* * * *
It was raining the day they arrived in London. Damon held the umbrella over Caroline’s head as they hurried into the townhouse. It was even lovelier than she remembered. Hannah came in behind them.
“Let me show you around, Caroline. I know Damon is anxious to go about his business.” Hannah took off her cape and handed it to Buckley. She took Caroline’s arm and led her into the drawing room.
Damon chuckled. “I can see I am not needed. I’ll go see my banker and be home in time for dinner.”
Caroline admired the Chippendale furniture, the beautiful pictures, and the soft colors of the rooms. The dining room was done in reds and blacks, most striking of all the rooms in the townhouse.
“Come upstairs and see your bedroom, Caroline. I’m sure my brother won’t mind if you want to make any changes. I like the colors myself.” Hannah stopped talking as she caught sight of Caroline’s face.
The large bedroom with adjoining sitting room was done in a pale violet. The dainty furniture and soft curtains at the windows presented a delightful retreat. She loved the serenity of the room.
“When did your brother decorate this room?” Caroline asked.
Hannah tipped her head to the side. “Let me see. It was not too long after we came to London. I remember I asked if he had someone in mind, but he only smiled and walked away.”
“It is delightful. I won’t be changing a single thing.” Caroline walked into the sitting room and ran her hand over the polished wood of the writing desk.
“I am so glad you and Damon are together. I’ve been worried since you moved to Atelstone Hall. Does this mean Damon will move into the Hall with you when we return home?”
Caroline’s eyes clouded. She turned and looked at her sister-in-law. “I don’t know.” Caroline walked over and hugged Hannah. “But I do know I have a wonderful sister-in-law, and you are not to worry about your brother and me. We will work things out. I really believe we will,” she said emphatically. “Now I am going to sit at my new desk and write a note to my friends, Sara and Joan, to inform them we are in town.”
“I want to let some of my friends know also.” Hannah waved and left to go to her room.
Caroline got up once she was alone and wandered around the room, touching the furniture, and the satin covers of her bed. She leaned down to smell the fragrance of the pink roses in a china vase. She was sure Damon had the room decorated with her in mind. It was thoughtful and tastefully done. She would thank him tonight.
Suddenly, a glow of happiness shot through her. If she were careful, maybe she’d find a way to her husband’s heart. She knew the questions about Charles had to be resolved, and about her parents. If she were going to have children, she wanted them to know their grandparents.
Impulsively kneeling beside her bed, she said a short prayer. She had not gone to church or prayed in a long time. A feeling of peace filled her as she stood and went back to her desk in the sitting room. She would succeed. She had to.
Chapter Sixteen
Damon left his banker and headed to the docks. He would stop in and invite Mr. Higgins and his wife to dinner tomorrow night. He had a strong desire to see what impression Caroline made on the Higginses. Arriving at the dock, he saw Captain Carver’s ship was in. Damon waved to the captain and boarded his vessel.
“’Tis pleased I am to see you, Lord Royston.” Capt. Carver shook Damon’s hand. “What brings you to these parts? I heard you married a pretty lady and settled on your estate.”
“That I did, but I was coming to town for business, so my wife and sister accompanied me. You know ladies like to shop and see their friends.” Damon smiled and turned toward the sea, taking in a deep breath of the salt air. “It does bring back good memories.” He stood feet apart with the wind blowing his dark-brown hair.
“I still have a berth for you, anytime,” Capt. Carver teased.
“I’m afraid my sailing days are over, but I would like to have you come to my home tomorrow night for dinner. I’ll be inviting the Higginses and would like you all to meet my wife.”
Capt. Carver hesitated, a worried look on his face. “You are certain Lady Royston will be agreeable to all of your old friends arriving at once?”
Damon nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m sure Caroline will be very happy to meet you.”
Damon thought about his statement as he left the boat and headed over to invite the Higginses. Caroline would be happy to know his friends. He hadn’t realized until now how good it felt to know his wife was comfortable with all the people around her. She genuinely cared and liked the staff and farmers’ families she had met at the estate and they openly adored her.
Damon felt carefree and hopeful for the first time in years. He stopped in mid-stride and tried to remind himself of his anger against Caroline’s family and his plans for revenge. But the knot in his stomach didn’t grab him in pain as it had in the past.
Shaking his head, he started walking again. He must be careful and not place himself in a vulnerable situation. It was all right to desire his wife, but he must be wary. There were too many unanswered questions. He had learned to wait before deciding to trust. Now was not the time to let down his guard.
Mr. and Mrs. Higgins accepted his invitation. Damon headed home to let Caroline and Mrs. Parker know about what he had planned for dinner tomorrow night.
Taking the steps two at a time, Damon went up to his bedroom. The house was quiet. He had talked with Mrs. Parker. He was glad he had insisted on bringing her and Buckley with them on this trip. The household ran more smoothly with them in charge. Mrs. Parker assured him everything would be in order for their guests.
Albert helped Damon out of his coat and boots. He took the coat to brush it off. Damon pulled his lawn shirt over his head and stretched out on his bed. He was almost asleep when he thought he heard a noise in the adjoining room.
Damon walked through Caroline’s adjoining bedroom and stopped at the doorway into her sitting room. She was bent writing at her desk. Her hair was loose and fell in waves down her back.
“Good afternoon, madam.”
Caroline jumped and looked over to see Damon standing just inside the door. “You frightened me.” She laughed. “I was in deep thought.”
“So you were. Who are you writing?”
“My mother and father, to ask about father’s health and let them know we are in town for a few days. Did you have a good afternoon?”
Damon tensed when Caroline mentioned Lord Halsford, but he shrugged it off. “Very. I saw Captain Carver. I used to sail on his ship. I’ve invited him and Mr. and Mrs. Higgins to dinner tomorrow night. I’ve already notified Mrs. Parker.”
“I do wish we would have one party or dinner when I really had time to plan for it. Still, I shall be very happy to meet your friends.”
“These friends are different,” Damon warned. “They are not members of the ton, but finer people you will never meet.”
“Surely you know by now, Damon, I am not snobbish. I am sure I will find them very interesting.”
“Someday, I’ll tell you how they came to be so important in my life.” Damon started to say more, and then stopped himself. “What are the plans for tonight?”
“I sent a note to Joan and Sara, and they sent a note right back. Sara suggested we all meet at her house tonight. Her parents are having a dinner party and would be glad to include us.” Caroline watched Damon’s face for his response, but as usual he gave away nothing by his expressions.
“And I suppose you would like to attend the dinner party?”
“Not only me. Hannah is most eager. Mr. Arthur Thomlin is one of the guests,” Caroline explained.
Damon groaned. “Why does she have to be so set on him? She could do much better.”
“You mean someone with a better title? I believe Mr. Thomlin is a fine young man and will cherish your sister.”
Damon walked slowly toward Caroline and looked down at her. “Is that what young ladies want most,
to be cherished? I thought they wanted the biggest title with the most money.”
“Perhaps some ladies are interested in more material desires, but not your Hannah, and you know that as well as anyone.” Caroline frowned at him. “You are showing your disillusionment, Damon. Please don’t color Hannah with the same brush.”
Damon’s head snapped back as though she had hit him. “You are right. Hannah is certainly different than the average debutante in our warped society. She’s a rare treasure.”
He cupped his hand around Caroline’s chin, turning her face up toward him. “Tell me, what is it you desire most in a husband, my dear?”
Caroline pulled her chin out of his grip. “I will tell you someday when you are in a more receptive mood.” With that she picked up her pen and continued with her correspondence. When she looked around a few minutes later, Damon had left the room.
* * * *
Hannah and Caroline picked flowers from the garden and filled all the vases they could find. Savory smells of beef and baking floated into the rooms from the kitchen. Caroline took a last look at the dining room table. Everything was in order.
Last night had gone very well. She’d enjoyed being with Sara and Joan. She’d been surprised to see Rook still hovering around Sara like he was sincerely interested. Sara sparkled and glowed the whole evening. Caroline managed to speak to Joan alone once during the evening. She had acknowledged Sara and Rook seemed to be together, often, since the house party. The gossips were betting how long it would last. Caroline hoped Rook was not going to break Sara’s heart.
She had to get dressed for dinner, and she was much more nervous tonight. Would Damon’s friends approve of her? She hoped they did. It seemed important to Damon.
Mr. and Mrs. Higgins arrived first. Mrs. Higgins was a short woman with sparkling eyes and warm hands.
“My dear, we are so glad to meet you. My husband and I have been like surrogate parents to Damon, and we were so glad to hear he had found a good lady to marry.” Her hands clasped Caroline’s tightly.
Caroline drew her over to the sofa. “Please sit. I think our husbands are anxious to talk business.” She nodded toward Damon and Mr. Higgins deep in conversation.
“You are as beautiful as I had heard,” Mrs. Higgins said. “I was so pleased when Damon stopped by yesterday and said you had come to town with him. On your next visit, you must come with Damon to see us.”
“I would like to very much, Mrs. Higgins. I realize you have been very helpful and important in my husband’s life.” Caroline squeezed Mrs. Higgins’s hand and stood when she heard the doorbell.
Buckley entered, announcing Captain Carver. He was a short, stout man with a white beard and dark-brown eyes. His eyes had fine lines at the corners from squinting into the sun so many years. He followed Buckley into the parlor and immediately came over to Caroline.
“This must be the lovely lady that was brave enough to marry our Lord Royston.”
“Brave enough, sir?” Caroline questioned in a teasing manner.
“Ah, yes. You are a brave lady. He is a good lad, but very determined, and plain stubborn, some might say. He’s used to being in command. From what I’ve heard, he’d be a challenge for an independent lady.”
Damon walked over and put his arm around the Captain’s shoulder. “I did not know you knew anything of my lady. You didn’t tell me.”
Mrs. Higgins spoke up. “We had heard she was the lady who rescued so many of the chimney boys and abused women off the streets of London. I have a friend who is a member of the group you started, my dear. What is the name of your group?”
Caroline hesitated, as Damon’s steady gaze was on her. “The Society of Ladies against Child Labor.”
“My friend was so impressed with your efforts. But I know being newly married and out of town, you can’t have had a chance to be actively involved,” Mrs. Higgins added.
“Lady Joan Brigham has taken over my duties, and I’m sure will do a good job. Please tell me about yourselves.” Caroline hoped to direct the conversation from her. Damon’s expression told her he’d have questions for her later tonight.
Captain Carver, sensing her discomfort, began to tell funny stories of Damon as a young seaman. He had them all laughing. Then Buckley came to the door and announced dinner.
Damon escorted Mrs. Higgins to the table, and Mr. Higgins walked with Caroline. Hannah and the Captain followed. Conversation flowed easily and Caroline relaxed watching the smiles come more freely to her husband’s face. These people sincerely cared for him and Damon cared for them.
Hannah teased back and forth with the Captain. Soup was served and then a round of beef with vegetables. Caroline’s cook had been fortunate to get some fresh fish, which they all seemed to enjoy. When the meal was finished, the ladies went into the drawing room while the men continued to sit at the table and enjoy a cigar and glass of port wine.
“My dear, I am so glad to meet you and Lady Hannah,” Mrs. Higgins said, and smiled across at Hannah. “Damon spoke often of creating a home for you.”
“I feel fortunate to have such a brother. He has worked long and hard for me. He could easily have left me with my aunt and uncle and forgotten about his baby sister.”
“Damon has been like a son to us. He is a good man and would never have done such a thing. We are glad to see he has found a kind lady to share his life and that all he has worked for has brought him good rewards.”
Caroline felt guilty thinking about the problems between her and Damon, but she smiled back at Mrs. Higgins.
“Damon was fortunate to have you and Mr. Higgins and the Captain involved in his life. The right people when you need them make all the difference,” Caroline said.
Caroline picked up her teacup as the men came in to join them. She asked Buckley to order fresh tea and biscuits. After she’d poured tea for everyone, she sat back to enjoy their company.
* * * *
“The dinner party went well. Thank you, Caroline.”
“Be sure to thank Mrs. Parker and Buckley, too, Damon. They did the majority of the work,” Caroline said. In her mirror she saw her husband walk further into her room.
He had changed into a black robe and carried a tumbler of whiskey in his hand. He strolled to the chair by her fireplace and sat down, staring into the flames.
Caroline had changed into her nightgown and robe, but still sat at her dresser brushing her hair. She had sent Mary to bed.
Her body tensed seeing Damon so still and solemn. Her throat tightened and she bit the edge of her bottom lip.
Damon did not turn his head. “Tell me about the Society of Ladies against Child Labor.”
Caroline tried to shrug it off as though it was nothing. “It was a small group of women concerned for the mistreatment we saw of children and women working on the streets. We hoped to make a difference.” Her voice edged slightly with bitterness. “I don’t think it has made any significant change. We would rescue a child or young woman and another would appear to fill the job the next day.”
“You never told me about your enterprise.” Damon looked across at her, his eyes hooded by the shadows in the room.
“No, my parents did not like what I was doing. I felt certain you would not approve either.”
“And yet you couldn’t resist trying to help where you saw the need on my estate?”
“Seeing need and not doing anything is almost impossible for me. I’m not sure why I feel such an intense desire to change things, but I do. I don’t think I can change the way I am, no matter how much you may desire it.” Caroline looked away from him, and down at her hands in her lap.
She sat waiting. The wind and rain hitting her window heightened the tension in her bedroom. The few lit candles in the room created a feeling of intimacy charged with electricity.
“Why do you think I would want you to change?” Damon asked when he finally spoke up.
Her head came up and she stared across at him.
“Damon, you kno
w there is little about me that pleases you. You have been good about the school, but I don’t think you would take kindly to my spending your money or mine,” she spoke with emphasis, “on saving the downtrodden of the streets.”
Damon took a last swallow of his whiskey. He walked over to her and put his warm hands on her shoulders.
“How little we really know of each other, my dear.”
His voice sounded sad and haunted to Caroline. She watched him leave the room without a backward glance. For some unknown reason she couldn’t explain, his voice and expression filled her with sadness and a strange yearning. She was surprised to feel the dampness of tears on her cheeks.
Sitting across from Sara and Joan the next morning, Caroline pretended to be happy. She was pleased to see her friends, but the feelings of last night lingered on.
“Rook is going to take me riding in the park this afternoon.” Sara took Caroline’s hand. “I can hardly believe he is still showing attention to me ever since your house party, Caroline.”
“I’m glad, Sara. I always thought if he really took the time to know you that you two would do well together.”
“Wasn’t he a close neighbor of yours, Caroline?”
“Yes, Sara. He lived much closer to me than you or Joan. He was much fun as a boy. I met him at a dance arranged to teach us how to handle ourselves in polite society. Then a year later Rook went away to school and came back full of himself. When he is with you, I see a glimpse of my old friend.”
“Well, I am glad you are here to listen to her talk,” Joan said. “I think if I hear any more about Rook, I shall run screaming out the door.”
Caroline and Sara burst out laughing. Caroline wiped her eyes. “You two are so good for me. The image of you, Joan, running anywhere screaming is more than my imagination can handle.”
Joan pretended to frown at her two friends. “You both do not realize how tiresome it can be to have two such emotional friends.” She touched her brow dramatically. “It is quite wearying.”
The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 24
