He frowned at his mother. “Why would I want to visit the penguins?”
“You delighted in them when you were a child, and the seals, if I recall correctly. I also know that it has been some time since Caroline has been to Boulder Beach. You should also take a picnic and enjoy the day.”
Sterling frowned. Why did she want him gone when he had just returned after being away for three days? Was she hiding something from him or would she rather not have him around even though she claimed that she hoped he would remain longer?
“I have already been gone for three days, Lady Wyndham,” Caroline said. “I cannot take another day from my duties. I need to be available if my father needs my assistance as I need to be available to you as your companion.”
“Or housekeeper,” Sterling added. “I do not believe your father needs a secretary at the moment.”
He really needed to see that she began receiving wages for at least one of the duties she performed.
“Nonsense, Caroline,” his mother dismissed. “We have everything well in hand. Those menus have been planned as you required. The maids see to the upkeep of the house, and the laundress has not shirked her duty in seeing that linens and clothing were cleaned. Your father does not need you and Livia spends all day at her lessons. Go! Take a picnic and enjoy. Soon enough the harvest will be upon us and there will be no time for rest.”
If it were just him and Caroline, Sterling would not mind going to Boulder Beach. Except the penguins were not what interested him. But with his mother more concerned with having him out fromunderfoot, he was reluctant to leave.
His eyes shifted to Caroline. Maybe it had nothing to do with him at all other than he served a purpose. Maybe she wanted her companion to enjoy more leisure and the privileges usually afforded the granddaughter of a baron.
Was his mother reminding Caroline that she was not a mere servant? She had tried to play matchmaker at the ball and no doubt as soon as the harvest was complete and Sterling had sailed for Madeira; his mother would begin having teas and inviting eligible bachelors to spend time with Caroline.
His mother wanted her to marry!
This was all designed so that Caroline could remember what it was like to be free of responsibility as she had been before she married and became a mother and his mother was using him for that purpose. No doubt his mother anticipated that Caroline would begin to long for the life she once had and would be more willing to enjoy tea with bachelors and possibly consider a different future.
She should have someone who loved and cared about her, especially after he was gone. But that did not mean he needed to be happy about it.
“Well, if you will excuse me, I think I will go find Hallaway in the fields to see what I can learn.”
“What about Boulder Beach?” his mother asked.
Sterling turned to Caroline. “Would you be available to go to the beach to picnic and view penguins tomorrow?”
Caroline glanced at his mother with suspicion in her eyes. Was she also wondering what his mother was up to?
“Oh, you must go, Mama. You will have so much fun,” Livia insisted.
Caroline laughed and patted her head again. “Very well, darling, I will visit the penguins while you are at your studies.”
“Until tomorrow, Mrs. Sutcliffe.” He then turned on his heel andmarched out of the parlor. His mother may think they were going to picnic and watch the penguins and seals, which they likely would, but Sterling had no intention of letting a chance to be alone with Caroline to enjoy some of what they did in Stellenbosch slip away.
*
Now that Sterlingwas gone, Caroline intended to have a necessary discussion with his mother.
“Go along, Livia. Remind Cook that Lord Wyndham has returned and will be dining with his mother this evening. Remain there until I come for you.”
“Yes, Mama,” her daughter answered before skipping from the sitting room.
“How did you enjoy Stellenbosch, Caroline. And please, tell me, that my son relaxed some of his uncompromising demeanor and enjoyed himself.”
“Did you send word ahead to expect us? Mrs. Cloate did not seem at all surprised when we arrived.”
Lady Wyndham busied her hands by smoothing her gown. “I may have written that Kaya and Malik wished to visit on the matter of their courtship and that I would facilitate their wishes.”
It was not an answer. At least, not fully. “Did Mrs. Cloate know when we were going to arrive?”
Lady Wyndham’s cheeks turned pink. “Yes. I wrote to her ahead of time and mentioned that I hoped that you would accompany the couple.”
She had been manipulated. She could not understand why, when all Lady Wyndham had to do was ask and allow her a little time to prepare for the trip.
