The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (28 page)

“Sara can be very persuasive, and if she threatened to go by herself, he might have given in.”

“What can we do? Maybe you should tell Lord Royston.”

“No, he would blame me and be furious.”

“Might I be of assistance?” Rand’s voice brought two heads jerking around to look at him.

“You followed us out here,” Joan said angrily.

“I have been concerned. It’s apparent from your expressions that something has gone amiss. Forgive me for meddling, but I would not like to see either of you hurt, or involved in matters best left alone,” Rand said. He patiently waited to see if they would confide in him.

“We do need help, Lord Milbrough, but I would prefer my husband not know about this problem.” Caroline glanced nervously around his shoulder.

“Normally, I would not agree to secrets, but I imagine you will not accept my assistance otherwise. I have a feeling you do need help.”

“Then you will keep our secret?” Joan asked.

“Yes, quickly tell me what’s happened. Lady Royston, you should go back inside before you are missed,” Milbrough instructed.

“Lady Joan and I will take care of your concern.”

Caroline agreed and stepped into the ballroom. She looked around at her guests. Charles had been dancing, but now she didn’t see him. She strolled around the edge of the dance floor, stopping occasionally to speak to some of the local gentry she had met this week. Her heart pounded in her throat.

When she came to the Uptons, she stopped. “Miss Upton, I am sorry we have not had an opportunity to talk about the teaching position at Atelstone. Perhaps you would visit me in the morning, and we could have our discussion then.”

Annie Upton blushed with pleasure. Tonight she’d dressed in a pink gown with small roses on the sleeves and bodice. Her pale, plain face glowed in the candlelight and from all the attention she had been receiving.

“Miss Upton, I saw you dancing with my husband’s cousin, Charles Royston. Do you know where he might have gone? I need to ask him a favor.” Caroline still hadn’t seen Charles and hoped her voice did not give away her increasing anxiety.

“I have no idea, Lady Royston. He brought me back to my aunt and uncle and walked off.” Annie Upton glanced around also. “He said something about having to check on some business, but he did say he would return.”

“Thank you. I’m sure I’ll see him later.” Caroline nodded and forced herself to walk slowly toward the open doors to the veranda. Looking out she saw Joan and Lord Haddon were no longer in the garden.

She chewed the corner of her lip. What was happening out there and were her friends in danger?

“I know when you chew on your lovely lips, you are upset or concerned.” Damon stood behind her and looked out into the darkness. “Whatever are you looking for in the garden?”

“Nothing. I’m enjoying the cool breeze coming through the door.” Caroline hated to lie and especially to Damon. If Sara were here, she’d be tempted to shake her. This was going to blow up in all their faces, and just when she’d hoped Damon and her were getting closer. Caroline kept her face turned away for fear Damon would see her expression and know she hadn’t told the truth.

“Come dance. We must be attentive to our guests. Perhaps you would dance with Arthur Thomlin, and I will dance with his sister.”

“But of course you must dance with the lovely Lady Ferrier. She has been sending you messages with her eyes all evening.” Caroline moved to go and Damon caught hold of her arm.

“This is but a courtesy dance, my dear. If you have not noticed I have danced with my wife many more times than any of the other ladies.”

Caroline stared at him. His dark-blue eyes seemed to probe into her mind, looking for an answer.

She wished she knew what he wanted or needed from her, if anything. Resigned to not understand her enigma of a husband, Caroline went to find Mr. Thomlin.

Hannah stood beside him. “This has been a lovely evening,” she said, and then she hugged Caroline. “The flower decorations have made this room even more beautiful.”

“Thank you for the nice compliments.” Caroline noticed the admiring look in Arthur’s eyes. Hannah’s eyes glowed and she looked like an angel in her cream-colored satin gown with gold trim. Her maid had piled her golden hair on her head with gold stars scattered throughout her curls.

“I was hoping to convince Mr. Thomlin to dance with me,” Caroline said.

Arthur Thomlin bowed and put out his arm. “I would be honored, my lady.” He led Caroline out to join the other dancers.

Caroline hesitated to ask him any questions regarding Hannah. She was aware Hannah watched them from the sidelines.

“Lady Hannah is looking especially beautiful tonight. Don’t you agree, Mr. Thomlin?”

“Yes, Lady Royston, I do agree. She is both beautiful and a most agreeable young lady.”

Arthur Thomlin glanced away. Caroline saw him swallow nervously. Then he looked down at her with his serious hazel eyes.

“I have only the utmost respect for Lady Hannah and would be most happy to be included among her ardent admirers.” The dancing had stopped, and he reached up to pull on his collar.

“A serious suit from you could be rather awkward, Mr. Thomlin.”

“Because I am Lady Ferrier’s brother? I hope my sister’s current behavior would not reflect on my whole family. My father is the Earl of Thorton. We are known as a respectable family with no scandals attached to our name. I do not approve of my sister’s behavior, but I do understand her unhappiness, which drives her to act without propriety at times. I love her and will do what is necessary to protect her.”

“I am most impressed. I hope if you do win Lady Hannah’s heart that you would bring such caring, compassion, and protection to her.” Caroline thought she saw Sara and quickly excused herself.

“Sara, are you all right?” Caroline stepped into the hallway. “I thought I saw you slip by the door.”

“I’m going to my room. If anyone asks, please explain I am not feeling well. I can’t return to the dance as I am.”

Caroline saw the dark smudges on Sara’s dress.

“Do you want to tell me what happened?” Caroline asked.

“Later tonight, come to Joan’s and my room, if you can. If not, we will talk in the morning.” Sara slipped away and hurried up the stairs.

Going back into the ballroom, Caroline saw Joan and Rand come back into the ball from the open terrace doors. They proceeded to dance the waltz. No one seeing them would suspect they had been gone from the ball.

A shiver ran down Caroline’s back. Charles was missing, as was Rook. She was relieved to hear the last dance announced.

“May I have this dance?” Rook was suddenly at her side, smiling with his hand out.

Caroline breathed a sigh of relief. “Where have you been?”

“Rescuing a fair damsel in distress. It is quite dangerous to become involved with such ladies. I was threatened, shot at, and finally dismissed with the instructions to not speak to a soul of my quest tonight.” Rook finished his tale with a laugh in his eyes, his mouth quirked up on one side.

“I did not know rakes ever became heroes and went to a lady’s rescue. It must have been quite traumatizing for you.”

“Very, I fear I shall never be the same. I am certain I shall be thrown out of the brotherhood of rakes, if word should get around of tonight’s deeds.” Rook swirled her around the floor.

“Don’t look now,” he whispered, “but I think your husband is glaring at us.”

Caroline moved her head casually to the right and her eyes collided with Damon’s. Damon, who was dancing with one of their guests, stared at her and Rook and apparently did not like what he saw.

Caroline smiled at him briefly and returned her attention to Rook. She would show him she would not stand on the sidelines while he played his games.

Rook looked between the two. He glanced at Caroline.

“Don’t even consider putting me in the middle, Lady Caroline. I have created enough problems for myself tonight.”

“Did you find anything of value? I’m not sure, but I suspect you must have gone with Sara. I was hoping you would talk her out of taking such a chance.”

“Talk her out of it.” His voice rose. “The girl could make a good general cry. She would stop at nothing to get her way. Why she threatened to say I ravished her, if I didn’t help her through Charles Royston’s window.” Rook’s voice sounded exasperated and incredulous.

Caroline broke out laughing. “Oh my, Rook. I think you may have met your match.” She struggled to talk between her gasps of laughter.

“It is not at all funny. To add to everything else, I’d be compromised, if anyone saw us tonight. And if Joan and Rand hadn’t arrived when they did, I think our pursuer would not have given up,” Rook replied indignantly.

The music stopped and Caroline took his arm. “Did he see who you were?”

“I don’t believe so. We both had on cloaks with hoods and were some distance away before he saw us and took up pursuit. Whether he recognized Rand and Joan, I don’t know, but it is a dark night.”

“My dear, it is time we told our guests good night.” Damon’s cold voice cut into the conversation. “Rook, I’m sure you will excuse us.” Damon nodded at Rook and took a firm grip of Caroline’s elbow, leading her toward the open door.

She felt the heat of anger and saw the blackness of his eyes. Surely dancing with Rook had not caused such a reaction.

“After our guests retire, you will join me in the library.” Damon’s words were not a request.

Caroline turned from him and forced a smile on her face to say good night to their friends.

* * * *

Caroline rubbed her temples and bit the side of her lip. She was tired, bone weary. If only they could have this confrontation tomorrow when they were both rested, but she saw from her husband’s expression that was not possible.

Damon sat in an armchair he had drawn up by the fireplace. The rest of the room was dark. Books lined the walls and heavy dark-green drapes covered the windows. Two candles sat burning on a table by Damon’s left hand.

Caroline sat in the chair across from him. She pulled her cashmere shawl close around her. Damon had started to light his cigar.

“Do you mind, my dear?” His voice was cold and remote.

“No, not at all.” Caroline felt like she was back in front of her parents waiting for the lecture sure to follow.

Damon lit the cigar, took a deep draw, and then he leaned his head against the chair back. “Charles came to see me just before the last dance. He reported his home was broken into this evening. He saw two people ride away, but he couldn’t identify them.” Damon stopped and glanced at Caroline. “Nevertheless, he feels certain it was two of your friends.”

Caroline sat straighter. “Why ever would he think my friends would go into his house, in the middle of the night, during a ball? How very silly.”

Damon held her gaze. “I noticed Rook and Sara left the dance. I did not see Sara return.”

“Sara tore her underskirt and went upstairs to repair it. She decided she didn’t feel well enough to return. As for Rook, I have no idea of his activities. Perhaps he had a rendezvous with a lady.”

“I find I do not believe you, my dear.”

She didn’t know what to say. Damon would be very angry if he knew four of their friends were involved. She also knew if she voiced her suspicions to him regarding Charles, his anger would boil over.

Damon walked over to the side table and poured himself a glass of whiskey. “Perhaps you would like a taste of brandy?” he asked, turning to Caroline.

She shook her head no. “What do you want me to do or say, Damon?

“I suppose knowing your family, the truth would be too much to hope for.” The sarcastic words hit her in the chest like hard punches.

“I’m sure you are right, as usual. I don’t know how to convince you. What would you have me do?” She had an idea and spoke before thinking. “I’ve considered moving to Atelstone Hall. That might be the best solution for both of us.” She wished she hadn’t said anything, but she was sure Damon wouldn’t agree with her suggestion. Caroline stood and faced him.

“You can do nothing without my permission.” Damon took a swallow of the whiskey and turned from her.

Relief swept over her. She started to walk toward the door.

“But, I think you are right. You seem determined to live there, and I have no plans to leave my new home. After the guests leave tomorrow, you will pack and prepare to make the move.

“I will keep the servants I have employed. You may take Nanny Fowler and Mary. I suppose old Peter will insist on going. He has taken a fondness for you. The rest of the servants you will have to hire. Charles will see you tomorrow about a housing allowance.” He looked down at his glass.

“Why Charles, Damon?” Caroline bit her lip harder, trying not to cry in front of him. How had things gone so wrong?

“I am leaving for a few days early in the morning. I want to check on a filly being sold by Lord Hutshell.” Damon looked across to her. “I’m sure you can manage to establish yourself at Atelstone Hall by my return.”

Caroline heard the bitterness in his voice. She walked to the door. Her shoulders slumped as though a weight pressed her down. “I am sure I can. Have a pleasant trip.”