Caroline sat across from him at the table wearing just her shift. She sipped at the glass of wine he had poured. He dropped to the opposite bench and rested his forearms on the table. Her hair mussed, her lips swollen from his kisses, she looked well-tumbled and so beautiful.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked.
Her lips turned up into a smile. “Cage, you’ve asked me thrice. How many times must I assure you I’m well?” Her hand slide over to cover his. “I enjoyed every moment.”
He turned their hands, so he cupped hers, his hand so large and rough in comparison. Staring down, he traced the lines that crisscrossed her palm. “Because of my size and strength, I am always conscious to be careful with my lovers. I don’t like to lose control. I guess we share that trait.” He glanced up.
Caroline frowned. “How many lovers have you had?” Then she held up a hand. “No, don’t answer. I don’t want to know.” She tried to tug her hand away, but he held fast. Her lips pursed, and a furrow appeared between her eyebrows.
Cage chuckled. “Jealous? I think I like that.” He kissed her knuckles. He liked it far too much.
Caroline huffed out a long breath, but then she smiled. He let go of her hand and took a drink from his wine glass.
“So, how was your conversation with your sister?” she asked.
“Well enough. I’m glad she is speaking to me. Grace said she is not angry with me. But truthfully, I’m angry at myself enough for the both of us. I should have been there to protect her from villains like Harlow.”
“How were you to be there when you were away at war? You believed she was somewhere safe.”
He shook his head. He did not want to have this conversation right now. How low would her opinion be of him if she knew the truth of how he had abandoned Grace and Anne to live withthe monster? If she knew that he could very well become the monster? Like father like son.
Cage ran a hand down over his face. “Let’s not speak of it anymore. You and Grace looked thick as thieves this morning. What were you up to?”
Caroline’s face lit up with enthusiasm. “We were speaking about opening a safe house for women who would like to leave the life of prostitution but have nowhere to go. A place where they could learn new skills to gain respectable employment. Emma and Lucy have offered their old home on Green Street for the project. And your sister has offered her help and advice about what things are most needed by the community.”
“The duchess offered to house prostitutes in one of her homes?”
“Well, yes. It will be a charitable endeavor. She is not opening her own brothel.” Caroline laughed, but her eyes were serious. “It will be my endeavor. Something to throw my money at, as you said.”
“I apologize for my words that night.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “I think this is a brilliant idea. You amaze me.”
Caroline’s lips turned up in a shy smile. She rose, stepped onto the bench, and then crawled across the tabletop. Winding her arms around his neck, she said, “Perhaps I could amaze you further upstairs in that big bed of yours.”
He stood and pulled her into his arms. “That is another brilliant idea.”
Chapter 36
Caroline stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked the ballroom. The music drifted up from below as dozens of guests twirled on the dance floor. A low hum of conversation filled the grand room. Caroline looked up into the inky night sky through the glass dome that soared above the ballroom's center. Tonight’s ball at Gilchrest House would be the last social event before the family left for Stoneleigh. Her birthday on the fifteenth of June always began the summer festivities at their country seat.
“You look lovely tonight, dear.” Her mother’s voice came from the far end of the balcony.
Caroline turned. Her mother and Lord Warrick approached, his arm tucked around her mother’s waist. She curtsied. “Thank you. Good evening, Lord Warrick. It’s nice to see you.”
Lord Warrick smiled. “I haven’t yet had the chance to congratulate you on your engagement. I wish you all the best with Lord Wrotham.”
“Thank you.” Caroline couldn’t keep from smiling. “I’ve become quite fond of him. I think I’ll keep him.”
“Well, it’s certainly a relief to hear that.” Her mother chuckled.
“Everything looks lovely, Mother. What are you two doing up here? Shouldn’t you be downstairs enjoying yourselves?”
“Helen is quite nervous to tell people about our plans for the future.” Lord Warrick gave her mother an arched look.
Her mother’s silk fan fluttered back and forth frantically. “I’m not certain that we aren’t too old to be doing this. Perhaps we could just continue the way things have been.”
Caroline had never seen her mother more flustered. Helen Langdon was always a pillar of grace and poise.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” Lord Warrick responded. “I intend to make an honest woman out of you. No more sneaking around.”
