Page 51 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
Caroline looked at her, jealousy welling up inside her. "And how old was he?"
"He was seventeen. Of course, my father had other ideas. He felt that James was too young and Sir Gerald had more wealth to his name. I have never forgotten James, though. He was my first love." She smiled sweetly at Caroline, rubbing it in her face. "I suppose one never forgets the first person who awakens one's heart."
"Your version of the story is a little different from the one James told me. I did not know your father forced you to marry Sir Gerald." Caroline was not sure she could trust Lady Beatrice at her word.
"What young woman is in control of their own destiny?" Lady Beatrice asked.
"From what I hear, your father practically forced you into marriage as well. How are we to refuse a good match, Lady Caroline. I ask you, would you have done differently when faced with a love match and the expectations of your family?" Lady Beatrice's face grew serious.
"Perhaps before you judge me, you might try to take a walk in my shoes?"
Caroline's mouth tightened into a thin line. She bit her tongue. Looking away, she thought about Lady Beatrice's words. She had a difficult time believing she was the victim in the scenario. She had been led to believe by James that it had been her idea to accept Sir Gerald instead of James.
No matter the truth, it was Lady Beatrice's loss and Caroline's gain. There was no reason for her to pity Lady Beatrice. After all, she was the one shamelessly pursuing a married man. However, she had to wonder what had brought her so low? Was her present miserable situation, trapped in a loveless marriage, enough to drive her to such folly?
Caroline smiled to herself, thinking of the time she and James had spent together at Pembroke. Immediately after, she was filled with sadness. She had not been fair to James, avoiding him over the last few days.
Caroline missed him terribly, and it was time to mend things between them. No matter what kind of wild stories or faux pas Lady Beatrice engaged in, Caroline and James could not allow her to come between them.
A glint caught Caroline's eye, and she saw a necklace hanging around Lady Beatrice's neck. A diamond ring dangled at the end of the chain, and she assumed it was her wedding band. "Is that your wedding ring?" Caroline asked. Perhaps it had grown too small over the years.
Lady Beatrice looked down and picked up the ring at the end of the chain. "Oh, this? No, it is not my wedding band," she said. Caroline did not like the smile that lit her face. "Sir Gerald has never given me anything quite as beautiful as this."
Caroline's stomach clenched with apprehension. Grace snorted again and raised her head, looking at Caroline and Lady Beatrice for a moment before laying back down and falling asleep.
"Your sister is quite the heavy sleeper," Lady Beatrice observed. "I wish I could sleep on long trips. But the carriage is so uncomfortable. I do not know how she does it."
Caroline nodded. The subject travelled to many different points, but Lady Beatrice never did answer her question about the ring. However, deep down, she knew. After all these years, what if Lady Beatrice had kept the ring that James had given her?
Chapter 29
James’s anxiety had grown worse the further from Thorneby they travelled. By evening, they had arrived in London but were not able to reach the house until it was dark. The bustling streets were a terror to get through, and he was glad when they finally pulled into the curved drive in front of the house.
As soon as the carriages stopped, he bounded out of the coach and went to help Caroline down. She frowned when he appeared at the carriage window. “May I help you down?” he asked. She clenched her jaw. James could see from the glint of anger in her eyes that the trip had not gone well for her.
She hesitated but allowed him to take her hand. He kept a firm grasp on her hand, pulling her away from the door. “May I have a private word, Caroline?” he asked.
Caroline looked up at him, looking exhausted and ragged. She glanced at the front door and sighed. “I do not know–”
“Please. I shall only take a moment of your time,” James said. He felt he was making an appointment to see His Majesty and not his wife. It might as well have been the King, for it would have probably been easier to secure an audience with the monarch in charge of the entire British Empire. “Please, Caroline,” he whispered.
She finally gave in, her features softening. “Very well.”
James interlaced his fingers with hers and nodded toward the side of the house. He felt her tense, but at least she did not pull away from him. “The garden is just through here. We will not be disturbed there.”
James led her around the side of the house and through a side gate. Once in the garden, he gave her a moment to catch her breath. “How was the journey?” he asked.
Caroline turned around. Even with the anger radiating off her, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He hung his head. “I am sorry. I should have insisted that you and I ride together. Even if Lady Beatrice had been with us, it would have been preferable to you and Grace enduring her company.”
She gave a huff and shook her head. “I was all alone with that woman for the entire journey, James. My sister fell asleep almost as soon as we left the house.” She bit her lower lip, looking as if she would cry. He stepped toward her, but she turned and strode away.
He hung his head. “What happened?” he asked. At that moment, he longed for the solitude of Pembroke and wished they had never returned to Thorneby from there. Even now, they might be discussing plans for the garden or getting the workers prepared to start repairs on the roof. No matter what, they would be alone together, without trials of life to distract or upset them.
She seemed to battle with her own thoughts for a moment, refusing to meet his gaze. Finally, she spoke up. “Do you still have feelings for her?” she asked.
Her question felt as if she had slapped him across the face. “Feelings for Lady Beatrice? No. I have already told you that,” he said.
“James, please. If you have feelings for her, be honest with me.”
