Chapter 2
Caroline’s hands couldn’t stop shaking as she paced the parlor, waiting for news if Arabella would see her or not.
That thought ought to be what was haunting her, fear that her niece would reject her, placing her in the same category as her hated father even if she had shared more about her plans with Caroline.
And yet, amidst the worry about Arabella was another intrusive thought and one that was unexpected. She couldn’t stop thinking about Simone Stanhope.
She’d seen the courtesan before, in passing at the opera where many men brought their mistresses to flaunt for all good Society to see.
She’d noticed her, of course, how could one not?
She was a stunningly beautiful woman. Her black hair made her perfect creamy complexion all the more enviable.
There never seemed to be even a hair out of place on the woman, no matter how simple or complex her styles were over the years.
And of course, she had perfect features to match. She had gorgeous, bright eyes, ones Caroline now realized were the same gray as a stormy summer’s day. The kind where one longed for the rain to finally break so that the sticky heat would finally be relieved.
She blinked. What was that thought? And why did her skin suddenly feel too tight?
God, she was losing her mind. It was just this situation with Arabella.
Certainly, she couldn’t possibly care that those gray eyes were fringed with thick, black lashes.
Or that Simone Stanhope’s nose was perfect, or that her lips were full and red, almost like she rouged them.
Or that her neck was elegant. So long and so incredibly bare thanks to the gown she wore with the shockingly low neckline.
Caroline huffed out a breath and stomped across the room to the sideboard where she stared at the lines of alcohol laid out for guests.
It was far too early in the day for something like whisky but that was what she found herself pouring.
She took a sip and hoped the burn of the alcohol might dull her worries and the ridiculous thoughts that went with them.
It might have worked, but she never found out because the door to the parlor opened and Miss Stanhope returned. Caroline’s heart leapt in terror, but then the courtesan stepped aside and revealed Arabella behind her.
Caroline set her glass down and let out a little cry of relief as her niece rushed across the room and all but threw herself into Caroline’s arms.
“I’m sorry, auntie. I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Arabella gasped into her shoulder as she clung to her. “I couldn’t stay with him. I couldn’t let him do that to me.”
“I know,” she soothed, smoothing Arabella’s hair gently. “I know, lovey, I understand.”
Arabella pulled back and Caroline got a chance to truly look at her. She expected her niece to look ragged and pale after coming to such a momentous and life-changing decision. But to her surprise, Arabella looked calmer and more at peace than she had in months. Perhaps even years.
“I’ll leave you two to catch up,” Simone said quietly from the door.
Caroline jerked her attention back to her.
Miss Stanhope was watching them. No, not them.
Her. That made sense, she supposed. She must have thought Caroline would judge Arabella.
Perhaps even come here to harangue her into taking back her decision.
Caroline must have passed some kind of test because Miss Stanhope’s expression was gentler now.
She smiled softly and then nodded toward the sideboard and the half-full glass there.
“The whisky is good, yes?” she said, and now the smile became a little wicked again.
Heat filled Caroline’s cheeks. “Yes,” she gasped out.
Miss Stanhope didn’t say anything else but left them and gently closed the door behind herself. Caroline pushed away any tangled feelings about the woman and took Arabella’s hands to lead her to the settee in the middle of the room. They sat there together, turned to face each other.
“I’m so happy to see you,” Caroline said carefully. “When you vanished from my home it was terrifying. I have been mad with worry.”
“I know.” Arabella bent her head. “I’m sorry that I frightened you. It was why I took the chance to write to you this morning. I knew you would be running wild with worry.” She shifted. “What—what about my father?”
“You can imagine how your father reacted,” Caroline whispered. “Now multiply that by at least two.”
“He was enraged,” Arabella said, and there was such true, unfiltered fear in her eyes that Caroline’s stomach turned.
What her niece had been through, what all three of her nieces had been through.
And she hadn’t been able to do anything about it, made helpless by the lack of power women possessed, even those of her rank.
Well, almost all women. It seemed someone like Simone Stanhope could easily ride to the aid of another.
“He was. He stormed around trying to find you for two days, but today he…he gave up. He is heading home, I think.”
Tears filled Arabella’s eyes. “He will take it out on my sisters. Evelina will step in to protect Julia. She’ll take the brunt.
” She wept for a moment and Caroline tucked her in close, even though she didn’t deny that fact.
She couldn’t. “I’ll find a way to free them from him.
As soon as I can make enough money to do it. ”
Caroline let out her breath in a shaky sigh. “Do you truly intend to stay with this woman? To become a courtesan?”
Arabella wiped her tears. There was a brief flash of terror on her face, but then she looked at the door where Simone had left and her expression calmed a little.
“I do. I came to her demanding she help and expected her to laugh me out of her parlor. I thought I would be forced to prove myself somehow. I was ready to live on the street if need be until I convinced her.”
Caroline flinched at the deep desperation Arabella was unwittingly describing. To feel the danger of the street was better than going home to her father…
“And yet she—she was not what I expected. She is…kind. Direct, but kind.” Arabella shook her head. “I’ll stay here.”
“Are you certain you couldn’t come back with me?” Caroline asked. “We could work something else out.”
“No, we couldn’t.” Arabella held her gaze evenly.
“I’ve already spent a few nights here now.
Someone has noted that, and it will ruin me.
Even if it hadn’t, if I went back with you, my father would know and he would come to snatch me back.
He would…he would harm me for defying him in this way. You know he would.”
Caroline swallowed hard. After seeing Albert’s rage, she feared he might actually kill Arabella. Certainly, he would physically harm her. “I know you’re right,” she whispered. “I only hate you’ll be forced into this life. To make your life on your back.”
Her years as George Banfield’s wife, in his bed, had been a nightmare. She despised the idea of a man touching her. It turned her stomach.
Arabella let out a shuddering sigh. “I-I’m not like other women I’ve met over the years, Aunt Caroline.
I’ve never been frightened of the idea of passion.
I’ve even dreamed of it, fantasized about it.
And then I saw—” She cut herself off but there was a flash of powerful excitement in her eyes that took Caroline off guard.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m trying to tell you that you needn’t be worried.
I’m not afraid of this path. In fact, it thrills me.
” She frowned as she looked at Caroline.
“I know you must be shocked and disgusted by that notion. It’s everything I’m not meant to be. If you hate me, I understand.”
Caroline took her hands and brought them to her heart. “My love, there is nothing you could ever do that would make me hate you. I don’t understand what you are feeling, it is very different from my experience in life. But I adore you, nothing will ever change that.”
Once again tears flooded Arabella’s eyes, but this time they were joyful and relieved. She hugged Caroline tightly, trembling. “Thank you. Thank you. I know you won’t be able to see me after this. That you’ll have to turn your back on me.”
Caroline drew back. She supposed that would be what Society would expect.
She was a lady, Arabella would become a courtesan.
They didn’t belong in the same places. But the idea was horrific, that she would lose Arabella.
And in that moment she made a swift decision she knew she would never regret, no matter what came.
“Turn my back?” She brushed a lock of Arabella’s hair away from her tear-wetted cheek. “I will never abandon you, my dearest girl. Never. No, we may not be in attendance at the same gatherings, but you will always be welcome in my house. And I will always come if you call for me.”
Arabella appeared shocked, but she nodded and leaned her head forward to rest it on Caroline’s shoulder.
They stayed like that for a while. Caroline stroked her niece’s hair gently, hoping she could impart whatever little strength she had into this magnificently brave girl she adored.
But at last, she gazed toward the door. Thoughts of Simone Stanhope returned.
Simone would now be the greatest influence on Arabella’s life. “Is…is Miss Stanhope…you said she was kind. That she agreed to help you. Are you certain you’ll be well with her?”
Arabella lifted her head and nodded. “Yes. I believe so. She’s been caring and patient with me. She’s…she’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met in my life.”
Caroline stifled a laugh. That was an understatement.
She doubted Simone was anything but unique to all she met.
Like a sparkling star fallen down to earth to live amongst regular people.
And yet, despite that vibrant description, Caroline had to think clearly.
To stand ready to defend her niece if need be.
They talked a while longer and agreed to meet in a few weeks’ time after Arabella was fully settled. And to write every day. It wasn’t enough. Caroline wanted to do more, but for now it was all she could.
She kissed Arabella goodbye and left her in the parlor with her thoughts. Arabella had wanted to take her to the foyer and wait with her for her carriage, but Caroline had insisted. She needed to speak to Simone Stanhope alone.
She found the courtesan in the foyer, talking softly to a servant. When Caroline entered the area, her gray gaze lifted and speared Caroline in place.
“Mrs. Banfield,” she said. “Are you leaving us?”
“I am.”
“Waring,” Simone said with a brief nod to her butler. He hustled away, Caroline expected to call her carriage to be readied. And now she was alone again with Miss Stanhope. She was tall. Caroline hadn’t fully grasped that before. Probably a few inches taller than herself.
She blinked at that thought that meant nothing and somehow made her insides flip around a little. The woman was intimidating but Caroline was a fool to let herself be intimidated.
She folded her arms. “My Arabella has a great deal of faith in you.” She expected Simone to respond, but she merely inclined her head without comment.
That forced Caroline to continue and she tried to look stern.
“I appreciate your trying to help her. But understand that I will be watching you and I will intervene with all my power if I believe you are harming or taking advantage of her.”
That…well, perhaps she could call it nothing less than a threat, seemed to surprise Simone, but not in a negative way.
She smiled a little. “I don’t make many promises, Mrs. Banfield.
It doesn’t behoove a woman in my position to do that very often.
But I know your Arabella’s story even without hearing all of it.
And I think she’s brave and bold and a delight. I’ll take care of her.”
Caroline blinked up at her, her breath short at the calm confidence with which this woman made that vow. “I-I believe you…somehow. But—but I’ll still be watching. Her and you.”
There was a glitter of something heated that passed through Simone’s gaze and then she smiled again, but this time it wasn’t comforting. It was wicked.
“Well, I look forward to the results of that. And here is your carriage, so I’ll bid you a good day.”
Caroline started as Simone opened the door for her and indeed her carriage was now on the drive near the exit.
“Good day,” she repeated, rather stupidly she felt and allowed her footman to help her into the vehicle.
As the carriage rocked into motion, she placed a shaking hand on her stomach. It had been the most unexpected afternoon in her entire life. Certainly that was why her entire body tingled and felt oddly hot.
It had nothing to do with the woman who was still watching from the door as Caroline’s carriage ferried her away from a life she would never understand.