Page 32 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
She had liked the side of James that she had gotten to know better over the last few days. He was charming and possessed a good sense of humour. He was everything that she had imagined she would want in a husband. It was beyond her imagination that she would actually get everything that she wanted.
They shared a laugh and were about to head up the stairs to take a moment’s reprise from the long journey. However, when she heard the familiar boisterous laughter, she halted mid-step. She cocked her head to the side, and James followed her lead. “What is it?” he asked.
Caroline’s heart fluttered.
“I do believe I hear my father’s laughter,” she replied. She hurried back down the stairs and headed toward the parlour. Indeed, she had been right, for she found her father standing near the windows overlooking the terrace with Lord Highclere. Her mother and sister were seated on the sofa, her mother’s usual worried glance marring her otherwise beautiful features. Caroline’s mouth hung open in shock.
“Papa? Mama?” she asked, unable to compute that they were actually there.
Her father turned as soon as he heard her voice. He gave Lord Highclere a good-natured slap on the back, but her father-in-law did not seem to enjoy the gesture. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Caroline hurried over to her father to cull the damage as much as possible. She took his arm and led him to the sitting area to join her mother and sister. “Papa! What are you all doing here? How pleasant to see you all here so soon after the wedding.” She shot her mother a questioning glance.
“Your father insisted that you needed a visit. But we were very pleased to hear that you and the Viscount had been to Pembroke to look over the place.” Her mother gave her a stern look in return.
Caroline glanced at James, who was whispering with his father. Lord Highclere looked to be at the end of his rope.
“When did you arrive? Why did you not write first? I wish I could have been here to greet you when you first arrived,” Caroline said. A slight bout of nausea overtook her. She sat beside her sister, but her father refused to join them, standing near the hearth with his hands in his jacket pockets. She noticed that his clothes looked new and finely pressed.
“We arrived yesterday, my dear. Did not think we were required to wait for an invitation,” her father said.
Caroline exchanged a glance with her mother.
“Of course not. I was only asking,” Caroline said, feeling guilty. She did not want to give her family the idea that she was displeased to see them. However, it was a shock that they had come back to Thorneby after being there only two weeks prior at the wedding. “What brings you out to these parts?”
Her father cleared his throat. “Well, why should I need an excuse to come and see my favourite daughter?” he asked. He seemed to realise his mistake as soon as the words were out of his mouth. “Well, second-favourite,” he added. This was no better, however, and he waved off their objections. “You know what I mean.”
Caroline raised a brow. Her father had a befuddled air about him, the same mood he acquired after he had imbibed. She wondered if he had come there simply to take advantage of Lord Highclere’s hospitality.
She cast a worried glance at Lord Highclere once more and could see his unmasked annoyance. She wished she had been there to stave off any improprieties of conversations her father had engaged in with her father-in-law.
“Shall we go for a walk in the gardens? I have been in a carriage for the last several hours and could use some fresh air to stretch my legs,” Caroline suggested. Perhaps it would be best to get her family out of the house long enough for James to speak privately with his father.
Caroline stood, leading the way through the parlour and went out the double doors that opened up on the spacious terrace. Once they were all outside, she closed the door and led them down the steps through the rambling garden. She fell into step beside her father, allowing her mother and Grace to follow behind at a few yard distance.
“How are things in London, Papa?” she asked.
He smiled broadly, hooking his fingers into the little pockets of his new waistcoat. The fabric was very fine, a mixture of navy blue and gold. She raised a brow suspiciously. “Oh, my dear, things are always well with us. We have learned to be content in all things!” he said evasively.
Caroline was immediately put on the alert.
“How are things here at Thorneby? You seem to be settling in nicely.” Her father offered her his arm, and she took it. “I am glad you have gone to see Pembroke. How did you find the old girl?” he asked.
“She is looking her age, unfortunately,” Caroline said dryly. “However, James has plans for extensive renovations. Pembroke will be able to hold her head high again once he is finished with her.”
“I am glad of it,” her father said.
“Papa, you did not answer my question. How are you faring in town?” she asked.
Her father halted on the path, and Caroline was glad to see that her mother and Grace had taken one of the paths that peeled off and went in the opposite direction. Her father was not giving her a straight answer, and she had to know why.
He gave a short laugh. “Always worried about her family. It is very good of you, my dear.” He patted her hand and tried to continue walking.
However, Caroline tightened her grip on his hand, making him stay. “Papa, please,” she said. “Tell me what has happened.”
Her father expelled a frustrated sigh. “Why should there be anything wrong for me to want to see you, Caroline? Is it not enough that I have missed you?”
Caroline softened, taking his hand. “Is that really all?” she asked. She would have liked it to be true, but she did not allow herself to hope.
