Page 43 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
Caroline nodded. "Yes, I believe he has."
"Caroline!"
She turned as James called her name. Caroline turned to see him bounding down the patio steps. Lady Beatrice's face brightened, and she gave a little wave as he approached.
“Viscount! I was just having a lovely chat with your little wife. She was telling me of all the improvements you have been making in the garden,” Lady Beatrice said. Caroline had been doing no such thing.
“I see,” he said flatly. “Lady Beatrice, I believe your husband is going to take his leave soon. Perhaps you would like to go and say your goodbyes?” James suggested.
“Oh, of course,” Lady Beatrice said. She finally let go of Caroline’s arm, curtsied to them both, and started off. “I want to hear all about the garden when I return.”
James sighed as she walked away. He ran a hand through his hair, looking guilty. “I swear I did not know she was staying until my father told me an hour ago. Caroline, I—"
Caroline placed a hand on his chest. "I believe you," she said softly.
He captured her hand and held it close to his chest.
"I tried to get my father to reconsider, to suggest she go and stay with other friends in the countryside, but he would not hear of it. He said it was already settled."
James signed in exasperation.
"I swear that woman will be the death of me one day." He looked after Lady Beatrice, who had nearly made it to the house. When she reached the patio stairs, she looked over her shoulder and batted her eyelashes at James.
Caroline touched his cheek and made him look at her. "Do not think about Lady Beatrice. Think about me."
James took her hand, and they sought a bit of privacy behind one towering oak. He took her in his arms. "I have been able to think of no one else since our kiss in the library," he admitted. He bent and touched his lips to hers with a quick peck. He growled low, and Caroline could tell his ire at having Lady Beatrice in the house matched her own.
Tingles travelled through her. She sighed. "I cannot pretend that I am happy with Lady Beatrice staying here. I know how she manipulates men to assuage her insecurities. I saw it from the first time I met her." She shook her head and gently pressed herself away from him. "But that is not what I am worried about."
"Then what?" James asked.
"Did your father speak to you about my giving my father a few pounds from the allowance you gave to me?" Caroline asked, stepping a few paces away. When she turned back to face him, his eyes had turned dark.
"No, he did not," James replied. She could hear the rage building in his tone. "What did he say?"
She relayed her conversation with Lord Highclere, and James grew increasingly angry.
"I would never tell you how to spend your allowance, Caroline. If you want to give it to your family, then so be it. In fact, you could throw it into the ocean, and I would not question you!" His chest heaved with every breath.
She tried to calm him. "I only told you because I want to make sure I am not overstepping the bounds. I know we agreed not to feed into my father’s addiction, but I did not think that twenty pounds was exceeding the limit—"
"You did not exceed any limit," James assured her. "I will speak to my father and tell him that what you spend your allowance on is none of his business."
"So, I have your permission to seek your advice alone when making decisions about my allowance?" she asked.
Her question seemed to please him. "Of course." He took her hand. "I do not want you to feel as if you need to ask my permission to spend your own money. But thank you for including me. My father had no right to do that to you. I do not want anything to come between us."
She smiled again, feeling like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. "Well then, we must continue to stick together."
Chapter 25
James sat in the study the following day, trying to get figures together for his father on how much he estimated Pembroke Manor would cost to repair.
The numbers were astounding, but he supposed his father's wealth could go to no higher calling than renovating Pembroke for future generations. It would take several years to make all the repairs, but he knew it would be worth it–for no other purpose than pleasing his wife.
A knock sounded on the door, and his heart lifted, expecting Caroline to walk in. Despite the awkwardness of dinner the evening before, she had handled everything with decorum and grace. James could not say that he had borne Lady Beatrice being there in as gracious a light.
And having Caroline there had made things easier for him. It was difficult not to let his mind dwell on the past he had shared with Lady Beatrice. However, it was not as he had thought it would be. His love for Caroline far outweighed anything he had ever felt for Lady Beatrice.
