Page 29 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
“She always did have an expensive taste. And those gambling habits!” Her father clucked his tongue, shaking his head.
Caroline gave a disparaging laugh of disbelief. “Mygambling habits! I cannot be more than eleven right now!” she yelled. However, her family still did not hear her.
“Yes, thank heavens she is Lord James’ problem now,” her mother chimed in.
Caroline could not believe what she was hearing. She rushed over to Grace, pounding a fist on the pianoforte. “Grace! Listen to them. You cannot think this was my fault!”
Grace made no move to signal that she heard or even sensed Caroline’s presence.
“Yes, she was a selfish girl, was she not? I am glad she is gone to live at Thorneby, so we will not be bothered with her anymore.” Grace stuck her nose up in the air smugly. Caroline backed away, shocked and hurt. Grace had never spoken like that about anyone, least of all her beloved sister. “Your little bargaining chip has saved us, Papa.”
“Grace, what are you saying?” Caroline continued to back away.
Her parents began to laugh, and the edges of Caroline’s vision blurred, with tiny spots of light dancing in the foreground. She blinked. Their laughter was too bright, the scenery too crisp.
“I was very wise to take Lord Highclere’s offer before she sent us all to the poorhouse! Thank goodness, we will never have to be bothered with her again!”
Her parents and Grace began to laugh again, the room spinning around her like she was trapped upon a toy top. Bile rose in her throat. Her family did not want her. She had been discarded like a bargaining chip to continue in their rose-coloured life.
She began to scream, holding her hands over her ears as their laughter grew to a deafening volume. And then, blackness surrounded her, enveloping her in its clutches forever.
***
Caroline woke with a start, but thankfully she did not utter a sound other than a low gasp. Tiny flecks of sunlight snuck their way through the holes in the curtains but thankfully kept most of the early morning rays at bay.
She lay back down, trying to be as quiet as she could. She placed her hand on her forehead, removing the sweat-dampened tendrils from her face. She had not experienced such a vivid dream in a long time. Perhaps it was the fact she was sleeping in her childhood home.
It took a moment to shake the nightmare from her exhausted mind. The feeling of abandonment and rejection hung around her, sapping away some of the happiness she had felt the night before. She knew that her parents and Grace loved her. However, her father had traded her in return for Lord Highclere’s help. What is it that Grace had said? Caroline was the bargaining chip that had allowed them to keep living in luxury.
Caroline pushed the disturbing thoughts out of her mind. The dream had been just that–a dream. She did not want to let it cloud over what had begun as a wonderful trip. She wanted this feeling to last for as long as possible.
She sighed contentedly, remembering the magical night she had spent with James. He was the perfect gentleman. However, he also possessed a fun-loving spirit that made her smile. What would it be like to build a family with him? Heat radiated from her face at the thought of holding a child in her arms, perhaps one with the same shade of brown hair and perfect blue eyes as James possessed.
Was she starting to fall for her husband? She could not be sure, for she had never been in love. All she knew was that when they were together, she could hardly breathe. The minutes sped by much too quickly. And when they were not together, she could focus on little else but him.
She shifted, feeling a slight chill overtake her. She snuggled down into the sheets, taking a deep breath. Caroline loved this house. James could not know how happy it had made her when he had suggested they live at Pembroke until he inherited the title. To have a home of her own! To manage a house that was dear to her heart and preserve it for future generations would be more than she had ever dreamed possible.
Caroline turned over on her side, glancing at the sitting area where James slept. He would be a good father someday, and she hoped that, at least for a little while, they would be able to live in this house where she had so many good memories as a child.
She frowned, moving further down into the coverlet and bringing the edges up to her chin once more. Now that the nightmare had dissipated, she was struck by how cold the room was. Glancing at the hearth, she saw that the fire had gone out. She groaned inwardly. If there were a few coals buried under the ashes, she might be able to bring them back to life without having to disturb James.
James was snoring softly on the settee. She felt it would be wrong to wake him to build up the fire again. After shivering for several minutes, wondering what to do, she finally got up and padded over to the hearth. Her thin nightgown was little protection against the chill.
When she made it to the sitting area, she took a moment to glance at James. He had the blanket wrapped around his legs but did not seem to be bothered that it had slipped off his torso. One arm was propped over his head. The other rested on his chest, rising and falling with an easy rhythm.
His chiselled face was softly illuminated by the sunlight, and she saw a shadow of a beard starting to show. Warmth spread throughout her middle, and she blushed. However, it was not enough to ward off the chill, so she wrapped her arms around herself. Reminded of her mission, she headed straight for the hearth.
“I should have stayed in bed,” she mumbled, annoyed when she stubbed her toe on one of the Chippendale legs of the chair. She sucked in a breath. “It can’t be that hard. Fire is fire,” she encouraged herself.
She picked up the poker and dug around in the ashes, grunting as she did so. However, it was to no avail. The fireplace was stone cold.
Chapter 17
James heard a faint rustling over his shoulder. He opened one eye slowly, trying not to move. He heard Caroline step out of bed and walk over to the sitting area. She looked beautiful, even with her hair a mess. He tried not to smile and give himself away. He closed his eyes as she approached, simulating his breathing as if he were still asleep.
Caroline sucked in a breath as she stubbed her toe on one of the chairs. “I should have stayed in bed,” she grumbled. He felt terrible for her but watched her for a moment longer, bending in front of the hearth. Her feminine curves were somewhat visible through her white nightgown. His heart quickened. What was she doing?
She grabbed the poker and started rummaging around in the ashes. She let out another sigh. Evidently, the fire was out. James took the opportunity of her back being turned to stand up. He padded over to the bed and retrieved another blanket, heading over to the hearth to wrap the blanket around her shoulders.
