“Lord Wrotham, it is nice to meet you.” Caroline inclined her head. She took the opportunity to assess the man from under her eyelashes. By the devil, he was good-looking, but not in the classic sense. He looked more like a prizefighter than a gentleman. His nose was slightly crooked, and a thin scar ran through his left eyebrow, interrupting the hair that grew there,and ended up at his cheekbone. The three-inch mark curved dangerously close to his eye. She wondered how he had received the slice.
“Taking a break from the ballroom?” Andrew asked.
“Yes, in fact, we are ready to leave,” Emma replied. “I am feeling tired after all that dancing. Your mother will meet us in the front hall.”
Andrew immediately drew his wife in close, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist. “We will leave immediately.”
Caroline rolled her eyes at her older brother’s rapid acquiescence. Married two years, the duke doted on his wife. It was so inappropriate to be that familiar in public. She turned toward the other two gentlemen.
“Lord Wrotham, I see you forgot your mask tonight. Or do you prefer not to participate in such frivolities?” she asked.
“That’s my fault.” Lord Winters interjected. “I invited him tonight and forgot to mention it was a masked ball.”
“Yes, I would have participated if I had known. And you, Lady Caroline, are also missing a mask.”
Her hand lifted to her face. She had quite forgotten about her mask. Lord Wrotham’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
“Perhaps this belongs to you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out her jeweled domino.
That pulled Andrew’s attention away from his wife. “Why does Lord Wrotham have your mask, Caroline?” He frowned.
“Oh, la! I lost it earlier this evening. It kept slipping down my nose. Thank you, sir.” She gave Lord Wrotham a pleading look. He had seemed like such a decent fellow outside.
“I found it on the ballroom floor.” His eyes never left hers. “I’m glad to be able to return it to its owner.” Then he dared to wink before turning that mile-wide smile at the others. “It was very nice to meet you all. I believe I will see what trouble I may get into at the card tables. Good night.”
Chapter 4
Wrapped in her warmest dressing gown, Caroline padded down the hallway toward the kitchens. In recent years, Mrs. Bloom’s domain had become Caroline’s sanctuary. Mrs. Bloom had taken over the position of housekeeper three years ago. Warm and cheery, she did not mind when Caroline spent time drinking tea and chatting while the kitchen staff prepared meals. Mrs. Bloom always had an ear to listen to Caroline tell stories of what had happened on her evenings out. Her mother disapproved of gossiping, but Caroline’s stories always entertained the kitchen staff. What her mother didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
Tonight, Caroline was looking for a small snack. She hadn’t eaten anything earlier in an effort to fit into her evening gown. Now she was famished. As she entered the kitchens, she was surprised to see anyone awake. Around the table sat Mrs. Bloom, her brother’s valet, Winston, and her maid, Susie. They surrounded a young man who had his head down on his arms. His shoulders shook with muffled sobs.
“What’s happening? What’s wrong?” Caroline hurried into the room. All three servants rose to their feet.
“Do you need something, my dear?” Mrs. Bloom asked.
“I need to know what’s happening,” Caroline demanded. “George, is that you?” The footman lifted his head, and indeed his eyes were red-rimmed, and his face streaked with tears.
The three others exchanged meaningful glances. Caroline crossed her arms. “If something has happened to George, don’t you think I should know? Maybe I can help.”
“All right, no need to shout, miss. Come sit down.” Mrs. Bloom said.
“Lady Caroline, it’s my sister. My father’s gone and sold her!” George burst into fresh tears.
“What?” She looked at the others around the table. “What does that mean?”
Winston began. “George has several younger siblings that reside with his father. His father is, um, not able to take care of them all properly.”
“He’s a dirty rotten drunk, he is!” George spat out.
“George has been sending his salary home to help his family pay for food and rent. But apparently, his father decided he needed more…and well…he sold George’s sister Alice to a house of ill repute.” Winston tugged his cravat, loosening the knot. His expression was grim with distaste.
Caroline gaped in disbelief. “Can he do that?”
Susie nodded her head. “It happens more often than any decent person would like to think. Poor Alice, she’s only fifteen.”
“We’ll tell my brother. He can fix this. He’ll have the whole place shut down!” Caroline stood, ready to go wake Andrew immediately.
Mrs. Bloom put a hand on her arm, stopping her from rushing off. “This isn’t any business for the duke. This here is a personal matter.” Her mouth tightened into a thin line. “Perhaps you should go on up to bed, miss.”
