Page 53 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
James raked a hand through his hair. “You are not being fair–”
“I do not care if I am being fair or not! I feel like a prisoner in my own home!” Caroline pressed her hands over her chest, looking desperate. “James, she has to go. I beg of you.”
He smoothed down his jacket, his mind reeling. How was he going to calm her fears? He could not just demand that his father throw Lady Beatrice out. His father would sooner throw him and Caroline out of the house. And they had nowhere to go except a rundown frame of a house on the seaside. They would need his father’s money to fund the repairs Pembroke needed.
Caroline straightened, looking away. “Perhaps it would be best if we spent some time apart, then.”
James shook his head. “We have spent the last week apart while you have been sulking in your room. And for no fault of mine, I might add.” James watched the colour rise from her chest, through her neck and into her cheeks in a matter of seconds.
She glared at him. “Can you blame me?” Caroline shot back. “That woman fawns over you and makes my life as difficult as possible. I cannot andwill notstand by and watch any longer.”
James took a step back, nodding. “Very well. I think you are right. It might be best for us to spend some time apart.”
“Very well. I shall write to my parents in the morning and make the arrangements.” Caroline raised her chin, looking up to the sky as tears welled in her eyes. “Well, then. Good.” She started to stomp back up the path the way they had come.
“Fine,” James spat, watching her stride away. She hurried up the patio steps and into the house, but James was anything but ready to go inside and face the others. He uttered a low growl, angry at himself for letting things get so heated.
He headed away from the house, his shoes crunching on the gravel pathway. How had things descended into such an abysmal state in a matter of a few days? He missed his wife and wanted to smooth things out with her. James had only made them worse.
He found a small marble bench and sank down, exhausted and emotionally spent. How was he to fix this?
James buried his face in his hands. Why had no one told him that marriage would be so complicated? Was it not enough that he was trying to settle into a whole new way of life with a woman who was still a complete stranger to him?
He lifted his head and let out a long, tired sigh. What if he had been wrong to take his father’s advice and marry Lady Caroline? It felt as if his life had been entirely turned upside down since meeting her.
What if she is in the right?A silent thought assailed him. His pride bristled at the idea, but he gave pause. Was he more worried about pleasing his father by not creating waves? Or was the state of his marriage more critical?
A raindrop hit him on the cheek, and he looked up at the sky. Immediately after, thunder rolled in the heavens.
“Perfect,” he said sarcastically. Standing, he uttered a long sigh of frustration. As he walked up the patio steps, he spotted his father, Lady Beatrice and Lady Grace sitting down to dinner in the dining room. James was too upset to join them. Instead, he entered the house and made his way through the dark corridor to the library. If he were to sort this out, he needed time to think.
Chapter 30
Caroline hurried to her room, ignoring everything going on around her. Servants bustled past her, carrying trunks and valises to the appropriate rooms. She spotted Lady Beatrice entering her room, but not before giving her a smug smile. Had Lady Beatrice overheard her conversation with James? Guilt pricked at her conscience. She was sure the whole neighbourhood had heard her raise her voice at her husband.
She quickly turned from the hall and entered her room, closing the door as quietly as possible. How could she have made such a fool of herself? Her mother had raised her to be a woman of decorum and with a quiet, unassuming character, full of grace. That evening, she had thrown it all away in her fight with James. Would he ever forgive her?
Caroline began to pace in the darkness, not caring that a fire had not been lit to chase away the draughty air. A second later, the door creaked open, and Grace appeared carrying a candle. Her sister rushed to her side, placed the candle on one of the tables around the room, and hugged her tightly. Caroline returned the gesture, although she felt like a fraud.
“I am sorry, Caroline, so very sorry that I fell asleep and left you alone to tangle with that woman,” she apologised. She loosened her embrace and stood back to look Caroline in the eyes. “Can you ever forgive me?” she asked.
Caroline took her hand and led her to a small sitting area near the windows. Cool air poured off the glass panes, but Caroline only pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “There is nothing to forgive, Grace.” Caroline sighed. “Lady Beatrice is a trial to me, I will admit, but that is no fault of yours. You have been a comfort to me this last week.”
“And I hope I may continue to be,” she replied. “I shall only be across town and can come to visit often.”
Caroline let go of her sister’s hand, stepping over to the window. She parted the curtains and looked out over the city, glowing with soft light from the candles shining from windows. People would be heading to various parties and galas soon. Not so with her. She would be happy if she were never forced to attend another social function for the rest of her life.
“I think I shall return home with you, Grace. At least for a little while,” Caroline replied after a long pause. When she turned around, the candlelight flickered off her face, her eyes shining with confusion.
“What do you mean?” Grace asked. Her eyes filled with horror. “You cannot mean to leave the viscount?” she whispered harshly. Grace flew to her feet. “No, Caroline, you cannot!”
“I am not leaving him. Only—“ she halted. How could she explain? “I am only putting some distance between myself andthat woman.”
“Listen, Caroline, I know that Lady Beatrice upset you in the carriage, and I blame myself for not being there for you. But leaving your husband is not the answer,” Grace said, her words almost tripping over each other.
Caroline walked away, but Grace was right on her heels.
“I am not angry about the carriage ride or even what Lady Beatrice said. I am angry that James, no matter how miserable I seem to become, will not stand up to his father! He is a grown man with responsibilities, and he can see the toll that Lady Beatrice’s presence is taking on me. And yet, he will not put his foot down.”
