“She made an error. Leave it at that. Come sit with me while we decide what to do next.”
Caroline wandered around the chamber, her mind all mixed up. She sank back into the divan. “So who is it? That child is not a miracle. Some man—”
“Do not press her for a name. I know who it is, and there will be no marriage. Her seducer already has a wife and family.”
Caroline’s heart sank. “I have been most kind about this, but now I will scold her severely. Even a girl knows not to allow a married man to—”
“She will need even more kindness now, Caroline.”
She sighed heavily. “What is to be done? I suppose, if her condition was not noticed in Carlisle, that after the child is born she can return there and try to make a life for herself.”
“It is unlikely her condition was not noticed. I saw it at once.”
“Then what?”
He shrugged. “She lives here, at her home, I suppose. She is not as delicate as you have led her to believe.”
“Ihave led her to believe?”
“You indulged her, then sent her to your aunt, who did so even more. Put her in some pantaloons and let her groom horses with you. If it is good enough for you, it is good enough for her.”
“You are angry that you were abducted and accused in error, and to no purpose. I understand that. We will give you one of the horses and you can go. You will be at your cousin’s by Christmas, easily.”
He turned his body so he faced her. “I think I would like to spend Christmas here. I went to the village this morning and sent a letter to my cousin explaining I would not be attending his celebrations. He will not miss me.”
So that was where he had gone. Yet he could still go to his cousin’s now if he wanted to. Only he didn’t. The implications of that teased at her. She dared not hope he dallied for her sake, and yet... “If you had told me you were going to the village I would have asked you to bring back a few things.”
It was a stupid thing to say but all she could summon short of spilling out her relief and gratitude that she would see him for a few more days at least.
“Like salt and flour? Mrs. Hoover requested it. I also brought back sugar and a few other provisions.”
The last of the sugar cone had been used months ago. Mrs. Hoover would be elated.
It gave Caroline joy that he would remain with them a few more days. But Amelia . . . “I wish we had family down in the Midlands or somewhere else far away and Amelia could go there until the child is born. She might still have a reputation left afterward, and a life.”
“That is one way such things are handled. Another is the girl marries a man who accepts he will raise another man’s child.”
“That would take a handsome settlement, I assume.”
“Very handsome.”
“So that is not a choice either. Not that there is a convenient man about. I don’t think you are offering yourself.”
“No.”
She began to stand, but he pulled her back down and leaned toward her. “There will be no privacy on the floor with your chamber now. I assume Amelia will sleep up there. The attic, however, is still my kingdom. Come visit me tonight and we will find a solution to the problem that is Amelia.”
She looked into his eyes and knew they would not only talk through her family’s problem if she went to him. He might not have seduced Amelia, but he had every intention of seducing the other Dunham sister.
She could not agree. She did not disagree. She stood; then on impulse she bent down and kissed his lips. An inner debate waited in the hours ahead, but she already suspected how it would end.
* * *
Adam knew that kiss had not been a promise. It did give cause for optimism, so he spent the next hours in good humor.
He set the sugar cone in the kitchen as a present for Mrs. Hoover. Then he wandered out to the stable. Jason was finishing up with the horses. “Do you need help bringing out the hay?”
“It’s warmed up a bit and some snow has melted. They will find the grass now on the southern slope of the hill. No need to bring the hay.”
