“I have no concerns with his behavior, it is yours I am worried about,” countered Allegra. “Have a care, Caroline. He has been much in Lady Lansdowne’s company of late, and,” she paused and made a moue of distaste, “Lady Manning has returned to London.”
“Lady Manning is in town?” asked Caroline.
“Yes, she is widowed yet again, and inflicts her presence on us. The gossips have made sure I know of it. And you must be aware that she is Gresham’s former mistress.”
Caroline glanced at her sister-in-law. “And Adam’s as well, as I hope you remember,” she said acerbically.
“Yes, I know, and very tiresome it is of her to be here,” said Allegra, waving her hands disdainfully. “I hope she will have the sense not to speak to us, but she was always forward and, truly, rather stupid. She and Gresham are thick as thieves.”
Caroline felt a sinking sensation in her stomach, but managed to look uninterested. “Have they renewed their acquaintance?” she asked.
“I neither know nor care,” declared Allegra. “Lady Manning is often with Lady Lansdowne, who she toadeats dreadfully. I hear she hopes to restore her place in Society, despite having married a merchant, and is dependent on Sylvia Lansdowne’s patronage. If Sylvia wants Gresham, I doubt Lady Manning would interfere. Though, heaven knows, perhaps they share him. It’s a dissolute bunch.”
Caroline tried to dismiss the unpleasant image Allegra’s words had produced. She had no interest in what Tristan did when he was not with her; she had no claim on him, and, indeed, she was the one who had asked him to be of service to her. It was not an affaire of the heart she had embarked on, but one firmly of the flesh.
“Lord Gresham’s behavior is of no interest to me, I assure you. You need have no worries about me. He was amusing himself by talking to me, and I saw no reason to be rude. Now, if you please, introduce Cecilia to those former beaux of yours; I’m sure that they will be delighted with her.”
Allegra gave a silvery laugh. “I did cut quite a swathe through London two years ago,” she said. “Oh, not that I regret my love for Adam, but it was so much fun. I hope that Cecilia has as much success.”
“I sincerely hope she does not!” said Caroline. “She is looking for a husband, not to enthrall every young man in town. Allegra, have a care.”
“I shall be entirely circumspect,” promised Allegra. She whirled back to Cecilia’s side and whisked her away.
Caroline shook her head. Almost without realizing it, she looked around the room, hoping to see Lord Gresham’s dark head looming above the crowd. But he was nowhere to be seen; instead, she saw Viscount Barford approaching her. She glanced about, but perceived that there was no way to escape him, so she mustered a smile as he bowed before her.
“Lord Barford, how delightful to see you,” she said.
The young man smiled politely. “I am likewise happy you are in attendance, Lady Eskmaine.”
There was a moment of silence, as Caroline cast about for a topic of conversation. “How fares your mother?” she asked.
“She is well, although she did not choose to attend tonight,” responded the Viscount. There was a moment’s silence, and then he broke hurriedly into speech. “Lady Eskmaine, I am hoping that perhaps you may be persuaded to introduce me to your cousin.”
“My cousin?” asked Caroline, a bit surprised. Until that night, Lord Barford had appeared to be trying to attract her interest. “Oh, of course, it would be my pleasure.”
His lordship flushed slightly. “She is very beautiful,” he observed.
“Indeed she is,” said Caroline heartily. It was a good thing, she reflected, that she had not taken the young man’s previous attentions to heart. It had not taken more than a pretty young miss to distract him. However, Barford’s position and fortune, while of no interest to Caroline, would be an excellent match with Cecilia’s objectives. “Please, come with me.”
She led Lord Barford across the room to where Cecilia and Allegra stood, talking animatedly to a group of young men.
“Cecilia, dear, I would like to present to you Viscount Barford,” she said. “Lord Barford, my cousin, Miss Ashdown.”
As Barford bowed low over Cecilia’s hand, the other young men voiced joking protests about his attempt to steal the beautiful Miss Ashdown from them. Allegra laughed brightly, and Cecilia beamed, pleased to be the center of attention. Caroline slowly moved away from the group, realizing that her presence was not needed, or even particularly desired.
She glanced around once more, and saw that Lord Gresham was now on the other side of the room, speaking to Lady Lansdowne. His dark head was bent towards that vibrant lady, who waved a turquoise and ivory fan delicately in front of her face, her eyes glinting over it flirtatiously. An answering smile broke across Lord Gresham’s countenance, and Caroline felt a pang. Of what, precisely, she could not say, as she had no claim on Lord Gresham.
She shrugged and moved towards the doors on the far side of the room that opened onto a small terrace. Gently moving the curtains aside, she stepped out, taking a deep breath of the night air. It was a bit cool, but she had been so warm from the press of people in the rooms, and the attentions of Lord Gresham, that it felt refreshing. Caroline pressed her hands to her cheeks.
The curtains hiding the lights of the ballroom parted again, and a figure was silhouetted in the opening. “Are you feeling unwell, Lady Eskmaine?” asked Lord Gresham.
“I was merely uncomfortable; the rooms were so close,” said Caroline. “Pray, do not concern yourself with me. I’m sure Lady Lansdowne misses you.”
“I doubt it. I imagine any man could fill my place for her,” he observed. “She is not discriminating in her tastes.”
“And what do you tell people of me?” Caroline asked, reflecting that now she was merely another of Lord Gresham’s conquests.
“I do not speak of you to others, Caro. But you can’t be unaware of how exceptional you are.” Lord Gresham moved closer, but did not touch her.
“Flattery,” said Caroline. “You are very adept, my lord.”
He shrugged. “I have my talents. But there is no need for me to invent ways to flatter you, my dear. You are unique among the ladies of my acquaintance.”
“I suppose I should be honored by that,” said Caroline.
“You should indeed,” he said quietly. “I can imagine no one else I would say that to.”
She looked up at him, the moonlight illuminating his handsome face. She wondered why he didn’t take her in his arms when he had been so very bold not an hour before in the salon.
He seemed to know what she was thinking, for he gave a short laugh. “I shouldn’t have followed you out here, but you are not to be resisted. However, if I touch you, I will have you here and now, and this is not—not as comfortable a setting as you deserve.”
Caroline gave a tiny shiver, but of anticipation, not of cold. But Lord Gresham only smiled at her and peeled off his coat. He laid it lightly over her shoulders, being careful not to touch her skin. She clutched it about herself, feeling his warmth emanating from it, and looked up at him questioningly. “Then why did you follow me here?”
“Talk to me,” he said. “I have heard nothing but nonsense this entire evening. How does your little cousin?”
Caroline laughed. “She’s lovely. Lovely, and rather silly, and oh, Tristan, she’s so young!”
“I noticed,” he answered, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled down at her. “She’s like a newly hatched chick.”
“She is exactly like one,” agreed Caroline. “And yet, she is utterly determined to marry a wealthy man. It seems her mother’s love match has left her with the desire for the finer things in life. She is quite ruthless in her quest for a husband who will be able to provide for her and her sisters.”
“Sisters?” asked Tristan.
“She has three!” exclaimed Caroline.
“Good lord,” said Tristan. “Are they all like her?”
“I haven’t
met any of them, and I suppose I wish her well in her quest, or I may have to introduce all of them to Society! I’m not sure I could do that. She makes me feel old and weary.”
“You have only to look in a mirror to see you are neither of those things,” said Tristan. “You are barely ten years older than her. You are hardly more than a child yourself.”
“I don’t feel like one! And Barford asked to be introduced to her! It’s not as though I sought his affection, but—”
Tristan laughed softly. “You don’t need Barford’s attentions when you have mine,” he said. “I assure you, I am far more interesting.”
She smiled back at him. “Of that I have no doubt. I just—oh, it is silly. I just don’t want to be only a respectable widow and mother, watching over and helping others, while Allegra and Cecilia are allowed to have fun.”
“Then you must allow yourself to have fun. You stop yourself far more than others stop you,” said Tristan. “I think you take your duties all too seriously. Perhaps some of that is your nature, but I know that there is another side to you. You shouldn’t hide that.”
She chuckled. “The side I showed to you should not be shared with many others.”
“I would certainly prefer that,” he agreed. He slowly reached out and took her hand in his, his fingers lightly caressing her palm. “Will you send for me tomorrow?”
She looked away briefly, and then turned back. Their eyes locked. She nodded slowly.
“See that you do, then,” he said. “If I do not get a note I will come to find you.”
“Almost I would like to see you do that,” she said impishly.
“And almost I would like to do it,” he responded. “But if you wish to retain your veneer of respectability, you won’t tempt me.”
“I will send for you,” she promised. As the words came out of her mouth, she wondered vaguely if she was mad.
“Do you have the key?”
She nodded. “It’s with me now.”
“Is it?” Tristan sounded delighted. “I wish I could carry you off this very moment. But instead, I think you must return to your cousin. People might be looking for you.”
She wrinkled her nose as he lifted his coat from her shoulders. “Must I?”
“You must. Now, go in, before I regret my chivalrous impulse to leave you untouched.”
“I think that I regret it as well,” said Caroline. She gently ran her hand down his arm, feeling the strong muscles beneath the delicate fabric of his shirt, and then turned towards the ballroom. As she parted the curtains she looked back over her shoulder. Lord Gresham stood, silhouetted in the moonlight, the fine linen of his shirt almost sheer, his trousers hugging his narrow hips. She smiled brilliantly at him, and then turned away, stepping into the ballroom and allowing the curtains fall back into place.
Chapter 7
The next morning Caroline rose late; she and Cecilia had not returned to her house until well after midnight, and but had found it difficult to sleep, due in no small part to the memory of Lord Gresham’s exhilarating touch. She lingered over her toilette for some time, and then went downstairs, finding Cecilia at her breakfast.
“Good morning, Cecilia,” she said brightly. “Did you enjoy yourself last night?
“It was heavenly,” breathed her cousin. “How marvelous it must be for you to live in London and to be able to go about whenever you choose.”
“I suppose I am very fortunate, to have this house and this life,” agreed Caroline. “Though no one wishes to be in London year-round.”
“Allegra is so beautiful,” continued Cecilia. “And she was so kind to me. Only fancy, she said I might visit her whenever I choose! And she introduced me to so many young men!”
“Allegra does know a great many young men,” agreed Caroline. “She was much sought after when she first came out, but she confines her affections to my brother.”
“Yes, she said that,” said Cecilia, helping herself to some jam. “’Tis the only unfashionable thing about her.”
Caroline’s lips twitched. “I hope you don’t think less of my poor sister-in-law for being true to her husband.”
“Oh, not at all! It’s just that to have a lover is rather expected of married women, is it not?” asked Cecilia blithely.
Caroline choked briefly on her toast. “Some women do have lovers, of course, but I don’t believe it to be a requirement,” she replied.
“Do you have one?” asked Cecilia artlessly.
“A lover?” clarified Caroline.
“You are a widow,” Cecilia pointed out. “I believe it would be quite acceptable for you to have one, and you did seem to be very friendly with Lord Gresham.”
Caroline put down her toast. “I believe we discussed Lord Gresham and his odd sense of humor last night. Pray do not go about London informing people that he is my lover.”
“Oh, I won’t, especially if he is not,” replied Cecilia. “If you do not wish to have a lover, I’m sure no one will mind.”
“Thank you,” said Caroline dryly. “If I do not have a lover, then that is another man for you to meet, after all.”
Cecilia nodded. “There were so many young gentlemen last night, and they said such flattering things to me. I should be quite vain if I believed them all.”
“You did not believe them?” asked Caroline.
Cecilia shrugged. “It is a game they play. I must find one who seeks more than mere amusement if I wish to marry.”
Caroline wanted to protest such cynicism from one so young, but she stopped herself; after all, Cecilia did need to find a husband, and she was far from wrong in her assessment. “I’m sure that you will find one who is honest with you.”
“Honesty is not required, only the desire to be married,” said Cecilia cheerfully. “It is an exchange, you know. I will make a beautiful and accomplished wife to some wealthy man, and he will be free to do as he chooses. As will I, after a time, I suppose.
“So, you already think of taking a lover after you have provided an heir? I suppose that would explain your interest in them,” observed Caroline. “You look very far ahead, my dear. And you seem to have a poor opinion of the morals of Society.”
“I’m only being sensible,” said Cecilia. “One cannot but hear of these things, even in Yorkshire. My mother often laments the decadence of London. I have to say I’ve always found her stories rather exciting, though I don’t think that was her intent.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t,” agreed Caroline. “Perhaps Allegra and Adam can set you an example with their affection for each other.”
“It’s a lovely thing, but so rare,” said Cecilia. “I don’t have the luxury of seeking that out.”
“A pity,” said Caroline, bereft of any other words.
“What shall we do today?” asked Cecilia brightly. “Shall we shop, or drive in the park?”
“Alas, I have an - an appointment at two-o-clock,” said Caroline. “With my man of business. What a pity that I cannot accompany you. Shall I send to see if Allegra would be able to chaperone you today?”
“That would be lovely,” said Cecilia. “I don’t mean to be a burden to you.”
“Nonsense, as though you could be a burden,” said Caroline. “Between my mother, Allegra, and me, you shan’t want for company, I’m sure. I will go write a note now.”
She left the room, relieved to have an excuse. Half an hour later she emerged with not one, but two billets, which she entrusted to a footman. Bunton informed her that Miss Ashdown was in the drawing room, and Caroline repaired there to find her entertaining Lady Hartnell and her son. With a smile, Caroline recognized one of the young gentlemen who had been dancing attendance upon Cecilia the night before. It appeared Cecilia had made quite an impression. Perhaps she was well on her way to the married state she so desired.
“Good afternoon, Lady Hartnell,” she said, seating herself by the matron, as Cecilia chattered away with her son on the other side of the room.
“Your cousin is a c
harming young woman, Lady Eskmaine,” observed Lady Hartnell. “My Robert begged me to call this afternoon. It is not often he is so captivated.”
“I can claim no credit,” said Caroline. “Her mother raised her well, and I believe her country upbringing has left her much unspoiled.”
“It is no fault to be from the country,” replied Lady Hartnell. “I find her manners less pert than some of the young ladies more familiar with London. I know her mother, of course, as she is your aunt, and I believe her husband is of the gentry?”
“He owns an estate in Yorkshire, and his family is most ancient; I believe they arrived with the Conqueror,” said Caroline. “He does not much care for city life, and so they seldom venture from home.”
“Ah yes, I recall it was a love match,” said Lady Hartnell. “So shocking at the time. I believe she turned down the Marquess of Gargreave. What a pity, but it was all so long ago now. Miss Ashdown is quite presentable. I suppose the arrangements are all as they should be?”
Caroline hesitated. “I believe my brother means to give her a marriage portion,” she said. “But I have no idea what that might entail.”
“Ah. Well, I’m sure he will be generous,” said the baroness. She beamed approvingly at the young people.
Bunton opened the door to the salon, and ushered in the dowager Viscountess Barford and her son. Caroline had to smile as Lord Barford bowed awkwardly over her hand while he watched Cecilia from the corner of his eye. He made his way over to the young people, where Cecilia seemed to greet him with much pleasure. Caroline noted with approval that she treated both of the young men the same, with no unseemly partiality for one or the other.
Some minutes passed, and Lady Hartnell and her son departed. Caroline took a moment from chatting with Viscountess Barford to glance at the clock. It was past one-o-clock, and she grew anxious, wondering how she could dismiss Cecilia’s visitor. But soon afterwards Bunton announced the arrival of the Duchess of Gravesmere, and Allegra materialized in the door, a vision in an apple green silk gown a l’anglaise, with an underskirt of pink satin striped also in apple green and quilted with gold stitching.
Sense & Sensuality: Caroline's After Dark Georgian Romance (The Gravesmeres Book 3) Page 8
