“Sully here has got plenty of life in him yet.” William reached over the stall door and rubbed the horse’s nose.
Cage put his hands in the pockets of his buckskins. He rocked back onto the heels of his boots. “William, what are your intentions with my sister?”
The man turned from the horse to face him. “She has my heart. And whenever the day comes that she feels ready, I’d like to make her my wife.”
His straightforward honesty touched Cage. He nodded. “Whenever she decides, you have my support.”
William’s eyes widened. “You’ll not object? Even though I’m so far beneath her?”
“She deserves happiness. If you make her happy, then that’s what matters above all else.”
“I will. I can, I promise.”
“I came out here today because I’d like to offer you a job here at Taitlands. I would like you to be my new stable master. I’ll need you to hire on some help, advise me on the purchase of new horses, and get these stables up and running again. It will be a big undertaking. What say you?”
“Grace will be residing here at Taitlands?” William asked.
“Yes. She does not care for town.”
A wide smile spread across his broad face. “Then yes, I’ll take the job.”
Chapter 46
Cage rode up to the front of Stoneleigh about one o’clock the next day. He pulled his carryall and a package which held his surprise for Caroline from the back of the horse. He took in a steadying breath and rang the front bell.
The butler opened the door. “Welcome back, Lord Wrotham.”
“Thank you, Jones.”
Jones indicated with a wave of his hand for a footman to take Cage’s bag and hat. Cage handed over the satchel but held onto his package. “Not this. It’s for Lady Caroline, for her birthday.”
“I hope it’s something spectacular. You’ll need it,” a deep voice echoed.
Cage looked over Jones’ shoulder. Gilchrest and his brother strode across the marble floor of the entrance hall toward him. Jones neatly stepped out of the way, and he and the footman disappeared with his things.
“You have a lot of nerve showing up here again.” Jack wore a thunderous expression.
“You better be here to make things right with Caroline.” The duke’s icy blue gaze froze Cage’s response in his throat.
“He doesn’t deserve her,” Jack growled.
The two men stood shoulder to shoulder, arms crossed, creating an effective blockade of muscle. Cage finally found his voice. “I need to speak to Caroline.”
Jack let out a snort.
“Gentleman, what is going on here?” Vivian came rushing toward them. She pushed right between the two brothers. “Morgan, I thought that was you. I’m relieved to see you.” She whirled to face her husband and the duke. “What is the matter with you two? Are you planning to team up and tear off a piece of his hide?”
“Not a bad idea,” the duke muttered.
“He made her cry,” Jack said.
“She cried?” Cage asked.Bloody hell. He needed to see her now. But how to get past her brothers? With honesty. He ran a hand through his hair. “Listen, I love her. I didn’t think I could be what she needs. But I can’t live without her. I’m here to beg her forgiveness. Let me at least try.”
The two men exchanged a look and reached some kind of silent agreement. Their aggressive posture relaxed a bit. “She is spitting mad,” Jack warned.
Vivian looked up at Cage. “I think her anger is the only thing holding her together. Have care. You hurt her.”
“I hope you have some sort of plan,” Gilchrest said.
