When he had arrived here eight days ago, he had been determined to meet with his estate manager, have only limited contact with his mother, and then be gone. That was also before he had truly met Caroline, listened to his mother’s explanation of what had happened, and decided that he wanted to take part in the grape harvest.
He’d been assailed by memories from this youth, when his brothers had played here, and when he had visited his cousins and Sterling realized that he had been his happiest at Wyndview Farm and he might just be happy again.
He couldn’t help but compare the difference of how his life had been before his father inherited the title and after. His life would have been much different if it had never happened and maybe there would have been more days like yesterday instead of what he faced upon his return.
He also couldn’t help but compare who his father had been and what he had become. Sterling did not like that he’d also become morelike the man who had been forced to return to England.
He did not want to be so unyielding, unforgiving, and strict. It was unfair to him and those around him and there was no reason why he could not return to England a better man than when he had left and a happier man.
It would be difficult to leave Wyndview Farm, especially Caroline, but he could not remain here for good. He had responsibilities that could not be ignored. He just wished that he could take Caroline with him.
The thought gave him pause. Was she becoming more to him than simply a friend and temporary lover?
Sterling followed Caroline into his mother’s sitting room, somewhat unsettled at his recent revelation but not displeased either. However, it was certainly something that he would need to give deep consideration to before he made any decision as to his future and hers.
“We saw penguins, Mama!” Livia chirped.
“Penguins?” Caroline asked before she sent a searching glance to his mother.
“Yes, dear. Yesterday was quite lovely and when Livia told me that she had not yet seen them, well, of course we needed to picnic at Boulder Beach.”
“Did you enjoy yourself, darling?” Caroline smoothed her daughter’s dark hair then squatted down to look her in the eyes. “I missed you.”
“They were funny.” Livia giggled, ignoring the last part of what Caroline had said. “They walk like this.” Livia put the heels of her feet together and hands down at her side and mimicked the small steps and waddle of a penguin.
“That is a very good impression,” Caroline praised her daughter.
Sterling’s heart warmed watching Caroline. It did make him long for children but only under the right circumstances. One of those being that he would not wed unless he found love. He would not havean empty marriage of simple compatibility and titles or rank for the purpose of uniting families and begetting heirs. He would not settle and bring children into a marriage that might turn bitter.
He assumed that Livia had been born of love, which ignited some jealousy that someone had won Caroline’s heart. Yet, it should not matter. They were forming a friendship and they were lovers.
Excellent lovers together. Never had he experienced such passion with a woman. No lover in his past had ever been so responsive to his touch. Nor had they been so free to enjoy their own pleasure, which only heightened his. There had been no hesitation, nor practiced skills of a mistress. Instead, theirs had been a joining of all-consuming passion and pleasure, which he hoped to experience again.
He needed to be with her again, which was why he would put his mind to opportunities for him to be alone with Caroline.
“Did you enjoy your holiday?” his mother asked.
Sterling blinked and hoped that he had not missed any other questions or comments while his mind had been lost in what he planned to do with Caroline.
“Yes, I did.”
“Were you able to spend time with your distant relatives?”
“Yes. We even attended the nuptials for Kaya and Malik.”
It had been his mother’s intention to see that Malik received permission from Kaya’s father so she might as well know that the two had also wed.
“Already?” she complained. “I wish I would not have missed it.”
He was rather glad she had because had his mother been with them, then she would have shared the cottage with Caroline. Not him.
“Is there any word on when the grapes will be ready to be harvested?” Sterling asked.
“It will be at least a few days,” his mother answered. “Hallaway said it will not be today or tomorrow. Beyond that he does not know.”
Sterling gave a nod of acceptance. He may just go ask the manhimself or he may follow along as he tested grapes again to see how much more he could learn.
“As you will not be able to meet with him today or tomorrow, why don’t you visit the penguins?”
