She would have preferred he smiled, glad to see her, but it was her own fault he was displeased. She had chosen Mr.Dennison. Father’s actions had taken away her options and made that a requirement.
“Welcome,” Lady Tilbury said, taking Caroline’s hand and squeezing her fingers softly. Lowering her voice, she bestowed a secret. “I received a note not thirty minutes past that Mr. Dennison has been caught up with a trifling cold and will not be able to join us this evening.”
Relief flooded Caroline.
“I know it must be a disappointment,” Lady Tilbury continued, “but we shall contrive to do our best to have an enjoyable evening nonetheless.”
“You mistake the situation, my lady.” Caroline squeezed her fingers gently in return. “I am glad of the present company and only wish that Mr. Dennison will shortly feel better.”
“Well said, my dear.” There was a twinkle in Lady Tilbury’s eye. “But you cannot fool me. I know young ladies always prefer to be with handsome gentlemen than old women like us.” She looked toward Tristan meaningfully.
Oh goodness.
Mama took Caroline’s other arm and tugged softly. “Do not let us keep you from your guests, my lady.”
“Yes, yes. I see Mrs. King has arrived. I must greet her, though she’s shockingly late. Dinner will be ready any moment.” She adjusted her purple turban and scurried away, her set down subtly received.
When she was out of earshot, Mama leaned closer. “Shall we greet your Mr. Shepherd instead?”
“He is notmine, Mama.”
Her mother gave a quiet, exasperated puff. “There is nothing at all the matter with courting multiple gentlemen when you have yet to decide whom you would prefer to marry.”
Caroline was saved from needing to respond by the announcement that dinner was ready. When she made her way into the dining room, she fought exasperation and amusement. Lady Tilbury had seen to it Caroline was seated beside Tristan.
He stood behind her chair, waiting expectantly, a bland expression on his face. They had previously been friends, at least. This indifferent man was far less enjoyable.
He pulled out her chair, and she smiled up at him. “Thank you.”
“It is my pleasure,” he replied plainly, then smoothly pushed her chair in as she sat.
Caroline was prepared to sacrifice what she wanted for what her family needed, but allowing Tristan to believe it was her choice was more difficult than she had imagined.
“Have you met Mr. Langford?” he asked, gesturing to the man seated on her other side.
She glanced at the gentleman, surprised by the depth of his hair, so dark it nearly looked black. He had kind blue eyes and a pleasant face. “I have not had that pleasure.”
“Miss Whitby, allow me to introduce Mr. Andrew Langford,” Tristan said. “We have been friends since school, though he is far more intelligent than I am.”
“Not everyone is cut out to be a banker,” Mr. Langford said, flashing a brilliant smile. “It is lovely to meet you, Miss Whitby.”
“Not everyone is cut out for the tedium, you mean?” Tristan replied, taking his seat.
Mr. Langford laughed before turning his attention to spreading his napkin over his lap.
Caroline removed her gloves and waited for her glass to be filled. She glanced down the table, recognizing only half of the people in attendance. Mama had been placed at the otherend, and aside from Tristan, she did not know many of the people she’d been seated near. It was going to be a long evening, she wagered.
Once they had completed the first course in almost complete silence, Caroline resolved that the remainder of their dinner would be different. She sipped her wine and set the goblet down before shifting her shoulders slightly toward Tristan. “Time to help you win your wager, Mr. Shepherd. If I am going to do a proper job of it, perhaps you ought to tell me what you desire in a wife.”
“An honest woman,” he said quickly. She was gratified that the bitterness which had tinged his tone at Green Park was now absent.
Caroline inhaled, searching for the right words. “Naturally. What of her temperament?”
He glanced at her. “Pattern her after yourself, and I will be satisfied.”
A blush stole its way up her neck. “You should not say such things.”
“Whyever not? You know you are safe from my flirtations, for you love another man. Surely what I say can have no bearing on your feelings.”
