right gentleman should someday come along I might marry again, but it is not something I am seeking.”

  Adam digested that, then peered at her closely. “Where did you go two weeks since? I came by your house, and Bunton said you’d been called out of town.”

  Caroline gave him a leery look. “I went to Richmond, to visit Mrs. Palfrey,” she said firmly, having been well coached by Allegra on what to say should Adam question her. “Why do you ask?

  “Oh, no reason, I was merely curious. It’s not like you to take off at a moment’s notice.”

  “Mrs. Palfrey was much distressed,” said Caroline.

  Adam nodded. Caroline glanced up at him, but his face was solemn. “Really, Adam, there is nothing to worry about. I am home, and Cecilia is to be wed to an eligible peer, and everything has turned out as it should.”

  “I can only hope so,” he answered. There was a brief stir at the door to the salon, and he glanced up, his expression turning dark. “The devil,” he muttered.

  Caroline glanced up and followed his gaze. To her surprise she saw Gresham’s dark head above the crowd, and smiled to herself, thinking of the number of times she had used those very words to describe his lordship. Her heart began to beat a little faster; she had neither seen nor heard from Tristan since Cecilia’s thwarted elopement, and she had begun to wonder if he had left London altogether.

  “What is he doing here?” growled Adam. “This has nothing to do with him!”

  “I believe Lord Barford considers him a friend,” said Caroline cautiously.

  “A friend! That man is a friend to no one,” said Adam harshly.

  “Hush, Adam, people are staring. Let him be. No one is asking that you speak to him,” said Caroline. She glanced once more at Gresham, and then led her brother across the room to where Allegra stood.

  “There you are, Adam dear,” said Allegra lightly. She laced her arm through his and dimpled up at him.

  Temporarily distracted, Adam smiled back at her. With a sens
e of relief Caroline moved away, intent on securing a glass of lemonade, or perhaps something stronger. Cecilia and Barford stood together across the room, accepting the good wishes of their friends. Barford beamed proudly as her former suitors teased him over winning Miss Ashdown’s hand, and Caroline admired the gracious way that Cecilia greeted each person with a smile and a friendly word. Perhaps she would grow gracefully into her new role, she thought hopefully.

  “Admiring your handiwork?”

  Caroline started as Tristan’s deep voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to find him at her side, holding out a flute of champagne. She gave him a speaking look, but accepted the glass with pleasure.

  “Whatever are you doing here?” she asked.

  “Barford appears to think of me in the light of a mentor,” replied Gresham. “He has thanked me profusely for my assistance to his intended bride, and insists that I will always be a dear friend to them both.”

  “Lud,” said Caroline, bereft of any other words.

  “My feelings precisely,” Tristan responded. There was a slight pause as Caroline pondered what to say to him. “Did you hear that Mr. Wyman and Lady Manning were married yesterday?” he continued.

  “No, were they?” asked Caroline, fascinated. “I suppose one must wish them happy.”

  “I suppose one must, but I have to allow that I consider it a highly unlikely conclusion to their, er, friendship,” said Tristan. “Lady Manning does not have an inclination to happiness, and I have doubts about Wyman as well.”

  “And do you?” asked Caroline.

  “Sometimes,” he answered. “When I am with you.”

  Caroline sipped at her champagne and regarded him from under her lashes. He looked very enticing dressed in a dark green evening coat and buff breeches. His frilled stock foamed over a waistcoat of subtly striped silk embroidered in green and gold that showed off his firm abdomen, and she fought back the memory of their night together near Sawtry. “I am surprised that you attended tonight; surely you knew that Adam and Allegra would be here, and that your presence would not be welcome.”