Page 47 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
"Thank you. Now, I suppose I should get changed for dinner. The gong will be rung at any moment, I suppose."
Grace rose. "Shall I go and change and come back? It will not take me long," she offered. Caroline shook her head and wrapped her arms around her in a sisterly embrace.
Kissing her on the cheek, she wrapped her arm around her sister's waist and led her toward the door. "No, thank you. You are very sweet, but I need some time to think. You go on ahead. And feel free to hide out in your room until dinner. I think you have had to endure Lady Beatrice's company on your own quite long enough for one day."
They shared a laugh, and Caroline unlocked the door, letting her sister out. She stuck her head out into the hall and watched her head to her room down the hall. Once Grace had disappeared from view, she closed the door again and locked it. She took the key out and let her mind wander once more.
If only her mother were there to help her. With that thought, she went to the desk and sat down. She pulled out a clean sheet of paper and brought out the inkwell and a new quill. If anyone knew what she should do, her mother would.
Dear mother,
I hope that you and Father have found your way home safely. I so enjoyed having you here and hope that father knows I harbour no ill will toward him after our difficult conversation before you left.
I do so love you both and want the best for him. Most of all, I long for the day he can leave gambling behind for good and make an honest way in life.
Mama, I am writing because I find myself embroiled in yet more difficulty. The day before last, we had a visit from Sir Gerald and that conniving wife of his, Lady Beatrice. I am sure you met her at the wedding.
Well, be that as it may, she had weaselled her way into procuring an invitation from my father-in-law to stay with us for the foreseeable future. She will stay while her husband sees to business in Europe. With the history between her and the Viscount, I cannot help but feel more than uncomfortable with the arrangement.
James has assured me he feels the same about her staying here and expressed his desire that she find somewhere else to stay during her husband's absence. But Lord Highclere declined most ardently. And now I am faced with Lady Beatrice and James being continually thrown together.
Mama, what do I do? I feel so ill-equipped to handle the menace that now threatens the happiness of my marriage. We have hardly begun to know each other, and already I feel under pressure to keep a firm grasp of him. Do I confront Lady Beatrice or let it lie?
Please write as soon as you can, dearest Mama. I pray that you and Papa continue to enjoy good health.
Your loving daughter,
Caroline
Caroline signed the letter and blotted it before affixing the seal. She stared at the front of the envelope, tracing the outline of the Highclere crest. She gritted her teeth with determination. This was her family and her marriage. She would not see it fall apart–not if she had anything to say about it.
Chapter 27
James sat at the dinner table, feeling more testy than usual. It had been three days since Caroline had come down for dinner, and he was beginning to worry. They had barely spoken during that time. She had always made an excuse to cut their conversations short and had seemed to be going out of her way to avoid his company. What he had not ascertained yet was why.
Lady Grace glanced at him and quickly looked away. He turned away slowly, wondering what he had done to upset both of the Humphries ladies. At the moment, Lady Beatrice and his father were laughing about some mildly witty anecdote she was telling about her husband. James did not care to listen.
Suddenly, his father sat up straighter and frowned. "I say, where is Lady Caroline this evening? This is the third night in a row she has been absent from the table if I am not mistaken."
James cleared his throat. "Yes, Father. She pleaded a headache and begged to be excused. I am sure she will be right as rain in the morning."
Lady Beatrice leaned over to whisper something to Lady Grace, and his father crooked a finger at him. James leaned closer, and his father frowned with concern. "Are you sure that all is well?"
"Yes, Father. Perfectly well," James promised. The last thing he wanted to do was make a scene in front of Lady Beatrice or his sister-in-law. His father nodded, thinking for a moment.
"She gave the excuse of a headache yesterday and the day before. I wonder if a physician should not be called?" His brows raised, with the onset of a pleasurable thought no doubt. "Is it not a little early for her to be showing signs of a child?" he asked.
James nearly coughed on his own spittle. "Papa, that is very bold–"
"I mean no offence, my boy. I shall be very glad–and relieved–if she is with child. What this family needs is an heir," his father said, refusing to quiet his comments on such a delicate matter.
James could not help the anger rising in his chest. "It is none of your business, Father. And another thing, I would appreciate it if you would refrain from advising my wife on how she should spend her allowance," he whispered harshly. His father leaned back in his chair, and James did the same.
"I only meant to keep her from allowing her father to persist in his bad habits. He is not good with stewarding the finances–the sum of which you already know–let alone being entrusted with more." His father took up his napkin and wiped his mouth. "Am I not the head of this family?"
At this point, Lady Beatrice and Lady Grace had quieted, and Beatrice was listening ravenously. He shifted uncomfortably. He had let his anger get the better of him, and now he would pay the price. "Father, we should continue this discussion later, I think. I do not want to bore the ladies."
Thankfully his father did as he suggested and changed the subject. James exhaled a sigh and glanced at Lady Grace. "Forgive me, sister. I hope you do not feel neglected?"
