Chapter Five
September 7, 1818
Even though the closed carriage had rolled to a stop in front of his father’s home a handful of minutes ago, John made no move to exit the vehicle. He’d been forced to borrow the conveyance from the Earl of Hadleigh due to rain, and that man’s expression of smugness had irked him. There was no doubt in his mind that the earl assumed he’d fail miserably at his upcoming marriage for he had little to recommend him let alone experience with women who required more attention than most.
I’ll be damned before I let Hadleigh see he was right.
“We are here.”
The sound of Caroline’s dulcet tones swept away some of the aggravation from his soul. He gave himself a shake and glanced at her. “Yes, unfortunately.” If only he could wed Caroline and immediately remove to Ipswich, but he’d already promised a countryside holiday, and that’s what he would deliver.
I refuse to begin our lives together with a broken commitment.
“Is your father noisy like Cousin Andrew?” One of her dark brown eyebrows lifted with the question.
“No, but he’s as obstinate.”
She waved a hand. In the thin ivory kid, her fingers and palm appeared delicate. “Many people make up the world. You said that.” When she turned her attention to gaze out the window, he studied her profile.
The tilt of her chin indicated her determination to have others see her perspective. High cheekbones gave way to a longish nose and a high brow. Aristocratic features to be sure, but those stormy blue gray eyes were always lit with the emotions she felt at any given time, and when she looked at him in a certain way, she had the power to mesmerize. Today, her hair was properly contained in a low chignon; atop it was a smart little bonnet trimmed with navy ribbons. A few tendrils curled at her temples and drifted over her nape, which only served to highlight her slender neck, as elegant as a swan’s.
“This is true.”
“You don’t like your father.” It wasn’t a question.
“I’m not fond of him.” Right now, she didn’t need to know the details or hear an explanation as to why. “He makes everything more… difficult, let’s say.”
“I understand.”
Perhaps she did. How much difficulty had she already experienced in her life? He supposed they had a lifetime to discover everything about each other. “Everyone has someone like that in their family.” The longer he tarried here at the curb, the longer this unsavory business would loom over him when that time could be spent in more pleasant pursuits. “Caroline, would you mind an outing with me after we talk to my father? I’ll take you wherever you wish to go.”
She turned her head and met his gaze. Hers was inscrutable, which was odd. Her fingers restlessly pleated a section of her ivory and navy striped dress. A navy spencer done in military lines hid her bodice, which was just as well. He didn’t like the idea of his father ogling her décolletage. Then she nodded. “Would that I like.” Frustration lined her face. “I would like that.”
“So would I. Perhaps we could take tea at one of the cafes unless you prefer coffee.”
A fleeting smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Have never tasted coffee.”
“Ah. I’d like to say you’re in for a treat, but it’s a bitter brew indeed and requires many tastings in order to acclimate to it.”
Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “I have never tasted brandy either.”
Heat crept up his neck when he thought about being the one to initiate her into other things that might stem from drinking brandy. “Uh, perhaps we should start with coffee.”
“Very well.” Caroline nodded. “Shall we go?”
“Yes.” This was a bold move for her, this voluntarily going out into society, and he couldn’t be prouder. The fact she’d wished to accompany him, that it had been her own idea, took some of the irritation from the upcoming visit, and gave him a shot of confidence.
After he swung the door open and jumped down, the driver lowered the steps. John offered a hand to his fiancée and assisted her to the street. “We shouldn’t be more than twenty minutes,” he told the driver. Never in the history of visits with his father had he stayed long, for if he did, the conversation might come to blows.
“I’ll be right here, Mr. Butler.”
The rain drummed on his top hat. Water beaded on the brim by the time they’d gained the green-painted door. A lengthy pause followed John’s knock, but eventually the panel opened, and his father’s butler stood aside to let them in.
“Is the baron in residence?” It was too early in the day for him to have gone to the House of Lords.
“He is, Mr. Butler. In his study. Shall I announce you?”
“No, thank you, Ames. This visit might as well remain a surprise.” Tucking Caroline’s hand through the crook of his arm, he escorted her along the corridor until they came to his father’s study. She encouraged him with a nod and curiosity in her eyes. The door was open, but he knocked on the frame anyway.