Modesty Winslow was the Marquess of Gorington’s only daughter. She had fair hair that she wore in elaborate, ostentatious curls, making her look like a confection. Caroline had often wondered what it might feel like to touch that hair. It seemed as though it would be hard as stone under her fingers. There was never a curl out of place.
Modesty had a simpering expression on her face, as if she was trying to make Caroline believe that she was happy to see her. Caroline wasn’t falling for it. If Modesty was pleased to see her, it was only because she enjoyed being callous and cruel and making Caroline the target of her barbs. The unpleasantness between them went back to the days when Caroline’s father had been so deep in debt that Caroline had been forced to attendsociety events in tatty, out-of-fashion gowns that barely fit her. She had been an easy person for Modesty to mock in those days. She suspected that now, Modesty might find her a bit more difficult to poke fun at.
That didn’t make Caroline any happier to see her old rival, though. She took a step back, increasing the space between Modesty and herself. “It’s actuallyYour Gracenow, Modesty,” she said coolly. “But I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of that.”
“Oh yes, that’s right,” Modesty said with a thin-lipped smile. “Your wedding to the Duke of Mowbray.”
“That’s right. Remind me, did you marry after last season?”
She knew the answer to the question, and she felt a sense of satisfaction when Modesty’s lips pressed together, making them look even thinner. “I’m waiting for the right gentleman,” she said.
“Ah, of course. Perhaps you’ll be fortunate enough to meet him this season—although you’ll be unlikely to do so standing here and talking to me. Perhaps you ought to go and position yourself somewhere you’re likely to be noticed.”
“I’ve never had any trouble being noticed,” Modesty said, tossing her head. If her hair hadn’t been so ferociously tamed, the gesture would have caused it to move, but Caroline didn’t think gale-force winds could have budged that hair. “I’ve certainly never had any trouble with it standing next to you. I suppose youthink that because you’re a duchess now, all eyes will go to you—is that it?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Caroline said. “I don’t know what anyone will take an interest in—and goodness knows I only came here to dance with my husband, not to attract the attention of anybody else! If any gentlemen look this way, they will be all yours, I can assure you.”
“I don’t need you doing me any favors,” Modesty hissed, eyes narrowing.
“No, of course you don’t. I wouldn’t dream of doing you any favors.”
Modesty looked as if she couldn’t quite decide whether she had been insulted. “Your wedding was so hasty,” she said at last. “You didn’t even have a courtship, did you? How did your mother and father persuade the duke to marry you? I heard he was originally intended for your sister, which at least makes sense. Prudence is so pretty and charming. I can see why someone would pursue her—even a duke, who could have anyone he wants.”
“Well, he chose me in the end,” Caroline said coolly. “And never you mind how it happened.”
“I suppose your parents must have been worried no one would have you,” Modesty said. “I’m not surprisedtheytried to push for that marriage. It’s the same thing I would have done if you and Prudence were my responsibility. Of course you’d be theharder one to find a match for. Truth be told, I expected you to remain a spinster forever!”
Her eyes glinted cruelly.
Caroline forced herself to smile. “It must come as such a shock to find that I’m married before you, then,” she said. “You think me so unworthy, so unlikely to marry, and yet here I am, wedded to a duke, and you are still searching. I understand how frustrating that must be for you, Modesty. I’m sure you’ll find someone soon enough.”
“It’s no surprise at all that you married before me, actually,” Modesty said. “Because I see now that you’re willing to manipulate to get your way. I would never steal a potential husband from my own sister, but you don’t seem to have had any compunctions about doing that.” She shook her head. “The poor duke. I wonder whathethought of that trade. He wanted to marry Prudence, and instead he got you. How your family talked him into that, I’ll never know.”
“You never will,” Caroline agreed. “Pestering me with these unkind questions will get you nowhere. Why don’t you return to the party? I’m sure there are plenty of gentlemen who would be willing to dance with you.”
“Whereisyour husband, anyway? Left you to your own devices?”
“He went to speak to a friend.” Caroline immediately cursed herself for having answered the question at all. She didn’t need to tell Modesty anything.
“Of course he did. He probably came along tonight for his own social agenda, rather than to spend time with you. Now it begins to make sense. And what of Prudence? Why isn’t she by your side tonight? Off finding another gentleman to flirt with and then abandon to a less fortunate lady?”
“Prudence isn’t even here this evening,” Caroline snapped. In spite of herself, she was beginning to feel nettled by Modesty’s comments. Being nasty to Caroline was one thing, but she couldn’t tolerate anyone being rude about her sister. “Don’t talk about her like that.”
“Why not? Afraid for me to name what you and I both know she did?” Modesty sneered. “I really don’t blame you, of course. It doesn’t make you look very good that your sister had to lure a gentleman in for you. What surprises me is that she was willing…but then, I’m sure she had her reasons. Now, what might those have been?” She pursed her lips as if in thought, but Caroline could see that it was only mockery. “What would make a well-bred—well, sort of well-bred—lady abandon a good marriage? And why would she miss the first party of the season, now that she’s once again available for courtship? Doesn’t she even wish to marry? Or is something the matter with her?”
A grin spread across Modesty’s face. “Don’t tell me,” she said. “She’s with child, isn’t she?”
“What?”
“Oh, that explains everything. Of course. She had a scandalous affair and your family was forced to send her away to a maiden aunt or something. That’s why she had to withdraw from her engagement to the duke as well, isn’t it? He would never marry her once he’d learnedthatinformation. Of course he wouldn’t. So, to spare him the humiliation of having to cancel an engagement because of her indiscretions, he married you instead. That’s what happened, isn’t it?”
It wasn’t, of course—but it was just a little too close to the truth for Caroline’s liking. Anger bubbled up within her, and she set her drink down on the table. It was the only way she could keep herself from throwing it in Modesty’s face.
“You know nothing,” she said, her voice trembling. “You have always been far too fixated on my sister. Anyone with eyes can see that you’re jealous. Jealous of her beauty, jealous of the way men watch her—you wish you could have the gifts Prudence has, and you never will. But I won’t allow you to invent such vile stories about her—stories that have no relation the truth whatsoever!”
“But I do seem to have struck a nerve, don’t I?” Modesty smiled. “Enjoy the rest of the ball, dear. I’m sure the duke will come back for you when the cigars and the brandy run out.”
She turned and sauntered off.
