“Warrick!” Caroline’s mother snapped the fan closed and slapped him on the arm. “Not in front of the children.”
“Darling, she is about to be married. She is not a child anymore.”
Caroline’s cheeks heated. If her mother only knew that she had spent every afternoon the last week at Cage’s townhouse helping him to get things organized and making love in almost every room. New furniture for his study had been delivered, and Cage had gotten under her skirts as she lay sprawled across the new teak desk. They’d planned to organize the books properly in the library, but instead, the new velvet upholstered sofa had received a similar christening as the desk. The man was just so deliciously distracting. Caroline glanced down just in time to see Lord Wrotham stride into the ballroom. Speak of the devil. His presence sent a delicious shiver down her spine.
He paused and scanned the room full of guests. She’d noticed this was his habit upon entering any new surroundings. But tonight, she hoped he was searching the room for her. Perhaps he could sense her presence because his gaze rose to where she stood at the railing. Their eyes locked. Caroline gave a small wave and, in return, received the full force of Cage’s smile.
He began to move through the crowd, not making his way around but instead walked a direct path right through the dancing. Couples quickly parted to get out of his way. Caroline put a hand to her mouth to cover a giggle. She turned to her mother and Lord Warrick. “Please excuse me. I see Lord Wrotham has arrived.”
“Yes, please go save our guests from his determination to find you,” her mother said.
Caroline flew down the wide curved staircase that led to the ballroom floor. Cage strode toward her, and they stopped mereinches from each other. She looked up at his handsome face and wished she could throw herself into his embrace. His eyes shone with good humor as if he knew what she was thinking.
Cage took one of her hands and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “I feel the same, duchess. But I promise to be on my best behavior tonight.”
Her lips twitched as she tried to hold back a laugh. She curtsied. “What a shame, my lord.”
Cage’s gaze moved to the staircase behind her. “Good evening, Lady Gilchrest, Lord Warrick.”
Caroline turned to face her mother. “Mother, perhaps you can practice telling your news to Lord Wrotham.”
Her mother’s eyes narrowed, but Lord Warrick looked pleased as punch at Caroline’s suggestion.
“What news?” Cage asked politely.
“Lord Warrick and I are to be married.”
“Congratulations.” Cage leaned over to kiss her mother’s cheek. Then shook a smiling Lord Warrick’s hand.
“See, that wasn’t so hard. Go enjoy your party. Shout it from the rooftops,” Caroline said.
“Really child, you are too much sometimes.” Her mother frowned, but her eyes sparkled with humor. She took Lord Warrick’s arm. “Come along, Warrick. Why don’t you young people go dance.” The two strolled away.
Cage held his hand out. “I hate to disobey an order from your mother.”
He led her onto the dance floor. A quadrille began, and for the first time this spring, Caroline looked forward to dancing. Cage surprised her by being light on his feet as he smoothly wound them through the dance. He winked at her as he took her hand to twirl her around, his smile as intimate as if his fingers had brushed her cheek instead of simply clasped her hand. Shelonged to be alone with him and away from the dozens of guests who watched them.
When the music ended, Cage bent to whisper in her ear. “Shall we get some fresh air?”
Caroline tugged him off the dance floor. “Yes, I’ll meet you outside. Fetch us some punch and let me exit first.”
Unlike many other grand homes in the city, Gilchrest House gardens were less formal and more in line with the classic English style. Helen Langdon oversaw the design herself instead of hiring a designer. Her mother also insisted that during parties, torches be placed throughout to light the paths. She wanted no illicit liaisons in her gardens. Caroline strolled through the rose garden breathing in the fragrant smells. The torchlight flickered cheerfully every six feet or so. She chose a bench to sit in view of the house so Morgan could find her easily when he returned with the drinks.
A voice came from directly behind her. “Lady Caroline.”
She twisted around, peering into the darkness outside the circle of torchlight. Lord Devonshire emerged and walked to stand in front of her. Although he was dressed in evening clothes, his hair was disheveled, and there were deep circles under his eyes. Caroline straightened her shoulders and put forth her most disdainful glare.
“Lord Devonshire, I don’t believe you were invited tonight,” she said.
“That’s just it. I’m not invited anywhere. I’ve become a pariah.” His voice unusually high pitched, he ran a hand through his hair, giving it a vicious tug.
“That’s hardly my concern,” she retorted.
“But Lady Caroline, you are the answer.” He moved closer. “You must accept my proposal. If you are my wife, they would all have to accept me.” He dropped to his knees in front of her andgrabbed her hand. “You are perfect, unattainable. If you say yes, you could reform my reputation.”
Caroline tugged her hand away to escape his grasp, but he seized the other hand as well. “Lord Devonshire! Please let go. I will not marry you.” She glanced around. The paths that had strolling couples just moments ago now seemed deserted.
“But you must! You are the only one who can save me.” His eyes were wild, his hands squeezing hers painfully.
