Page 57 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

Chapter Eighteen

Caroline regretted tellingLuke she would attend the theatre with him. She didn’t want to encourage more than friendship between them, knowing he needed to find a suitable bride from the Marriage Mart. A young, fresh girl with a spotless reputation. By the end of the week—when Evie’s opened and word got out who its proprietor was—Caroline would be looked upon differently by theton. Luke needed a wife who would support him and cause no controversy in society.

Lady Caroline Andrews was definitely not that woman.

She also knew the more time she spent in his company, the harder it would become for her to hide her feelings. Already, she’d given him her heart. She must start distancing herself from him before the broken pieces became obvious and her unrequited love embarrassed the both of them. It was important to steel herself for the day when Luke did find the appropriate woman to wed. Though it would pain her to see him gaze lovingly at someone else, she had to prepare for that eventuality. If he were anything like his brother and sister, Luke would fall deeply, madly in love and proclaim his feelings to the world.

Even worse, as a friend of the family, Caroline would be expected to make friends with his bride, who would be swept into the bosom of the St. Clair family with her marriage to Luke. Catherine, Rachel, and Leah would welcome a new female into their tight sisterhood. If Caroline were wise, she would start now and subtly remove herself from her friends. She had the bookstore and tearoom to focus on, along with Davy and Tippet. Running her new enterprises would be the perfect excuse to give her friends as she gradually withdrew from them. They would all understand that she must devote time to both ventures in order to make them succeed, long hours that didn’t involve afternoon tea, garden parties, and balls.

It would be lonely, though. She already cherished the time she’d spent with these three women. To cut them from her life would be difficult. In the long run, though, it was the only solution. It would protect their reputations.

And her heart.

Tomorrow afternoon’s gathering at Evie’s would be the last she would attend with them all. Gradually, she would pull away discreetly. They’d be caught up in their lives. They all had husbands and children to tend to and social events that would keep them busy. They would think of her less and less as time progressed.

That would mean selling her father’s London townhouse sooner rather than later. Its proximity to the Merrick household would make it far too easy for Rachel to drop by, bringing the others with her. Besides, it would go for a pretty penny. She’d be able to reimburse Luke, Evan, and Alex immediately and not make them wait for a return on their investments.

Satisfied with her decision, she left the retiring room and returned to the ballroom. With supper now ended, she was scheduled to dance with her host and didn’t want to slight him by not showing up. Caroline joined Amanda and her husband. Lord Stanley was an affable man and had danced with her earlier, full of news about their newborn, their third child.

Immediately, Jeremy and Catherine joined them.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” the duchess asked. “I know it’s your first ball. You look spectacular. Madame Toufours went on and on about your stunning figure and how she enjoyed designing this gown for you.”

“Oh, Madame Toufours created your gown?” Amanda asked. “Several women asked me if I knew who your modiste was. Now I can tell them.”

“Madame is most talented,” Caroline said. “And yes, I’ve enjoyed tonight very much.”

Catherine looked to her husband. “Duke, the musicians are awaiting your signal so they may begin.”

He lifted her hand and kissed it. “Then I must not keep them or our guests waiting, Duchess.” Jeremy turned to her. “I believe this is our dance, Caroline.”

The Duke of Everton led her onto the dance floor and nodded at the orchestra, which immediately struck up a lively tune. By the time they finished their dance, Caroline was out of breath, her cheeks flushed from the exertion.

“May I get you some ratafia?” Jeremy asked.

“I would appreciate that,” she replied.

He led her back to Amanda and excused himself. Caroline noticed her new friend looked tired.

“Have you thought about leaving the ball early?” she asked.

Amanda nodded. “I have. Tonight is the most activity I’ve had in a week since giving birth. I adore the St. Clairs, though, and wanted to support them by coming to this first event of the Season.”

“I’m sure they would understand if you and Lord Stanley slipped away early.” Caroline looked and found Amanda’s husband talking to someone nearby and motioned him over.

He came at once, a worried look on his face. “Are you all right, dearest?” he asked his wife.

“I’m weary. Perhaps we should leave. I want to get enough rest to go to Evie’s tomorrow and sample the menu.”

“Then we wish you a good night, Lady Caroline,” Lord Stanley said, tucking his wife’s hand through the crook of his arm. “We look forward to seeing your shops tomorrow.”

She waved goodbye to them and realized, for the first time tonight, she was alone.

Not for long.

Immediately, a trio of women standing close by moved in on her. For a moment, she felt like a fox trapped by hounds as she looked at the gleam in the women’s eyes.

The first woman smiled ingratiatingly at her. “Oh, I’m sorry Lady Stanley left so suddenly. I was hoping she would be able to introduce us. I hope you don’t think me forward to come up to you in such a way. I am Lady Bethany.” She indicated her companions. “This is Lady Betsy and Lady Bettina.”

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