The Secret of Castlegate Manor by Karen Cogan

Author:Karen Cogan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Publisher: Avalon Books
Published: 2003-10-31T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Caroline returned to the ballroom and put on a coquettish smile as she danced and flirted with various admirers. She was aware of Lord Humphrey's peevish presence in her small coterie as she alternately filled her dance card, then took her rest and refreshment. Yet her unruly heart compared each partner to Geoffrey's tutelage in the garden and she found each to be a disappointing substitute.

Near the end of the ball, Lady Ruyter and Lady Aberly had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Ruyter declare his intentions for Lavenia. Lavenia blushed becomingly as she accompanied him on a round of well wishes, followed by toasts to their prosperity and good health.

Lavenia took Caroline's hands. "I hope you will be as happy one day as I am right now."

Her words sent a stab of doubt into Caroline's heart. Would she be happy one day? Or would she settle on one of the young men present in order to escape her plight with Lord Humphrey?

He sidled up to her at Lavenia's departure. She sensed his presence before he spoke.

"It seems the fair Lavenia has made up her mind to wed Mr. Ruyter, a decision I find most unwise since he is only to become a baron of small estate. Her loss shall be your gain."

"I fail to see the connection, my lord," Caroline replied coldly.

"Let us not play games, my lady. I can make things most uncomfortable for you if you persist in this ridiculous defiance."

Fatigue and the strain of dancing fanned Caroline's emotions into furor. "Do what you like. I shall never marry you. And you shall never inherit Castlegate Manor."

"You should not say such things. I have told you I will do whatever it takes to become master of this estate. It would be terrible if something dreadful should happen to the existing heirs, would it not, my dear Miss Stewart? You have it within your power to prevent such a tragedy or to allow it to occur. Think about it, my dear."

The dangerous glitter in his eyes chilled Caroline. He turned away and made his courteous departure to Lady Aberly. Caroline would not dream of ruining this merry occasion by reporting the thinly veiled threat. Yet, she chided herself on the irony of her deceitful masquerade should it prove to place her in mortal danger. Yet, she could not tell Lord Humphrey the truth. If it were known, she would have no chance of escaping a destiny in the poor house.

After the guests departed and she had gone upstairs to slip into her night rail, she lay awake sipping hot chocolate and pondering her choices. If only she had someone she could trust to give her counsel. Lady Eleanor had known her guilty secret and taken it to her grave. If only the dear lady were still alive, Caroline would never have come here, nor fallen into such a disastrous position.

It would be a burden off her shoulders simply to share her true identity with someone she could trust. Mentally, she listed her choices and summarily dismissed them.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.