Page 18 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
“Oh, yes, the gong,” he said. “I suppose we should head back to the house.”
“I would not want to delay dinner for your father,” she said. She started out of the greenhouse, and he cast one last look at the Blue Wonder. Not even the exquisite flower could compare to his wife.
He followed her, and when they came to the door, she stopped, bending to pick up her discarded shawl. She shook it gently to dislodge the bits of bark and dirt that clung to it. “Thank you for showing me your hothouse.” She glanced back at the greenhouse that had yet to be filled with wonders from around the world. “I cannot wait to see it brimming with life,” she smiled.
He nodded. “Thank you,” he replied.
“Well, I shall see you at dinner then?” she asked. “I suppose you do not take as long to change.”
“No, I do not. And yes, I shall see you then.” He watched her go, walking off toward the house with a serenity he longed to capture and keep for himself. He turned back into the hothouse, watering his plants before heading into the house. He stopped at each one, checking the soil and leaves to ensure they were thriving. He pinched off and threw away any leaves that were not doing well.
He smiled to himself when he came back to the Blue Wonder. He had wanted to kiss his wife so badly but supposed it would be better to hold off a little while longer, at least. He wanted her to feel comfortable and supposed that a humid hothouse was not the most romantic of locations.
He finished his task and walked out of the greenhouse, closing the door securely behind him. As he walked back to the house, he thought about his wife, the sun dipping low behind the horizon. This hurriedly arranged marriage had the potential to turn into a love match if today was any indication. And James certainly hoped that it did.
Chapter 10
The following day, Caroline was headed to the library to choose a new book when she heard voices from the parlour. She changed course, wondering who had come to call. Caroline peeked into the room, seeing Lord Highclere had two guests. There was an older man, perhaps in his early sixties, along with a younger woman she could only assume was his daughter. The young woman was beautiful, to be sure, and carried herself with a proud air.
Caroline was about to turn away and leave them in peace when her father-in-law spotted her and called for her to join them.
“My dear daughter, please come in!” Lord Highclere said, standing and waving her into the room. “We have been waiting for you and James to join us.”
“I do not want to intrude,” Caroline said, trying to back out of the visit gracefully. She did not do well with strangers, and her father-in-law made her a bit uncomfortable. Especially with him calling her ‘daughter.’ Caroline did not like the idea of having to entertain without James near. She was starting to rely on him, even though they had only been married briefly.
“Nonsense, Caroline. I would like you to meet some of our very good friends, Sir Gerald Lawrence.” Her father-in-law motioned to the older man.
Caroline stepped forward to greet him. He was not an undistinguished man. “How do you do, Sir Gerald? It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine, I assure you, Lady Caroline,” Sir Gerald replied with a smile. “Lord Highclere has spoken at length of your many qualities, but he failed to mention how very beautiful you are in person.”
Caroline felt the blush tingling up her throat and into her cheeks. She was not used to such high praise, left at a loss as to how Lord Highclere was treating her so warmly. Caroline had not felt particularly welcomed by him until now and wondered if he was simply making a show for their guests.
“Thank you, Sir Gerald. You are very kind.”
“Please, join us,” Lord Highclere said. “Oh, forgive me, Lady Beatrice,” he said, turning around and moving out of the way so that Caroline could see their other guest. “This is Sir Gerald’s wife, Lady Beatrice. She has been a regular in our home since before she was married–since she was a child, really.”
Lady Beatrice stood, flashing her a sweet smile. “It is an honour to meet James’ wife. I did not get a chance to congratulate you on the wedding day, but I am very happy for you both,” she said. She drew her over to the settee, and they sat down. Caroline relaxed a little at her reception but was still overcoming her misconceptions about Lady Beatrice being Sir Gerald’s daughter rather than his wife.
“Thank you,” Caroline said, not knowing how to respond to her compliment. “I take it you know the Viscount quite well, then?”
Lady Beatrice’s eyes filled with a look Caroline could not fully decipher. “Oh, yes. I have known the viscount formanyyears.” Her gaze shone with an almost suggestive spark.
Caroline’s heart clenched. There was something in Lady Beatrice’s tone she did not like, but she was unable to say another word, for James walked into the room. Caroline watched his reaction, seeing that it was very likely that there was a lurid history between him and Lady Beatrice.
“What is this?” James asked, frowning.
Caroline glanced at Lady Beatrice, seeing her face had brightened considerably when James entered the room. She shifted uncomfortably and was surprised to feel a bit of jealousy creeping into her heart.
“There you are, Viscount,” Lady Beatrice said. She stood and went to greet James. Caroline hung back, watching the exchange. There was more than a long friendship between them. James looked massively uncomfortable, giving Lady Beatrice a cursory greeting before he approached Caroline. He smiled at her, taking a careful look around the room.
“Are you well?” he asked, lowering his voice. He placed a hand on the small of her back, making her feel more secure.
Caroline nodded. “I am,” she assured him. Lady Beatrice interrupted their moment.
“The Viscount has always been so attentive,” Lady Beatrice said, smiling sweetly at Caroline’s husband. Caroline listened politely, but her simpering tone was already starting to annoy.
“Yes, I have noticed that about him,” Caroline replied. Lady Beatrice glanced over her shoulder momentarily when her husband called her name. She joined Lord Highclere and Sir Gerald, and that is when James turned to her, taking her a few paces from the others.
