“Today I met with my solicitor to ask if he had heard from Papa. He hasn’t, and he said my money is dwindling. Mr. Collins assured me it was enough to last the year if I were careful. Then he encouraged me to get married to someone wealthy, to make a good match. Problem solved. At first, I was annoyed he would suggest such a thing, but as I have had time to consider it, I think he’s right.”
“Excuse me?” Caroline whirled around. “I thought you said you would never marry an Englishman and be stuck here forever. Vivian, you are my only friend who is also avoiding matrimony. You simply cannot get married.” Her lower lip jutted out in dramatic fashion.
“What else shall I do? I have to face the fact perhaps something terrible has happened to my father. It’s not safe for me to go sailing back to the Bahamas without knowing the situation on the other end. My money won’t last forever, and I certainly don’t want to end up living with my aunts as some poor relation. They are dear, but they only agreed to have me for the one season, and here I am heading into a second…no, the smartest thing to do would be to find a husband. Perhaps someone who loves to travel?”
Vivian may have shocked her friend with her sudden change of heart. But her father could be dead or imprisoned. Her heart ached at the possibilities. She must grow up and accept finding a husband was the most practical solution.
Caroline frowned at her. “I can’t believe you are admitting defeat. Your father may still turn up unharmed. Besides, no one who came to call on you last season even came close to being an interesting candidate for a husband. You must not settle, or you’ll be miserable.”
“I didn’t have too many male callers, anyhow. I need to make a better effort to be elegant and charming. I must stop making blunders. Nobody wants a wife who will spill wine on her husband or step on his toes while dancing.” She sighed and leaned back in the chair.
“Vivi, darling, your unique self is why I love you.” She waved her paintbrush as she spoke. “You are far more interesting than any of my other friends. And your clumsiness is endearing.”
Vivian kept her own eyes downcast. Caroline was a dear friend for trying to bolster her spirits. The truth still remained she was one disaster away from being marked unmarriageable. Then where would she end up? She gave Caroline what she hoped was a properly mournful look.
Caroline sighed. “All right, if you want to find a husband, I will help you. But I won’t let you settle for some pig-nosed, boring, old prig. We will just have to scout around for some suitable candidates this summer at the house parties. We will find out who needs to find a wife this upcoming season. There’s no reason to rush into anything. Your father may turn up still.”
Vivian stood to give her friend an exuberant hug. “Thank you. I couldn’t possibly do this without your help.”
The sound of the knocker at the front door could be heard through the closed door. “I wonder who that could be? It’s almost teatime and I am not expecting anybody.” Caroline listened carefully to the male voices slightly muffled by the closed door. Then her face lit up. “It can’t be.” She grabbed Vivian’s hand and dragged her across the room. “He can’t be here.”
“Who’s here?” Vivian asked as Caroline pulled her from the room.
In the foyer stood a tall, broad-shouldered gentleman taking off his hat. His black hair fell in waves barely past his collar.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” Caroline enveloped him in a warm hug.
He embraced her in return. “I thought I would surprise you, little sister.” The man picked Caroline up and twirled her around.
Vivian gasped. “Captain Jack?”
Chapter Twelve
Jack froze at the feminine gasp and familiar voice. His gaze collided with Vivian’s. He set his sister back on her feet, stunned to see the woman who had haunted his dreams for the last year standing before him. He almost didn’t recognize Vivian. She was dressed elegantly in a light blue gown, her blond hair swept up in an intricate bun. She looked every bit the proper English lady.
“Vivi?”
“Do you know each other?” Caroline asked, her head swinging back and forth between them as they stared at each other.
“Captain Jack is your brother?” Vivian stared at him, her eyes wide and her face pale.
“I escorted Miss Jamieson and Miss Beaumont to England on theLady Louiselast year,” Jack said.
“Jack is your sea captain?” Caroline asked Vivian. His nymph blushed a bright pink. Had she talked about him with Caroline?
“John Hunter Langdon, at your service.” He gave a bow. “Aston is my mother’s maiden name. I tried to dissociate myself with the Gilchrest title when I went into the shipping business so as not to embarrass the family name by being linked with a trade.”
“But the family is not too embarrassed to take your shipping money to pay the dukedom’s debts, are we?”
Jack turned as his brother, Andrew, walked out of the study and joined them in the foyer. His brother’s expression impassive, Jack found it hard to tell if the comment was meant to be sincere or sarcastic. A long time had passed since he’d seen him. And the last time there had been correspondence between them, Andrew had asked for funds. Jack knew it couldn’t have been easy on his pride. “That’s how it should be, Andrew. Family takes care of family.”
Andrew’s face relaxed into a smile. “It’s good to see you, Jack.”
Relieved, Jack returned the smile. “It’s good to see you as well.”
“Oh, Mother will be over the moon.” Caroline crowed, clapping her hands together.
“I best go break the news myself,” Andrew said. “She’ll never believe it otherwise.” He headed up the stairs.
