Page 7 of For a Lady's Fiery Heart
A moment later, the door opened, and her mother walked in. She closed the door softly behind her, but Caroline did not turn around, fearful to take her hands away from her face. Tears spilt down her cheeks, wetting her palms. Her mother rested a hand on her shoulder, gently stroking her hair with the other.
"I know this is difficult to comprehend, my dear. I do not agree with your father and how he went about telling you."
She sighed heavily, looking down at Caroline. She rubbed a thumb across her cheek, wiping the tears away.
"I would not ask this of you if it were not out of dire necessity. You are our only hope to save this family."
Chapter 3
James entered the dining room the following morning, glad to see his father was already down. He greeted him with a smile and sat beside him adjacent to the head of the table. "Good morning, Father. How are you this fine day?" he asked.
His father set down his cup of tea, and flashed him a wry smile. "I am very well, thank you. And it seems that you are in a fine mood. Would I be correct in assuming that it has to do with Lady Caroline?" his father asked.
James shrugged but could not help the smile that crept to his cheeks. "It might," he admitted.
His father leaned closer, lifting a brow at him. "Does this mean that you will agree to the marriage?" he asked, hope filling his tone.
James paused, thinking for a long moment. He knew that his marriage was inevitable. Why should he not be just as happy with Lady Caroline as with any other woman? And it did help that he had sensed a connection between them at the dinner party, not to mention her infallible beauty.
He finally allowed a smile to spread across his face and shook his head. "Very well. I will agree to the marriage. However, I am not sure how she is going to take having her family's estate thrown into the deal."
"Leave that to her father."
His father waved the butler over and motioned for him to pour James a cup of tea. The butler hurried to do his father's will, and he was soon sipping on a cup of hot tea, enjoying the cool spring breeze floating in through the open windows. The scent of new buds and flowers wafted in from the garden.
He longed to be home in the country again, even though they had arrived in London only a short while ago for the Season. With any luck, he would be able to return to the country as soon as possible. How strange it would be that he would be a married man the next time they travelled home.
"You are making the right choice, my boy," his father said, raising his cup of tea as if to toast him. "I think the beginning of May is when we should set the date. The sooner we get things settled, the better."
"I am not so sure it is wise to rush the process, but I liked Caroline very much. Would it not be better to take the summer so we can get to know each other better?" James pondered aloud.
"Nonsense. That is what marriage is for, anyway. Your mother and I barely knew each other before we got married. Besides, no one shows their true colours until after the wedding."
His father waved off his concerns, and James said little else on the subject throughout breakfast. He was too withdrawn inside himself.Married.What would it be like to have a wife? How would it feel to have someone with whom to share his life?
When his father had finished his breakfast, he stood, tucking the newspaper under his arm. 'Well, do not be too long. I have invited Lady Caroline and her family for tea this afternoon so that we all might be better acquainted."
James looked at the clock, which had not even struck nine yet. "I assume they will not be coming until three this afternoon? What is there to rush about for?" he asked, laughing.
"You should wear your best suit. Best foot forward, and all that, you know." His father winked at him, nodding in decision as he exited the dining room.
James spent the day in the garden, tending the plants in the hothouse. It was still too cold as of yet for most of the varieties of plants. He admired the Anthurium's bright red and pink blooms, its waxy, heart-shaped leaves doing well in the humid air of the hothouse.
He could have spent the rest of the day among the flowers and plants in his care. Still, at half-past two, the butler came to find him, telling him that his father was eager for him to come to the parlour to prepare for their guest's arrival.
James changed quickly, donning a new silk cravat and deep navy blue waistcoat with gold embroidery. He quickly ran his fingers through his hair and took a last look in the mirror before heading down to the parlour. His father was already waiting, and a moment later, they heard the butler go to answer a knock at the front door. His father gave him an approving nod.
"You look good, son. Now, I do not have to remind you to be your charming self–"
"No, you do not," James laughed. He sighed, placing a hand on his father's shoulder. "Do not worry. If Lady Caroline wants to go forward with the marriage, I would rather she know the real me."
His father rolled his eyes. "So honest. So upstanding," he scoffed. "Well, do it your own way. Just know that an estate is on the line." He turned, smiling in the direction of the parlour door in preparation for their guests to appear. James could hear their voices travelling down the corridor as they headed toward them.
"Not to mention my future happiness," James said under his breath, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He turned and smiled as well as their guests appeared. Lord Chesterfield was all smiles and approached them to give a boisterous greeting. Lady Humphries held back, however.
She looked as if this was the last place she wanted to be at the moment. James stepped forward and greeted them both, trying to be as welcoming as possible.
"Good afternoon, my lady. So glad you could join us," he said to Lady Humphries. He took her hand warmly and kissed it, which seemed to break some of her barriers down.
