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“Ah. Adam.” Robert’s nose wrinkled. “I know his reputation with ladies. I think I also know what you are thinking, Caroline, may I call you by your name?”

  “You may.” She said.

  “Caroline, if you think I am anything like my brother, I promise you I’m not.”

  “He would often declare his love for a woman, and then forget about it the next week,” Caroline said.

  “Yes,” Robert said. “I mocked him for it. I thought him a fool who did not understand the difference between love and infatuation. I still do.”

  “But you are nothing like him?”

  “No,” Robert said. “I promise you, Caroline, that I know the difference. Once I had that first dance with you, no other woman could ever compare. I would call any friend who made such a statement a fool, but it is the truth. Love can strike you like lightning, and like lightning, it will leave sparks in its trail. I felt that spark with you, Caroline. Tell me you felt it too.”

  “I did,” Caroline said with a blush. “I promise you, I did.” But a shadow crossed her face again. “The problem is, it could be false lightning, Lord Robert.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that you have only seen me in finery,” Caroline said. “You have not seen me as I truly am.”

  “What?”

  “You fell in love with me that day when I was in Aunt Gladys’ purple gown,” Caroline said. “The truth is, my family is too poor to afford finery. I have borrowed all the clothes I wore from her. If you saw me in the everyday dresses I wear at home, you might realize that I am only a humble girl, not worthy of your time.”

  “You are a humble girl,” Robert said. “It is what I like best about you. You have no airs, no arrogance, no desire to show yourself as superior.” He thought again about his sister Arabella and her airs, and a smile crossed his face. “I care for you, Caroline, despite the fine clothes you wear, not because of them. I care for you despite seeing you in the midst of riches. I never asked to be duke. All my life, I have thought of myself as a simple younger brother who studied hard to be a solicitor someday. Then, Richard’s death threw my life apart.”

  Caroline listened, feeling the pain radiating from him.

  “When Richard died, I took the title of the duke and all the luxury that the lifestyle presents but also the responsibilities that came with it.”

  She nodded. She had heard much about how diligently he pursued those responsibilities.

  “For the sake of my family, and my brother, I have accepted those responsibilities,” Robert said. “But the truth is, I do not belong to the peerage. I never have. My real friends are men who know the meaning of hard work and value it. My true friends have no need or desire for beautiful silk and glowing diamonds. They see that life is about honesty, and bravery and they live their lives with simplicity. Caroline, you fitted in that day at the masquerade ball. You looked as fine as any lady I have ever met. But for all that, you also had the simplicity and honesty that I have always looked for in a woman. The women my mother introduced me to are so rich and bored with their lives that they don’t know the meaning of happiness. But you do. It shines from your eyes and makes me glad to be alive. I want to share my life with you, Caroline, for richer or for poorer.”

  “Then… then you actually care?” Caroline asked. “I feel so afraid to even consider the possibility. I feel as though if my heart was broken by you, I could never fix it again.”

  “It will never be broken.” Robert declared. “I love you Caroline, and I will never let you be hurt.”

  Chapter 8

  The Duke’s

  Intentions

  A fter that day, the duke visited the Huntington Manor every day. Each time, he came up with a new excuse. Once, he said that he had been passing by with an extra load of strawberries. Another time, he ran into Caroline’s mother and sister at a village fair and insisted on accompanying them home, where he then stayed for a walk with Caroline.

  Aunt Gladys and Caroline’s mother were both delighted. The entire neighborhood was abuzz with the duke’s repeated visits to their home.

  But Lord Huntington was not very pleased. In private, he said to Gladys, “I believe that there is a storm on the horizon, Gladys, and it is in the form of his rather formidable mother, Lady Elizabeth.”

  “Oh hush,” Gladys said. “Robert seems to have his mind set on Caroline. Nobody will be able to tear them apart, least of all his mother. Besides, she is a virtuous woman. Even if she is tough she will be persuaded, I’m sure of it.”

  “You know what Adam’s reputation is like.” Lord Huntington said. “What if Robert is the same way? What if he is only momentarily infatuated by our Caroline? If he should stop caring for her, I believe that she would be heartbroken.”

  “Why would he ever stop caring for her?” Gladys asked. “I have never met a more lovely girl than our Caroline. She doesn’t have a single ounce of meanness in her. It is impossible not to love her.”

  “Men are fickle.” Lord Huntington warned. “Rich men doubly so. Next week, there is a ball at the duke’s estate. Will he be so willing to pay attention to Caroline in front of his peers as he is in private? Or will he be convinced that she is not his equal?”

  “I will dress her so well that she eclipses all others,” Gladys said, ending the conversation.

  When Lord Robert next came to their house, however, Lord Huntington made it a point to take him aside and speak to him in private.

  “This is the third time this week that we’ve had the pleasure of your company.” Lord Huntington said.

  “I’d like to thank you for being such charming hosts.” Lord Robert replied. “I only hope that I do not overstay my welcome.”

  “You are always welcome here.” Lord Huntington said. “However… you may not be if you do anything to cause pain to my family.”

  “Sir?” Lord Robert asked.

  “Caroline likes you.” Lord Huntington said briskly. “There is no doubt in my mind about it. She is headlong in love with you.”

  Lord Robert’s face shone with happiness. “Do you really believe it, sir? I often fear that it is not me, but my wealth that attracts any woman to me. With Caroline, it is different. She looks at me with such kindness. As for me, I would put the world at her feet if I could.”

  “Will you sweep it aside for her?” Lord Huntington asked.

  “What?”

  “Caroline is far poorer than you.” Lord Huntington said bluntly. “What do you think of that?”

  “Caroline is far richer than me.” Lord Robert retorted. “She is generous, loving, kind and dutiful, and in the eyes of God, those are true riches.”

  “Do not play with me.” Lord Huntington said. “I know of your brother’s reputation; are you anything like him?”

  “I am not,” Robert said. “I dearly love Caroline, and I intend to make her my bride one day.”

  “You do?” Lord Huntington relaxed, and a smile spread across his face. “Well, I’m glad to hear it. Caroline is like a daughter to me, and I would hate for anything to mar her happiness. I have often thought that she is kind to a fault. She would willingly put her own happiness aside to tend to another. But I believe that you will take care of her. You will see that she is never unhappy.”

  “I will,” Robert said. “I will place her happiness ahead of everything else. Lord Huntington, I haven’t yet broached the subject, but do you think I could persuade you to invite Caroline’s father here next week for the ball? I would like to formally ask for her hand from him then.”

  “What about your mother?” Lord Huntington asked.

  “What about her?” Lord Robert’s smile dimmed a little.

  “She will not be happy that you are putting aside the richest women in the nation for Caroline’s sake.” Lord Huntington said.

  “No, she will not.” Robert agreed. “She will, in fact, be very displeased with me. Until I introduce her to Caroline. I believe that in a few days, she will see that without Caroline, it is imposs
ible for me to be happy. Then she will give us our blessings.”

  “It will not be so smooth.” Lord Huntington said. “What if she objects?”

  “I am the master of my own fate.” Lord Robert said. “My mother has the right to oppose my choices, but she cannot control them.”

  “And this is a decision you have made already?”

  “If Caroline and her parents are willing to let this union occur, then yes, no power on earth will persuade me to change my mind,” Robert said.

  But his happiness was a little dimmed as he walked in the gardens with Caroline that day.

  “What is the matter, dearest?” Caroline asked. “I sense a dark cloud hanging over you.”

  “It is nothing,” Robert smiled, shrugging it off. “I’m thinking of work, but I shouldn’t be. Not when I’m with you.”

  “Try thinking of the ball next week,” Caroline said with a smile. “That’s sure to cheer you up.”

  “Nothing cheers me up as much as your company,” Robert said. “Caroline dearest, you know by now how I feel about you, do you not?”

  “I have some idea.” She said shyly. “Perhaps you ought to refresh my memory.”

  “I think that the stars shine dimmer than your eyes,” Robert said. “I believe that the rose hue of your lips isn’t matched by the purest of rubies. I think that I am headlong in love with you.”

  “Oh, Robert!” Caroline blushed. “I am so lucky to have you.”

  “Well, I’ve spoken to your Uncle, and told him my intentions,” Robert said.

  “What intentions are these?” Caroline asked.

  “You’ll find out soon enough, at the ball.” He said with a smile. “I’ve asked your uncle to invite your father. Once I’ve spoken to your parents and introduced you properly to my mother… well… then I might have a question for you.”

  “You already know the answer,” Caroline said, her heart racing. “Oh Robert, can this be truly happening? Pinch me, I’m probably fast asleep!

  He put his hand on her arm instead and squeezed her shoulder. “Very soon, we will be together, Caroline, nothing can keep us apart! My mother is away in Florence at the moment, but she will return the day after. Will you and your mother come to meet her? Bring Emily too, of course. I intend to introduce you properly to her.”

  “I’m glad.” She said. “I will definitely come.”

  “Good. Mother may be a little snobbish at first, but she values an honest heart. She’ll love you eventually. I promise she will.” Robert smiled. “If all goes smoothly, we can announce our engagement at the ball. It’s going to be a very festive occasion for me, this ball. I’m glad that your entire family will be present. For that matter, mine will too. This morning I received a letter that Adam will be back home by then.”

  “Adam?” Caroline’s smile faltered.

  Robert gave her a sharp look. “What is it?” He asked.

  “Oh, nothing,” Caroline said.

  “You’re lying,” Robert said flatly. “I’ve noticed this before. Each time I mention Adam, a shadow crosses your face. Weren’t you friends with him as a child? Or is it his reputation that makes you afraid to meet him? I promise you, he has changed for the better. Since our brother died, he is a different man.”

  “I’m sure he is,” Caroline said. “I’ll be glad to meet him.”

  “You’re sure there’s nothing else?” Robert asked. “Caroline, you can tell me everything.”

  “There’s nothing else,” Caroline said. “Why would there be? I admit, I’m not very fond of Adam’s reputation but I love you, and I do not care about him at all. Now let’s talk about other things, my love.”

  Chapter 8

  A Displeased Sister

  “M other!” Arabella flounced into the parlor, banging the door behind her. “I’ve just got back from riding with Joan DeBorough.”

  “Well, what did she say to annoy you?” Lady Elizabeth asked. “If you’d banged that door any harder, my precious Ming vases would shatter.”

  “This is no time to be thinking of vases, mother. I’ve heard some distressing news,” Arabella said.

  “What’s that?” Lady Elizabeth asked, “Has London run out of those sapphires you fancy?”

  “Don’t mock me, mother. Joan told me that Robert’s been visiting Lord Huntington almost every day this last week!”

  “What if he has?” Lady Elizabeth asked. “I’m just back from Florence this morning myself. I certainly don’t keep track of his every movement.”

  “Mother, it’s not Jeremy or Lord Huntington that he wishes to visit. It’s that horrible Caroline Weston!”

  “Caroline Weston?” Lady Elizabeth furrowed her brow. “Whose daughter is she?”

  “A humble clergyman’s!” Arabella said. “She comes from very common stock, mother. She has no business putting her claws into my brother! Robert is a young fool. I’ve heard that he’s all but proposed marriage to her. He’s even asked Lord Huntington to invite her parents to the ball next week!”

  “What!” Lady Elizabeth frowned. “But this is remarkable! I haven’t heard a word about the girl!”

  “I doubt he intends to tell us,” Arabella said. “After all, we’re only his family, and she’s the love of his life now.”

  “Arabella, your brother is a smart boy. If he sees something in the girl, she can’t be all that bad.”

  “She is bad,” Arabella said. “Mother, she’s terrible. She’s a vicious gossip monger and a simple girl. Why she’s even known to have cavorted freely with our own Adam.” Arabella’s eyes were glittering with malice. “I hate her, mother! You cannot possibly allow Robert to marry her. You just can’t!”

  “What’s all this noise?” Robert asked as he entered.

  “Robert.” Lady Elizabeth said. “Your sister tells me you’re getting involved with some common girl.”

  “Don’t speak about my Caroline that way!” Robert exclaimed, instantly furious. “She is far from common; she’s the only girl of her kind in all of England.”

  “She’s a poor clergyman’s daughter, no doubt delighted that you are courting her!” Lady Elizabeth said. “Don’t be a fool, Robert. You’re the Duke of Westhamshire. You have a responsibility to...”

  “I have several responsibilities, mother,” Robert said. “I believe I have lived up to them amply. But I will not be a slave to my estate. If marrying Caroline means relinquishing my wealth, so be it; I will sign everything over to Adam this moment.”

  “Robert!” Elizabeth was shocked at the passion with which her son spoke.

  Arabella simply gave a laugh.

  “As a matter of fact, since I knew you were coming today, I’d invited Caroline, her sister, and her mother over,” Robert said. “They’ll be here any minute, and I will introduce her to you. I warn you mother, I love this girl, and I will not take kindly to you being nasty or speaking of her as common.”

  “Robert,” Lady Elizabeth said. “You barely know her. How can you decide to marry her so soon? She must have tricked you in some way.”

  “I’ve loved her since the moment I saw her,” Robert murmured. “There was no trickery. She is pure and I am surely in love.”

  “You’re so sure of her purity.” Arabella laughed. “But maybe you should check with Adam too.”

  “What are you saying?” Robert asked.

  “Simply that Caroline is one of Adam’s many conquests,” Arabella said.

  The change in her brother’s temper scared her. His eyes seemed to go red, his face burned with rage. “If you’re lying, Arabella, I will have you thrown out of this house.” He said with an acid voice.

  “I’m not lying,” Arabella said. “Adam told me himself. He’s known her a long time, brother. He met her after Richard’s death. She was walking all alone on a moor, and Adam told her all about Richard. She put her hand on his shoulder… and, well, I won't say more. She wants money, brother. She tried to get Adam but failed. Now she’s after you.”

  “You’re lying!” Ro
bert fumed. “My Caroline wouldn’t do that.”

  “Why would I lie?” Arabella asked. “What possible reason could I have? Ask her yourself but I think you know what she will say. Perhaps she will deny it, but you know the truth. I see it in your eyes, you’re thinking of something.”

  Indeed, Robert was thinking of the few occasions he had mentioned Adam to Caroline. Each time, she seemed to go a little paler. Each time, he told himself that he imagined things. But now he could see that he had been wrong. Caroline had lied to him; the one thing he could never forgive. She had lied to him about his brother! She had so many chances to tell him but each time, she had refused.

  “I need time to think,” Robert said. “Pack my bags, mother, I’m going to London!”

  Chapter 9

  Heartbreak

  C aroline was very nervous as she entered the duke’s mansion for the second time. So much had changed since the masquerade ball! The next time she came here, she might come as the future mistress of the estate! The thought sent a shiver of happiness through her.

  At the door, she was greeted by a butler, who led her and her family inside. As always, the prospect of seeing Robert again sent a little frisson of happiness to her heart.

  Instead, she was greeted coldly by Lady Elizabeth. Next to her sat Arabella, with a malicious smile on her face.

  “Ah.” Lady Elizabeth said. “Welcome, Lady Weston. Welcome, Caroline and Emily. I’m sorry this will have to be a short visit. I have just come back from Florence, and I’ve got quite the headache.”

  Taken aback by her coolness, Caroline replied. “We’re sorry to disturb you then, Lady Elizabeth. We can leave right now.”

  “Oh no, you might as well have some tea now that you’ve come.” Lady Elizabeth said. “I’ll ask you to excuse me, but my daughter will see that you are fed before you leave.”

  Caroline was shocked at this rudeness. “Is Lord Robert here?” She asked.

  Lady Elizabeth left without replying. Arabella, however, said happily, “Robert is here, yes.” Deliberately, she said no more.

  “Well, I’m sure he’d like to meet us.” Caroline’s mother said. “He’s been a regular visitor at Lord Huntington’s Manor.”