“Oh dear,” Caroline said. Her father hated to lose.
“Some said Diamond cheated.”
“At least now I understand why Mother thinks him dishonorable.” And maybe she was correct. “And thus, she’ll never let me have an introduction to his son.”
“It is highly unlikely,” her aunt agreed.
“But did you see his lovely eyes, Auntie? And his face? And his mouth? And his hair?” Caroline couldn’t contain her enthusiasm.
“Yes, and his height and the breadth of shoulders, too.” Her Aunt Cordelia wore a smile. “A strapping man, to be sure. Regardless, I believe your parents stayed in Bath longer than they’d intended purposefully to keep you out of certain circles of society so you wouldn’t run into that particular Diamond heir. And your trip abroad during last year’s Season kept you out of harm’s way.”
Her aunt paused, looking unsure, but then she blurted, “Also the reason why your parents have all but promised you to Lord Mangue.”
Caroline set down her teacup with a shaking hand.
“They wouldn’t. They haven’t!”
“I hoped you were aware,” Aunt Cordelia said, “but since you hadn’t mentioned it, I wasn’t certain.”
Shaking her head, Caroline could not credit her aunt’s words.
“This isn’t the eighteenth century. I do not believe my parents would force me to marry a man I don’t know or love.”
“But youdoknow him. I’ve seen you dance twice with him. At the Fenwicks’ ball and the one before.”
Caroline frowned. “Which man? The tall baron with those unbearably large ears, or the stocky viscount with a single eyebrow stretching across his forehead? Not that looks are the only thing, but sadly, neither man made any further impression upon me besides those unfortunate traits. Certainly not with their humor, nor clever conversation.”
“Mangue is the eyebrowed viscount,” her aunt confirmed. “And you don’t know anything more about Diamond except his looks, either.”
“But I wish to,” Caroline insisted. “And I intend to. That’s the difference. When Diamond stumbled into me, I vow lightning zigzagged throughout my body. His eyes held mine, and there was a kindred spirit.”
“Kindred spirit or merely ardent desire for the opposite gender?”
Caroline wasn’t shocked at her aunt’s question. Certainly, she had felt a wave of yearning for Lord Geoffrey Diamond, but it wasn’t solely due to his looks. If it were, then she would feel desire for every good-looking male whom she came across.
“Eyebrow or not, Auntie, I refuse to be forced.”
Cordelia sighed. “I believe Lord Mangue is merely a secondary plan in case you don’t find someone suitable by yourself. However, if you make a move toward young Diamond, perhaps accepting a dance, you are likely to find yourself engaged to Mangue with a contract signed before the last notes of the quadrille fade away.”
“Will you help me? You are my favorite aunt, after all.”
“Naughty girl, I am your only aunt, but you know I’ll help. I am all for true love, as you know.”
Her aunt had been widowed during the Battle of Waterloo when her husband, a captain and one of Wellington’s officers, was mortally wounded. She’d never remarried but kept company with some very distinguished gentlemen, nonetheless.
“I do know,” Caroline said, smiling fondly at her. “What’s more, I hope you find it again yourself.”
“You are a good girl for saying so.” Aunt Cordelia’s cheeks turned a little pink. “Let us focus upon you though, shall we?”
“How do you mean?” Caroline sipped her tea and pushed thoughts of Lord Mangue aside.
“Knowing you would visit me today, I scoured last night’s and this morning’s papers. It seems young Geoffrey Diamond —”
“Geoffrey,” Caroline repeated. “That’s a strong yet kind name, isn’t it? Geoffrey Diamond. It suits him.”
Her aunt sniffed. “I’m surprised you haven’t tried out your own name with his yet.”
She felt her cheeks grow warm, recalling lying in bed the night before, thinking she liked the resonance ofLadyCaroline Diamond,repeating it more than once aloud. It had a romantic but steady character.
