The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (33 page)

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 know 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.”

All three burst into laughter just as the door to the sitting room flew open. Damon stood legs apart, a furious expression on his face. Caroline stared, shocked at the change from last night.

The heat of his anger reached out to her. She had been relieved this morning to not have the queasiness she had been experiencing. But now looking at Damon brought it back.

“I need to speak with you, Caroline. I’m sure your friends will understand.”

Sara and Joan got up quickly, looking worried, and excused themselves. “We are going shopping. If you can, meet us at the bookstore this afternoon at one o’clock.” Joan glanced uneasily between Damon and Caroline.

“Caroline will not be available to meet with you at any time. We will be leaving town this afternoon.” Damon’s voice was harsh.

Sara and Joan said no more and left. Caroline frowned at Damon.

“Did you really have to speak so harshly to my best friends?”

“I will not allow you to see them ever again.”

“Whatever is the matter with you, Damon?” Caroline looked at him questioningly.

“Come into my study. We will talk privately.” Damon led the way and closed the door after she entered.

He went and sat behind his desk. Caroline noticed the post had come and several letters were open on his desk.

“You have received mail?” she asked.

“Yes. Charles has written regarding the estate. Sit down, Caroline.” He motioned to the chair across from him.

Caroline deliberately walked over to the French door. Sitting at the desk with him across from her brought back reminisces of her meetings with her parents. The broad expanse of the desktop created the feeling of being in the power of the one sitting behind it. Caroline knew as her husband, Damon did have power over her. She refused to bow to it.

“I prefer to stand, Damon. Tell me what has you so upset?”

“At the end of his letter, Charles adds he has discovered a servant who saw and recognized the intruders to his house.” Damon watched the expressions flicker across his wife’s face.

“And who does he accuse of going into his home?” Caroline spoke softly as her body went cold with fear of his answer.

“I think you know and thus you know the reason your friends will not be welcome here again.”

“How about your friends, Damon?”

“I intend to speak with Rook and Rand. My guess is they were trying to protect your friends. But back to you, my dear. You lied to me when I asked if you knew anything about the incident.”

Caroline felt sick. She knew the fragile trust that had begun to build was gone. How could she explain?

“I have some information I’ve been waiting until the right time to show you. It involves Charles. I have waited because I wanted more evidence. I am aware you are unable or unwilling to see your cousin in any but the best light.”

“Enough, you have disliked Charles for no reason since you first met him. I don’t want to hear any more.”

“You must listen to me. I understand Charles is your cousin and you’ve known him for years. But you are too close to see…”