Sense & Sensuality: Caroline's After Dark Georgian Romance (The Gravesmeres Book 3)

by Alicia Quigley

  “I somehow doubt that my brother’s approval would be expected in order for me to take a lover. I also fail to see why, if you wished to wed him, Gresham should be beneath my notice.” Caroline folded her hands in her lap.

  “I am very shocked, and disappointed in you,” said Cecilia, dabbing at her eyes.

  “I am sorry to have caused you sorrow,” said Caroline, hiding a smile. “But I really do not think that I have anything for which I need apologize. I have always discouraged your interest in Lord Gresham, and my actions are no concern of yours.”

  Cecilia sniffed. “You might have treated me as a friend, and told me,” she said.

  Caroline’s face softened for a moment. “Is that it? Cecilia, you are a child, and this is clearly not something I can share with you. No one knows, and I would prefer that it remain that way. This is something—well, this is something I have done for myself. Perhaps it was not wise of me.”

  “I think it is very wrong of you, and very unkind!” Cecilia threw at her, and once again retreated behind her handkerchief. At least, she realized, Lady Manning had not yet said anything, for Caroline was not chastising her for allowing the secret to slip. But doubtless, within a day or two, Lady Manning would be seeking her revenge.

  Caroline sighed, regretting Allegra’s absence. Her sister-in-law would doubtless be able to charm Cecilia out of her sulks; at the same time, she realized that this news would have been a shock to Allegra as well, and she would certainly also have taken Caroline to task. It appeared that there was no way in which she might come out the winner in the matter of this affaire. It was just as well it was over.

  Chapter 22

  Far earlier the next morning than might have been expected, a carriage drawn by a team of steaming horses arrived outside Gravesmere House. The duke, waving away a footman, alighted and helped his wife disembark.

  “I do love the amusements of town,” Allegra said, smiling up at him. “But almost I wish we were back at Gravesmere.”

  “Say the word and we will go back,” Adam replied gallantly.

  Allegra dimpled at that. “Darling, we will return soon. But for now, I have promised Caro that I will help her get Cecilia well settled, and you know how fond I am of the girl. I wonder if she has received an offer while we were gone.”

  Adam shook his head. “I had never thought of you as a matchmaker before. You seem to positively delight in shepherding Miss Ashdown about.”

  “I only want all men to be as happy as you,” she responded laughingly.

  The couple mounted the stairs to the house as the servants unloaded the copious amounts of baggage from the carriage. Allegra paused in the hallway to remove her hat, a very broad brimmed straw confection adorned with a wide, pale grey ribbon tied in an enormous bow, and no less than three matching plumes. It very nearly overwhelmed the demi-lune table on which she laid it.

  “How delightful that we decided to make an early start,” she remarked, gazing at her reflection in the mirror above the table. “I can see that it will take me an age to have my hair dressed for town, and I wish to visit Caro and Cecilia yet today, as well as ride in the park with you later.”

  “Well, before you closet yourself with your maid and the hair tongs, please find Mother and tell her we are returned, “ said Adam. “I have a mind to wander over to Tattersall’s and see what they have on the block. The stables at Gravesmere could use some fresh blood. When I return I will take you to the park, and you can hear all of the latest on dits.”

  “Thank you, darling. I do hope Mama is feeling well, and will be able to visit Caroline and Cecilia with me. I’m very eager to hear of their doings.”

  “I have no doubt you are,” Adam said, dropping a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll change my clothes and be off to Tatts. Give my love to Mother and Caro.” He hastened up the stairs, as Allegra trailed behind him, her thoughts with Cecilia’s marriage prospects, and the dressing of her hair.

  Caroline rose late that morning, in some part because she had not slept until long after she had climbed into bed, and also because she did not care to face Cecilia, and her seemingly inevitable recriminations. Beckham brought chocolate to her room, and she sipped it absently, pondering her situation. The day before had brought a proposal from Sir Geoffrey, an exciting but distressing encounter with Tristan, a second offer of marriage from him, and what seemed to be the final rupture of their liaison, followed by a temper tantrum from Cecilia when she had found Caroline with Tristan. Surely, after such a day she deserved to hide in her bedroom some time longer.

  So it was not until late in the morning that Caroline rose and went downstairs. Cecilia was nowhere to be seen, and Caroline presumed she was still sulking about the events of the day before. Seating herself at her desk, she gazed absently at the pile of correspondence awaiting her and then, with a sigh, began to sort through it.

  After some time spent responding to invitations, dealing with family correspondence, and handling a few minor business matters, Caroline put down her pen. It seemed pointless to be attending to her social duties, but the work at least kept her from dwelling on Tristan. She supposed she would have to become accustomed to seeing him around town, and in the company of other women. Surely it would only be a matter of a few days or weeks until she was replaced.

  The thought made her melancholy, and she shook her head, trying to disperse her sad thoughts. It was purely a matter of attraction; she and Gresham did not have the bond of love that some couples were fortunate to share. She knew that he would never ride after her the way Adam had Allegra. He was too cynical and self-absorbed for that. Nor had she herself ever desired a marriage with the sort of histrionics that love matches invariably seemed to engender. All in all, it was for the best that she had refused his offer of marriage.

  Her reverie was interrupted by Bunton’s appearance in the door. “I know you said that you were not at home to visitors, but the dowager duchess is here,” he said apologetically.

  “My mother? By all means show her up,” said Caroline.

  Soon the Dowager Duchess of Gravesmere appeared in the doorway. Though her elegantly dressed hair was gray and her beautiful face lined, her posture was straight and her soft lavender gown, open over a white petticoat, striped with fine lines of sage green, was elegant and stylish. Caroline ran to greet her. “Darling, how are you?” she asked. “Bunton, fetch us some tea, please.”

  “I have felt quite well the past few days,” said the dowager. “Well enough to pay calls, and I have now recalled why I stopped making the effort to do so. I have heard a great deal of gossip, and almost none of it was of interest.”

  “Sit down,” urged Caroline, leading her to a chair. “Stay a bit, and I promise I will not gossip with you at all.”

  “Thank you, my dear. Though, truth to tell, the gossip is one thing that brings me here.”

  “Really? Gossip about what?” asked Caroline.

  “I have heard a great deal about Cecilia Ashdown,” said Emily. “I gather she is quite the toast of the younger set.”

  “I believe so,” said Caroline. “I have hopes that an eligible gentleman will offer for her soon. She is flighty at times, but there is no malice, and she is all that is charming and sweet.”

  “They say Lord Barford has shown an interest in her. His mother is an old friend of mine, and I must say that is a connection that I would like to see encouraged.”

  “He has been most particular in his attentions,” said Caroline. “I have hopes that he may come up to scratch. Cecilia shows no real partiality amongst her beaux, but that is only proper of her.”

  Bunton arrived with the tea tray, and Caroline poured her mother a cup. The dowager accepted it, and then gave Caroline a sharp look.

  “I’ve also heard about you, child,” she said.

  “Me?” said Caroline. “I can’t imagine what you may have heard. I do nothing but chase Cecilia about.”

  “I’ve heard that you have a beau….or two,” replied Emily.

&nbs
p; Caroline felt herself growing tense. “Mother, dear, you must not listen to these stories. I have no beaux.”

  “So Sir Geoffrey Arkwright is not paying you a great deal of attention?” Emily asked.

  Caroline shrugged, faintly relieved that her mother was only inquiring about Sir Geoffrey. “I believe he once thought that we might be a good match, but he has since been disabused of that notion,” she said.

  “I understand he is a worthy gentleman,” ventured Emily. “He has estates in the south, I believe, and is well respected.”

  “Certainly he is both worthy and respectable,” said Caroline. “But I found that he did not suit me.”

  “And Lord Gresham does?”

  Caroline put her teacup down with a clatter of china. “Mother, you have been listening to nonsense,” she said firmly. “I am not involved with Lord Gresham in any way.”

  Emily narrowed her eyes. “I may be old and spend most of my time in the country, but I’m not a fool, Caroline. Although I do not venture out much, I still know what goes on. Do you really think it wise to compromise your reputation by making a friend of Lord Gresham?”

  “I am sick to death of the man’s name!” declared Caroline. “Believe me, Mother, you need have no further worries about Lord Gresham and me.”

  Emily sat back in her chair. “I do not mean to annoy you, my dear. But I am concerned for our name, and for your happiness. Are you sure Sir Geoffrey Arkwright would not be acceptable to you? It would be an appropriate match.”

  “As I have already turned him down, I doubt he will ask again,” said Caroline. “And I would not want him to. I do not need to marry, Mother, and if I do, I wish to wed someone I can at least care for.”

  “Certainly, my dear. But often affection comes after marriage,” said Emily. “For instance, Adam and Allegra—”

  Caroline held up one hand and laughed. “I don’t plan to pattern a marriage after theirs,” she said. “I doubt I have the energy.”

  Emily sighed. “Well, my dear, I hope you think carefully about this. It has been four years, and I would like to see you with a husband again.”

  “I promise I will think about it,” said Caroline. “But now, let us speak of something else. I will send for Cecilia, so she can tell you about her adventures in London. She still finds it fascinating, and I have no doubt she will amuse you greatly.”

  She rang the bell, and Bunton soon appeared. “Would you have someone fetch Miss Ashdown?” she asked.

  Bunton appeared to be surprised. “Miss Ashdown left the house some hours ago,” he said.

  Caroline looked startled. “She did? Where did she go?”

  “She did not inform me,” said Bunton. “I believe she told me she left you a note on the mantelpiece.”

  “What?” Caroline glanced at the mantelpiece, and saw a folded piece of paper there. “You may go, Bunton.”

  The servant departed, mystified, and Caroline picked up the envelope. “No doubt she snuck out to buy that hat I told her was unbecoming,” she said. She opened the note hastily and began to read it.

  “Oh, no,” she breathed.

  “What is it, dear?” asked Emily. “Is something wrong?”

  “Yes, something is terribly wrong. She has eloped!” Caroline looked at her mother with wide eyes.

  “Eloped? What nonsense is this?” asked Emily.

  Caroline glanced at the note again. “She has eloped with Roland Wyman! They are, if you please, going to Gretna Green to be married.”

  “Why would they do that?” asked Emily. “He belongs to a respectable family; why could they not simply become engaged and get married?”

  “Because he is a fortune hunter and a younger son who leads an unsavory life,” said Caroline. “Tris—others have warned me to keep him away from Cecilia, and he has tried more than once to compromise her, I believe.”

  “A fortune hunter?” repeated Emily. “Cecilia has no fortune.”

  “I know that, but Roland Wyman has listened to gossip, and thinks Adam has settled a vast sum on her,” said Caroline. “This is terrible. Someone must go after them! Adam is still at Gravesmere; I don’t know what I shall do.”

  Emily took the note out of Caroline’s hand and began to read it.

  Dear Caroline,

  I do not mean to be disobliging, but the events of yesterday have made it impossible for me to remain in your home. At Lady Lansdowne’s Mr. Wyman urged me to flee with him and become his wife, and I have agreed. Please do not be angry with me, as I know this is for the best. Now you need no longer be burdened by your duties to me, and you and Lord G. may pursue your acquaintance without my presence.

  Cecilia

  “Whatever is this nonsense?” Emily asked. “What happened yesterday, and is Lord G. the Gresham you just informed me you had no interest in? What are you doing with Lord G. that will not sustain Cecilia’s presence?”

  “Mother, I don’t have time to explain. The child’s head is full of romance and other foolishness. Someone must stop her before she ruins herself!” said Caroline. “My carriage is not fast enough.”

  “You cannot go tearing around the countryside in pursuit of her,” objected Emily. “What a pity Adam is not here. But we must not tell anyone outside the family, so the girl may have to live with the decision she has made.”

  “I will not have her suffer that fate, however much she may deserve it.” Caroline rang the bell, and then marched to the door and flung it open. “Bunton!” she called.

  The butler appeared so quickly that Caroline wondered if he had been eavesdropping. “Bunton, send a footman to find Lord Gresham. Try his house first, but if he is not there, go around to the clubs until he is found. Ask him to wait upon me here immediately.”

  “Yes, my lady,” said Bunton. He retreated, eager to spread the word.

  Caroline returned to the morning room and paced back and forth. “This is dreadful,” she said. “She must be stopped.”

  Emily regarded her with amazement. “You sent for Lord Gresham?” she asked.

  Caroline looked up and flushed. “He is acquainted with Cecilia,” she said, a shade defensively. “And he is known to have superior horses. With Adam in the country he is the only person I can call on for assistance who will be able to catch them at this point.”

  “Why would he be willing to do this?” asked Emily. “Don’t tell me he has an interest in the girl. Has he been courting her?”

  “No, not at all,” said Caroline. “He is—he has—he is a friend of mine. He will do this to help me.”

  “Oh, Caroline,” breathed Emily, raising a hand to her mouth. “The stories are true. You have entangled yourself with Lord Gresham.”

  “I have no idea what stories you have heard, Mother. But yes, I suppose you could say I am entangled with Lord Gresham,” said Caroline, relieved to at last tell the truth. “Or at least I was until recently. I believe he will still do me this service.”

  Emily sat down abruptly. “Caroline, he is a rake and a scoundrel,” she said. “I cannot believe you would do this.”

  “Can you not?” asked Caroline defiantly. “Well, I did, and I’m glad of it. I enjoyed myself greatly.”

  “But my dear, the scandal. Surely you do not believe he cares for you?” asked Emily. “Be certain, he did this only to annoy your brother.”

  “Adam has nothing to do with this,” snapped Caroline. “Why can you not believe he might want me for myself?”

  “Of course, you are very lovely, and charming, Caro dear, but you are not precisely his style,” said Emily quickly. “After all, you are not only beautiful, but also very respectable and intelligent, and he is known for—well, for not having the most discriminating of tastes.”

  “His tastes are actually quite refined, Mother,” said Caroline angrily. “When he was younger he acted much as any young man—even my brother—did, but he has, like many other gentlemen, improved with time. He is intelligent, and thoughtful, and kind, but does not display those qualities to the wor
ld at large. I think his long sojourn on the Continent has much improved him, as well.”

  “But Caroline, do you think—” began the dowager.

  “Mother, I am not thinking at all just now,” said Caroline firmly. “No doubt I would go mad if I did.”

  “Oh no,” sighed Emily.

  “What is it?” demanded Caroline.

  “You are in love with him!” Emily looked at her accusingly. “You have fallen in love with Lord Gresham. How can this have happened?”

  “I am not in love with him,” snapped Caroline. “We—we are—well, I am not in love with him, and he is not in love with me.”

  “He will never marry you, child,” said Emily. “You must realize that.”

  “I do not want to marry him,” cried Caroline. “Why must you persist in thinking that I do not know my own mind? I am very happy with matters as they stand.”

  “Perhaps Sir Geoffrey Arkwright may be induced to propose to you again,” said Emily. “That would solve many problems. What if you are with child?”

  “I am not with child, and I will not marry Sir Geoffrey Arkwright,” Caroline said firmly.

  “But the rumors are everywhere, my dear, and it would be best if you married. And, while you are in love with Lord Gresham, no one would ever think that he will marry you,” said Emily. “You cannot possibly imagine that he will.”

  “My dear Mama, Lord Gresham has in fact made me a proposal of marriage,” declared Caroline, considerably provoked.

  “Gresham has offered to marry you?” the duchess echoed. “How very astonishing.”

  Caroline had to laugh. “Mama dear, I am sure you do not intend it so, but you must see that this conversation has been unflattering to your daughter in the extreme.”

  “Caro, it is not your very considerable charms that I doubt, it is Gresham’s character, and his willingness to tie himself to just one woman. He is not capable of loving you as you deserve, and your love for him will surely make you unhappy.”