Carrie stepped down onto the floor. Somehow, she must find the courage to smile and be agreeable and not have him doubt her decision to return for the Season. She would hate him to be uneasy about her.
She entered the empty library and sat stroking the dog. Nicholas was not long. His expression was serious as he crossed the floor to her. “I’ve received a letter from Lord Ludlow.”
Her heart sank. “Oh? What does he say?”
“Ludlow didn’t mention it? He asks for permission to call on you and expresses hopes for your marriage.”
She thought back. “Ludlow did say something to me, but I was distracted by Uncle Simon, and then Gwen dragged me away.”
“I shall see him in London. What do you want me to tell him?”
“Will you?” If she must marry, Ludlow would suit her as much as any man. “He is amiable and kind.”
“I believe he is,” Nicholas said.
She took a deep breath. “Then you wouldn’t object to the marriage?”
“Not if you wish it.”
“I shall have to think about it, Nicholas.”
“You don’t love him?”
“No.” She raised her eyebrows. “But perhaps I’ll grow to love him or grow fond of him in any event.”
“Carrie…”
She couldn’t talk about it. She feared her emotions would give her away. There had been enough of that. “We are late for dinner.” She rose and walked to the door. Nicholas let her go without comment.
Dinner was a quiet affair. Afterward, they retired to the music room where Bella played the harp. Nicholas praised her skill. Carrie was proud of her sister, too, when she played Greensleeves and sang in her pure, sweet voice.
When urged to play the piano, Carrie had to agree, but her performance was sadly lackluster.
Afterward, Scotty took Bella and Jeremy up to bed, and for a moment, Carrie was alone with Nicholas.
“Carrie,” he began. “Shouldn’t we talk about last night?”
Horror-struck, Carrie shook her head. She was strangely tongue-tied. She didn’t want to talk about Ludlow or last night. “I have one or two last-minute things I must attend to,” she managed to say and stood. “We have an early start for London in the morning.”
Nicholas quickly outpaced her before she reached the door. He placed a hand on her shoulder and raised her chin with finger and thumb, forcing her to look at him. “I think it’s necessary to clear the air.”
She stared into his worried gray eyes. What was there to say? She had an offer for her hand, which he’d made no objection to. Did he still intend to rehash what happened when she had thrown herself at him shamelessly, only to be rejected? Charmingly, and not without a struggle on his part, but still…
“I would rather not talk about it,” she said stiffly. “I came to my senses this morning. It must have been the wine, or perhaps those naughty fairies.” She forced a smile. “But I am quite recovered, I assure you. I’m looking forward to London very much. Gwen tells me she has many exciting engagements awaiting us. And I should like to see more of Lord Ludlow before I decide. There might be other gentleman in London, now, that I have yet to meet.”
“I’m sure there will be.” Nicholas dropped his hands. “You are happy then?”
She turned away. Happy? Not a description she would have used. “Oh, yes. I certainly shall be after a revitalizing night’s sleep.” Carrie yawned behind her hand and tried to avoid meeting his intense gaze, which always drew her to him. She would have to get over that very smartly.
When Nicholas opened the door for her, Giles waited outside in the corridor. She smiled at him. “Good evening, Giles.”
“Good evening, Miss Leeming.”
Carrie hurried away. On reaching her bedchamber, she sank into a chair and bent to remove her shoes while Anna laid out her nightgown. “I hope you can sleep tonight, Miss Carrie. It’s so exciting. London again, only imagine.”
“Yes,” Carrie said flatly. She stood to remove her gown. “London,again.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
