“I’m sure he does. So hard that he couldn’t possibly get away to be with his wife on such an important night. Well, men can be like that, I suppose. I think that when I marry I shall make sure I am wedded to a man who always puts me before his…other interests. Personally, I don’t see how you stand it!”
Caroline squared her shoulders. “I suppose it’s hard to imagine that people are able to tolerate things not always going their way,” she said. “I suppose that’s something you don’t experience very often.”
“Not very often, no,” Modesty agreed with a smug smile. “And thank heavens for that. I’m sure that when I marry, my husband will always acquiesce to my wishes.”
Caroline was hard-pressed to force a smile onto her face. “Marriage is a complicated thing,” she said. “Until you have tried it for yourself, you really know nothing of its hardships.”
Modesty’s eyes narrowed. “So, you admit that there are hardships?”
Caroline let out a sigh, then immediately wished she hadn’t. She didn’t want to let Modesty see that she was getting to her. “Perhaps you could point me in the direction of the drinks,” she suggested, hoping to change the subject. It was going to be a very long night if Modesty was determined to spend the entire time interrogating her about the state of her marriage. Surely there were other things they could speak about.
“Looking to drown your sorrows?” Modesty asked. “I suppose I can’t really blame you, but it does seem to me that there are better ways to deal with your problems. Why not try talking about it? You have a friendly ear right here.”
Caroline could only imagine how much Modesty would love to be confided in. “I was just hoping for the chance to walk around a bit and admire all the work you’ve done to prepare for this party,” she said. “It all looks lovely.”
“Well, we did work very hard,” Modesty agreed. “Mother and I envision this ball becoming a regular event of the season. Perhaps even one of the headlining events of the season.”
Caroline did her best to make the astonishment on her face look polite. “Such an ambitious goal,” she said.
“Oh, I don’t think it’s that ambitious..”
“And yet, you have yet to find a husband. But I suppose you are simply waiting for the very best. Is that about right?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I do just that? Only the very best will do on the marriage mart, Caroline, something you would know if you had ever had real suitors instead of just jumping into an arrangement with the man your sister scorned. I supposesheknew better than to tie herself to a rake, though whether anyone will ever see fit to marry her after that debacle is difficult to say. I know I wouldn’t want a marriage to someone who had disrespected me like that—but your family and mine are very different in this regard. My family has much more pride in our reputation. It must be nice not to be burdened with that sort of thing.”
“The drinks?” Caroline prompted again.
“Oh, they’re just over here.” Modesty pointed out a long table draped in an embroidered linen cloth. “Do help yourself to as many as you would like. I know you have so much on your mind and I want you to be able to forget your worries and have a good time tonight. I do so hope everyone enjoys themselves here at my ball.”
After a comment like that, Caroline almost didn’t want to take a drink at all. She forced herself to pick one up and take a small sip — her instinct had been to take a long swallow. Modesty was right on one count, at least. It would be a blessing to drink too much wine and forget her troubles.
Thankfully, Modesty was whisked away by other guests, leaving Caroline to her thoughts.
“Standing here all alone? I would never have thought it of such a lovely young lady.”
Caroline turned and was delighted to see a familiar face. “William! What are you doing here?”
Her sister’s husband smiled. “A man does like to get out from time to time,” he said.
“Is Arabella here as well?” It would be such a relief to see her sister. Arabella would know exactly what to say to put Caroline’s mind at ease about everything.
“No, she chose to stay at home. And I very nearly didn’t come without her, but she insisted. She said that you would be here, and that you might need a friend. She would have come herself, but both of the children are ill.”
“Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear it. Are they all right?”
“Yes, they’re just fine. They only have head colds, but you know how children can get when they aren’t feeling well. They just want their mother. And she doesn’t want to leave them.”
“I can imagine,” Caroline agreed. “She was always the one to care for Prudence and me when we were sick as children.”
“She hasn’t changed,” William said. “She worries about you every bit as much even now that you are adults. That’s part of the reason she asked me to come tonight. She wanted me to ensure that you are doing well. And I see you standing over here by yourself, and that makes me doubt. Is something the matter?”
“Nothing very much,” Caroline assured him. “Levi was unable to join me tonight. I wish he could have been here. That’s all.”
“Well of course you do. What caused him to be away?”
Caroline felt a prick of uncertainty. “Surely you’ve heard the rumors about my husband.”
“I hear rumors about every person at this party,” William said. “That doesn’t mean I am fool enough to believe them. Rumors usually contain more fiction than fact. I won’t believe anything I hear about your husband unless I hear from him, or from you.”
