He lifted an eyebrow. “A joke?”
“Aye,” she explained. “I smiled at a little boy back there and he threw a rock at me.”
Matthew’s head snapped sharply to the rear, his blue eyes narrowing. “Which child?”
She shook her head. “I am not going to tell you because he was probably three years old and terrified. You have better things to do than punish a three year old.”
He looked at her, not entirely pleased with her answer but allowing it to go unchallenged. He held out his hand, an invitation for her to place her fingers in his palm, which she did so gladly. The mailed glove was cold as he clasped her warm flesh.
“We are an hour outside of Windsor,” he told her. “We will be staying at Rosehill, my aunt’s residence near the castle. My father has already gone ahead to announce our arrival.”
“Which side of your family is your aunt from?” she asked.
“She is my father’s sister. The Lady Livia Wellesbourne St. James married a man of some wealth and has chosen to live near the city all of these years. She will be very happy to meet you and, I warn you, will try to stuff you with all manner of treats. If you get too fat to shove through the door while we stay here, I swear I shall divorce you and leave you in London.”
She giggled. “I promise, I shall not eat too many.”
He winked at her. “I really would not divorce you.”
“I know.”
They smiled at each other a moment, the easy warmth settling between them. Matthew finally brought her hand to his lips, kissing it softly.
“I only came back to tell you this,” he said. “I must return.”
“So soon? You only just arrived.”
“Believe me that I would stay if I could, but duty calls. And Aunt Livia will expect to see me at the very first or she might try to box my ears.”
He left her with a smile on her face, watching him ride all the way back to the front of the column. He sat so strong and tall in the saddle, like the legend she had heard tale of. Only now the legend was reality, more than she would have ever dreamed it could have been. When he was out of sight, she settled back in her seat, not realizing that Caroline was watching her closely.
“I have known Matthew for two years,” Caroline said quietly. “I have never seen him like this.”
Alixandrea looked at her. “Like what?”
Caroline shrugged lightly. “Smitten,” she said. “Anyone can see that he is absolutely enamored with you.”
Alixandrea’s smile broadened. Though it was only Caroline’s opinion, she dared herself to hope. “As I am with him.”
Caroline gazed steadily at her. A weak smile finally creased her face. “It was always my hope that Mark would feel towards me the way Matthew feels towards you. You are most fortunate.”
So the woman wasn’t oblivious to the way Mark responded to her. Somehow it hurt Alixandrea’s feelings to know that. She put her hand out, taking Caroline’s tiny cold fingers in her palm.
“Perhaps he will,” she said encouragingly. “’Tis not too late.”
Caroline laughed bitterly. “He does not hold any affection for me, my lady. He never has. We’ve not had any children because.…”
She trailed off, her cheeks suddenly flame-colored. Alixandrea could not let it go; it was apparent the woman needed someone to talk to. Two years in a house full of men with no one to confide in must have left her horribly lonely and in need of companionship. She had sensed it the first day she arrived.
“Because why?” she asked gently. “You may tell me, Caroline. I would never tell anyone.”
Caroline met her gaze. There was pain in her eyes. “He… he has stopped performing his husbandly duties,” she whispered. “He stopped nearly a year ago. Oh, I know he goes to theHead O’Bucketand I know why. I am not as stupid as everyone would think and I further know why he does not want me to come to London. Did you think I did not know that? I do, you know.”
Alixandrea did not know what to say. “Oh… Caroline,” she murmured. “How can you be sure of this? He is your husband, after all. Surely he would not shame you.”
Her expression was unnaturally hard. “There was a baby born to one of the servants a few months ago,” she said. “Mark and his brothers happened to be back from London at the time. If there is a birth at Wellesbourne, I am the one to tend it. It is my duty. But Matthew would not let me tend this one. I did not even know about it until the child had been delivered and then Matthew tried his best to keep me from seeing the child. But I did. A delightful little girl with nearly black eyes and hair. She is the spitting image of my husband.”
Alixandrea felt sick inside. She could only sit there, holding Caroline’s hand. With the warmth of the comforting touch, Caroline’s confession came tumbling out.
