Lady Caro by Marlene Suson

Author:Marlene Suson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Taking leave of Dr. Baxter, Caro would have fled to her room to indulge in a bout of weeping, but she was denied this melancholy release by the appearance of a servant with word that Lord Vinson awaited her in the morning room.

Slowly she descended the stairs, feeling years older than she had when this day had begun.

As she entered the morning room, her wayward heart leaped at the sight of her future husband, who looked so very handsome in a green double-breasted coat that accentuated the emerald of his eyes. His face was grave, as it had been when she had last seen him in the hallway. She stopped inside the door, suddenly feeling awkward, shy, and uncertain with him.

He came toward her, a strained little smile on his lips that she did not find reassuring. His green eyes were serious, almost somber, as they regarded her. Did they reflect his displeasure at the thought of marrying such a plain creature as herself? Mindful of the gratitude she owed him for rescuing her from Tilford, she said a little stiffly, “It was very kind of you to agree to marry me.” Her candor would not permit her to stop there. “Although I own I cannot understand why you did.”

“I could not let you fall into Tilford’s hands,” he said quietly. His answer made her feel worse. Her voice cracked a little as she said, “That is excessively kind of you, but I cannot see what you gain from your kindness.”

He gently took her small hands, oddly cold for so hot a day, into his own warm ones. His touch made her heart beat so hard against her ribs that she was certain he must be able to hear it.

“What I gain, elfin, is a wife.”

“But not one you could want, for I am not a lady or a great beauty, or even pretty. Surely you could find a more suitable bride.”

Alarm flashed in his eyes, and his hands released hers abruptly. “If you are trying to tell me that you do not wish to marry me, elfin, you need only say so. My agreement to this match is conditioned upon it being acceptable to you. Is it?”

“Yes,” she admitted, wishing it were half so acceptable to him as it was to her.

Ashley was frowning. “I am persuaded it is not. You look ready to cry.”

“My father is dying. Is that not reason enough to want to cry?” she asked, resorting to half-truth to pacify him.

His frown deepened. “You know that I have an...” Words suddenly seemed to foil the usually urbane viscount, and he looked decidedly uncomfortable.

“An agreeable connection,” Caro supplied helpfully.

“Does that distress you?” he asked anxiously, searching her face with concerned eyes.

Fear and pride warred with candor, and for once the latter lost. With heroic effort, Caro managed an indifferent shrug, determined that Ashley should never know the truth. “You are free to do as you please. I told you once that the only marriage I would consider is one like Lady Fraser’s, and now I shall have it.

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