Enthralled (Orion's Shield Book 1) by Elizabeth Jordan

Author:Elizabeth Jordan [Jordan, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Twist of Faith
Published: 2018-08-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

The weather held fine for the outing at Lord Farley’s estate, just outside London. Lord Farley, who had been Thomas’s close friend at Cambridge, was newly married, and he and his young wife were very social and loved to host outings such as the one Thomas had proposed to him. Still, because of the Farley’s busy social schedule, it was the end of April before Thomas sent word to Caroline’s father that the outing was confirmed. The Farley’s would host a garden party in the afternoon and Lord Alton and his family were cordially invited, along with Miss Mason. Caroline was excited and immediately sent an invitation to see if her friend Julia would like to accompany her.

With the Season still not fully underway, Caroline had been attending various evening entertainments with friends and acquaintances as the city filled with gentry and noblemen. On occasion, Julia had been in attendance as well, but she never stayed long, and she always seemed lackluster and out of sorts and not at all her former self.

Lord Alton shared the guest list with Caroline. She was a bit surprised to see the Marquess of Cranbrook and the Earl of Tenbrey, Thomas’s father and brother, on the list of those who would be attending the party on the Farley estate. She was relieved to see Thomas’s name included, as well, though she already assumed he would be present. And it only made sense, she supposed, since this outing had been arranged by Thomas, to urge his friend Farley to include Thomas’s family, as well. She had no complaint, but the situation did pique her curiosity about them. Caroline had been introduced to Thomas’s father, but had never met his brother, William, whom she understood to be the heir. She wondered if he would be as charming as his brother.

The day of the garden party dawned sunny and much warmer than it had been for several days. Caroline was excited all morning, and in the afternoon, Caroline’s father sent their coach for her friend Julia. She arrived looking as lovely as always, but Caroline noticed she wore a heavy shawl, despite the warm weather, with a scarf tucked in around her throat.

She sat next to Caroline on the broad seat of their chaise and across from Caroline’s parents as they traveled toward the estate, some five miles outside of London.

Julia seemed listless and showed little interest in the planned afternoon’s activity, and Caroline almost began to wish she had never invited her. As soon as the disloyal thought popped into her head, she immediately felt ashamed of herself for even thinking of abandoning her friend when she was so obviously unwell. On the way out of town, Caroline noticed her father watching Julia, and she wondered at his close regard. When he saw Caroline take notice, he cast his gaze out the window at the passing countryside

After their arrival at the Farley’s lovely estate, they were shown to the back garden, where an elegant garden party had been arranged.

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