“I think you should ask your brother to convey that message.”
“No.” She started walking again, quickly.
“Caroline.” Lady Lutton sounded out of breath. “Would you slow for a moment?”
Caroline shortened her steps. How frustrating. How was she going to get Phineas to leave her alone? She couldn’t speak to him. She couldn’t even be in the same room with him without dissolving into a puddle of lust. She had thought the idea of writing to him was a brilliant stroke, only to find out it was improper.
Lady Lutton had come even with Caroline and was catching her breath.
“I think an exception can be made for a letter of refusal. However, you must choose your words carefully.”
“Will you read it for m-me and tell me if I have written it properly?”
Lady Lutton seemed taken aback. “Surely, it is a private matter since you don’t want even your brother involved.”
“I want you t-to read it and I want you to d-d-deliver it and I don’t want you to tell my brother about it. If you deem the letter proper.”
Lady Lutton was silent for two streets worth of walking at a slow pace.
“This is a very dangerous line you and I are both treading, Caroline.”
“Please.”Pleathe.“I have to have him leave me alone. If you d-don’t help me, I will do it on my own, and it will be m-much more improper.”
“Yes, Caroline. I will help you.”
It was as if she were already a sister to Caroline. Again, the tears in the eyes, this time from gratitude.
“Thank you, Amanda.”
To Phineas Edge, the Earl of Burchester.
My Lord—
If I have been so unfortunate as to give rise to the belief that I welcome your attentions, I reproach myself for doing so. I am sure the misunderstanding is entirely due to my own failings and my lack of knowledge about the unwritten rules of London society.
I most humbly ask for your forgiveness and wish you to be assured there are no circumstances under which I would be in a position to accept further communication of any kind, good or bad, from you.
My chaperone and your acquaintance Lady Lutton is delivering this letter to you at my request. She has also perused the letter to ensure there might be nothing improper in my wording or in my expression of my feelings toward you. Also, at my request, she will not divulge the existence or the contents of this letter to the Marquess of Sudbury.
In the interest of maintaining your friendship with my brother, I suggest you do the same.
Sincerely,
Lady Caroline Haskett
Lady Lutton looked up from the piece of foolscap. They were sitting in the morning room. Caroline had written the letter at her mother’s secretary.
“Is it improper?”
“No. But I had no idea you meant to write to the Earl of Burchester.”
Caroline nodded.
“No wonder you were so upset when we came upon him at the painting exhibition.”
Caroline nodded again.
“Now I understand your tears in the carriage. I wasn’t sure why you were crying and our acquaintance was so new, I didn’t want to pry.” Lady Lutton handed the letter back to Caroline. “His lordship is a well-known lover of female beauty, but I am sure with that letter, he will leave you alone. In fact, I’m surprised at him. He is, well . . . let me just say his reputation does not include pursuing maidens.”
