Page 46 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
The doorknob jiggled as someone tried to get in. Caroline flashed an angry glare at the door as if she could convey her annoyance at being disturbed through the thick mahogany.
"Caroline? Are you well?" came Grace's muffled voice.
Caroline let out a relieved sigh. She went to the door and opened it for her sister, urging her to hurry. Grace looked concerned but did not question her until the door was closed and securely locked again. "What has happened, sister?" Grace asked.
Caroline bit her lower lip, keeping a hand on the doorknob as she tried to calculate whether it was wise to let her sister in on her marital problems or not. She hung her head. "Forgive me, Grace. I did not mean to come off so abruptly. I have a lot on my mind today and needed a bit of solace."
Grace looked at the locked door and back at Caroline, raising a brow. "Has someone been a nuisance?" she asked.
Caroline let out a mirthless laugh. "Our unexpected guest has been making quite a nuisance of herself ever since I was married, it would seem."
Grace followed Caroline over to the sitting area, and they both sank onto the settee. Grace took her hands, studying her face for a moment. "I am sorry that Lady Beatrice is here. She seems to want nothing more than to be tucked inside everybody's business at every moment."
"Indeed," Caroline agreed. She tightened her grasp on Grace's hands.
"I am glad that you are here, at least. I do not know what I would do if I did not have your calming company and resolve to get through these next months. At least, I do not want to say that I expect you to be away from Mama and Papa for so long. But I am glad that I will have you for a little while."
Caroline hung her head, tears stinging her eyes. She bit her lip, trying to keep them at bay.
"Dearest, what is the matter? Has Lady Beatrice said something to upset you?" Grace asked, rising from the settee. "I shall go and speak to her straight away and put her in her place–"
Caroline pulled her back down onto the settee and shook her head vigorously. "I appreciate the sentiment, but no. She has not said anything to me personally." Caroline hesitated. "What I am about to tell you, I must ask you to keep in the strictest confidence. Can I count on you, Grace?"
Her sister stilled, searching her eyes before she answered. "Yes, of course. You know that you may always lean on me for support, Caroline."
Sighing in relief, Caroline went on. "I saw Lady Beatrice coming out of the study just now. She was with the Viscount," Caroline explained. She held up her hands before Grace was able to let out her stream of angry objections. Grace closed her mouth but still looked as if she were about to go on the warpath.
"I cannot say what happened between them, but I am suspicious of the woman. I do not think I will ever trust her," Caroline said. "However, just because I saw her coming out of the study does not mean that James has done anything to reproach him. Perhaps he ordered her out of the room as soon as she entered?"
"Or perhaps that she-cat was trying to throw herself at your husband," Grace concluded.
"Really, Grace, I have never seen you like this. You are usually so docile," Caroline said. She did appreciate her sister's desire to protect her. However, she could not make accusations before Caroline had spoken with James.
A long pause ensued. All that could be heard was the birdsong outside her bedroom window, which had been cracked by her maid earlier that morning. The soft cooing of the doves calmed her a bit. She closed her eyes, praying for strength and wisdom.
When Caroline opened her eyes again, she let out a sigh of resignation. "One thing is for certain: we shall not sink to her level. I do believe Lady Beatrice is used to getting her way, but she is a guest inmy home.Not the other way round. You and I will be civil and polite."
"Yes, but what if she really is trying to take James from you?" Grace asked, worry lining her face. "Why did Lord Highclere agree to it in the first place? He must have known all that passed between the Viscount and Lady Beatrice. Is he blind or unfeeling?"
"I cannot say," Caroline said. She did not know the answer herself. "However, he has refused to send her away. We shall have to make the best of her visit, I suppose."
"And what are you going to do about James?" Grace asked, acting wary of what Caroline's response would be.
"I am going to continue to be a good wife to him. I will not lie and say that I am not hurt by what I saw," she began. "However, it is not fair to suppose anything ill of him when there is no proof that anything untoward occurred." Caroline stood, feeling nausea trying to take over once more. She wrung her hands. "What do you think I should do?"
Grace recoiled in surprise. "Me? What possible advice could I offer to help you, Caroline? You are the wiser of the two of us, and I am not yet married. I should not want to give you advice that will get you into even more trouble."
"You are a dear, Grace," Caroline said. She frowned and continued pacing. "Well, one thing is certain. I must keep a close eye on Lady Beatrice–"
Grace humped. "She is undeserving of the title,lady,"she snapped.
Caroline rolled her eyes. "Be that as it may, I will not accuse her outright. At least, not until I deem it necessary. You must help me, Grace."
She shifted uncomfortably. "How?"
"Keep Lady Beatrice from cornering James. Keep her entertained when the occasion calls for it. I shall stay close to James, and hopefully, Lady Beatrice will get the idea. He is my husband," Caroline said, feeling a possessiveness well up inside her. Was it wrong of her to feel this way? Or did all wives come to this place in their marriages eventually?
"Yes, I shall help in any way I can," Grace promised.
