“Yes. The ship will be leaving shortly and everyone must report,” William explained. With his plate fully loaded with breakfast sausage and toast, he dismissed the servants so he could speak privately with his family. “I thanked him greatly for all that he’s done and encouraged him to return here again when he is back in post.”
“You’ve been rather lucky, William. It’s not every day that a footman gets to be knighted,” his father said before taking a long drink of his elixir. This one substance seemed to give his father back his life, but William often thought about the cost of such a drink. Surely, if it really did cure everything the seller claimed it to, more people would be drinking it. But on all his travels, William hadn’t been able to discover a better solution for now.
“I know I’m rather fortunate, Father. I’ve gained rank and fortune thanks to some high risks and a last-minute business deal. I never knew that joining the Navy would lead me to this moment,” William said with a sigh. “And I just saw the announcement in the paper today.”
“We were going to mention it if you hadn’t seen it,” Grendel spoke up then, her voice soft and old. William smiled at her, knowing that her constant dedication to him and his father was really what saved him in the beginning when he was suffering from the guilt and heartache of leaving Caroline behind.
“What do you plan to do?” his father asked then.
“I plan to make things right, Father. I will seek Caroline out and convince her that I still love her, and I will convince her father that I am a better man than Lord Canton,” William explained as he began to cut into his sausage using a silver fork and knife. There was much about living as an elite that he still needed to grow accustomed to. And using silver to eat with was one of those things.
“Lord Canton has been a rather clever man. If Daniel didn’t look just like you, this plan would have never worked,” his father said then.
“He is not the only one that is rather clever, Father,” William said, a smirk on his lips. “I have been rather busy discovering quite a lot about the Earl. And when the time is right, I shall reveal all.”
“You must be careful, William. If they discover who you really are, things will not go well for you,” Grendel warned, her forehead wrinkling in fear.
“The chances of anyone discovering that I’m not the real Roberts is very unlikely. Only Daniel knows, besides you two. It’s no matter since I already know that Lord Canton has been too busy with his own business to really have time to worry about me.”
“Just be careful, William. That is all we ask,” his father said, his voice heavy.
“I promise to be careful, Father. I have too much at stake not to be.”
After they finished their breakfast, his father went out to the gardens for his morning exercise and Grendel went to rest in the sitting room with her lady’s maid while William returned to his study to focus on his work.
Now that all the puzzle pieces seemed to be fitting into place, all he had to do now was put himself back into Caroline’s life. He had to discover where she was and what she was doing these days. Now was the time to finally take critical action towards reclaiming the love of his life.
As William sat down at his desk, feeling the tight pressure of his new clothes upon his skin, it was just another reminder of all the wealth he’d gained over the years. At first, he’d used the fortune Lord Canton had bribed him with to invest in various business dealings. He was sure that Lord Canton wasn’t expecting him to invest the ten thousand pounds a year, but instead spend it feverously. And when he was given an offer to switch places with Daniel for fame and glory, William knew that taking to the sea was his sure bet to gain the rank he would need to convince Lord Goldman he was the better man.
It all seemed to finally be coming together for William. But now that Caroline was officially engaged, he had other matters to consider. He’d have to not only convince Caroline that he still loved her, but that she was the only woman for him.
Yes, he’d tried to meet other women over the years, wondering if he should move on. But with every young lady that he’d danced with or met at the tavern for a bite to eat, he’d always realized some flaw that caused them to fall short of Caroline. She was, after all, not only beautiful, but the most intelligent woman he’d ever met. And even after all his travels, that statement still held true.
Now, as he opened all sorts of letters of business and invitations to different social gatherings addressed to Sir Roberts, William started to think how he was going to meet Caroline again. Surely, with her recent engagement, she’d make her way to town for the wedding. And when she did, William would be ready to make his move and claim Caroline once and for all.
Chapter 11
Caroline felt exhausted from the three days of travelling she’d just endured with Gwendolen and her parents. They had travelled by coach from the country to town, staying in various inns along the way. Caroline had found the crowded inns so overwhelming, and now that she’d be shown to her room in the Murphys’ townhouse, she felt like she could finally relax. And after having a tub brought up to her room so she could properly bath, Caroline thought she could finally start acting like herself again.
“How does the room suit your fancy?” Gwendolen asked as she came into her room with a bright smile upon her face. Caroline could not reason why Gwendolen was so happy, but she couldn’t contain her own smile as she embraced her friend.
“This is a very lovely room. Once I have had a proper bath, I shall be right as rain once more,” Caroline said.
“And since Lord Canton and your parents are not expected for another week since they have been left behind to plan all the wedding details, you and I shall enjoy this time to the fullest,” Gwendolen said with a wink. She then took Caroline’s hands and said, “Tomorrow is a masquerade ball hosted by Lord and Lady Sussex. Every eligible gentleman still left in town is sure to be there.”
“I’ll be happy to accompany you,” Caroline said as she squeezed her friend’s hands. “How wonderful would it be if you found a husband and we could be married together.”
“Surely, Caroline, you realize that I don’t just do this for myself. I know how you truly feel about marrying Lord Canton,” Gwendolen said, her voice growing soft. Caroline let her hands drop from Gwendolen’s then as she slowly turned away from her friend so that she couldn’t see the grief upon her face.
“My dear, I’ve already told you. My marriage to Lord Canton was inevitable,” Caroline said slowly.
“But you have yet to explain to me way. You both don’t love each other, and he’s already an Earl. There is no reason for this marriage that I can see. And if you only met another man more worthy of your heart, then you could be happily married,” Gwendolen said, her voice sounding desperate for answers that Caroline wasn’t ready to give.
“You are the dearest friend anyone could ask for,” Caroline said with a genuine smile as she turned back to her. “I will enjoy this week with you and the masquerade tomorrow. But we must be quick if we are going to find masks before the event.”
“Then you must hurry with your bath and go visit my favourite seamstress. She would be sure to have what we need. And if we are lucky, tomorrow night we might actually get to meet this Sir Roberts that everyone has been talking about.”
The two young ladies giggled together for a moment before Gwendolen actually let her be. As Caroline readied for her bath, she thought about her friend and her good intentions. But even though Gwendolen was convinced that she could save Caroline from this loveless marriage, Caroline was certain her fate had been sealed the night William let her go. And without a single letter from him since, she had stopped rereading his last note to give herself any sort of hope. If he truly did love her, then why hadn’t he written to her at all?
After a refreshingly hot bath, Caroline felt more revived than she had before arriving in town. And when she was dressed once more, her skin feeling as fresh as the new gown Gwendolen had gifted her upon arriving at her
townhouse, she made her way from the bedchamber towards the sitting room on the first floor. There, Caroline found Gwendolen sitting by the window as she read a letter.
“My dearest friend,” Gwendolen said excitedly as she realized that Caroline had entered the room. “I’ve been going through the post while I waited for you and have received many letters from our good friends. They all speak about Sir Roberts, yet no one seems to know anything about him.”
“How mysterious,” Caroline said as she came and sat upon a chair near Gwendolen. The townhouse was very stylishly designed, yet simple. The pale blue carpets felt plush underneath her feet, and the few items of furniture were a light oak colour with striped white and blue patterns. A large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling and was one of the few luxurious pieces in the room.
“I do hope this gentleman will attend the masquerade tomorrow evening,” Gwendolen said excitedly, drawing Caroline’s attention back to her.
“And why is that, my dear? Even if he did attend, how would you know who he is? Everyone shall be masked till midnight,” Caroline stated with a chuckle. “It will be hard to gain his attention.”
“With the right gown and mask, it won’t be hard to draw men’s attention. We’ve both been successful in doing so before.”
Caroline agreed, but after discovering that Lord Canton had discouraged any eligible gentleman from seriously pursuing her, she felt less confident in her abilities to seduce.
“I think we should be off if we are going to make it to the seamstress today. I’m still exhausted from our travels, but I wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity, either,” Caroline said.
“Yes, you are right, my dear. Let me just put my letters away and let Mr Denton know that we’ll require the carriage. My parents are resting, but we’ll be sure to be back before dinner,” Gwendolen said as she rose.
“Who shall be our escort then, if your mother won’t be joining us?” Caroline asked, feeling a little uncomfortable about the idea of them going out by themselves.
“Caroline, you are soon to be married. You might as well by my escort. And we are only going to the seamstress, after all. It’s not like we are attending a ball without Mother present to watch over us like a hen does her chicks.” Caroline laughed freely then at Gwendolen’s impression of a chicken chasing her babies around the sitting room.
“Fine, be gone with you before I laugh myself to death. We must be hasty for I promised my parents I would behave till their arrival in town.”
“Tis the reason I suggest attending the masquerade tomorrow night. I believe you, my dear Caroline, need to learn to live life to the fullest when you have the chance.” Gwendolen pointed her finger at Caroline then before leaving the sitting room to hurry after her butler.
Caroline took a deep breath, glad that her dear friend could make her laugh so. In a way, she envied Gwendolen. The girl was such a free spirit who rarely gave any thought about consequences. She simply lived her life and enjoyed it to the fullest. Caroline wondered if she would ever be able to do such a thing.
Once the carriage was once more prepared, Gwendolen and Caroline left together, talking excitedly about the manner of dress they would wear and what sorts of masks they wanted to find. They weren’t certain that they would have a large selection since the masquerade was tomorrow, but they were hopeful to find something suitable for the both of them.
Caroline watched the scenery pass by the carriage window as they travelled through town. There were certain things she liked about the large neighbourhood, from the bustling people to the possibilities around every corner. She felt like the town always felt so alive, with so many people living closely to one another. Sometimes she wondered if it was possible to run into William in a place like London. After all, he had to have gone somewhere after leaving the countryside.
“Caroline, did you hear me?” Gwendolen asked, catching Caroline’s attention.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“I asked if you thought horns would be a little too much. I thought going as a ham would be a nice idea.”
“I would have to see them on you first,” Caroline admitted. “We can try on different masks until we are tired of the sport.”
“I like that idea. However, what were you thinking of just then? You seemed so deep in thought and almost had a look of yearning upon your face.”
Caroline smiled, knowing that she’d been caught thinking about William once more. “I was just thinking of an old memory is all,” she explained.
“Are you going to tell me about it?” she asked.
Caroline shook her head. “Some things are best left in the past, I’ve discovered.”
“Well, you know I’m always ears. I wouldn’t tell a soul.”
“I know, Gwendolen. I just see no point in it, is all.”
Caroline was thankful when the carriage came to a stop because she knew it was finally time to turn their attention over dresses, fabrics, ribbons, and masks. As the footman came to open up the carriage door, Gwendolen stepped down first with Caroline quickly behind her.
The sidewalks were busy, and Caroline was anxious to get inside the dress shop for some reassurance. But as she followed closely behind Gwendolen, she thought she saw someone familiar. She stopped for a second to try to get a better look at the man, and when he stopped to cross the road, turning slightly to where she could see his profile, Caroline’s heart stilled.
There, perhaps ten feet away from her, stood William. She was sure it had to be him. His hair was much shorter than what she remembered, but his face was the same. His blue eyes shone brightly in the afternoon sun, and she began to take several steps towards him, desperate to confirm it was him. But before she could make it through the busy sidewalk towards him, he was already crossing the road, running to avoid colliding with a carriage or a horseman. It left Caroline standing on that side of the road, trying to follow him with her eyes.
“Caroline! What on earth are you doing?” Gwendolen asked, grabbing her elbow and leading her back towards the dress shop.
“I’m so sorry. I thought I saw someone and needed to be sure,” Caroline said. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“You can’t be careless, Caroline. Someone could have stolen you away and I would have never known the better,” Gwendolen said, her voice obviously put off. Gwendolen’s grip on her elbow didn’t loosen till they were both securely inside the dress shop.
“I’m sorry, Gwendolen. I just couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw him. I just had to be sure it was he who I was seeing, but he moved across the street before I could get to him,” Caroline rambled, her fingers fidgeting with one another.
“My goodness, who are you speaking of, Caroline?” Gwendolen asked in a hushed voice, leading Caroline over to a small selection of pre-made gowns.
“Tis no one,” Caroline said, trying to appear as though she was interested in the gowns, though she’d never purchase a gown already made. She always relied on the assistance of a seamstress to design her gowns and ensure they fit her figure perfectly.
“You did not act as though the man was no one. You must tell me who he is and why you seem infatuated by him.” Gwendolen smiled brightly at her, and had it not been for the seamstress’ assistant approaching them to see what they needed help with, Caroline would have most likely told her. As Gwendolen told the assistant what they were looking for, they were shown into the parlour and allowed to see the masquerade masks that were left in stock. Caroline tried to choose which one she liked the most, but she couldn’t get the image of William out of her mind. He was dressed so finely, like a real gentleman, that she hadn’t recognized him right away.
A top hat had rested upon his head, while a cane was in his hand. His jacket was a deep black with embroidery that glinted in the sunlight. His muslin shirt had been starched and pressed finely, and anyone who looked upon him could see that he was clearly both wealthy and of rank. But Caroline didn’t understand why William would be in town, and dress
ing so. And if he had been in town this whole time, why hadn’t he tried to contact her in some way?
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