Gayle Buck by The Hidden Heart

Author:The Hidden Heart [Heart, The Hidden]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Lady Caroline returned downstairs attired in a hunter-green velvet carriage dress and matching bonnet. A silk-and-wool Norwich shawl was draped over her elbows and she was pulling on her gloves. Her reticule dangled from one slender wrist.

Not for the first time Lord Trilby observed her lovely face and figure with appreciation and enjoyed the innate grace of her movements. She presented a glowing picture of all that he found most attractive in a woman, and he felt the warmth that she invariably inspired in him. But as always, his pleasure in her appearance was tempered by an instinctive withdrawal and the hardening of his inner defenses.

He had never stopped to ponder why Lady Caroline Eddington had always affected him so oddly. It was enough to realize that she did so and hold a part of himself forever aloof from her charm.

He went to her as she descended the last step. He spared only a glance for the cloaked maid who followed in Lady Caroline’s wake, but he approved of her foresight. Lady Caroline had supplied herself with the requisite companion that must accompany a well-bred lady when she paid a morning call. The Grandduchess of Schaffenzeits would naturally expect an unattached lady to conform to the conventions.

“You are in very fine looks, my lady,” Lord Trilby said.

Lady Caroline cocked her head. She murmured quietly, for his ears only, “Indeed, and what else should I be when steeling myself to meet my fate?”

The earl laughed. His eyes were warm with rueful appreciation. “Quite. But I believe it is both our fates that you hold in your hand. I hope you are a good actress, my lady.”

“So do I,” Lady Caroline said with feeling.

Lord Trilby laughed again and drew her fingers through his elbow. “Come, it is time we were off. I shall have you back in time for dinner, I promise you.”

Lady Caroline left quiet word with one of the footmen to let Mrs. Burlington know that she would not be in to luncheon, and accompanied the earl out the front door to where her carriage was waiting.

The maid, knowing what was required of her, lifted her skirts in one hand and climbed up into the coach to take the seat with its back to the horses.

Lord Trilby handed Lady Caroline up the iron step and saw that she was comfortably seated. Then he stepped back, closed the carriage door, and latched it.

Lady Caroline instantly put down the window. “My lord, you are not riding, surely?”

He looked up at her, his face taken by a sudden grin. “The grandduchess is a very high stickler. Unmarried ladies do not share their carriages with equally unattached gentlemen,” he said with a shrug. He thought he heard an unladylike groan, quickly stifled as the window was raised, and he laughed.

Lord Trilby took the reins of his stallion from the groom who held them and stepped up into the saddle. He signaled the coach driver to whip up, and nudged his mount to follow the carriage.

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