Cage held up the box. “I do. I have cream puffs.”
Jack shook his head. “Well, it’s a start. Not a very good one, but the woman does like her sweets.”
“She is outside in the gardens holding court during luncheon,” Gilchrest said. “Follow me.”
When Cage emerged out onto the terrace, he scanned the guests milling around in the sunshine. Then he spotted her across the lawn. She sat in the shade of a great oak, in a pale pink frock, her matching bonnet lay in her lap. His breath caught at how beautiful she looked.
Cage moved forward through the throng of people, taking the fastest path to reach her. He could tell exactly when she spotted him. The smile she wore faded, and her fan paused mid-swish. A half dozen other ladies, including her mother and the duchess, sat in a half-circle of chairs around her. “Good afternoon, ladies.” He bowed. Then he looked directly at Caroline. “Lady Caroline, would you care to go for a ride with me?”
She raised her gaze to meet his. Her eyes blazed with indignation. “You said you were not coming back.”
“I found that I’d made a terrible mistake.”
She jabbed her fan in his direction. “You broke my heart.” Her bottom lip trembled.
The tiny motion pierced right into his chest. He went down on one knee in front of her. “I’m so sorry. Caroline, I beg of you, will you allow me to explain my actions?” he said softly.
Emma nudged Caroline with an elbow. “You don’t have to forgive him, but at least allow him to grovel properly without an audience.”
Caroline glanced around at the open mouth expressions of the ladies around her before returning her gaze to him. “All right. I will meet you at the stable yard in thirty minutes.” She pointed to the box in his hand. “Is that for me?”
“Yes.” He pulled it back when she reached for it. “But not yet.” Immensely relieved, she granted him a chance to make his case; he stood and gave her a broad wink. Then Cage walked away to find the housekeeper. He needed to pack a lunch.
Chapter 47
Caroline walked across the lawns toward the stable yard with butterflies of excitement in her stomach. He had come back. Perhaps she should hold on tighter to the anger she had nursed so carefully the past few days. He had told her he loved her and then ran away! But it was no use; her heart soared with happiness. He had returned, and she would not let him go again. He belonged with her, and she would tell him so today.
Cage stood waiting for her, the reins of two horses held loosely in one hand. A breeze blew his hair around that chiseled jaw. His lips turned up as she approached, his cautious smile sending those butterflies in her belly into a frenzy. She brushed her hands down the skirts of her dark blue riding habit.Remember, don’t make this too easy for him.
“I see you found my favorite mount.” She reached out and took Daisy’s reins.
“They told me inside which you preferred. The groom gave me this fine fellow since Sullivan is tired from the ride from Taitlands this morning. Ready?” he asked.
She nodded, and Cage lifted her in one swift move onto Daisy’s back. Then he turned to mount his horse.
“How is Grace? Was she there?” she asked.
“Yes, she was there with William. As you thought, she needed to settle her feelings about the place, about the past. She and I both.” Cage nudged his horse forward. They walked them down the slope and headed around the lake.
She had questions to ask, but she didn’t want to push him. Just like Grace, he would talk to her when he was ready. As they hit the open pasture on the far side of the lake, Cage turned to face her. “You bragged this horse was far faster than your horse in town.” He waggled his eyebrows up and down. “Care for a race?”
She grinned. “Always. There is a large tree charred from a lightning strike a quarter of a mile yonder. See you there.”
Then she nudged Daisy with her crop, and they moved from a canter to a full gallop. Daisy flew across the field, happy to have her head. Caroline let the familiar feeling of freedom blow through her, sweeping away all the uncertainty and sadness of the past few days.
Today was her birthday. She would gain her portion and had decided to use it to fund her idea for a halfway house for prostitutes. Additionally, she would invest in a small woman-owned newspaper. Caroline had set aside how she felt about the article after the bacchanal. Elizabeth Sullivan shined a light on problems that other papers ignored, and Caroline wanted to support her unique lens.
She felt rather than heard Morgan approach on her left. Turning her head, she gave him a cheeky smile.Not today, Lord Wrotham.Caroline bent over to whisper encouragement to her horse. “Stretch those legs, girl. We can beat them.”
The charred tree came into view, and Daisy pushed ahead. They raced across the imaginary finish line at least a full length ahead.Yes!She slowed Daisy to a trot. Morgan came up next to her, matching his mount’s speed to hers. “Congratulations. She is fast.”
“Thank you, kind sir.”
“Shall we stop and have a picnic?” He patted the basket he had strapped behind him.
“The ruins of an old folly are over at the top of the hill there.” She pointed west. “It’s a nice spot.”
They slowed their mounts to a walk and made their way up to the folly. Cage dismounted first and then reached up to help her down. His heated gaze never left hers as she slid down in front of him. They stood so close to each other she could feel his breath brush against her cheek. She let her eyes flutter closed.But instead of the kiss she expected, his hands dropped from her waist. He turned to retrieve the basket and blanket from his saddle.
