Caroline did not wear a hat, and he wondered if she ever did due to the delicate spattering of freckles across her nose and the golden bronze of her skin. It really should not be a surprise. Even during the colder months, it was still warm enough to spend out of doors without too much extra clothing, unlike England, which could be cold, damp, dreary, and chill a person to their bones during the winter.
Caroline did not possess the pale and porcelain complexion that Society adored. Instead, she appeared healthier with her tanned skin. The debutantes in England would look sickly next to her.
“What is it that you do around here, Mrs. Sutcliffe?” She seemed to be everywhere he went.
“I assist my father when I can.”
“Such as inquiring about barrels.”
“He needed to know if there would be enough as he expects a larger grape harvest than in the past,” she answered. “I can now tell him that there will be a sufficient supply as he requested.”
Perhaps that is all there was to it, but when she had been below, she had spoken with authority. Sterling had a gnawing feeling that she was more than an assistant to her father, but with no proof or explanation for feeling in such a way.
It was very odd.
*
Caroline stood infront of the mirror, surprised by her reflection.
The rose dress with delicate white lace fit well and even though it had been designed for an innocent debutante, it was not girlish. In fact, she had not worn it during her only Season because her mother thought the modiste had erred in cutting the bodice too low. It may have been inappropriate for a miss of nine and ten, but it was not for a widow of four and twenty.
She slowly turned and tried to get a glimpse of the back of her head the best that she could. It had been so long since she had taken the time to curl and pin her hair and wondered if she shouldn’t arrange it in a more moderate chignon given her status. Except, she liked the cascade of curls brushing her neck. It made her feel feminine, pretty, just like she had so long ago, instead of a widow with a young daughter and aging, forgetful father to take care of.
Maybe if Lord Wyndham saw her dressed as the granddaughter of a baron, he would forget that he found her standing in the wine cellar discussing the purchase of barrels. It was also a reminder that she needed to be more careful because he could wander anywhere at any time. He did own the property.
But she would not think about that tonight. She was going to her first ball in years.
With a lightness and anticipation almost foreign to her, Caroline bid goodnight to her daughter and made her way to the main house where Lady Wyndham was waiting for her in the lavender sitting room, but her son was not present.
Caroline would be more comfortable if he remained at the estate. Except, then she would worry about who he was talking to and what he was being told, or if he went in search of her father.
“I do hope that Sterling does not keep us waiting long.”
“I will not.”
Caroline turned at his voice and nearly sucked in a breath. Dressed in finery of black with a gold waistcoat and simple cravat, was enough to speed up her pulse, especially since she remembered what his chest looked like beneath the white linen.
Goodness! What was wrong with her? Just because she looked forward to the evening did not mean that she should allow attraction for her father’s employer to muddle her mind. Yet, she could not help but admire Lord Wyndham because he was indeed the most handsome gentleman she had ever met. It was a shame that he was not always as pleasant as his appearance.
“Well, then, come along,” Lady Wyndham called as she came to her feet.
Lord Wyndham approached his mother and offered his arm.
“Not me, you will escort Caroline. I am past the age of needing or wanting one.” She then marched past him, out of the room and down the corridor.
“Mrs. Sutcliffe,” he said holding out his arm.
Caroline wanted to tell him that it was not necessary, but she couldn’t speak the words. Unconsciously, she placed her hand on his sleeve to be led to the carriage.
Chapter Eleven
Sterling’s mouth nearlywent dry when Caroline turned to face him. When her back was to him, he had admired her mahogany hair, the gentle curls falling from the back of her head, brushing her bare shoulders, drawing attention to her long, delicate neck. Then she had turned and he had nearly forgotten to breathe. The rose gown complemented her dark eyes and hair, and tanned skin. But that was not what truly drew his attention but the fit of her bodice, which only emphasized the fullness of her breasts and the paler, creamy skin that had been sheltered from the sun teasing and hinting at what was concealed.
She was put together in a manner that filled a man with desire, longing, a need…
Sterling cut off the thoughts before they became any more improper. She may be a widow and in any other circumstance he would pursue her for a night of mutual pleasure. But because she was also the daughter of his employee, a companion to his mother, Sterling would not.
Though, he would like to paint her, just as she was, sitting across from him with a gentle smile on her full lips, brown eyes bright with happiness, and her rounded cheeks kissed by the sun.
