Page 4 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
"Thank you, Grace. Yes, it is pretty, is it not?" she asked.
She fingered the delicate pearlescent sheer fabric that had been sewn over the darker blue silk. The sheen was embroidered with detailed flowers and vines, all in silver thread. Tiny shimmering beads had been sewn in, making her look like a glittering star coming down from the heavens.
Caroline had to admit that the dress was more beautiful than anything she had ever owned. However, as she glanced at her parents, her heart again clenched in her chest. Her father beamed with pride while her mother stood back, tight-lipped and sulky. What was her father not telling her?
She had not pressed him about what he had meant when she had overheard her parents talking a few nights before. However, his remark that they reconsider the bid for her hand was unnerving. She had been worried over the implications for several days, wondering when her father would choose to let her in on his plans. Or perhaps her mother had been able to prevail on him to change his mind?
Caroline pushed the thoughts out of her mind as her father approached, reaching his arms in front of him to wrap her in a warm embrace. She smiled at this and went into his waiting arms. Despite his flaws, he was a warm and welcoming individual and a good father to her and Grace.
"Come along. We will be late," her mother's voice echoed through the hall, sounding flat. Caroline and her father parted, and they all turned around to head toward the door.
"Quite right, my dear. Quite right. It would not do to keep Lord Highclere waiting," he said with a cheery smile. He ushered her and her sister over to the door, where they donned their shawls. The butler opened the door, revealing a perfect spring evening.
The sun had already set, and the stars were peeking out against the expanse, like twinkling points of light blinking from behind holes in a great dark blanket covering the sky. She paused on the top step to look up at the glittering universe and let out a sigh. Would that she could forgo the dinner party and spend the evening looking up at the heavens.
"Come along, Caroline!" her mother scolded, bringing her out of her reverie. She headed down the stairs and waited as her sister climbed into the carriage and then her mother. Her father handed her up and climbed in, taking the seat alongside her mother.
He knocked his cane against the ceiling of the carriage, and they were soon bumping down the cobblestone streets toward Kensington. "Lord Highclere has been very gracious in inviting us to his home this evening," her father said. "I want you both to be on your best behaviour."
Caroline and Grace exchanged glances. There was hardly any time at all that they were not on their best behaviour. Indeed, if her father had anyone to worry about, it would be her. She was the more spirited of the two, while Grace was a model of obedience and serenity.
When they arrived at the party, Grace reached over and grabbed her hand, giving it a light squeeze as their parents exited the carriage. Caroline flashed her a smile, thanking her silently for the encouragement. Butterflies swirled in her stomach as she climbed down after Grace. The Deveroux mansion was famed in London and beyond as the most beautiful house in the city. And the fame was well-earned.
Caroline could not help but gawk as she exited the carriage, looking up at the immaculate white house with all the windows ablaze with light and music. The front door was open, giving her a look into the spacious foyer. Her father led her mother up the steps and into the house, and Caroline and Grace clung to each other as they followed.
The butler took their wraps, and they entered the foyer, unable to take their eyes off the glistening crystal chandelier, which must have sported at least 200 candles. The floors were beautiful white and grey marble, and the house was filled with the scent of fresh flowers. A round table graced the centre of the foyer, on which were stacked crystal glasses of champagne in the shape of a giant pyramid.
Caroline would have been terrified to touch the structure and have it come crashing down around her. However, it was unnecessary, for a footman plucked a glass from his perch at the top of a ladder and handed it down to another of his fellow footmen. The young man offered her and her sister a glass, which they both declined.
They passed through the foyer and entered the grand salon, in which several guests were already standing about visiting. Caroline took a moment to survey the room. She frowned after a few minutes, noticing that hardly any young people were in attendance. "How very odd–" she said but was cut off when her sister tugged at her arm.
"Who is that?" she asked, looking more like a crazed debutante than she had ever seen her.
Caroline laughed under her breath. "I am not sure. However, you could do worse in terms of handsomeness," she whispered.
Grace blushed, and the gentlemen caught her eye. It only took another minute or so for the young man to make his way over to them. He bowed and looked around for a moment, tapping an older gentleman on the shoulder. "Good evening, Lord Harrow. Might I prevail upon you to introduce me to these lovely ladies?" he asked.
Lord Harrow turned around with a cordial nod. "Of course," he stated. "Sir Knowles, may I introduce Lady Catherine Humphries and Lady Grace Humpries?" he asked. Sir Knowles bowed at the waist, and she and Grace curtsied as Lord Harrow finished. "Lady Caroline and Lady Grace, may I introduce Sir Knowles Peterson?"
With the introduction complete, Lord Harrow turned around and continued his conversation. Sir Knowles smiled at her sister, and Caroline tried to get a conversation started. She knew that Grace had a difficult time conversing with people she had just met and wanted to pave the way for her.
"It is a pleasure, Sir Knowles. Tell me, do you hail from London?'
"Oh, no, Lady Caroline. I hail from Dartmouth. My family has an estate in the area, but I am here for the Season."
Caroline looked to Grace, whose turn it was to say something. "Well, I hope that your journey was not too strenuous, Sir Knowles?" her sister asked. "I have never visited Dartmouth before."
"It was quite pleasant, actually. I thank you. I wonder, would you allow me to escort you into dinner, Lady Grace? Perhaps I can tell you more about the countryside I call home?"
Grace smiled and took his offered arm. She looked back at Caroline as if to ask for permission. Caroline nodded, flashing her an encouraging smile. Her sister had just come out into society. She was still a little nervous about how to navigate the social arena. She watched her walk away with Sir Knowles and join a group of older couples waiting for dinner to be announced.
Now alone, Caroline was at her leisure to watch the people who came streaming into the grand salon.There seems to be a shortage of young people this Season,she mused. An older couple walked into the room a few yards away, and behind them came a young man, dashing and even more handsome than Sir Knowles.
Her heart stopped as he looked around the room slowly. When his gaze came to rest on her, she gave a soft gasp. He smiled at her, and she could not help but return it. Nodding, he walked further into the room and joined a group on the opposite side of the grand salon.
Just then, her father appeared at her side, making her jump. "That, my dear, is James Deveroux, Viscount of Hereford and heir to the Highclere fortune and esteemed title. He is not a bad fellow to look at, is he?" he asked, a wickedly mischievous smile on his face.
Caroline turned slightly, frowning at her father. "You are impetuous, Papa. How could you say such a thing aloud?"
