A warm blush seeped into Caroline’s cheeks. “You are being generous. No other man knows I exist. How else can you explain the four Seasons it took to obtain a declaration?”
“I seem to recall a few men who would have gladly pronounced their love for you. Mr. Knighting, Mr. Hawthorne, Mr. Johns?—”
“All of whom didn’t have a ha’penny to their names,” Caroline argued.
“Pity.” Lottie looked thoughtful, her wayward golden hair peeking out from beneath her white cap. “Mr. Johnson was especially handsome.”
Caroline waited for Lottie to finish securing her shoes before stepping toward the mirror to ensure everything was in order. “Mr. Johnson’s fidelity was questionable, too.”
Lottie made a slight sound of disgust. “I am ever grateful you’ve found Mr. Dennison.”
Staid. Reliable. Loyal. Rich.
The man was perfect.
“As am I,” she said quietly, brushing a hand over her embroidered rose-colored sleeve. “He is about to change everything.”
The ball was an over-warm crush.Cloying perfume wafted in clouds around the groups of matrons. So many dancers took up space in the ballroom, all conversations were shoved to the outer walls, with hardly any room to stand. Mama had been drawn into conversation with Lady Tilbury, but the woman was beyond reasonably nosy. Caroline would prefer not to be caught on that particular fishing line, or she would remain stuck on the woman’s hook the rest of the evening.
Which would be a shame, because she was there for a particular reason, and yet she’d only seen snippets of her brother, and nothing of Mr. Denn—oh! There he was, looking about as though in search ofher. He was dashing in his blue superfine and clean white cravat. Mr. Dennison was tall andthin, moving at a pace only a man with intent would in a room this full.
Now, where was James? He had disappeared the moment they walked through the door. She hoped that meant he was still here. The men needed to speak privately before Mr. Dennison could offer for her.
A blush warmed Caroline’s neck at the very idea of hearing the words tonight she had longed for. To become an engaged woman, no longer aging toward spinsterhood and a life as her mother’s companion, forced into dowdy caps and boring conversations on the perimeters of the party, forever a burden.
Never mind the economic relief it would provide. Perhaps Caroline wouldn’t need to remake gowns for her balls any longer.
“Have you an opinion on the matter, Miss Whitby?” Lady Tilbury asked, forcing her into the very situation she was eager to be rid of.
Caroline smiled. “Forgive me, my lady. I wasn’t attending.”
Lady Tilbury chuckled, her round cheeks widening beneath creased eyes. “How can anyone expect a pretty young woman such as yourself to keep her wits about her when there are so many handsome gentlemen about?”
Oh yes, of course. Because the only thing young women ever thought about was men. Well, shehadbeen thinking of marriage all day, but notmen.Caroline wanted security. Nay, sheneededsecurity: shewantedfreedom and independence and pin money and children. Mr. Dennison was merely the vehicle to convey her to those things.
He was not fooled, of course. He knew as well as she that theirs was no love match. A matter of necessity to marry on her part and a need for heirs on his. It was plain to both ofthem she was receiving the better end of the deal. All the more reason to complete their business as soon as possible.
Or shortly after she could extricate herself from this conversation.
Teeth clenching, Caroline forced a reply. “What was it you wanted to know?”
Lady Tilbury waved a fan over her reddened cheeks, making the feather in her turban dance about. “Your mother and I were conjecturing on the motivation behind your brother’s return. I think he is ready to find a wife.”
James had grown tired of living abroad. That was no secret. He hadn’t tried to hide his thoughts when he was home, at least. But if Mama was acting as though she didn’t know why he’d come home—why she’daskedhim to come home—Caroline had better not say anything. “Does anyone know the inner workings of a gentleman’s mind? I certainly cannot pretend to know my brother’s.”
Mama set a hand on her forearm. “There is Mr. Dennison, Caro. Shall we make our way toward him? I am certain he will wish to ask you for a dance.”
Lady Tilbury tittered. “What a handsome couple you make, Miss Whitby. I hope to be hearing an announcement soon on that score.”
Mama gave her a look which could only be deciphered as equally hopeful before drawing Caroline away from the matron. When they had passed another group and were out of earshot, Mama leaned close and lowered her voice. “She’ll take the credit for it once the announcement is made tonight.”
“She likely would have done so regardless of our conversation. She believes herself responsible for introducing Mr. Dennison to me at the Neeson’s rout.”
“When I am that lonely, do not allow me to findcompanionship by meddling, Caro. I am relying on you to keep me properly occupied.”
“You will have no shortage of companionship once I provide you with grandchildren, I think.”
Mama’s face brightened. “Too true, darling. Oh, look!James is speaking to Mr. Dennison now. But who is the other man with them?”
