Embracing The Earl

by Aston, Alexa

  “Caroline is that and more,” he agreed.

  “Have you told her of your feelings?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Why are you hesitating?” Jeremy pressed. “If she doesn’t know, you could lose her to another.”

  “I don’t think she’s kissed anyone but me,” Luke confided with confidence.

  Jeremy’s brows arched in ducal fashion. “Oh?”

  “I’m the first to have kissed her. I will be the last.” Luke placed a hand on Jeremy’s shoulder. “I’ll know when the time is right, big brother. Trust me.”

  “We all like her a great deal. She’ll make a wonderful St. Clair.”

  Luke smiled. “I think so, too.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Luke spent more time watching Caroline than he did the actors on stage. She delighted in every line spoken in the inane comedy. Sometimes her lips twitched in amusement; other times she laughed aloud, deep and hearty. Those were the times he liked best, seeing her abandon herself to the silly moment on stage.

  Rachel poked him with her fan in his left ribs and he turned, frowning at her.

  Leaning close, she whispered in his ear, “Have you heard a single line uttered in this play?”

  Grinning shamelessly, he said, “Not one.”

  She glanced over his shoulder. “She’s entranced.”

  “She’s never seen a play before. God only knows what she did for entertainment in Boston.”

  “I assume you don’t want Evan and me to accompany you to supper afterward?”

  “Not a chance. You are here solely so that we are chaperoned in front of the masses. I don’t need—or want—you at supper. It’s my time with Caroline. Not yours.”

  “Be glad I’m your loving sister or I would be wounded by your words.” She leaned back in her chair.

  Luke turned his head toward the stage again but continued to study Caroline. Her thick, brown hair was piled high on her head this evening, leaving her lovely, swanlike neck exposed. He longed to nibble his way up and down it and daydreamed about doing so for a few minutes. Loud applause brought him from his reverie and he saw the comedy had ended. Caroline applauded enthusiastically and turned to him.

  “That was fabulous,” she declared and immediately returned her attention to the stage where the actors were taking their curtain calls.

  Finally, the cast disappeared and the audience rose from their seats. He helped Caroline from her chair.

  “I can’t wait to see a drama next,” she declared.

  “Wait for something Shakespeare,” Evan said. “I believe Drury Lane has an upcoming production of Hamlet next month once this play finishes its run.”

  “Would you like to come back for it?” Luke asked as he took her hand and placed it on his arm.

  “Yes,” she said with enthusiasm.

  They returned to their carriage and as they settled themselves, he watched Rachel begin her own little drama. His sister frowned a moment and put a hand to her head. Evan asked her if something was wrong and she said nothing. Then, a moment later, she sighed, both hands going to her head this time.

  “Are you not feeling well?” Caroline asked, concern in her voice.

  Rachel raised tired eyes. “I’m afraid a sudden headache has come on. I thought I could fight through it but my temples are starting to throb.”

  “My poor baby,” Evan said convincingly, pulling Rachel against his chest and stroking her hair. “I’m afraid we won’t be able to accompany you to supper. I want to see Rachel home and in bed.”

  “Oh, we wouldn’t dream of going without you,” Caroline assured him.

  Luke flashed Evan a warning look, but it was Rachel who said weakly, “No, please. Go without us. Supper after the theatre is all a part of the experience. I wouldn’t wish to rob you of that.” She sighed dramatically and closed her eyes.

  He wanted to kick her, thinking she’d overplayed her hand.

  “Are you sure?” Caroline asked softly.

  Rachel nodded. “Yes.”

  “Let me inform the driver,” he said.

  “No,” Evan said quickly before Luke rapped on the ceiling to give the driver new instructions. “The supper club is only a few blocks away. Let us drop you there and then the carriage can take us home. I’ll send the driver back to wait for you.”

  “That’s very considerate of you, Evan,” Caroline said politely.

  The coach halted after a few blocks and Luke handed Caroline down, both of them wishing the other couple goodnight. He led her to the entrance, where a doorman ushered them inside. The sound of a violin played softly in the background.

  “Oh, this is lovely,” Caroline said, taking in the ambience of the club.

  They were seated immediately at the table Luke had requested. Actually, the table had to be pulled away so they could sit beside one another on a banquette, and the table was swept back in front of them.

  “Do you trust me to order for you?” he asked.

  “Yes. Go ahead.”

  He did so and then inhaled her floral perfume. “That’s a lovely scent you’re wearing.”

  “Do you like it? I borrowed it from Rachel. I have no perfume of my own.”

  Luke promised himself that when they wed she would have a hundred perfumes to choose from. Caroline had been denied many of the finer things in life a lady of her rank was accustomed to, all thanks to her profligate father.

  A tray soon arrived with two glasses of Madeira and a limited assortment of cold meats, cheeses, fruit and cake.

  He held up his wine glass. “To you—and the success of Evie’s.”

  They sipped the wine and nibbled on the goods from their tray, talking about people she’d met at last night’s ball and how kind everyone had been to her.

  “I’m not surprised, though. Your brother made it clear that I was to be treated well. I heard he only dances with Catherine so I felt very honored to partner with him.”

  “As the Duke of Everton, Jeremy commands instant respect. Not everyone in the ton is enthralled with him, though. He has done a few outrageous things to show how much he loves Catherine. If anything, the ton can be quite stuffy. They don’t like the unconventional but, as a ranking duke, Jeremy can get away with things others can’t.”

  A couple swept past their table and Luke cringed the moment he caught a whiff from the cloud of perfume that lingered.

  Catarina.

  Of all the places for her to turn up, why did it have to be here?

  He saw her newest protector, a duke with a nefarious reputation, seat her. Luke cut his eyes away, returning his gaze to Caroline.

  “I’ve had an idea for another investment,” he said quickly.

  “I’m afraid I don’t have the income to pursue anything else,” she said. “But I’d love to hear your idea.”

  “I was thinking of buying a boarding house where the rooms would only be let to employees of Evie’s,” he began. “Mrs. Withers and Mrs. Baker have been staying in my servants’ quarters and they’ve spoken of finding a place of their own, closer to the tearoom. If something near Evie’s could be located, it would only be a short walk for them to arrive at work. The same for the others. Mr. Stinch. Daisy and Kitty. The book clerks and binders.”

  “That’s a very good idea but I’m tapped out. If you care to pursue it, I think several of the others would be willing to move in. Perhaps Mrs. Withers and Mrs. Baker could also serve as cooks and provide a morning meal before the work day began and another once they returned at night. They would need to be paid extra, though.” Worry filled her face.

  “That wouldn’t be your responsibility,” he reassured her. “That would be the landlord’s. Mine. If you don’t mind, I’ll speak to the others tomorrow and see if they’re happy with their living arrangements or if they’d be interested in something of this nature.”

  Suddenly, the air grew dense again and Luke looked up to find Catarina standing in front of them.

  “My earl. What a pleasant surprise finding
you here.”

  Catarina shouldn’t be surprised at all since Luke had brought her here a handful of times, usually while other social events such as the opera and theatre took place. He hadn’t wanted to flaunt her presence in public but, at the same time, he’d wanted her to get out every now and then.

  “How nice to see you again,” he said politely, not introducing her and hoping that would make her go away.

  Instead, she looked to Caroline. “I was going to the retiring room. Might you wish to come, my lady?”

  Curiosity filled Caroline’s face. “I was needing to visit it.” She looked to Luke. “If you don’t mind.”

  Gritting his teeth, he nodded. “Be my guest.”

  A waiter appeared and moved the table back. Luke helped Caroline rise and watched her leave with his ex-mistress.

  This would not be good.

  *

  Caroline followed the exotic beauty, wondering who she was. Luke hadn’t introduced them, which made her think he’d possibly forgotten the woman’s name. She had met so many people at the Everton ball last night and could see how easily not remembering a name might be. She did know with certainty that she hadn’t met this woman last night because she would remember such an attractive woman.

  Both women stepped behind a screen and made use of the chamber pots provided and then returned to a large mirror. Since no servant was in attendance, Caroline poured water over her hands as she held them over a bowl and then offered the same for her companion.

  “Thank you,” the woman said. “I am Catarina.”

  She replaced the pitcher and reached for a small towel to dry her hands, wondering how to introduce herself. Was this Lady Catarina? Should she mention her own title? She’d abandoned it in Boston but was unsure what to do here.

  “You are Lady Caroline Andrews,” the woman said, studying her a moment and then turning to the mirror to fluff her hair.

  “How do you know me?” she asked.

  “I hear things,” Catarina said vaguely and then added, “from my protector.”

  Oh . . .

  Now, Caroline understood who this woman was. A sick feeling washed over her as she realized how Catarina knew Luke.

  “You were his mistress,” she said, their eyes meeting in the mirror.

  “I was his lover. He was very good to me.”

  “Were you . . . together long?” Caroline asked, hating that she did.

  “Almost a year,” the dark beauty said and then faced her. “He tired of me. He will tire of you. He has a roving eye. He is not one to settle down yet. By the time he’s ready, you will have wed and had a good three or four children.”

  Irritation swept through her. Did no women ever speak kindly of Luke? The Luke she knew was sweet-tempered and generous. Kind to a fault. He might have been a rogue in the past but she knew he was looking for a wife now. He was a man who loved children. She’d seen it firsthand when he played with his nieces and nephews.

  Or was that the man his family saw? Was Luke different away from them? Was he actually the scoundrel other women proclaimed him to be? The woman before her claimed to have been his mistress. Caroline had no doubt she spoke the truth. But had Luke ever revealed his true self to Catarina?

  Whether he had or not, Caroline knew she didn’t hold a candle to the alluring woman beside her. This stunning beauty was the kind of woman Luke St. Clair coupled with. Caroline felt pale and washed out standing next to Catarina. She’d only fooled herself by thinking Luke had been slightly interested in her when he kissed her. After all, Luke himself had told her they were only friends. No other kisses had followed.

  She pushed aside any notion of ever kissing him again. No more fantasizing. No more daydreaming. She was Caroline Andrews, businesswoman. Levelheaded and focused on everything but Luke St. Clair.

  Her shoulders went back and her chin rose a notch. “First, I am not interesting in Luke that way. We are merely friends, out after an evening with other friends at the theatre. And as for marrying and having children, that is the one thing I don’t plan on doing, Catarina. You see, I’m a businesswoman. About to open my own bookstore and teahouse. Luke is one of my investors. I will have no time for any husband, whether he’s faithful or has a wandering eye. And I certainly won’t have children.”

  Caroline smoothed her own hair and then said, “Good evening.”

  She returned to their table, an anxious-looking Luke pushing the table back and rising.

  “It’s been a long evening. I think I’m ready to go home now,” she told him.

  He grimaced. “Let’s go to the carriage.”

  They rode in silence on the way home. When the horses stopped in front of the Merrick townhouse, Luke handed her down and kept her hand in his.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “For what? Not introducing me to your lover?” she said more sharply than she should have.

  He winced. “I never claimed to be an angel, Caroline, but Catarina is in my past.”

  She patted his arm and pulled her hand from his. “It’s fine, Luke. I told her you were my investor and that I had no claim on you.”

  With that, Caroline marched to the front door and entered. Kent closed it behind her and she hurried up to her bedchamber. Once there, she flung herself on the bed.

  She had no claim on him—but he’d claimed her heart without even knowing it. Caroline was more determined than ever to break ties with Luke.

  For good.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Caroline dressed for her second ball, again in another original creation from Madame Toufours. She had attended a garden party yesterday afternoon, meeting several new women and making sure she brought up the topic of books so she could hear what they had to say. Many of her new acquaintances had strong opinions on what they liked to read and she was pleased that she carried all but one of their suggestions.

  The topic of the Duchess of Everton’s books had come up. They seemed to be a favorite of children, making Caroline eager to see if sales of them at Evie’s would be tied to the popularity the books seemed to have in the ton. Before the garden party, she’d spent the morning supervising the delivery of Catherine’s books, devoting an entire round table to displaying copies, as well as two large bookshelves of the newest release. She’d made sure to stock all of her friend’s previous books, too, hoping they would fly off the shelves when Catherine made her appearance and signed copies on Friday.

  Tonight’s ball was the only other event she’d accepted an invitation for. With Evie’s opening tomorrow, she planned to put in a full day both Friday and Saturday at the bookstore and tearoom. After that, she’d have to gauge whether or not her presence would be accepted or if disapproval of her running her own business kept her away from other events during the Season.

  She dismissed the lady’s maid that had helped her dress and arrange her hair and sat before the mirror, admiring her reflection. Tonight, she wore a pair of borrowed earrings from Rachel, who insisted the emeralds would go beautifully with Caroline’s dress. She’d refused the necklace that matched the earrings. The large stones flashed with fire and would have been too recognizable. It was already bad enough that she lived on the Merricks’ generosity. She didn’t want to be seen as a hanger-on, using her friendship with the marchioness for personal gain.

  A knock sounded at the door and Caroline bade them enter. A footman carried a silver tray with a note on it.

  “Thank you,” she said and removed it.

  Once he left, she broke the seal and opened it. A small part of her wanted it to be from Luke. She hadn’t seen him at yesterday’s garden party. They’d left with things strained between them. She needed to make it up to him at tonight’s ball and then ease away from him on good terms. If he thought problems existed between them, he would pursue the matter. Caroline wanted to end things on a cordial note with Luke. She would delve deeper into her business and he could return to making his choice from the Marriage Mart.

  Instead, the note was from Higg
ins, her solicitor. He wrote that he’d been approached with an offer for her father’s home. It was from a well-to-do merchant who offered the price Higgins had advised her to set on the property. He wrote that the merchant would like to meet with her Monday morning at eleven o’clock. Though it would add to the gossip, her selling the townhome to one not of the nobility, it would mean an instant flow of cash. She could reimburse Luke, Evan, and Alex and have plenty left over to rent decent rooms and buy additional books for Evie’s.

  Caroline wrote a brief response to Higgins, telling him she would accept the offer and informing him he needed to be prepared to complete the sale come Monday. She left the room and went downstairs, giving the message to Kent and asking that he see it delivered to her solicitor.

  Evan and Rachel came down the staircase together. He held his son in his arms. They reached the bottom and Evan kissed Seth’s forehead. Rachel covered the baby’s face in kisses of her own and then the nursemaid who’d followed them down took Seth and returned upstairs with him.

  “He smiled at me today,” Rachel told her. “Don’t believe it when others say that babies that young don’t smile because Seth did. Twice. He’s absolutely brilliant.”

  Her husband’s arm encircled her waist. “Maybe we should think about having another one,” he said playfully and kissed her cheek.

  “Later, Major,” she told him, her voice seductive.

  “Did you serve in the army?” Caroline asked Evan, vaguely remembering someone had mentioned him selling his commission.

  “I did,” he said, his smile fading. “It’s seems like a hundred years ago now.”

  “Have you ever thought about writing a book about your experiences?”

  Rachel laughed. “Oh, Caroline. You’ve got to think of something else beyond books!”

  She shrugged. “I can’t help it. They are my life.”

  They arrived at the Teasley ball, going through the receiving line. Once again, her programme filled up quickly. Some faces she recognized while others were newly introduced to her. Luke arrived with Merrifield and asked for her card.