Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sterling awakened more content than he had been in a very long time. Beside him, on her side was Caroline, as naked as she had been when she fell asleep. He was curled around her, a hand on her breast, his body coming alive again.
The passion that had come over him last night was unlike any he had ever experienced. He could hardly keep control enough to bring her pleasure and his came on him quickly.
Caroline snuggled back against him and if she kept doing so he would be waking her in the most pleasant of ways. Perhaps he should wake her now so that they could enjoy each other once more before they were forced to return to Wyndview Farm.
It would be difficult to be lovers there.
She lived with her father and he lived with his mother, and servants were often around, so it would be complicated to get away without someone knowing.
He supposed that they could sneak out to meet, but in doing so it tarnished what they had shared as if they were doing something wrong.
Perhaps they were, but he didn’t care. He wanted to share as much with Caroline and enjoy her company and share a bed until he had to board a ship.
Given that his time was short, Sterling kissed Caroline’s neck as he trailed his fingers over her abdomen with every intention of waking her with pleasure when someone began pounding on the door.
“Mrs. Sutcliffe. Lord Wyndham. We have the wagon ready.”
What the blazes was Kaya doing up so early? She had been married yesterday. If anybody should be snuggling and naked in bed right now, it was her and Malik.
Caroline pushed him away and jumped from the bed. “We will be out in a moment,” she called.
Sterling was slower to get out of bed but he watched as Caroline rushed to roll on her stockings and her boots then pulled her shift and then dress down over her head before she disappeared behind the blanket.
A moment later she stepped back through the blankets, her hair brushed and valise in hand.
He hoped she had no regrets because he certainly had none.
*
Caroline’s hands had been shaking as she straightened her gown and tried to repair her hair.
She had been intimate with Sterling last night—twice—then slept naked with him. She had not even done that when she was married. Had she turned completely wanton?
Did she care?
No and she had no regrets. She may never have this opportunity again and she was going to take something for herself.
Caroline finished shoving her items into the valise and stepped between the blankets to find Sterling already dressed and putting his belongings in a bag.
“Are you ready to return to Wyndham Farm?” he asked.
“I suppose I am.”
“Last night…”
Her heart nearly stopped because she feared he was going to say it was a mistake and would not happen again and that it would never be discussed. She tried to prepare herself.
“…was more than my apparent meager imagination.”
Her face heated.
“Would you like to be lovers until I leave, or was last night all?”
Carolyn looked into his blue eyes and read the warmth and sincerity there. “I would like that, so long as I am a lover and not reduced to a mistress.” A lover bespoke of an agreement, equals. A mistress was a kept woman, which she would never allow herself to become.
“Lovers until you decide no longer.” He then leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. “Until we are alone again.”
Which would be Wyndview Farm.
Caroline was also more relaxed than she had been when they set out for Stellenbosch.
Maybe it was because she had come to know Sterling a little better, or maybe it was because of what they shared last night, which also left her exhausted and Caroline found herself taking naps, as did Sterling, likely making up for the sleep they had missed.
But when she had finally rested and thought over everything that had transpired since Sterling had arrived at Wyndview Farm, she grew curious and given they were alone in the back of a wagon with no place to do, Caroline decided to ask.
“I have a question. You do not need to answer me, but it is a curiosity.”
“What would that be?”
“You seem distant from your mother, sometimes angry. Bitter.”
“That is because I am. Or I was when I had first arrived. My irritation now is because she is trying to manipulate my time here.”
“Many mothers are the same when they want a son to marry.” She chuckled. “I believe she attempted to do her best to introduce you to each marriageable girl at the ball.”
Sterling groaned. “Yes, well, I do not need her assistance as it relates to any part of my life. She forfeited that privilege long ago.”
“Oh.” Caroline had not expected such an answer. “Why?” She then threw up her hands. “Never mind, you do not need to answer that question.”
Sterling stared at her for a moment as if he were trying to decide if he was going to tell her. “She abandoned me.”