Enchanting the Distant Earl by Grace Fletcher

Author:Grace Fletcher [Fletcher, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2019-03-11T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

A Dinner Guest

Too Many

Sudbury had not known what to expect from the dinner.

Not only for Caroline’s short preparation time, but also in regard to Reed’s intentions. He was pleasantly surprised when everything went off without a hitch.

“I am pleased to see so many wives in attendance,” Caroline told him beforehand, perusing the guest list one last time. Sudbury did not want to think about informing her of the last-minute additions, especially given her reaction, but he wanted to praise her for successfully including them into the dinner and the after party. “Perhaps it will give me time to get to know at least some people we are expected to meet with regularly.”

It startled Sudbury that Caroline was thinking of that. It hadn’t occurred to him that she might be lonely, and he chastised himself internally for expecting Caroline to be comfortable. “Hopefully you will make friends.”

The look Caroline gave him was judgmental but before Sudbury could say anything, the door opened and one of the maids—Caroline’s favorite—peered around, straightening and standing to attention as soon as she saw Sudbury in the room.

“My lord, my lady.”

“Polly,” Caroline said warmly. “Is everything alright?”

Polly peered quickly at Sudbury, still respectful, but her smile seemed a touch warm when she turned to Caroline. “The first guests are due to arrive within the hour, my lady. Whenever you are ready to get ready, I will be waiting in your rooms.”

Caroline nodded, sparing Sudbury a look. “May I retire, my lord?”

“Of course,” Sudbury said, once more surprised by Caroline’s question. “You don’t have to ask.”

Smile a little more genuine, Caroline inclined her head, and still clutching at the dinner list, she swept from the room, Polly following in her wake.

The guests were now gathered in the dining room, talking amongst themselves or across the table, most of them smiling. There were a couple who looked reticent, gentlemen with a little too much propriety who seemed inclined to look down on everything throughout the party, including Sudbury himself. At the head of the table, Sudbury had a good eye on everyone, including his wife. Caroline had smoothly entered the conversation amongst their guests, sharing her time with almost everyone.

Reed, his own eyes trained on Caroline, leaned across the short distance and gave Sudbury a tight nod. “She seems to have gone above and beyond to make this go well for you.”

Sudbury made a noise of agreement though he doubted Caroline had him in mind when she’d agreed to the dinner. Or, if she did, her thoughts weren’t favorable. Sudbury was not completely out of touch with the world around him, and he knew he hadn’t given Caroline much to work with in regard to their marriage.

Still, he had priorities in his life, and unfortunately, their arrangement had come at a time when he was preoccupied with politics. Under any other circumstances, they might have managed something.

“Does she have any ambition for you?” Reed asked. It was a strange question, and Reed seemed to know it. He waved a hand vaguely, nodding to his own wife to his left, Adelaide, looking beautiful—but young.

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