Page 16 of Three Promises Before Christmas
Caroline was rendered utterly speechless.
“They also witnessedyounot resisting my stolen kiss,” his voice dropped, “One could argue you stole a kiss right back. Also, let’s not forget who started stealing first. I’m merely following your example.”
Caroline inhaled a deep breath. Lonsdale looked as composed as a sunflower bathing in sunlight. She on the other hand, was sure she resembled the pitiful leaf tossing and turning amidst a thundering storm. No amount of calm could penetrate the whirling wind within her.
Her hands settled on her hips. “And why are you still in my room? If we are found in the same chamber after what happened, I will never hear the end of it!” As yet, however, her sisters hadn’t said anything. On the contrary, they had quite happily packed their belongings and followed the wolf into his den.
“I merely wished to see for myself that you settled in well.”
“As you have done that, you may go now.”
“Even though you are my—”
“Donotsay future wife. I am not anything I do not wish to be. Once this matter with your uncle and my father are settled, we will move back to our house.”
Lonsdale lifted a brow. “I was going to say even though you are myguest, I hope you will treat my home as your home. I wish for you to be comfortable.”
Caroline felt her face warm. “If I am unsettled thenyouare the one at fault. All I did was steal a trinket. A counterfeit one, at that.”
He looked at her thoughtfully. “If I may ask, who is your mother? You never mentioned of her.”
Caroline shrugged. “I never met her.” She had no qualms about this. “I was left on the doorstep of the baron’s residence with a note and the keepsake he gave her after the affair ended. I was later told that she was the daughter of a farmer and after she gave birth to me, ran off with an American. ”
“Then your sisters. . .”
“We all have different mothers.” She’d never been ashamed of her birth. Neither were Kate or Clair. “Kate’s mother was my father’s mistress for some years. She met another lover, a German playwright, I believe, and brought Kate to me on the eve she left England. Clair’s mother died in childbirth. The midwife brought her to us.” She shook her head. “My father has rotten luck with women.”
“Digby is an ass,” Lonsdale said. “But he still had you. In my opinion, he did three things right in his life.”
Caroline’s heart warmed at Lonsdale’s response. Conflicting emotions gathered in her heart. She wanted to run from this man yet at the same time fling herself into his arms. Quite frankly, her head was still a mess from his heart-wrenching kiss.Twokisses!
She strode to the window and peeked through the curtains in an attempt to compose herself. “Yes, well, for all my father’s faults, he gave us a home.”
She felt him come up behind her. Caroline’s heart fluttered.
“I have a sister, too,” he said softly. “She is at the family manor. I’ve sent word for her return to act as a chaperone for your sisters, since you don’t need one.” The last was said on a teasing note.
She picked at the drapes. “There is no need to upturn your sister’s plans. In fact, you should probably join her. It’s almost Christmas, after all.”
“My sister is a force of nature, and she would want to meet you .Besides, I’ve got more pressing matters to attend to here.”
Surely he didn’t mean . . .shewas the pressing matter?Lord, you are in so much trouble, Caroline.She turned to meet his gaze. “You cannot shirk your duties for me.”
“Part of my duty,” he countered, “is to secure a wife.”
She rolled her eyes. “You are impossible.”
“I prefer the term determined.”
He was certainly that. A wave of admiration welled inside her. Or perhaps it was infatuation. Caroline couldn’t tell anymore. Her mind and heart were both addled by this man.
Yet she could not ignore the truth. “I am no role model for your sister. As the illegitimate daughter of a baron, I’ll be the blight on your family crest if you marry me.”
Dark eyes narrowed on her. “And yet not a single lady of thetoncould hold a candle to you.”
“I . . . that . . .” Words failed her.
He leaned in close. “Say thank you, Caroline. It’s a compliment.”
