Happy that it was settled, Caroline said, “Lead the way.”
An hour later, Caroline finally slid between the sheets of her bed. She snuggled against the soft pillow and sighed. Exhausted wasn’t a strong enough word for how drained she felt. Her thoughts raced over the events of the evening, refusing to quiet and let her tired body sleep.
Who was Cage Morgan? A military man, a friend of Jack’s, the Earl of Wrotham. The thing that had been nagging at her earlier came into clear focus. Four years ago, her sister-in-law Vivian had been kidnapped by a pirate who was enemies with her father. Jack had been beside himself, but he had help from his superior officer at the Foreign Office and several fellow agents, including Cage Morgan!
She sat up and ran a hand through her hair. How had she not recognized him immediately? Of course, she had been terribly worried about Vivian, and the family had been in an uproar that afternoon. But now, thinking back, she remembered seeing Morgan striding out of the drawing room behind Jack as they left to find Vivian. Who could miss the giant with the maneof blond hair? Caroline lay back against her pillow. How very interesting. That man, whoever he was, owed her some answers.
Chapter 21
Early morning sun leaked through the curtains, casting a soft patch of light on the counterpane. Caroline stared up at the blue toile pattern of her canopy, where cheerful milkmaids and brawny farmhands chased prancing baby goats across the bucolic scene. She rubbed her tired eyes. No matter how late she tumbled into bed, she always woke early, her body somehow in tune with the sunrise. She flipped back the covers and padded over to the washbasin.
Susie bustled in the room just as Caroline dried her face. “Good morning, miss.”
“Good morning, Susie. Today I’ll wear my burgundy day dress.”
She would go first thing and check on Grace and Dorothy. God only knew what ungodly time Morgan would arrive this morning to collect his sister. She hoped he would have the manners to send around a note, but she wasn’t betting on it considering the unusual circumstances. She hurried through her morning routine, having Susie pull her hair into a simple knot. Downstairs she ignored the delicious smells wafting from the breakfast room. She continued outside, heading through the back gardens toward the mews.
The sun had disappeared behind a layer of gray clouds. A fine mist dampened her eyelashes and cheeks, and Caroline drew her shawl up over her hair. As she stepped into the cool, dry interior of the stables, the smell of fresh hay tickled her nose. The morning chores were in full swing, and stable hands were mucking stalls, and providing breakfast for the horses. Caroline stopped to give Destiny some attention. The pretty bay nuzzled her hand, knowing that her mistress wouldn’t dare visit without bringing her an apple.
Caroline chuckled and pulled out the apple she had snatched from the kitchen on the way out. “Here you go, girl. I didn’t forget.” She stroked the horse’s neck.
“Good morning, my lady.”
Caroline turned at William’s soft greeting. “Good morning. I’ve come to see how Grace and Dorothy are faring.”
“I’m right good this morning, ma’am.” Dorothy walked toward them. She wore a simple cotton dress in navy blue.
“Good morning, Dorothy,” Caroline said.
“I’m always up with the rooster. I hoped to ask if you were serious about having me returned to my parent’s home this morning. If it’s too much trouble, I can find my way home.”
“No, William can return you home this morning in one of the carriages.”
William nodded. “I’d be happy to take you home, miss.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I am forever grateful to you for rescuing me last night.”
“You’re welcome, Dorothy. Now, I best go see how Grace is doing this morning. No doubt, her brother will be here soon to collect her.”
William and Dorothy exchanged a worried look. “You show her,” Dorothy said to him. “I’ll wait here for you.”
He nodded. “This way,” he said to Caroline. He led her to the end of the row of stalls and up a wooden staircase. Knocking twice, he called out, “Mellie, Lady Caroline is here to see Miss Grace.”
The door swung open, and a young woman of maybe twenty stood at the threshold. William’s sister, Mellie, wore a dark green wool dress and a paisley shawl over her shoulders. Two blue eyes peeked out curiously from underneath a fringe of brown hair.
She gave a deep curtsy. “Good morning, my lady.”
Caroline smiled. “May I come in and speak with Grace?”
“Surely.” She stepped back and gestured for them to come in.
“I need to get back to work.” William tipped his cap and returned downstairs.
Caroline glanced around the small room. Two wooden chairs flanked an iron wood stove. Next to the stove, a pair of boots stood neatly, and a musket was propped against the opposite wall. A dark blue upholstered chair was tucked in by the room’s only window in the far corner. A pretty lace doily hung over the top of the chair, and one graced the small table next to it. A sewing basket sat next to the chair, overflowing with fabric. Mellie had clearly carved out this corner of the room as her own.
On the right-hand side of the room, a rectangular table butted up against the wall. Grace sat there with a mug of tea between her hands. Caroline smiled at her. “How are you faring this morning, Grace? Did you sleep well?”
Grace nodded, and a corner of her mouth turned up in a half-smile before her expression crumpled. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she sat there clutching the mug.
