“Then what was?” she demanded.
“Nothing that would have brought harm to you, of that you have my assurance.”
Yet it had. She was reminded of what it was like not to sleep alone and how comforting it was to have a warm chest at her back and a heavy arm on her waist, and gentle breath on her neck. It had made her ache with longing for what she would never have again.
And it angered her that Lady Wyndham would put her in such a position. Even if she had remained in her own bed and Sterling in his, her reputation was still at risk, which proved how little she meant to the Wynd family.
“If that is the case, next time you believe your son might need something, please do not include me in your plans.” With that rebuke, Caroline turned and marched from the room before her tears were noted by Lady Wyndham. She rushed to her home and locked herself inside her chamber where she cried for what she would never have again or wouldn’t once Sterling was gone.
Chapter Thirty-One
Sterling woke withtwo purposes for the day. First, he was going to apologize to his mother The second, he was going to make certain there were horses available. He did not want to take a wagon to Boulder Beach. He did not want servants to drive them in a wagon because then he and Caroline would not be alone and it was very important that they did not have anyone else about.
When he reached the dining room, he found his mother sipping tea and approached.
“I would like to apologize.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “There is no need, Sterling.”
“There is.” He understood so much more, including his responsibility, after talking with Caroline. “I should have written you back after I read your first couple of letters. I should have written and asked why you had not returned or asked you to come home. I am sorry that I accepted what Father told me and did not inquire further. You tried to reach out to me and you were ignored.”
“I understand, Sterling.”
“You should not. I should not have ignored you when I came home on holiday. I should have noticed that you were unhappy.”
“You were not supposed to see it. I hid it from you intentionally. A son is not supposed to worry about a mother. It is the mother who worries about her children.”
“I still should have realized.”
“It does not matter, Sterling.”
“A part of me may always be upset that you did not come home, but Father carried most of that responsibility. He made you to be the villain and I did not question it.”
Her smile was gentle and there were tears in her eyes. “I accept your apology, Sterling.”
He smiled. “I am glad I came to Wyndview Farm, and not so that I could evaluate it from the only perspective of a part of Trade Wyne”
“I am as well, Sterling.” His mother smiled, a mist in her eyes, which did make him uncomfortable.
“Well, I should be going since Caroline and I are off to see penguins.” He laughed as he left the dining room and waited for her to join him on the terrace.
“I assume you can ride, since I did see you do so the first day of my arrival,” he said as soon as he joined her. It was also a sight he would never forget.
“A horse?” she questioned.
“Yes.”
She held out her arms and looked down. “I am not dressed for riding a horse. Please excuse me.”
It had not seemed to bother her previously. Then again, she had only rushed to warn her father that his employer had suddenly arrived. This time they would be riding away from the estate.
When she returned, Sterling had anticipated that she would be wearing the type of riding habit often seen in England, but Caroline had only changed into a different dress.
“Did you change your mind about going?”
“Not at all.” Caroline grasped her skirt and spread her arms to demonstrate the fullness. “I refuse to put on the stuffy riding habit that I wore during my first Season. It did well enough for that mild climate, but it would be sweltering before we ever neared the beach.”
He supposed she was correct and then considered his own clothingthat was no different from what he wore back home. He too would be overly warm, and likely miserable.
