Page 36 of His Haunted Duchess
“In that one day I lost them all—my mother, father, brother, sisters—servants and attendants, too.”
Philip shook his head in disbelief.
“What a terrible tragedy!”
The sun had dipped low in the sky, like a ladle seeking white soup. Caroline confessed herself a little fatigued from her stroll to the river spot, but she wouldn’t have wounded Philip’s feelings for the world. Besides, the walk back had given them time to discuss the sad happenings of her past.
“Well, I believe you’re a wonderful and resilient lady, no matter what anyone else thinks,” he said. “And I’m grateful you’ve come to Highcastle.”
Philip cradled her hand protectively. Caroline smiled at him. It had been a relief, talking about the dark events that had so recently haunted her dreams. Philip had listened with wide and pitying eyes, commenting in all the right places as he did now.
“It’s a wonder that you survived!”
“If it wasn’t for the stranger, for the dark figure who pulled me from the water, I should have joined them.” Caroline sighed. Perhaps she yet might. Who knew what trouble her curse would cause? She withdrew her hand from Philip’s arm.
“I am terribly sorry, Caroline,” he said. “I mean,LadyCaroline. Frederic says I’m not to get too familiar with you until you’re ready.”
Caroline winced. It was perilous, this increasing familiarity. She had sworn to herself to stay distant. Philip fidgeted with his cravat.
“It’s all right,” Caroline relented. “I don’t mind the use of my regular name so long as you permit me the use of yours.”
Philip patted her hand gratefully.
“Then we’re—friends?”
Caroline sighed but nodded.
“Friends, surely, and soon to be relatives.”
They had reached the house, now. Esther poked her head out of one of the veranda windows.
“There you are! I couldn’t imagine where you had got off to for such a time, but now, I have ample reason for your disappearance.”
Philip straightened his waistcoat.
“We were just getting better acquainted, Mother. I took Caroline to see the roses by the river.”
Esther peered at Caroline’s face.
“You look a little fatigued, dear. Won’t you come and have some tea before we start your next lesson?”
A simple, hot Negus took the weariness from Caroline’s bones. She sipped it gratefully while Philip looked at her with worried eyes.
“I’m quite all right,” she said. “There’s no use in having good energy if I don’t occasionally use it up.”
Philip nibbled at a beef sandwich as if it were a raw carrot.
“I hope that you’re quite well. Frederic?—”
“Frederic what?”
The duke’s voice boomed across the room. Both Caroline and Philip jumped. Philip stood up as quickly as holding his saucer allowed. Carlyle bowed affably.
“Tea, your Grace? There’s a bit of hot Negus, some sandwiches as well.”
Caroline focused on drawing the cup to her lips with as little commotion as possible. The Duke of Blackmore took a seat next to her and accepted the teacup Esther proffered him.
“And how have the lessons been today?”
