Lady Wyndham chuckled. “Caroline, it was obvious.”
“Nothing was obvious,” she argued.
“I saw how he looked at you.” She grinned. “More importantly, I suffer from insomnia and I often saw my son cross the terrace to your chamber once he believed everyone was asleep.”
Caroline wished that she could disappear. Sterling being her lover was to have always been a secret.
“I thought that since the two of you became lovers that love was included.”
“You know that such an emotion is not necessary, Lady Wyndham”
“Unfortunately, it is not. That saddens me, Caroline, because I truly had hoped to have you as a daughter-in-law.”
She would have liked that as well.
Chapter Fifty
Elliot had spenta good portion of the day with Sterling, but he refused to talk about Caroline, and when it came time for dinner, insisted they return to their mother at Wyndview Farm to dine.
Sterling had wanted to, but he couldn’t risk seeing Caroline. It would hurt him too much so he told Elliot to visit him tomorrow, if he could find the time.
But, what if, with Sterling out of the way, Elliot decided that he wanted to court Caroline?
He had said she was beautiful, which she was.
If not Elliot, then another man would call on her.
His stomach knotted with the very idea of any other man kissing Caroline.
Jealousy was an uncomfortable emotion and he did not like it very much.
With those thoughts, he opened the door to a tavern, entered, and found a table in a dark corner and ordered a meal.
When a pitcher of ale was placed on the table, Sterling almost rejected it, but instead, he poured himself a glass. He swore that he would not drink half as much as he had the night before.
He had just pushed his plate away when Elliot entered the tavern and took a seat across from him.
“What are you doing here?”
“Mother kicked me out. She said you needed me more than she did.”
Sterling snorted. For a woman who liked to have her sons visit, she certainly sent them away often enough.
“She also encouraged me to bring you to your senses before it was too late and Caroline was lost to you for good and you were miserable for the rest of your life.”
“I will not be miserable,” he insisted, though he certainly felt that way now.
“Tell me about the ball,” Elliot prompted.
“Why?”
“Because Mother said so.” His brother grinned.
“It was a bloody ball at the Governor’s home.”
“You can do better than that, Sterling. Much better.”
So, he told him what he remembered, and answered questions, but admitted nothing as to his opinion or feelings for Caroline.
