Page 65 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
Seaton bit his lower lip, looking nervous. "Forgive me, my lord, but Lady Hereford has left the house. She was so insistent that we did not know what to do. But I put her ladyship and Lady Grace into a carriage shortly after the party got underway."
James was grateful that Seaton had kept his voice low. "And where did she go?" he asked.
"Back to her father's house, sir. The carriage was returned as soon as the ladies were dropped off. The coachman assured me that they reached their parent's home safely." Seaton glanced over his shoulder. "I am sorry if I did wrong, sir, but she would not listen to Mrs Denton."
"It is alright, Seaton. She had every right to leave. But now, I must follow her. Please have a horse readied for me," he instructed.
He turned without another word and bounded back up the steps. He rang for his valet when he came to his room and quickly changed out of his costume. It was a relief to take off the mask, the sides pressing into his face. He still bore the red marks when he departed his room a few minutes later.
James stepped out into the clear, starlit night, his breath catching the cool night air. It felt good compared to the heat that had radiated through the house during the party. There must have been over a hundred people in attendance. And while he was glad the party had gone well, he was glad it was now over.
He mounted the horse as it was brought around. The horse's hooves were soon eating up the cobblestones as he made his way to Caroline's old family home. There were still carriages and hackneys, taking London's well-to-do families to the various parties and soirees. The streets would settle down until after dawn when the guests would return home from the late-night carousing.
"Lord, help me."
James sent up a murmured prayer as he came to the front of Lord Chesterfield's home. Not a light could be seen in the windows, and this section of town was much quieter, as it was reserved for the "less fortunate" of the fortunateton. James dismounted, climbed the steps to the front door and knocked. Holding his breath, he waited several minutes before knocking again.
Finally, the old butler came to the door in his stocking feet, wearing a robe and nightcap. He held a lantern up to his face, illuminating his deep wrinkles. "Who goes there?"
"Viscount Hereford," James replied. "I am sorry to intrude at such a late hour."
The butler's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Viscount Hereford? Do come in, my lord." He opened the door wide and allowed him to walk into the foyer. "The family is all in bed, sir. Is there something you need?"
James shook his head. He looked up the stairs to the second-floor bedrooms, knowing that Caroline was likely in her old room. He turned his steady gaze back to the butler. "I have come for my wife."
Chapter 38
Caroline lay in bed in the old room she had once shared with Grace. And was now forced to share with her again, it would seem. She felt guilty that she was intruding on her sister once more. Only a few weeks after her wedding day, she was already back in her parent's home, a failure—a disgrace.
She turned over on her side, allowing the tears to stream down her cheeks and wet her pillow. The pillow was soaked by that point, having taken hours of the sodden barrage. Caroline had been unable to stop thinking of how she had made an unholy mess of things. Her heart ached for James, wondering if she had done the right thing in coming home.
Caroline squeezed her eyes shut, causing even more tears to fall down her cheeks. All she wanted to do was sleep, to forget what had happened that night.
Her father had sold her like a piece of property just to cover up his debts. When she and Grace had told her parents what had happened and what they had learned of Lord Highclere, her father had sunk into a chair. He had shaken his head, looking at the floor as if he had lost something very precious that he did not know how to get back.
To her knowledge, he was still there, for Caroline's mother had sent the girls off to bed shortly after they had finished their tale. How was it that he could still make her feel sorry for him? She should be livid.
No matter his reaction after they had gone, Caroline could sense his increased guilt at having forced her into marriage on his behalf. Now, they all knew it had not been necessary. Lord Highclere's actions had forced her to become a bride, and now she knew it had been under false pretences.
Sighing heavily, she turned again onto her back and stared at the ceiling. Could she really regret her marriage to James? Even after everything that had happened between them, she still loved him. Hence her pining.
She wiped furiously at her tears, resolving to stop them and try to get some sleep. Caroline closed her eyes and willed her thoughts to stop racing. However, she was only afforded a few seconds pause before she heard a dreadful pounding on the front door. A muffled voice called out in the night, although she could not determine what was said.
Caroline sat bolt upright in bed, listening. She heard the creaking of floorboards as the butler got up, went to the front door and answered it. Caroline craned her neck, trying to hear better. Her heart stilled when she heard a male voice floating to her from below. Was that … James?
“Caroline?” She heard his voice clearly now. She sprang out of bed, waking Grace.
Her sister sat up and rubbed her eyes. "What? Who is it?" she asked groggily.
"I think James has come," Caroline whispered.
Grace was out of bed in an instant. They both wrapped shawls around their shoulders and waited. Caroline pressed her ear to the door, trying to hear better what was happening below the stairs. She heard her name again, and the butler shushed him. Caroline hesitated. Should she go down?
Suddenly, she heard footsteps pounding up the stairs, and her heart began to race. She looked to Grace, who wore the same wide-eyed, curious gaze. The sound of his boots travelled down the hall, coming ever nearer to her bedroom. She opened the door before he could knock on the wrong door and awakened her parents. Of course, she was sure they were already awake with all the racket he had made.
Caroline came face to face with James, and her heart nearly stopped.
"Caroline," he breathed. He stepped closer, reaching for her. However, she stepped back, embarrassed for her sister to see them embrace.
