The Rake's Rebellious Lady (15 page)

‘Thank you, ma’am.’ For once in her life Caroline did as
she was bid without demur. ‘Sir, you are very kind.’ She lifted her head, meeting his eyes without flinching.

‘Caroline, my privilege,’ Freddie said, taking her by the hand and leading her towards the floor. ‘Do not look so scared. I promise you that her bark is much worse than her bite. She is actually on your side, though you may not think it.’

‘Lady Stroud is very good,’ Caroline said, a trifle pale though her head was up, her smile in place. ‘But it was not necessary to ride to my rescue like a white knight, sir. I am quite able to manage for myself.’

‘Caroline, do you not know what people are whispering—what they are thinking? You were seen leaving the inn with me on the morning of the fight.’

‘Oh…’ Caroline glanced up at him, her eyes wide. ‘I thought it was just that I was alone at the inn when Tom was hurt.’

‘No,’ Freddie said. ‘You might have ridden that out, but this is more serious—and it is my fault. Therefore I must do my best to see you clear of it. Lady Stroud still has significant influence in society and if she is seen to approve of you…’

‘Yes, I see,’ Caroline said and swallowed hard. ‘I thought…Mr Bellingham said…thank you for thinking of it, sir. I know this is all my own fault, though I do not see that I have committed a terrible crime.’ Her eyes were suddenly filled with defiance as her pride took over and she threw off her subdued mood. ‘You did not seduce me, sir, and are therefore blameless.’

‘No, not blameless,’ he said honestly. His expression was serious, a little harsh. ‘I have a way of teasing, Caroline—a provoking manner that sometimes leads others to recklessness that
they would not otherwise think of, and I believe this is what happened in your case. Therefore, I must do what I can to—’

‘No!’ Caroline said quickly. ‘I am not sure what you mean to say, sir, but I must tell you that I shall soon be leaving London on a visit to my grandfather. I think that it would be better if you waited until I return…if you have anything you wish to say to me.’ Her cheeks were flushed and she concentrated very hard on the second button of his pristine shirt.

‘Very well, if that is your wish,’ he said. ‘My own feeling is that Lady Stroud may do all that is necessary. I do have something to say to you, Caroline, but it may easily wait for a few weeks.’

‘Thank you,’ she said and smiled up at him. Her smile at that moment was so brave and so beautiful that Freddie was momentarily dazzled. ‘You are very kind, sir, and I am glad that you are not cross with me.’

‘Have I done something to make you think that I might be?’ He raised his brows at her.

She took a deep breath. ‘You seemed angry after Tom was hurt…at the inn.’

‘I was angry at what had happened,’ he said. ‘You made light of the accident, Caroline, but you could have been badly hurt. And it is for this reason that I must leave town for a few days. If someone is trying to harm one of us, I think it needs investigating.’

‘You are very kind to take an interest.’

‘Anything that concerns you, concerns me, Caroline. Besides, whoever tampered with that rope may have had another victim in mind altogether.’

‘Do you have an enemy, sir?’

‘I dare say I have more than one,’ Freddie said, looking
grim. ‘He may do his damnedest as far as I am concerned, but when the safety of others—your safety, Caroline—is concerned, that is another matter.’

There was such sincerity, such anger in his eyes that her heart caught. She knew in that moment that there was a special feeling between them, but the dance was ending and she was unable to say more as Sally Jersey came up to them at that moment. She gave Freddie a look of pure mischief.

‘Sir Frederick, this is indeed an honour. I had long given up hope of seeing you here, my friend.’

‘As well you might,’ he said. ‘It took a great deal to bring me here, Sally—but I imagine I have no need to elaborate? I believe that my godmother will do all that is necessary.’

‘Of course,’ the lady replied and threw Caroline a speaking look. ‘You are a fortunate young lady, Miss Holbrook. I believe I may not say more for the time being, but now that I understand you were visiting Lady Stroud that morning, there cannot be the least need for censure. It seemed a little odd that you should be seen leaving an inn with Sir Frederick at such an hour, but I understand that he was forced to stop because his horses had some trouble with their harness. It is all explained and shall be forgotten. Come along, Caroline. I want you to take pity on a young gentleman who is newly come to town. He is very shy and may tread on your toes, but I know that you will be kind to him.’

Freddie watched as Lady Jersey bore Caroline off with her. He smiled a little as George came up to him.

‘The chestnuts are yours, my dear friend. I believe that was our bet—that when you saw me here I should have met my match?’

‘You had no choice but to come in the circumstances,’
George said. ‘The bet was a matter of marriage. You have until Christmas, Freddie…’

‘Very well,’ Freddie replied, frowning slightly. He gave his friend a quizzical look. ‘You know, I am not sure that a few months will be long enough. I’m damned if I know if she will have me.’

* * *

Caroline sat staring out of her bedroom window. It was a wet day and the streets of London were unappealing. Her thoughts were running in a direction she did not like. She was almost certain that Sir Frederick meant to make her an offer of marriage. An offer he felt obliged to make because of the scandalous gossip that had been circulating about her.

He had left Almack’s soon after his dance with her, though Lady Stroud had stayed on for two hours, keeping Caroline by her side most of the time and introducing her to everyone who came near as her new friend.

‘My godson brought her to visit me early one morning recently,’ Lady Stroud lied stoutly, ‘and we took to each other like ducks to water. She’s a gel after me own heart. I like a gel with spirit. Can’t stand these milk-and-water manners today!’

Her sally had attracted polite laughter, which meant an end to the threat of scandal. Caroline had watched and listened, for it was soon clear to her that Lady Stroud was a martinet in the matter of proper manners and much respected. When she took her leave, she instructed Caroline to visit her soon, and told her that she expected them to become good friends in the future.

Caroline had thanked her for coming to her rescue and received a stern look in return. ‘I don’t make a habit of lying,
young lady. Make sure that you give me no cause to regret this evening. I happen to be very fond of Freddie. He owes a duty to his family. He will be expected to provide the family with an heir soon, and his wife must be above reproach.’

Caroline had mumbled something appropriate. She was very grateful to the elderly lady for helping her, and even though she was forced to endure another lecture from her aunt on the way home, she knew that Lady Taunton was impressed.

‘Of course you know what this means,’ she told Caroline before they parted. ‘I shall say no more—but I was right all the time.’

Caroline had not answered her, because she was very much afraid that Sir Freddie did intend to make her an offer. Not because he loved her, but because he thought it was the proper thing to do—and people would expect it after what had happened at Almack’s. His coming there just to dance with her—when he had never done so before—was sure to be taken as a sign that he meant to marry her. She knew from Lady Stroud that he was looking to settle and she had been warned that his wife must be beyond reproach. Surely he could not truly wish to marry Caroline! Her reckless behaviour had aroused gossip, and she had nothing to offer him. It could only be a misplaced sense of honour that had prompted him to think of it.

She had prevented him from speaking that night, and perhaps once the gossip had died down he would reconsider. After all, it was not truly necessary—and she did not want to be married for the sake of her reputation.

She would miss seeing him over the course of the next few days, and she thought that she might not be in London when he returned. She was to visit her grandfather at the end of the
next week, and Mrs Holbrook was talking of leaving London soon. She had spoken to Caroline of it the day after Mr Milbank came to supper.

‘It may not be necessary for you to come back to town after your visit to Bollingbrook,’ she had told her daughter. ‘I am thinking of going down to Bath. Mr Milbank believes it would suit me better than racketing around London, and I think he may be right. I should naturally wish you to join me there. I am sure that you will make new acquaintances in Bath, Caroline, and anyone who wishes to see you will take the trouble of travelling there, I am certain.’

‘Will Aunt Louisa accompany you to Bath, Mama?’

‘No, I do not think so,’ Marianne said. ‘I have a little money of my own, Caroline. I have been reserving it for the future, but I think I shall not need it now. I have decided to accept Mr Milbank’s offer. It is so that we may see each other comfortably, and make what arrangements we wish, that I have decided to go down to Bath. I am afraid that your aunt is not pleased by my decision.’

‘But you will not let her displeasure change your mind, Mama?’ Caroline looked at her anxiously, for in the past months her mother had been much influenced by Lady Taunton.

‘No, I shall not,’ Marianne said with more determination than her daughter had seen from her. ‘I shall tell you now, Caroline. My first marriage was not all that it might have been—but I think that this time I am truly loved. I should be foolish to turn down this chance of happiness.’

‘I am sorry that you were not happy with Papa.’

‘It was only after my illness,’ her mother said. ‘Until then I think he cared for me as much as most men care for their wives. But I was ill and things were not right between us. He
formed another attachment—a relationship that lasted until his death.’ She lifted her head proudly. ‘I did not know it, though I suspected it—and then, after his death, I received a very unkind letter. I showed it to Bollingbrook, but he told me not to make a fuss about it, and that was one of the reasons we disagreed. He was inclined to think me foolish. However, I did not think that an affair of long standing was something I could simply forget as if it had never happened.’ She shook her head. ‘It does not serve to dwell on these things. I shall forget it now, because it no longer matters.’

‘I am sorry you were hurt,’ Caroline said, understanding now why her mother had seemed to fade away after her father’s death. It was not just a matter of grief, but also of hurt and disappointment. ‘But I think you will be happy with Mr Milbank.’

‘Yes, I am perfectly sure of it,’ Marianne said. ‘I did not think that I could ever feel anything for anyone again, other than my children—but it has happened and I feel young once more.’

‘You look young,’ Caroline assured her mother and hugged her. ‘Yes, let us go down to Bath, dearest Mama. I believe it will suit both of us much better than London.’

‘Yes, my dear, we shall do so. We must attend the masked ball at Lady Mannering’s house, but after that we shall go.’

* * *

The ball had begun with Caroline being surrounded by eager partners as always, for it seemed that society had decided to think the best of her and her popularity was restored. Mr Bellingham had written his name in three spaces, her brother Nicolas in another two. Although everyone wore masks, it was easy enough to guess who most of the guests were, though one or two eluded Caroline.

The room became very warm as the evening wore on and the French windows were opened on to the garden to allow some air to circulate. Caroline felt the heat a little before supper and decided to slip outside to the garden rather than go into the dining parlour. She was not in the least hungry and she did feel very sticky, for it was an airless night.

It was not so much better on the terrace, but at least the air was fresh out here, and the gardens looked enticing in the moonlight. She thought that she could smell some kind of night-blooming flower and was about to go in search of it when someone came out onto the terrace.

‘Ah, I thought I saw you come out,’ George said. He removed his mask and Caroline did likewise, for she thought it was in part due to the silken mask that she felt uncomfortable. ‘Were you thinking of taking a stroll in the grounds?’

‘Yes,’ Caroline said, welcoming him with a smile ‘I was not in the least hungry and thought it would be pleasant out here.’

‘The air has been heavy all day,’ George said and offered her his arm. ‘May I walk with you, Miss Holbrook?’

‘Yes, that would be nice,’ Caroline replied with a smile. ‘Have you heard from Sir Freddie? Do you know when he will be returning?’

‘I fear not. Has he said nothing to you?’

‘He had some business out of town, I believe, but I do not know when he may return.’ She was torn between wanting to see him again and dreading it—she was afraid that his sense of honour would make him offer for her even if he did not truly wish her to be his wife.

They had strolled some distance from the lights of the ballroom. George was struck by the look on her face, for he
sensed that she was deeply troubled. Could it be that she did not wish to marry Freddie? He hesitated for a moment, then, ‘If there is anything I can do for you, Miss Holbrook, you have only to ask. You must know that I…have a great admiration for you.’ Caroline’s head came up and he smiled oddly. ‘I do not think that it can be a surprise to you.’

‘Oh, Mr Bellingham,’ Caroline said, her breath catching in her throat. ‘I have appreciated our friendship greatly but…’

‘You care for someone else?’ he asked gently. ‘You may speak plainly. I shall not be offended, my dear, for I have suspected it, but I know that you are leaving town for a while and that nothing is settled. Indeed, you seem a little unhappy—and I wished to speak. I have never thought of marriage. I am set in my ways, and I had thought that Julia would be my heir, for I have no title to consider. However, if you need me, I am at your service.’

‘How kind you are, sir, but you must not concern yourself for me.’ Caroline reached out to touch his hand. He had not quite proposed to her, but she knew that he might have done if she had given him encouragement.