“Lady Rendon is wonderful,” Beatrice said with a smile. “This festival wouldn’t be what it is without her support. She also understands that sometimes some of the townsfolk need to be convinced to put in the extra work to close up their shops for the day and move out into the town square.”
“What you’re saying is that my mother bribes them?” Caspian asked.
“Monetary compensation may be involved,” Beatrice said solemnly, but there was a twinkle in her eye.
“Between you and me, I think she’s trying to bribe me to stay in town, too,” Caspian said with a grin. “I think she wants to see me married and settled down, but I don’t know that I’m ready for that yet.”
Why had he just blurted that out?
Beatrice nodded. “Your mother does have a matchmaker’s heart. I can tell. We are kindred spirits in that sense.”
Caspian sighed. “Yes, well, she has a challenge on her hands with me.”
Was it true that he wasn’t ready, though? Did he want to settle down?
The thought of Sophia sitting next to another man in the café made him uneasy, which was a new feeling for him. Maybe Sophia didn’t like the man. Maybe she would be happy for Caspian to swoop in and save the day. Or maybe she was in love with the other man, and he’d misread their conversation in the goat pen.
He was getting way ahead of himself. He grunted and crossed his arms.
Focus, Caspian.
“Is there anything else you need from me today?” he asked as he uncrossed his arms. “How quickly do you need me to get to all of these vendors?”
“If you can speak to them all within the next week, that would be lovely,” Beatrice said, “so we can continue planning. And yes, that is all I need today. Thank you so much for coming, and I hope we can make this the best Fall Festival we’ve ever had.”
“I look forward to it,” Caspian said, offering his hand. Beatrice held out hers and he took it, bowing slightly before letting go. They walked out of her office to find two old ladies in the library.
“Beatrice,” one of them said, “where have you been?”
“Hello, Eugenia,” Beatrice responded. “I was just in my office. How can I help you?”
“I’m looking for a new crocheting pattern,” Eugenia responded, “but who’s this handsome man?”
He’d grown a beard since he’d left, but surely Eugenia hadn’t forgotten him entirely. She’d been the local schoolteacher, and even though he and his brothers had been taught by a tutor in their home, she’d still known them through town events. Perhaps she was only teasing?
“It’s Lord Caspian Rendon,” Beatrice said, giving Eugenia a stern glance.
“Oh. goodness, Lord Caspian,” Eugenia said. “I had forgotten how handsome you were. Make sure you save a dance for me at the Fall Festival, won’t you, dear?”
“Of course I will,” Caspian said, after a quick glance at Beatrice. She was shaking her head, but Caspian didn’t see a way out of this one without being impossibly rude, and he had a feeling that would make his mother terribly cranky.
“How many hearts did you break while you were gone?” Eugenia asked.
Caspian bit back a sigh. He hadn’t missed the gossipy old ladies while he was in Riyel. They were lovely women, but they sure did know how to talk. No doubt word of his return would be everywhere shortly. “No broken hearts,” he said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to head for home. Beatrice, ladies,” he said, nodding in farewell as he walked out the door.
Even the brisk breeze and the sunshine did nothing to lift his mood as he made his way toward the café.
He’d thought that the Fall Festival was the first sign that his parents trusted him and wanted him to take care of something. But not only was he taking over his mother’s least important task, it seemed to require dealing with the town gossips—not exactly something he wanted to be doing.
Caspian sighed as he entered the café. Being home wasn’t going the way he’d expected at all.
He scanned the room for Sophia, but she wasn’t there. She must have already left for home. He sighed again and made his way to the counter to order a hot cider. At least he could get a good drink out of this whole disappointing afternoon.
Besides, it was probably better if he didn’t spend time with Sophia.
It would be a little too easy to fall for her.
Chapter five
