Page 86 of Embracing the Earl (The St. Clairs 3)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Luke had wantedto visit Caroline at the bookstore. Spending two days away from her had seemed like an eternity. He vowed never to do so again. At the same time, he wanted her to enjoy her independence and not have him hovering about all the time. That very independence was one of the things he loved most about her. He forced himself to stay away from Evie’s all of Monday.

His compromise was to head to the Merrick townhouse so he could ride with her to tonight’s ball. He planned to sign her programme as many times as she would allow him.

Kent greeted him and stepped aside so he could enter. Luke looked around and spying no one asked, “Has Lady Caroline come downstairs yet?”

“No, Lord Mayfield. She hasn’t returned from the bookstore yet.”

“What?” He glanced at the grandfather clock standing in the foyer. “It’s half-past eight. Are you sure she’s not here?”

Uneasiness filled him. Before Kent could answer, Luke bounded up the stairs. He had no clue which was her bedchamber, so he started shouting her name. A door opened and Rachel and Evan stepped out, dressed for tonight’s ball.

“What are you doing, Luke?” his sister asked.

“Which is Caroline’s bedchamber?”

“The third on the right.”

Luke ran down the corridor and threw open the door, startling a maid who was turning back the bed.

“Have you seen Lady Caroline?” he demanded as he hurried inside the room.

The maid shook her head. “No, my lord. Not since early this morning. She’s not back from the—”

“Then where the devil could she be?” he shouted.

The girl burst into tears.

By now, Rachel and Evan had arrived and his sister said, “Quit terrorizing my servants.” To the maid she said, “You may go,” and the girl rushed from the room.

“Didn’t you miss her at dinner?” Luke asked.

“She mentioned to Kent that she might stay late tonight,” Evan said.

“Surely, she wouldn’t be at Evie’s at this time of night.”

Something made him go to the wardrobe and open it. To the left hung several gowns suitable for balls. To the right was a gap.

He turned. “Explain this.”

Rachel joined him. “It looks as if some of her clothes are missing,” she said, a tremor in her voice.

“She knows how I feel about her,” Luke said.

“You told her you love her?” she asked.

“Not in so many words. I told her she was my entire world. That we would speak once I returned from my weekend in the country. Would that make her flee?” he asked, his anguish obvious.

Rachel lay a hand on his arm. “Women do need to hear the words, Luke. Are you... are you sure Caroline felt the same as you?”

“You don’t make love to a woman three times in one night and—”

“Youruinedher?” Rachel accused.

“There was no ruining to it. No compromising. She wanted to be with me.” He took Rachel’s shoulders. “It was the most incredible experience of my life.”

“There has to be a reason she’s gone,” Evan pointed out.

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