by Aston, Alexa
That was impossible, though. Her mind had accepted that a romance with Luke St. Clair would be impossible. It was taking her heart longer to realize that, though.
The dance ended and Merrifield appeared. “Ready for our dance, Lady Caroline?”
“Lead the way,” she said bravely, though her insides wobbled like jelly.
Luckily, it didn’t matter. Her partner was a superb dancer, moving her about the floor with ease. She found herself relaxing and even enjoying the dance.
It ended and she said, “Thank you, Lord Merrifield. That was my first dance at a ball. My first time at any ton event.”
“Truly? I would never have guessed. You are very graceful. Why haven’t you danced before?”
As he returned her to Rachel and Leah, who awaited her with smiles, she told him she’d been stuck in Boston as the war raged and had only returned to England with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent.
“I hope you will enjoy this Season, Lady Caroline. I look forward to seeing Evie’s tomorrow—and dancing with you again.” Merrifield bowed and left her with her friends.
She danced numerous times after that, knowing in the back of her mind that Luke would claim her for the supper dance. When he arrived at her side, her heart began beating wildly, like a small butterfly trapped in someone’s hands.
“I believe this is our dance. At least it is if Merrifield wrote my name beside the right spot,” he teased.
“Thank you for dancing with me,” she said as he took her to the center of the floor.
“Of course, I wanted to dance with you.” He took her in his arms as the strains of a waltz began. “I’ve looked forward to this all night.”
Caroline seemed to float through the air. She was aware of his hand pressed to the small of her back, feeling the heat of it through her gown. He held her a bit closer than her previous partners had, her breasts grazing his chest, causing them to ache for his touch. She licked her lips nervously.
“You’re a success tonight,” Luke said. “Just as Evie’s will be a success.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so,” he said firmly. “You’ve worked diligently to make it so.”
She smiled. “I’ve had quite a bit of help from the many friends I’ve made since my return to London. Including you.”
“Including me,” he agreed happily. “I hope you’re pleased with my contributions regarding the tearoom.”
“You’ve hired the best cooks in London. I’m sure of that. You—and Cor—have helped tweak the dishes that will be served. And I love the idea of bringing in the blackboard which lists the special desserts offered each week. I wouldn’t have been able to open the tearoom at the same time as the bookstore without all of your help. I am in your debt.”
He grinned. “I rather like that. Should I get that in writing so I may call the chit in?”
She sensed her cheeks heating and glanced away.
“I know how I can claim my reward for all my hard work.”
Caroline glanced back at him. “How?”
“Accompany me to the theatre tomorrow night.”
Chapter Eighteen
Caroline regretted telling Luke she would attend the theatre with him. She didn’t want to encourage more than friendship between them, knowing he needed to find a suitable bride from the Marriage Mart. A young, fresh girl with a spotless reputation. By the end of the week—when Evie’s opened and word got out who its proprietor was—Caroline would be looked upon differently by the ton. Luke needed a wife who would support him and cause no controversy in society.
Lady Caroline Andrews was definitely not that woman.
She also knew the more time she spent in his company, the harder it would become for her to hide her feelings. Already, she’d given him her heart. She must start distancing herself from him before the broken pieces became obvious and her unrequited love embarrassed the both of them. It was important to steel herself for the day when Luke did find the appropriate woman to wed. Though it would pain her to see him gaze lovingly at someone else, she had to prepare for that eventuality. If he were anything like his brother and sister, Luke would fall deeply, madly in love and proclaim his feelings to the world.
Even worse, as a friend of the family, Caroline would be expected to make friends with his bride, who would be swept into the bosom of the St. Clair family with her marriage to Luke. Catherine, Rachel, and Leah would welcome a new female into their tight sisterhood. If Caroline were wise, she would start now and subtly remove herself from her friends. She had the bookstore and tearoom to focus on, along with Davy and Tippet. Running her new enterprises would be the perfect excuse to give her friends as she gradually withdrew from them. They would all understand that she must devote time to both ventures in order to make them succeed, long hours that didn’t involve afternoon tea, garden parties, and balls.
It would be lonely, though. She already cherished the time she’d spent with these three women. To cut them from her life would be difficult. In the long run, though, it was the only solution. It would protect their reputations.
And her heart.
Tomorrow afternoon’s gathering at Evie’s would be the last she would attend with them all. Gradually, she would pull away discreetly. They’d be caught up in their lives. They all had husbands and children to tend to and social events that would keep them busy. They would think of her less and less as time progressed.
That would mean selling her father’s London townhouse sooner rather than later. Its proximity to the Merrick household would make it far too easy for Rachel to drop by, bringing the others with her. Besides, it would go for a pretty penny. She’d be able to reimburse Luke, Evan, and Alex immediately and not make them wait for a return on their investments.
Satisfied with her decision, she left the retiring room and returned to the ballroom. With supper now ended, she was scheduled to dance with her host and didn’t want to slight him by not showing up. Caroline joined Amanda and her husband. Lord Stanley was an affable man and had danced with her earlier, full of news about their newborn, their third child.
Immediately, Jeremy and Catherine joined them.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” the duchess asked. “I know it’s your first ball. You look spectacular. Madame Toufours went on and on about your stunning figure and how she enjoyed designing this gown for you.”
“Oh, Madame Toufours created your gown?” Amanda asked. “Several women asked me if I knew who your modiste was. Now I can tell them.”
“Madame is most talented,” Caroline said. “And yes, I’ve enjoyed tonight very much.”
Catherine looked to her husband. “Duke, the musicians are awaiting your signal so they may begin.”
He lifted her hand and kissed it. “Then I must not keep them or our guests waiting, Duchess.” Jeremy turned to her. “I believe this is our dance, Caroline.”
The Duke of Everton led her onto the dance floor and nodded at the orchestra, which immediately struck up a lively tune. By the time they finished their dance, Caroline was out of breath, her cheeks flushed from the exertion.
“May I get you some ratafia?” Jeremy asked.
“I would appreciate that,” she replied.
He led her back to Amanda and excused himself. Caroline noticed her new friend looked tired.
“Have you thought about leaving the ball early?” she asked.
Amanda nodded. “I have. Tonight is the most activity I’ve had in a week since giving birth. I adore the St. Clairs, though, and wanted to support them by coming to this first event of the Season.”
“I’m sure they would understand if you and Lord Stanley slipped away early.” Caroline looked and found Amanda’s husband talking to someone nearby and motioned him over.
He came at once, a worried look on his face. “Are you all right, dearest?” he asked his wife.
“I’m weary. Perhaps we should leave. I want to get enough rest to go to Evie’s tomorrow and sample the menu.”
“Th
en we wish you a good night, Lady Caroline,” Lord Stanley said, tucking his wife’s hand through the crook of his arm. “We look forward to seeing your shops tomorrow.”
She waved goodbye to them and realized, for the first time tonight, she was alone.
Not for long.
Immediately, a trio of women standing close by moved in on her. For a moment, she felt like a fox trapped by hounds as she looked at the gleam in the women’s eyes.
The first woman smiled ingratiatingly at her. “Oh, I’m sorry Lady Stanley left so suddenly. I was hoping she would be able to introduce us. I hope you don’t think me forward to come up to you in such a way. I am Lady Bethany.” She indicated her companions. “This is Lady Betsy and Lady Bettina.”
“Lady Caroline,” she murmured, though she knew this woman already knew full well who she was.
“Delighted to meet you, Lady Caroline. My, you’ve had quite the night at this first ball of the Season. You’ve danced with Aubrey, Stanley and Neville. All of the Duke of Everton’s friends. Not to mention Lord Merrifield, that handsome devil. The Marquess of Merrick and the Earls of Mayfield and Alford.”
She wondered why this woman would have kept such close notice of whom Caroline partnered with and decided this had to be one of those horrible gossips who looked for things to talk about.
Politely, she said, “I am fortunate that I’ve gained so many partners this evening since I’m attending my first ball. The Duke of Everton was kind enough to see that I didn’t sit out many dances by encouraging his friends and family to dance with me.”
Lady Bethany sniffed and said, “Yes. Even Everton danced with you. That’s a rare happening. He only makes time for his duchess. What have you done to gain his attention?”
Caroline hated the women’s rude tone. “I am friends with his sister, Rachel, and his brother, Luke.”
The moment she used Luke’s Christian name, she knew she’d erred. The two subordinates squealed, “Luke?” as their ringleader said condescendingly, “Friends? You’re friends with the Earl of Mayfield?”
“Yes,” she said evenly. “I’ve grown close to the family. I’m staying with the marquess and marchioness. Rachel’s brother is a frequent visitor.”
Lady Bethany snapped her fan. “No lady of quality is friends with any man, especially Mayfield. That one is a rogue, through and through. Do you know how many mistresses and married lovers the man has had? Too numerous for anyone to count. That man has spent more time lurking in bedchambers and drawing pleasure from women than any gentleman of the ton. They say he takes a lover every night of the week. Sometimes, even two in one night. At the same time.”
Lady Bethany’s friends tittered nervously at such bold conversation, waving their fans and turning away, looking as if they knew their friend had gone too far. The woman’s words gave Caroline pause, knowing she’d lost her heart to Luke St. Clair. Though the man Lady Bethany described seemed nothing like the Luke Caroline knew, the sting of the gossip made her think she knew only one side of him and she told herself she should be more wary of the time they spent in one another’s company.
Lady Bethany continued. “The Earl of Mayfield won’t bother to settle down for a good decade or more and will most likely break a string of hearts along the way. You’d be wise to acknowledge that of your friend, Lady Caroline. Only when he thinks about needing to pass his title and lands down will he deign to take a wife. Even then, she better be prepared to spend many nights on her own. A man such as the Earl of Mayfield will never change his wandering ways. Once a scoundrel, always a scoundrel.”
Anger threatened to spill from Caroline as this woman continued to speak of Luke in a derogatory fashion. She could feel the dark, heated splotches staining her cheeks as she reined in her temper. Lady Bethany was someone who delighted in spreading rumors. For all Caroline knew, the woman merely repeated hearsay about Luke and had no actual knowledge of his behavior. She might even have been attracted to Luke and he hadn’t returned her interest. It wouldn’t do to have ugly words with this stranger and cause a scene that would embarrass her hosts.
“I think it’s more than friendship between her and Mayfield,” Lady Bettina said slyly to her companions, who finally turned back and joined the conversation once again.
“Definitely,” Lady Betsy agreed. “Do you think you’re more than friends with Mayfield, Lady Caroline?”
When she held her tongue to contain her fury, Lady Bethany said smoothly, “Of course Lady Caroline has designs on Mayfield, foolish as they may be. She’s wormed her way into being friends with the St. Clairs. And who is she? A no one.”
“Caroline?”
Relief filled her. She turned and saw the Duke of Everton standing there, a cup of ratafia in his hands. He passed it to her.
“Thank you, Jeremy,” she said evenly, gloating when she saw Lady Bethany’s jaw drop with her familiar use of their host’s first name.
“I’m sorry I was detained. Could I draw you away from your present company? My duchess has need of your advice. You’re the only one who will do, she said.” He offered her his arm and Caroline took it, grateful to have his solid frame supporting her weak knees. “Ladies,” he said, his deep voice both polite and yet judgmental.
She saw fear in the three women’s eyes. They knew they had crossed the powerful Duke of Everton and would have to pay the piper.
Jeremy led her around the ballroom and as he did, he apologized. “I’m sorry I was gone so long. I thought you would be fine with Amanda.”
“She was feeling tired and I encouraged Lord Stanley to take her home.”
As they reached Catherine and Rachel, he said, “You should never have been left alone with those vipers. They won’t be invited to any future events any St. Clair family member holds.”
Rachel’s eyes widened and she scoured the ballroom. “I see them. Oh, bloody hell. I should have warned you about them, Caroline. The Three B’s. They’re vicious gossips and to be avoided at all cost.”
“I meant what I said,” Jeremy said firmly, as Luke joined them. “None of those women is to be invited to any social event we hold.” He glared at them across the room and they turned away in retreat.
“Not the dreaded Three B’s,” Luke said. “Did they attack you, Caroline?” he asked, worry evident on his face.
“A bit. Jeremy rescued me, though.”
“They aren’t to be trusted,” Luke said, his eyes narrowing as he watched the women from across the room. “None of them has landed a husband yet, mostly due to their sharp, forked tongues. Stay away from them.”
“I will,” she promised, still feeling shaken after the encounter.
“There are only a handful of dances left,” he said. “I’m sure your partners would understand if you excused yourself and left.”
Caroline lifted the programme dangling from her wrist and skimmed over the names that remained. “I hate to disappoint anyone, Luke. Besides, I don’t want the Three B’s to feel victorious. If I left now, it would be as if they’d won. I’d rather stay and dance and enjoy myself until the last song has played.”
He gazed down at her, nodding his approval. “Very well then. I will see you tomorrow afternoon at Evie’s and then, tomorrow night, we’ll attend the theatre and supper afterward.”
A gentleman joined them and Luke greeted him. “Morefield. Your partner awaits you.”
The newcomer smiled and held out his hand. “I believe this is our dance, Lady Caroline.”
*
Caroline readied herself for the day and then wrote a quick note to Higgins. In it, she asked her new solicitor to see about putting her father’s house on the market immediately. Very little furniture was left in it after she’d used what hadn’t been sold to populate her bookstore. What remained, she could take with her once she found rooms to let or even leave it for the next owners as she started anew.
As she went down to breakfast, three new books in hand for Davy, she gave the message to a footman and asked that it be de
livered to Higgins at once. She entered the small breakfast room and found a mountain of mail beside her plate. Evan was the only one present, sipping tea and perusing the newspaper.
“What is this?” she asked, indicating the large stack.
“Invitations,” Evan replied. “It seems you made quite an impression on the ton last night. The fact that Jeremy danced with you—when he doesn’t dance with anyone but Catherine—let the ton know how favored you are with him and his wife. That one dance opened the door for you. The drawing room awaits you, as well. It’s filled with flowers from your many new admirers.”
She glanced at the invitations ruefully. “I’m afraid to respond to any of these. By week’s end, Evie’s will be opened. I doubt anyone will want me at their social gatherings once that news gets out.”
“Why?” he asked, clearly puzzled by her remark.
Gazing at him steadily, she said, “You’re a man of the world, Evan. You know what will be said of me once it’s known I’m a woman in business. I may have garnered some brief attention last night but I’ll be set aside just as quickly by the fickle ton.”
Caroline saw understanding dawn in his face. He placed his hand atop hers. “It won’t change how your friends feel, Caroline. You are the same person to us.”
Tears misted her eyes. “Thank you.”
She pushed aside the stack and ate a little breakfast before excusing herself and going to the stables. Mr. Brimley told her that Davy was knee deep in mucking the stalls.
“I’ll be sure the boy gets the books,” he promised Caroline, and she left them in the groom’s safekeeping before heading to Evie’s. Just walking through the doors filled her with pride. The bookstore didn’t have the number of volumes that the Temple of Muses held but it was much larger than the average London bookstore, thanks in large part to Jeremy’s contributions. The duke had been overly generous with her and she wanted to make sure she paid him back, both monetarily and by showing him how his advice and her work ethic paid off in making Evie’s a success.
