Maybe if he would have confessed what he was hiding, she might have as well.
Except, he would never know.
“It is your future, your happiness, and your trust,” Elliot reminded him.
*
All will bewell,Caroline repeated to herself even if it wasn’t said out loud.
She was grateful for what they had, especially in this moment as she sat on the terrace with Livia and enjoyed the biscuits that Cookhad just taken from the oven.
They had a home, her brother would be the next estate manager after she finished training him, and her father would take care of his grapes and hold onto the memories of his wife.
She would be happy if her heart didn’t ache so much and she would live with the regret of her poor choices for the rest of her life.
No, she was not going to think about Sterling because she might cry. Tears were for when she was alone and she did not want to explain to Livia.
She was too young to understand anyway.
“I thought he left, Mama?”
Caroline looked at her daughter. “Who, darling?
“The earl.” Livia pointed to behind Caroline.
She slowly turned to find that Sterling was standing just outside the door of his home.
He should have already sailed. At least that was what she assumed. Had he seen his brother and decided to remain? It certainly was not because of her.
He likely thought to come outside but when he saw her, he was not certain what to do. There could be several reasons why he was standing there that had nothing to do with her.
Except, he was staring at her. Making Caroline nervous. Therefore, she stood and smoothed out her dress while simultaneously wiping her sweaty palms on her skirt.
“I am sorry.”
He said three simple words that nearly caused her heart to stop.
He took a step in her direction. “I understand.”
She was afraid to ask what it was he understood, and she did not dare hope.
“I, too, would go to great lengths to protect my family, especially if I had a young child. At least I like to think that I would.”
Her hands started to shake. He kept walking until he stood before her.
“I do not want to be miserable like my father. I don’t want to loselove because of pride. I don’t want to become bitter because I rejected love and was too proud to forgive. Too proud to ask for forgiveness.”
Tears sprang to her eyes.
“It is true that you make me a better man. Or, you had been responsible for until I was a complete and utter unforgiving arse to you. My only excuse was that it came from a place of more of pain and less of anger.” He reached out and took her hands. “I love you, Caroline. I do not know when it began. I just know that I do, and I swear with everything that I am that I will never treat you poorly but will honor and cherish you every single day. I do not want to return to England without you. Please say that you will come with me.”
All she could do was stare into his blue eyes, warm and sincere, and her pulse pounded as her heart melted. Could she trust that this was true?
“What about me?” Livia asked.
Caroline dropped her chin and tried not to laugh.
“I do not want to go back without you either, Livia,” Sterling answered with a chuckle.
