“My friends are far more skilled with a paintbrush than I will ever be; they have a small but dedicated number of patrons. I was hoping to convince Francis to buy a couple of their works and get them in front of the Prince of Wales, but he was oddly not keen on the idea,” James said.
“I expect Francis has his reasons. He may not appreciate all your friends the same way you do. Just because they are your chums does not mean that they are naturally his, or mine, for that matter,” replied Caroline.
After her cryptic response, Caroline opened her reticule and began to rummage about. She and Lady Margaret shared a few quiet words, after which she fell silent. Julian knew enough of her by now to know when to leave her alone with her thoughts.
“I promise I shall find my friends and give them my regards, then come back and join the rest of you as soon as I can. Does that suit you, Caroline?” said James.
With Francis now on his way back to London, it fell to James to act as Caroline’s official chaperone. Julian was pleased to see that he did not appear to be taking the role too seriously.
With a little more wriggle room than he’d had under Francis’s watchful gaze, Julian intended to press home the advantage and spend more time in private with Caroline. He wanted to get a deeper understanding of the real Caroline Saunders, to convince his heart that it was not mistaken in having settled on her.
“Yes, go and spend time with your friends. I am sure I will be perfectly safe with Lord Newhall and Lady Margaret as my chaperones. You can meet with us when you are done,” replied Caroline. She chanced a look in Julian’s direction. Their gazes met for a split-second before she looked away.
“Splendid,” replied James.
As soon as they turned into the main street of Burton, their carriage came to a halt. Julian leaned across and opened the door. Ahead of them was a jumble of wagons, carts, and people.
“We may have to walk from here. I cannot see a way through the crowd,” he said.
He instructed the driver to pull the carriage over to the side of the road. Within a few minutes, the four of them were making their way into the main town square.
The square was filled with rows of various market stalls, all selling local produce. Market day was a big enough event that some stalls were selling finished goods from larger towns such as Derby.
“I didn’t realize it would be this big.” James glanced in the direction of Caroline, but she barely noted his words.
The farther that they walked on, the more distracted she appeared to become. Julian and Lady Margaret shared a concerned look. Neither of them had encountered this kind of behavior from their guest until now.
“There is the Union Inn, are you still alright for me to go and see my friends?” said Julian, pointing toward the small double-story public house which stood on the corner of the square.
For the first time since their arrival at the town, Caroline looked up and paid attention to the goings-on around her. She focused her gaze on the whitewashed building and straightened her shoulders. She muttered something under her breath which Julian failed to catch.
“Thank you. I shan’t be long,” said James. He gave a hasty bow to the women and darted off in search of his friends.
“And there is the tea shop, right next door,” added Lady Margaret. She touched Caroline on the arm. “Would you like to come with me?”
“No, thank you. I am happy to wander the stalls. I might see if I can find a pair of mittens that will fit my hands. That is, if Julian will accompany me?”
Lady Margaret nodded her agreement. “As we are in Derbyshire, I expect we can relax the rules on a gentleman escorting a young lady without a chaperone.”
Caroline looked at her sadly. “I doubt that wandering the market stalls will do anything to change what people already think of me.”
Julian’s heart sank at her words. He had foolishly allowed himself to think she was dealing well with the Harry situation, but her words now told him otherwise. Caroline was suffering. “I shall be glad to accompany you.”
He wished desperately to put his arms around Caroline and offer her comfort. To tell her that everything would be alright, and if it wasn’t, he would personally take care of Harry Menzies. It was heartbreaking to see such a spirited young woman now caught up in the darkness of self-doubt.
With both James and Lady Margaret gone, Julian found himself in the unexpected but welcome position of being alone with Caroline. He quietly followed her as she wandered over to a local merchant stall, praying that his presence would help bring her comfort.
“Oh, red-skinned Pippin apples. I haven’t had any of these in ages!” she exclaimed.
It was the first time since they had arrived that Caroline had shown any spark of her usual self. She pulled a handful of coins from her reticule and, with a smile, handed them to the stallholder. “Six of your finest Pippins, please.”
The man handed a small cloth bag of apples over to her which, despite Caroline’s protests, Julian insisted on carrying.
“You are my guest,” he said.
When she rewarded him with a smile, Julian saw an opening. He plucked up his courage. “I know it might be a little forward, but would you care to sit and have a hot drink somewhere? There are a number of places around the market that are in the open where we could sit. I get the impression you could do with a cup of tea.”
“Thank you, that would be nice. I could also do with some food. I didn’t have any breakfast before we left,” she replied.
They found a nearby stall that was selling hot pies. Julian chuckled at the sound of Caroline’s stomach rumbling when they got close. His own stomach added to the chorus as he took in the appetizing smell of the roast beef pies.
He caught the attention of the pie man. “Two beef pies, please.”
They stood to one side of the stall, near to a high brick wall, and tucked into the pies. The pastry was crispy on the top, but once he bit down, his tongue tasted the rich gravy and beef treasure inside.
“Oh, this is good. Thank you,” said Caroline.
Her smile was all the thanks Julian needed. If she was happy, then so was he. She nodded in the direction of the tea shop, and he waved as Lady Margaret made her way over to them.
“Derbyshire pies. Is there anything better?” said Lady Margaret.
Julian took the packets of tea that she had bought and put them into the bag with the apples. He was enjoying a day out at the local town market far more than a man of his social status should. And he was no fool in recognizing that it was due to the presence of the young woman standing beside him.
A young woman who had a healthy appetite when it came to locally baked pies. He swallowed deep as he watched her lick the sauce from her fingertips.
“Well I have some other errands to attend to while we are here. If the two of you are content to continue to wander the market, I can meet you in a little while. Then we can partake of luncheon somewhere,” said Lady Margaret.
Julian held his breath. He was grateful that Lady Margaret had read the mood between himself and Caroline. Further steps had been taken in progressing their friendship, and he was keen to hold the ground he had made.
“I passed by a stall selling woolen goods on my way here. With any luck, you might be able to find the mittens you were seeking,” added Lady Margaret.
When they finished the rest of their midmorning snack, Julian and Caroline headed over to the edge of the town square in search of the woolen goods stall. It was close by the Union Inn. Caroline, oddly, did not make any mention of her long-delayed cousin. Instead, she put her head down and began to examine the selection of mittens that were on display.
“I think these might do the trick,” she said, picking up a pair of green mittens and showing them to Julian.
“I didn’t realize your hands were getting that cold,” he replied.
She carefully slipped her damaged hand inside one of the mittens and held it up. “Perfect. Now I may be able to ice-skate. That is,
if the offer to use your ice pond is still open.”
Julian hurriedly nodded. “Absolutely. I will have the grounds staff check it as soon as we return to the castle. If your snow dancing is anything to go by, I know you will be an amazing sight on the ice.”
She reached into her reticule and withdrew her purse, she took out a handful of coins and handed them over.
While Caroline was busy settling her purchase with the stallholder, James appeared from the tavern, leading two other gentlemen.
Julian waved at James, who hurried toward them. “Your cousin appears to have found his friends.”
Caroline stilled at his words, only stirring once again when the stallholder shook the coins in his hand and she finally took her change.
“Newhall, good to see you. May I introduce my friends. This is Timothy Walters and Timothy Smith, otherwise known as ‘the two Tims,’” said James.
Julian took one look at James’s friends and the blood in his veins turned to ice. While one of the Timothys was a complete stranger, the other was someone Julian had encountered before. Timothy Walters. Timothy of the dance card argument, and lurker on the fringe of Caroline’s court of admirers. Another rival for her affections.
Good manners meant he had no choice other than to shake hands with both men. Caroline, meanwhile, kept her back turned to the group.
“And of course, you both know my cousin, Miss Caroline Saunders,” added James.
As James introduced her, Caroline finally turned to face them. She gave a small nod. “Gentlemen.”
Julian took a hurried step back as Timothy Walters rushed forward and attempted to seize Caroline by the hand. She shied away. Walters gasped at the sight of the bandage.
“Miss Saunders had a small accident and injured her hand. I rendered assistance and managed to stitch the wound,” explained Julian.
“Oh, my dearest Caroline, you poor thing,” gushed Timothy.
Out of the corner of his eye, Julian caught Timothy Smith fix Caroline with a thinly-veiled look of disgust. There was clearly some bad blood between them.
Timothy Smith bowed low to Caroline, but did not offer her his hand or any words of greeting. Julian gritted his teeth as he forced down the burning desire to teach Mister Smith a lesson in manners.
“How are you enjoying your stay in Derbyshire? Radley here tells me you have a commission for a series of paintings,” said Julian.
“Yes,” replied Walters, his gaze not moving from Caroline.
“They are headed up to the Marchington Woodlands tomorrow to do some initial drawings. I was thinking I might go with them. I would only be gone for a few days and could find my own way back to Newhall Castle. Do you think Lady Margaret could act as chaperone for Caroline while I am gone?” said James.
Walters took another step closer to Caroline. “You would be welcome to accompany us, if you wished. Fair Caroline, I would so love to show you the wild countryside of Derbyshire.”
The hairs on the back of Julian’s neck raised as he heard the longing in Walters’s voice. The prick of jealousy he had felt on first seeing Walters now flared bright in his heart. “I have been showing Miss Saunders much of the countryside around Newhall Castle. She does appreciate the greener parts of England.”
He turned to James, keeping his voice steady. “I am certain my aunt would be more than happy to look after Miss Saunders while you are gone, Radley. They are already such good friends. That is, of course, if Miss Saunders finds it agreeable for her to continue to stay at Newhall Castle.”
He added emphasis to the last Miss Saunders. He hated the familiar way Walters spoke to Caroline. In his world, only he had the right to address her by her Christian name.
Walters looked at him and a silent battle of wills began. Julian comfortably held the other man’s gaze. Walters may well have considered himself to be talented enough to lure a young lady with his artwork, but he had not counted on Julian Palmer. Try it, lad. I have a title and a bloody great big castle. Not to mention a very possessive dog. What could you possibly offer her? Caroline is not the sort of girl who would enjoy living in a freezing attic while you pursue your next poorly paid commission. Step away.
“Yes, it is lovely around Newhall and I have become quite settled during our stay. Thank you for your kind offer, Mister Walters, but I shall remain as Lord Newhall’s guest for a little while longer,” said Caroline.
When she offered Julian a welcome smile, he knew he had won the battle. While the gushing Walters had tried to force Caroline into doing his bidding, Julian had played a smarter hand and actually asked her what she wanted.
That’s what comes from making an effort to get to know a woman. Consider yourself vanquished Walters. She. Is. Mine.
“Well then, we must be going. James, since you are coming with us, you might wish to purchase some personal supplies from the local shops for the trip. Miss Saunders, Lord Newhall, it has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” said Timothy Smith.
James and Caroline made hurried goodbyes, with James promising to return as soon as he was able. When Caroline insisted that her cousin take as long as he wished with his friends, and not to be in any great hurry to return to Newhall, Julian serenely nodded in Timothy Walters’ direction.
As James and his friends walked away, Caroline let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you. I had hoped to avoid that encounter. I don’t know what I would have done if you had not been there to save me from Mister Walters and Mister Smith,” she said.
He was about to ask her why she needed saving, from Mr. Smith in particular, but she looked at him and simply said, “Let us talk once we get home.”
Home.
The word rolled easily off her tongue.
As they continued to walk the town square, and finally met up with Lady Margaret, Julian was deep in thought as to how he could make Caroline’s word become a reality. How he could make her see that her home was at Newhall Castle.
That her future lay with him.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“I owe you an explanation.”
Julian looked up from the newspaper he had purchased during their visit to Burton and saw Caroline standing in the doorway of his study. He rose and offered her a seat. She sat on the edge of the chair, hands clasped. Her posture was stiff and unsure, the same as it had been since the moment James and his friends had met them at the market.
“You may have guessed that I was not happy to see Mister Walters today. As I said, I had hoped to avoid him, but poor James was excited for you to meet his friends,” she said.
Julian had done his best to absorb the news in the three-day-old London newspaper, but he had found it impossible to focus. The hungry look which had sat on Walters’ face, coupled with Smith’s outright rudeness when they met Caroline, concentrated much of his mind.
“I took it, from your reaction, that you hold the same opinion of him as you did the first night we met. You are not his lady. He, however, does not appear to have got that message,” he replied. His words, while calmly spoken, belied the green edge of jealousy he still felt over the gentleman in question.
Caroline nodded. “I would like for you and I to be honest with one another. We have done much to reframe our relationship, and I wish very much to continue in that vein. I think it only fair then that I tell you that Mister Walters asked my father for my hand in marriage a matter of weeks ago. Papa told him no.”
One of the myriads of questions which had been rolling around Julian’s head all afternoon was the exact nature of the relationship between Caroline and Walters. Her words did little to calm his mind.
“While it explains your comments in the carriage, about not everyone being friends with Radley’s chums, it doesn’t excuse your cousin’s behavior. It was thoughtless and cruel of him to bring Walters and Smith to meet with you,” replied Julian. He would be having stern words with James Radley once he returned to Newhall. Fancy exposing her to a jilted suitor in the middle of a public square. Th
e man was a dolt.
“James is unaware of the situation with Mister Walters. Turning down a marriage proposal is not exactly something that one makes public,” she said.
“But from the way his friend looked at you, I would suggest Mister Smith was well aware of the nature of your connection?” replied Julian.
The half-hearted smile she gave him in return confirmed his suspicions.
“I did nothing to encourage Mister Walters affections. I offered him some kindness over a private matter, after which he convinced himself that he was in love with me. And yes, I expect Mister Smith does not hold me in any favorable regard, having caused his friend such pain,” she added.
“To be honest, I saw several expressions on Mister Walters’ face which I also witnessed on Harry Menzies’s countenance when he was here. If there is one thing you can claim as your own, Caroline, it is that you have an effect on men. Whether you or they like it or not,” he replied.
As soon as he spoke the words, Julian regretted them. He had been trying to offer her his support and tell her that it was not her fault. Instead, all he had managed to do was mangle his words and insult her.
Caroline slowly rose from the chair, and walked toward the door. As she reached for the handle, she stopped and turned to him. Julian’s heart sank as he saw the tears shining in her eyes.
“So, like everyone else, you think I am a tease? Thank you for at least clearing up that misconception for me. I had thought that since you were my friend, you might try to understand. Perhaps it would have been better if I had gone with James. At least I know where I stand with the likes of Mister Walters. Excuse me, Lord Newhall.”
Caroline closed the door softly behind her, but the click of the latch echoed loudly in Julian’s brain.
He got to his feet, intending to follow her, but as his fingers touched the doorknob, he stopped. He should run after her and offer up pleas of apology, but she had been right. He didn’t like the effect she had on other men.
There were too many males in Caroline’s life for Julian’s liking. He faced a painful decision. Could he offer himself up to a life of forever being jealous?
The Ice Queen Page 15