Awakened By The Lord’s Kiss by Meghan Sloan
Chapter 7
“Come on, Caroline!” Caroline could hear her mother downstairs as she left her bedchamber. “Lady Lakeford is waiting!”
“I’m coming; I’m coming.” Caroline muttered.
She was feeling a little sluggish right now. It was warmer than expected today, and Caroline had struggled to sleep. It was not pleasant, and she wished that she was feeling different. Especially when she and Sarah were going to be at a tea party and be outside for most of it. How was she supposed to look cool and happy when she felt hot and grumpy?
Deep breaths. You’ll get through it as long as you stay in the shade.
There were times when Caroline hated warm weather. Especially when it came to her hair. That just decided to curl into a style that was uncontrollable, even after she had properly styled it. She just could not look decent when she was hot.
Hopefully, nobody was going to care today. If she was lucky, everyone else would be complaining about how hot it was, even though it was only April.
Caroline headed downstairs to find Lady Bingham talking to Sarah. Seeing her friend looking a little flushed and shiny-cheeked made her feel a little better. At least she wasn’t the only one.
Lady Bingham turned as her daughter came down the stairs.
“There you are! I was beginning to think you’d stepped into that wardrobe of yours and got lost.”
“I couldn’t find one of my shoes.” Caroline crossed the foyer. “My maid put it in a different place, for some reason.”
Her mother rolled her eyes and shook her head.
“Honestly, you need to properly sort out your clothes.” She adjusted the sleeves on her daughter’s dress. “Are you sure you’re going to be all right today?”
“Mother, it’s just a tea party. And I’ll be with Sarah the whole time. What could go wrong with that?”
“I know, but …” Lady Bingham bit her lip. “I still worry.”
“Oh, Mother.” Caroline kissed her cheek. “I’ll tell you all about it when I come back. I’ll see you later, Mother.”
Stepping around the older woman, Caroline joined Sarah, and they left the house, stepping into Sarah’s carriage. As the carriage pulled away, Caroline looked out to see her mother standing on the steps, watching them disappear down the drive. For a moment, she felt a stab of sympathy for Lady Bingham.
She had only been able to have one child, and it seemed to have sparked a bit of resentment towards her daughter for not having more children. But things had softened between them as Caroline grew up to the point that her mother was starting to get teary-eyed whenever her child left the house. She was seeing her daughter grow up before her eyes, and now she was starting to feel a little guilty for not being around as much as she should.
Caroline loved her mother. She just wished she didn’t have to be so worried about her all the time.
The carriage rocked as it went onto the main road.
“Where are we going, Sarah?” Caroline asked.
“I told you, we were invited to tea at a family friend’s house.” Sarah backtracked a little. “Well, I was, and I asked if I could bring you along. They said yes.”
“Who are these friends? You haven’t said.”
Sarah hesitated. Then she seemed to be very interested in her hands twisting around in her lap.
“You’ll see.”
Now Caroline was suspicious. Sarah was normally so forthcoming, and she had no problem telling Caroline anything. The fact she was not saying outright was concerning. She frowned.
“I don’t understand the secrecy. What’s going on?”
The carriage turned before Sarah said anything, causing Caroline to lean a little too much into the wall and bumping her shoulder. Sarah brightened up.
“We’re here.”
“Already?” Caroline was confused. “But nobody lives this close except …”
Except the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. Their residence was next door, and they had a long, winding driveway that practically curled around the Bingham estate. Caroline’s heart sank.
“Oh, no. Please, don’t let it be.”
“The Duchess of Cornwall invited me to tea with a few other people.”
“Are you insane, Sarah? You know I don’t want to be around this family!”
“Caroline, the duke and duchess are really nice people, and they extended an invitation to us. It’s a real honour to be invited to anything by a duchess.”
Now Caroline knew why Sarah hadn’t said anything. She knew that Caroline would refuse outright to come along. And for good reason. Why would she be around people she despised?
Sarah sighed.
“Look, I know you’ve had a bad interaction with the brothers …”
“Just one brother,” Caroline reminded her.
“But it was twice, and it was years ago. Four years since you laid eyes on Henry. He’s a grown man. A decorated one, at that.”
“That doesn’t mean he’s a better person, Sarah.”
Sarah closed her eyes for a brief moment.
“Can’t you just see him with a different perspective?”
“Years pass, but the memories stay,” Caroline snapped. She sat back and scowled. “I’m not going in.”
“Don’t embarrass me, Caroline.”
“If you didn’t want to be embarrassed, you shouldn’t have brought me here under false pretences.”
Sarah opened her eyes and pressed her lips together. Did she think this was going to work? She had to be mad to think Caroline would go along with this, especially with this deception. Caroline still hadn’t forgotten the way Sarah stood up for Henry the night of the ball. She was still angry that she didn’t have her friend on her side.
And now she was showing that she was putting a man over their friendship. Caroline hated it.
“Look, Caroline, I promised the duchess that I would come, and I didn’t have anyone to go with me.”
“That’s not my problem, is it?”
Sarah sat forward.
“Stop behaving like a child! We’re all uncomfortable at some point in our life. Don’t believe life is a bed of roses.” She held up two fingers. “Two hours, and then we can go. I’ll do whatever you want after that.”
“One hour.”
“An hour and a half.”
Caroline didn’t want to be there that long, but the part of her that still valued their friendship was winning out. If the roles were reversed, Sarah would do it for her no matter her discomfort. It seemed a little hypocritical that she wouldn’t do the same. She huffed.
“Fine. But if things go wrong, I’m blaming you.”
Sarah’s eyes narrowed. Then she grabbed the door as the carriage stopped and jumped out, almost colliding with the footman who had come to open the door. She ignored him, stepping around and waiting for Caroline, looking anywhere but at her friend with a scowl. Caroline sighed. This was going to be a tough ninety minutes.
She climbed out and followed Sarah towards the front door, where they were met by the butler. He bowed low to them.
“Ladies. The Duchess of Cornwall said to take you through to the back terrace. If you will follow me.”
He headed off down the hall, Sarah following him. Caroline was about to fall in behind when she heard someone behind her.
“Lady Caroline.”
She turned and saw James leaning on the doorframe to another room, watching her with a lazy smile. He was very smartly dressed, his beard neatly trimmed. Caroline found herself smiling as she curtsied.
“Lord Beaufort. Good morning.”
“Why the frown just now?” James pushed himself upright and approached her. “You shouldn’t be frowning on such a beautiful day.”
“It’s not turning upside-down before you go any further.”
James chuckled.
“I’m sure I can change that.” He held out his arm. “Come with me. I’ll give you a tour of the house.”
That sounded like a nice idea. Caroline wasn’t prepared to go and meet the duchess’ friends. Even if she was a nice lady, Caroline knew everyone was aware of what happened between her and Henry. Things like that weren’t going to disappear so quickly, and everyone would be staring at her scar. Caroline had never felt so self-conscious.
“Lady Caroline?” James peered at her. “Are you all right? You’re staring at me, but you’re not really seeing me.”
“What? Oh.” Caroline shook herself. “I was ... well ... where’s your brother?”
“You want his company instead? Now I’m offended.”
“I just don’t want to bump into him, that’s all.”
James’ eyes glinted.
“Don’t worry; he’s outside with Mother. I think he’s charming the other ladies.”
Caroline couldn’t understand how anyone could like Henry. He wasn’t exactly likeable. Then again, he was a navy man, which women thought was attractive. And he was a good-looking man.
Did you just say he was good-looking? You’re supposed to hate him, not compliment him.
Caroline shoved her thoughts away and took James’ arm.
“Why don’t you show me around? I need some distraction.”
James looked very pleased as he headed through the house, showing Caroline each of the rooms. The duke’s house was far bigger than her own, and Caroline felt tiny as she passed through the rooms. It was a wonder she could see any detail on the ceiling; they felt very high. It was certainly a grand house. Caroline had no idea how anyone could live in such a big home. Her house was big, but it was nothing like this, and it was comfortable. They had whatever they needed.
It felt like the duke and duchess had more rooms than they knew what to do with.
The final room James led her into seemed to be some sort of music room, although pretty much the only instrument was the beautiful grand piano near the open windows. Caroline ran her fingers along the smooth wood.
“This is just gorgeous.”
“I wouldn’t know about that. I don’t really play.” James leaned on the piano top. “My mother tried to get me into lessons, but I couldn’t. Henry’s the pianist in the family.”
“Henry plays the piano?”
That didn’t make sense. He did not look the type to play the piano well, if at all. James chuckled at Caroline’s expression.
“I know, it’s shocking, isn’t it? He’s got a surprisingly light touch. Maybe we should get him to play for us. That will have the ladies falling over themselves.”
“I think I’ll miss that.”
James peered at her curiously.
“You really don’t want anything to do with him, do you?”
“Is it that obvious?” Caroline gestured at her scar. “He scarred me for life. Do you think I should have anything to do with him?”
Something flickered in James’ eyes. But then he straightened up, and the flicker was gone.
“Well, I hope I can make you believe that I’m not like him.”
“I hope that’s the case, My Lord.”
“Trust me; you won’t be disappointed.” James grinned and came around the piano, offering his arm again. “Let’s get something to eat. The cook has made some delicious cake for tea. You should try it.”
That sounded like a good idea. Caroline let James lead her outside and towards the tea-table. It seemed to be laden with several types of cake, sausage rolls, and sandwiches. Caroline’s stomach growled at the sight, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten much at breakfast. James handed her a plate.
“Take your fill. I’m sure Mother won’t mind if you eat instead of talk.”
“Thank you.”
Caroline had her eyes on a chocolate cake in the middle of the table. That did look perfect. She reached for the knife, only to stop when she heard the sound of the piano. Someone was playing, the music floating through the doors and into the garden. Caroline had to listen. It was simply beautiful. The music itself was bittersweet, but the way it was played …
Whoever was playing had a beautiful touch.
Caroline turned. One of the ladies had probably gone inside and decided to play around on the piano. But she froze when she saw the familiar back of Henry Beaufort sitting on the stool, his hands delicate on the keys. Sarah was leaning on the piano, listening to him with a rapt expression.
Now Caroline’s appetite had gone. Henry really could play the piano, but the knowledge that it was him made her go cold. She put the plate down.
“If you’ll excuse me, Lord Beaufort? I need to get some air.”
“But we’re already outside.”
“On my own.” Caroline dropped a quick curtsy. “I ... I just need to be alone.”
Then she hurried away, still hearing the sound of the piano in her head. He was a beautiful player. Such a light touch.
And that made Caroline hate him even more.