Page 58 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
Every detail had been seen in the most expert way, and James could see that his father was pleased. It was a party that his mother could have been proud of. The house was once again with light and music, just as it had been in James's childhood. And it was all thanks to Caroline.
He sighed heavily and tried to greet each guest with the warmth and joviality that was expected of him. However, keeping up the pretence without Caroline by his side was challenging. He so wanted to make things right between them, but he was unsure if anything would make up for his blunders. Of course, Caroline would think that he preferred his father over her after he had refused to go against him. And that would hurt any wife's feelings.
Thankfully, he had heard little from his father on the subject of Lady Beatrice's departure. James could see that he was angry at first, but it was for the best that Lady Beatrice left them to stay with other friends. The strain that it had placed on his and Caroline's marriage was more than either of them wanted to bear.
Suddenly a hush rested over the crowd as all eyes turned to look up at the top of the grand staircase. James turned as well and saw Caroline coming down the steps, flanked by her sister. However, no one, not even the queen herself, could have outshined his bride.
Dressed in an emerald gown, she descended the stairs with a plumed and jewelled mask, making her look like a peacock. The emeralds, purples, and bright blues accented her complexion perfectly. James felt his heart skip a beat the closer she came.
Caroline smiled at him, and he stepped up on the bottom stair to greet her, offering her a hand. He was surprised she took it. However, he was glad she even had a smile for him with how things had transpired over the last few days. People clapped as she came to stand beside him, and she nodded to their guests magnanimously.
Once the applause had died down and their guests started to make their way into the ballroom, James took his wife aside. "I was not sure if you would be in attendance tonight. But I am certainly glad you are," he said. He raised her hands out at her sides, looking her up and down as if she were a goddess.
"You look breathtaking," he complimented.
Caroline lifted the mask, and he could see that she was blushing from his praise. The last thing he wanted to do was embarrass her, but he was so relieved that she had come to the party and awestruck by her beauty.
All he wanted to do was take her away somewhere so they could talk for the rest of the evening. However, there were guests waiting for them in the drawing room. It would be rude to leave them waiting for too long.
"Thank you," she said breathlessly. "I was afraid the peacock theme was a little too forward. Are you sure it is alright?" she asked.
"I would not change a thing. You look beautiful. And you deserve to have every eye in the ballroom on you," James encouraged.
"Although I may not be able to allow anyone else to dance with you. I might get too jealous," he teased.
This drew a laugh out of her, and he was glad to hear it. She had done so little laughing the last few days that just the sound lifted a burden off his shoulders. "What made you decide to come?" James asked after a short pause.
She shrugged, looking down at the parquet.
"Grace told me what happened between you and Lady Beatrice in the library last night and how you told her to leave. I saw her in the hall this morning as she stormed out," Caroline explained. "I cannot tell you how much it means to me that you asked her to go. I know it must not have been easy to stand up to your father in that."
James felt a little guilty. He had not asked his father's permission to send Lady Beatrice from the house and had yet to hear much about it. "Well, we shall see how that goes. I did not ask for his blessing to send her away. I just did it, and the consequences be damned. He seems alright this evening, though."
"Well, let us hope it stays that way. I am sure when he sees the benefits of sending her elsewhere, he will come around." Caroline blushed again, but he could not be sure why. He could already see the benefits as his wife was speaking to him again.
James took her hand in both of his, pressing it to his chest. He stepped closer to her, staring deep into her eyes. "I do not want anything to ever come between us again, Caroline. I promise I will do everything I can to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again," he said.
"Thank you," Caroline replied. She blinked rapidly, her thick eyelashes framing her blue eyes. Everything about her was stunning. Her cheeks were rosy from warmth or nervousness. He could not be sure. Perhaps both. This was the first event they were hosting as a married couple, and it was up to her to ensure the evening was a success.
He let go of her hand and stepped back, admiring her as she put her mask back in place. "Well, I suppose we should rejoin the party?" she asked.
"Yes, of course," James replied. He offered her his arm, and they walked back out to the foyer together to greet the rest of their guests as they came through the front door. Caroline was dazzling. She was the perfect hostess, greeting each of their guests by name and asking after their children or mentioning any number of little details that James would never have taken the time to remember.
He could not keep his eyes off his wife, and it would seem that no one else could either. When the last of their guests were arriving, Lord and Lady Dalton came up to them and greeted them warmly. Lord Dalton leaned closer, speaking to James as the ladies conversed.
"Your wife has taken little time to take over the running of the house, it would seem. How does your father feel about that?" he asked quietly. The older gentleman danced his eyebrows, making them look like great white caterpillars bouncing up and down in his brow.
"I did not think he was a fan of big affairs, not since your mother passed."
"Well, my wife has breathed a whole new life back into the house. I am sure my father is proud to be able to entertain on this scale again," James replied. He glanced over at his wife, who had undoubtedly complimented Lady Dalton on her dress. The older woman was beaming, telling Caroline where she got her dresses made.
"Well, she is a credit to you both. Thank you so much for inviting us this evening," Lord Dalton said. He stepped over and placed a hand on the small of his wife's back. "Come, dearest. Our hosts need to get into the ballroom, I am sure. We shall talk with you later," Lord Dalton said with a wink.
James placed his hand under Caroline's elbow and started to lead her toward the ballroom. "Everyone is vastly impressed with the party so far, Caroline. You should be very proud."
Caroline let out a nervous sigh. "I am glad. I felt like I was in such a frenzy earlier this morning, trying to get everything ready. Grace was a big help to me," she admitted. "I hope your father is pleased."
James smiled, leaning over to kiss her cheek before they appeared in the ballroom doorway. "He is mad if he is not pleased with what you have done here tonight."
