Awakened By The Lord’s Kiss by Meghan Sloan

Chapter 11

 

 

Henry found himself in a better mood over the next few days. He had not expected Caroline to react to him as she did. When she arrived at the house, Henry was expecting her to be cool and brush him off. She had been in an inappropriate position with him, even if it was for a valid reason. That was not something a woman should be comfortable about, no matter what the situation.

 

 

 

And yet, she had been nice to him. Sweet, even. She and Sarah sat with Henry throughout the dinner and treated him like a person instead of a pariah. Henry knew that everyone in the room had been staring at them, thinking they had gone mad, but he didn’t care. He liked to be seen as a person, and it felt even better knowing it was coming from Caroline Folton.

 

 

 

That didn’t mean she had forgiven him. Caroline had warned him several times, and Henry understood. Even if it felt like she was trying to convince herself more than him. But he would take what he could get. It felt nice to have her attention, and it wasn’t bad attention.

 

 

 

The evening had passed by far more pleasantly than Henry anticipated. Caroline had kept up the conversation, and she was actually laughing with him by the end of the evening. Her eyes really sparkled when she was laughing, and Henry found himself wanting to see that happen more often.

 

 

 

Things were still a bit tentative between them, but it was slowly mending. Maybe Bingham was right and that he could be able to get Caroline to see the truth in the end. Henry really wanted that to happen. He wanted to tell her that he wasn’t the monster she remembered when they were children. It was horrible to be around her and wish she wouldn’t look at him as if he was one step away from being the Devil.

 

 

 

It was hard to be in love with someone and they hated him in return.

 

 

 

Henry hadn’t believed it was possible to have love at first sight or second sight. He believed it was something that came in time and meant to be a mutual thing. Henry never expected it to happen to him that he took one look at a person and found himself falling for them. And he never expected it to be for a girl who openly declared her hatred for him.

 

 

 

Caroline Folton turned him upside-down.

 

 

 

But not tonight. This evening, there was a ball at the Earl and Countess of Bath’s house on the city’s outskirts. And Caroline was going, although she was unsure about how she would dance if her leg was still in bad shape. Henry hadn’t planned on going, choosing to go into Bath and play cards with some of his sailor friends nearby, but once he heard Caroline was heading to the ball, he said that he would meet her there. It was like he needed to be close to her.

 

 

 

He felt like such a sap.

 

 

 

Henry checked his attire in the mirror, ignoring his valet as the other man bustled about. When he left the room, he was whistling a jaunty tune. The door opened across the hall, and James stepped out into the hall. He was dressed similarly, although he looked like he had been drinking already with reddened eyes and dishevelled hair. He arched an eyebrow at his brother.

 

 

 

“You’re in a good mood.”

 

 

 

“Am I?” Henry kept walking. “I haven’t noticed.”

 

 

 

“Well, I have.” James hurried after him. “You’ve been like this since we had Caroline Folton over for dinner.”

 

 

 

Henry sighed. James had been grumpy and snappy towards him since that dinner. Instead of going to Caroline to apologise and make up for the way he behaved by deserting her in a time of need, James had got himself drunk and started flirting with a baron’s daughter. Henry was glad he was with Caroline and had witnesses for his whereabouts because he was sure that he would have been blamed for James getting drunk somehow. His brother was getting better at twisting stories.

 

 

 

“Maybe I just had a good evening, and it’s just followed through into this week.” Henry reached the top of the stairs. “It can happen.”

 

 

 

“Not when it involves Caroline.” James grabbed his arm. “You snagged her away from me, Henry. That’s not very brotherly.”

 

 

 

“Grow up, James. You did that yourself.” Henry pulled his arm away. “You were drunk.”

 

 

 

“I’m allowed to drink, aren’t I?”

 

 

 

“Not when it makes you someone no one wants to be around. It’s hardly surprising that Lady Caroline didn’t want to interact with you.”

 

 

 

James pouted.

 

 

 

“I sent her flowers. A big bouquet of roses. What more does she want?”

 

 

 

“Maybe an apology in person would do?” Henry shot back. “Or is that too difficult to do? I can’t remember you ever giving a sincere apology.”

 

 

 

James scowled.

 

 

 

“Why should I apologise when I’ve never done anything wrong?”

 

 

 

“Would you like to try that with someone who actually listens to your lies? Because that’s not going to work on me.” Henry turned away. “If you’ll excuse me? I’ve got to get myself prepared to leave for the dance. You know the Countess of Bath doesn’t like lateness.”

 

 

 

He headed down the stairs, only to hear James hurrying after him a moment later.

 

 

 

“Caroline is meant to be my girl, Henry,” he hissed. “Not yours. She will never be yours.”

 

 

 

Henry tried to ignore the fact that felt like James had stabbed him. He kept on walking.

 

 

 

“You really think she’s going to want your attitude in a marriage?”

 

 

 

“I wonder what lies you’ve been pouring into her ear about me. I bet you’ve been making yourself look good.” James sneered. “She was practically all over you last week.”

 

 

 

“No, she wasn’t, and I never said a word.” Henry stopped and turned, James having to sidestep to stop himself from bumping into Henry and sending both of them tumbling. “Lady Caroline can make up her own mind. You’re just sore that the lies about me are starting to wear off.”

 

 

 

“What lies? You are as bad as people think.”

 

 

 

“Only because I won’t let you do it anymore.” It was worrying that James was beginning to believe his own lies. “Look, James, you can believe what you want to believe. You never listened in the first place.”

 

 

 

James’ eyes glittered.

 

 

 

“I’m going to have Caroline as mine by the end of the night.” He prodded Henry in the chest. “Then you won’t be able to touch her.”

 

 

 

“Who said this was a competition?”

 

 

 

“I did. I said we were going to see who she fell in love with first, remember?”

 

 

 

“I remember, and I never said I was getting involved.” Henry grabbed James’ wrist before his brother prodded him again. “Lady Caroline isn’t your girl. And she’s not mine, either. I think that’s for her to decide if she pursues anything with either of us. If you push her, she’s not going to want you.”

 

 

 

“I can make sure she won’t want anyone else.” James looked Henry up and down. “You think she wants you? I saw the way you two were. It looked like she was hanging onto your every word. You act like Caroline is your girl already.”

 

 

 

Because she is. Henry pushed that aside. Now was not the time.

 

 

 

“She was just grateful there was someone present who wasn’t treating her like an object. I’m sure you would prefer to be seen as a person than something that’s consistently passed around.”

 

 

 

“She’s a woman. That’s all she’s good for.”

 

 

 

Henry stared.

 

 

 

“Did you just seriously say that about her?”

 

 

 

“I did.” James tugged his hand away. “Don’t approach her tonight, Henry. Don’t go anywhere near her.”

 

 

 

“Unless you want to publicly butt in while I’m conversing with her, there’s not really anything you can do about that.”

 

 

 

“Really?” James’ lip curled. “Try me.”

 

 

 

They were still glaring at each other when there was the sound of someone coming down the stairs. A second later, Henry heard his father’s voice, causing both brothers to turn. Cornwall looked from Henry to James and back again.

 

 

 

“What’s going on here?” he demanded. “James?”

 

 

 

“Henry’s trying to take the woman I want to marry off me, Father.” James folded his arms and fixed a smug look at Henry. “He believes that he’s better than I am.”

 

 

 

“How old are we, James? Six years old? Really?”

 

 

 

Cornwall sighed.

 

 

 

“Henry, why are you ruining the evening before we’ve even started?”

 

 

 

“And why do you always assume that I’m the problem, Father?”

 

 

 

“With your past, do you think we should assume it was your brother?”

 

 

 

Henry snorted and turned away.

 

 

 

“With your past, considering how much you favour him before listening to me, it’s hardly a surprise.”

 

 

 

Normally, he wouldn’t talk back to his father, but Henry was too upset to care. His good mood had been tugged away by his brother, and now his own father was treating him like he had done something wrong.

 

 

 

“Did you forget who you were talking to, Henry?” Cornwall snapped.

 

 

 

“No, Father, I didn’t.” Henry reached the bottom of the stairs and turned to find the duke hurrying down after him. “I’m just fed up with being blamed when my brother decides he’s going to be a spoiled brat. Now, if you’ll excuse me? I don’t want to be late for this dance.”

 

 

 

“We haven’t finished talking, Henry.”

 

 

 

“Yes, we have, Father.” Henry turned away and beckoned one of the footmen. “Oates, would you get my hat and cloak?”

 

 

 

“Yes, Lord Bannock.”

 

 

 

Cornwall snorted.

 

 

 

“You really don’t deserve the title of Lord Bannock.”

 

 

 

“You’ve been saying that for a while now, Father.” Henry didn’t turn around. If he did, he was going to see James, and then he really would lose his temper. “If you believe that I don’t deserve the title, perhaps you should take it off me now. Then I won’t have an obligation to return home to take on the dukedom once you pass away. Your favourite son can run it into the ground and obliterate what you’ve worked hard for, but I’m sure you’ll find a way to blame me, anyway.”

 

 

 

Cornwall made a spluttering noise. Henry glanced over his shoulder and saw how bright red his father’s face had gone. He looked like he was about to have a fit.

 

 

 

“I don’t know where we went wrong with you, Henry, but I’m really ashamed.”

 

 

 

Henry sighed and gathered his belongings from Oates before heading towards the door.

 

 

 

“Not half as ashamed as I am, Father.”

 

 

 

It was startling how just a few minutes being berated for something that he never did was enough to change his mood so quickly. Nothing would ever change in his house.

 

 

 

The sooner he got back to London and his ship, the better. Even if it meant walking away from the woman he loved.

 

 

 

#

 

 

 

“Easy there!” Sarah caught Caroline as she swayed. “Are you all right?”

 

 

 

“I’m fine.” Caroline grimaced as she put a bit more pressure on her leg. “I think I’m going to need to rest my leg. It’s feeling a little sore.”

 

 

 

“I’m not surprised. You’ve been on your feet since we arrived.” Sarah looked at the busy ballroom. “I swear almost every eligible gentleman here has asked you to dance.”

 

 

 

“I don’t think that’s the case, but it certainly feels like it.”

 

 

 

Six dances. Caroline had not danced that much in one evening, in one go, since her first ball the year before. She had thought she could handle it now her leg was better, and she could walk on it without limping. Evidently, her leg had other ideas. It wasn’t happy about the dancing. Now Caroline was trying not to limp and make a fool of herself.

 

 

 

“Here,” Sarah took her friend’s arm, “lean on me. Let’s get you sitting down for a while.”

 

 

 

That sounded like a relief. Caroline really wanted to sit down. She allowed Sarah to lead her out of the ballroom and into the dining room, sitting her down at the first available table. That did feel better, and Caroline liked having the weight off her feet. She resisted the urge to pull up her skirts and check her leg.

 

 

 

The bruises were going down, leaving her skin looking more yellow than pink, and Dr Preston had taken the stitches out of her knee. He was impressed with Henry’s stitching and commented there was a good chance she wouldn’t have a scar. If she did, it would be barely noticeable.

 

 

 

That was something. At least Henry had done something right.

 

 

 

Henry. Caroline found herself looking through the door and into the ballroom in the hopes of seeing him. He had been present when she first arrived, looking relieved that she had turned up. Caroline had been a little perturbed by the way he openly stared at her, but then that stare had gone, and his smile had returned. It left her shivering as she remembered it.

 

 

 

Men looked at her, but they didn’t look at her like Henry had. It was ... different. More intense. What did that mean?

 

 

 

He had asked her for the dance she had promised him, and Caroline had accepted almost immediately. Their dance had been innocent, but to her, it felt full of flirtation, even when they barely touched. Caroline felt shivers up and down her spine, aware that Henry never took his eyes off her. Then when they finished, he had bowed over her hand, his lips brushing against her fingers. Caroline had had to fight back a gasp.

 

 

 

Suddenly, she wanted to be in his company instead of sneering at him and pushing him away. That was startling, and Caroline was left confused. Why was she suddenly changing her mind on Henry? She had been adamant that she would always hate Henry Beaufort for hurting her, and yet she was starting to see him in a different light.

 

 

 

Perhaps it was that time when he had been given an opportunity to hurt her again, and he hadn’t done it. When Frances had gone to fetch what Henry needed, Henry had put himself apart from her and stayed across the room until Frances returned. He didn’t even look at her, even when her legs were on display. Was that him being a gentleman? Or was it something else?

 

 

 

It had to be that which was switching Caroline’s mindset. If he was as horrible as everyone said, and what she had believed before, he would have done something to put her in a precarious position. And he was gentle; he was caring. He was …

 

 

 

Normal.

 

 

 

Caroline didn’t think she could forgive him anytime soon for his actions, but she wasn’t about to push him away if Henry pursued her. If he gave any indication that he wanted courtship – and from the way he had been looking at her, it seemed to be going that way – Caroline would be accepting it.

 

 

 

Maybe she had already forgiven him. Caroline didn’t know. She wasn’t sure what to make of her conflicting emotions right now. It felt like her mind was in a complete whirl.

 

 

 

“Caroline?”

 

 

 

“Hmm?”

 

 

 

Sarah was looking at her strangely.

 

 

 

“Are you all right?”

 

 

 

“Why do you ask?”

 

 

 

“You seem to be looking for someone.”

 

 

 

“What? Oh.” Caroline hadn’t realised she had been staring hard into the ballroom for quite a while. She felt her face getting warm. “I wasn’t looking for anyone. I was watching the dancing.”

 

 

 

“I see.” Sarah arched an eyebrow. “Is that what you’re doing?”

 

 

 

It was too late in the day, and Caroline was too worn out to deal with her friend talking like she was speaking in riddles.

 

 

 

“Sarah, you know I don’t like it when you’re like this. Speak plainly, please.”

 

 

 

“You just seemed interested in finding someone in particular.” Sarah grinned. “I don’t know who you’re looking for, exactly, but I was just curious.”

 

 

 

From the way she was grinning, she knew exactly who Caroline was looking for. Caroline pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose.

 

 

 

“You’re talking in circles again. That’s too much for my head.”

 

 

 

“That wasn’t talking in circles.”

 

 

 

“It shows how tired I am if I can’t understand you.”

 

 

 

Sarah chuckled and leaned over to squeeze her friend’s hand.

 

 

 

“Don’t worry about Lieutenant Beaufort. I’m sure he’ll ask you for another dance.”

 

 

 

Caroline groaned. Sarah was going to be prodding her about Henry for the rest of the evening. At least they weren’t arguing about whether he was a good or a bad person. Caroline was beginning to believe that he wasn’t.

 

 

 

If that were the case, how did he explain cutting her head open and almost shooting her when they were children? Was that to say …?

 

 

 

Caroline didn’t know where her thoughts were going. It was getting too stuffy in the dining room. She stood up, testing her weight on her bad leg. Not too bad.

 

 

 

“I think I’m going to go outside for some air. I’ll walk on my own.”

 

 

 

“All right.” Sarah got to her feet. “But it’s a little chilly outside. Shall I fetch your shawl?”

 

 

 

“Please.”

 

 

 

Taking it slowly, Caroline crossed to the huge windows that opened out onto the terrace. The cool air hit her and caused her to gasp. Maybe she should wait inside for her shawl. The warmth of the day had gone, and with the evening fully set in, it was getting chilly.

 

 

 

She was about to go back inside when she heard a sound off to her left. Caroline peered into the shadows, but she couldn’t really see anything.

 

 

 

“Who’s there?”

 

 

 

There was another shuffling sound. Then Caroline saw a movement, just out of sight of the windows. Curiosity getting the better of her, Caroline moved closer.

 

 

 

“Hello? Who’s there?”

 

 

 

Knowing her luck, it was a cat that was sniffing around the garden. Any second, it was going to jump out and leave Caroline feeling like a fool. She was beginning to jump at shadows because of a stupid animal.

 

 

 

But the shape that began to take form as she moved closer was not a cat. It was far too big. It was a man sitting on the edge of the terrace. He leaned back, his head thrown back, and Caroline heard a guzzling sound. Someone was drinking on the terrace, away from the other guests.

 

 

 

“Are you all right, sir?”

 

 

 

“Does it look like I’m all right?”

 

 

 

Caroline stared.

 

 

 

“Lord Beaufort?”

 

 

 

“That’s me.” James hiccuped. “God, can’t a man have a drink in peace?”

 

 

 

From the way he was slurring his words, Caroline had a feeling this wasn’t the first bottle he had been drinking out of. On questioning Henry about where his family were, Henry had said his mother was talking to people across the room and both his father and brother had gone to play cards. From what she could tell, James’ play hadn’t gone very well.

 

 

 

“What happened?”

 

 

 

“I lost. A lot.”

 

 

 

“You lost at cards?”

 

 

 

James snorted.

 

 

 

“Well, a man needs some sort of entertainment. At least there’s the cards.” He somehow managed to get to his feet, even as he swayed to a point Caroline thought he would fall over again. “I don’t know what you’re complaining about. You’ve been dancing with my brother. You should be happy to have some attention.”

 

 

 

Caroline bristled.

 

 

 

“I think you need to stop drinking, My Lord.”

 

 

 

“You can’t tell me what to do.”

 

 

 

“And you can’t have an opinion on who I dance with. Your brother asked, and I accepted.”

 

 

 

James sneered at her, giving her a scathing look.

 

 

 

“I don’t know why you would want to dance with a man who gave you so many scars.”

 

 

 

“The same could be said about you.” Caroline lifted her chin. “The doctor said I could get a scar on my leg from what I was racing you. That one could be attributed to you if we’re going to split hairs.”

 

 

 

“Oh, that reminds me, how is the leg? You seem to be walking on it better.” James openly stared at her legs. Then he reached for her. “May I have a look?”

 

 

 

“What? No!” Caroline slapped his hands away and stepped back. “Don’t touch me!”

 

 

 

“I’ve seen them before.”

 

 

 

“Not with my consent. You were very uncouth at that point, and my state at the time didn’t permit you to behave like that.”

 

 

 

Even in the dark, she could see James’ eyes glittering. It wasn’t very nice, and she felt the prickling of apprehension. Maybe she should go back inside and wait for Sarah instead. She shouldn’t be out here on her own.

 

 

 

“How about a dance?” James reached for her. “We should do more of that.”

 

 

 

“I think I’m going to decline.” Caroline pulled away. “My leg is hurting, so I don’t want to do it anymore.”

 

 

 

James growled. Then he grabbed her wrist before Caroline could react and hauled her against him, his arm wrapping around her waist.

 

 

 

“I said, how about a dance?”

 

 

 

“And I declined, Lord Beaufort.” Caroline tried to pull away, but she couldn’t. “Let me go.”

 

 

 

“You would turn me down?”

 

 

 

“When you’re drunk and behaving like this, absolutely.”

 

 

 

She could smell the alcohol on his breath, and it was horrible. James was really drunk. He couldn’t be in his right mind. But something told her that James didn’t need drink to behave like this. He just needed privacy, no witnesses.

 

 

 

No help for the woman.

 

 

 

“You know,” James said as he bent his head, nuzzling her cheek, “I don’t need to marry you to ruin you.”

 

 

 

“What?”

 

 

 

“You’re looking for marriage and a family, just like anyone else. I don’t need to marry you to make sure nobody wants you.” James sniggered against her neck, which had Caroline shuddering. “I can just ruin your reputation, and then your prospects will dwindle away to nothing.”

 

 

 

Caroline felt really cold. He was right. He could hold her in an embrace now and not need to do anything, but if someone came along now, all they would see were two people who weren’t married in an embrace and believe that something was going on. Word would get around quickly, and then there would be expectations that Caroline would marry James.

 

 

 

Or he could drag her away to where nobody would be able to see them and do something that made her feel sick.

 

 

 

She had just been threatened, and Caroline could feel the panic building. She needed help.

 

 

 

“I think I’m going to go back inside.” She attempted to step back as stiffly as she could, without success. “I don’t feel comfortable around you.”

 

 

 

“Not a chance.” James’ arms tightened, and he started pressing kisses up her neck. “Give me a kiss, and I’ll let you go.”

 

 

 

“No!”

 

 

 

James sniggered, grabbing her head by the hair and yanking her head back. Caroline gasped as he kissed her, trying to push him away. He stank and tasted of drink, and it made her want to gag. After what felt like forever, James broke the kiss. Even in the darkness, she could see his glee.

 

 

 

“There. You see? All I need to do is go back inside and say that you were begging me to ravish you away from prying eyes. With your state as it is, you won’t be able to argue your point and say it was otherwise. No one will believe you.”

 

 

 

“They will.”

 

 

 

Even as she said it, Caroline knew he was right. She could protest and argue as much as she wanted, and nobody would listen to her. James smirked.

 

 

 

“You know the man’s word is gospel. Especially mine.” He crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”

 

 

 

“No!”

 

 

 

“Leave her alone!”