Page 35 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

“Let me see you in.”

“That’s not necessary,” she said quickly.

He gave her a long look. “It is to me.”

Reluctantly, she placed her hand on his forearm, knowing how her body would react. Even though her hands were covered by gloves and he wore both a shirt and coat, she could feel the heat generated between them. Idly, she wondered what it would be like to glide her gloveless fingertips up his bare arm. Heat filled her cheeks at the thought and she kept her head down, not wishing for him to see her blush.

Kent admitted them and after he closed the door he said, “Lady Caroline, a Mr. Morrow is waiting to speak to you. He knows he doesn’t have an appointment but he was most insistent, claiming he has urgent business with you.”

She could think of no business that would bring her in contact with her father’s solicitor. He’d already gruffly booted her from her family home and let her know she had no rights to be there or the ability to take even a trinket to remind her of Mama or Cynthia. Yet something told her that it would be in her best interest to meet with the solicitor to hear what he had to say. Though he’d been rude during their only encounter, Caroline determined she would act with civility.

“Very well. I’ll see him.”

“He’s in the small greeting parlor,” the butler shared.

“I’m going with you,” Luke said.

She nodded her acceptance, thankful that she wouldn’t have to see Morrow on her own. She believed him to be one of those petty men who enjoyed running roughshod over women. She doubted he would be so tyrannical toward her with a peer of the realm present.

Kent led them to a small room off the foyer and Luke escorted her inside. Caroline saw Morrow pacing nervously. He looked up and started, seeing Luke with her.

“Mr. Morrow, I believe you requested to see me on some matter.” The solicitor approached and she added, “This is Lord Mayfield.” She didn’t bother identifying her relationship with him.

Morrow nodded deferentially and said, “Lady Caroline, I bring interesting news to you. You know your father’s title and country seat have reverted to the crown, while an estate sale was held yesterday in order to auction off the London property and all its contents.”

“What does that have to do with me? You’ve told me that all monies will be used to pay off my father’s debts and that my dowry was protected since it came from my mother and her marriage settlements. What more do we have to discuss?”

“Something most unusual occurred at the auction.” Morrow presented her with a sheaf of papers, pressing them into her hands. “The first buyer became the only buyer,” he continued. “A single offer was made for the residence and all its contents. This included everything on the grounds, even the coach and horses. Frankly, I’ve never seen anything like this during my many years of practice.”

His lips twitched nervously. “The offer was so great that I immediately closed the sale. To have sold everything in one fell swoop is unheard of.”

She frowned. “I still don’t see what this process has to do with me, Mr. Morrow.”

“The documents you hold give you the answer, my lady. The papers I drew up did not name the purchaser, who wishes to remain anonymous, as the new owner. Instead, he demanded thatyoube named on the deed.”

Caroline’s eyes dropped to the pages she held. She skimmed the first one and quickly saw that Morrow told the truth. The property her father’s house sat upon, along with the residence and everything contained within it, were hers. The notion flabbergasted her.

Who could this anonymous benefactor be?

“Thank you, Mr. Morrow,” she said, trying to keep both her hands and voice from shaking.

“If you have any further questions, my lady, please do not hesitate to contact me.” He withdrew a key from his pocket. “You’ll need this.”

The solicitor left the room, closing the door behind him. Now that they were alone, Caroline turned to Luke.

“Are you responsible for this?” she asked.

He shook his head, dumbfounded. “I had no part in this. I am as clueless as you appear to be. Though I must say, my admiration has grown for you, Caroline. Any other woman of thetonwould have fainted at the news.”

The last thing she needed was for him to admire her. She needed to put distance between them.

Before she flung herself at him and begged him to kiss her senseless.

*

The first thingCaroline needed to do was locate Stinch. In the whirlwind of activity, she had neglected to write a reference for the butler. She only hoped he would be willing to work for her in a different capacity. She’d sent Luke home and gone to her room to write a message, asking the former butler to come to the Merrick residence to speak with her. She rang for a maid and asked that a footman see immediately to its delivery and then sat down and read through the papers Morrow had left with her.

It was all there. She owned everything. She had a place for her and Davy to live. Tippet, too. He could return to sleeping with her, warming her when she longed for someone else to be doing that very job. No, she wouldn’t think of him. She couldn’t. She had too much to do and he would never be a part of her life.

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