Chapter Thirty-One
Sterling woke with two purposes for the day.
First, he was going to apologize to his mother The second, he was going to make certain there were horses available.
He did not want to take a wagon to Boulder Beach.
He did not want servants to drive them in a wagon because then he and Caroline would not be alone and it was very important that they did not have anyone else about.
When he reached the dining room, he found his mother sipping tea and approached.
“I would like to apologize.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “There is no need, Sterling.”
“There is.” He understood so much more, including his responsibility, after talking with Caroline.
“I should have written you back after I read your first couple of letters. I should have written and asked why you had not returned or asked you to come home. I am sorry that I accepted what Father told me and did not inquire further. You tried to reach out to me and you were ignored.”
“I understand, Sterling.”
“You should not. I should not have ignored you when I came home on holiday. I should have noticed that you were unhappy.”
“You were not supposed to see it. I hid it from you intentionally. A son is not supposed to worry about a mother. It is the mother who worries about her children.”
“I still should have realized.”
“It does not matter, Sterling.”
“A part of me may always be upset that you did not come home, but Father carried most of that responsibility. He made you to be the villain and I did not question it.”
Her smile was gentle and there were tears in her eyes. “I accept your apology, Sterling.”
He smiled. “I am glad I came to Wyndview Farm, and not so that I could evaluate it from the only perspective of a part of Trade Wyne”
“I am as well, Sterling.” His mother smiled, a mist in her eyes, which did make him uncomfortable.
“Well, I should be going since Caroline and I are off to see penguins.” He laughed as he left the dining room and waited for her to join him on the terrace.
“I assume you can ride, since I did see you do so the first day of my arrival,” he said as soon as he joined her. It was also a sight he would never forget.
“A horse?” she questioned.
“Yes.”
She held out her arms and looked down. “I am not dressed for riding a horse. Please excuse me.”
It had not seemed to bother her previously. Then again, she had only rushed to warn her father that his employer had suddenly arrived. This time they would be riding away from the estate.
When she returned, Sterling had anticipated that she would be wearing the type of riding habit often seen in England, but Caroline had only changed into a different dress.
“Did you change your mind about going?”
“Not at all.” Caroline grasped her skirt and spread her arms to demonstrate the fullness. “I refuse to put on the stuffy riding habit that I wore during my first Season. It did well enough for that mild climate, but it would be sweltering before we ever neared the beach.”
He supposed she was correct and then considered his own clothing that was no different from what he wore back home. He too would be overly warm, and likely miserable.
“Please excuse me.”
He hurried back into the house and up to his chamber where he removed his cravat and suitcoat, leaving only his linen shirt, trousers and waistcoat and boots.
He had seen other local men in Cape Town and the surrounding dressed similarly or even less properly than he was now and decided that he did not care what anyone thought.
After he retrieved the worn leather hat that he had procured in Greece after his face had burned during the crossing of the Mediterranean from Italy, he once again joined Caroline on the terrace.
Caroline was just tying the ribbon of her straw hat beneath her chin when he arrived.
At his appearance, she arched a brow. “Goodness, such impropriety for an earl is unheard of.”
“Yes, well, upon reconsideration, I would also rather be comfortable.” He gestured to the door. “Shall we?”
She gave a nod then walked past him, through the house until she exited onto the front drive, Sterling following. Waiting was a stable hand who held the reins of two saddled horses, as requested. A footman held a basket of foodstuffs and a maid held a blanket.
After giving Caroline a leg up, she got herself situated, making certain that her legs were covered and then she took the reins and then blanket, which she draped over the horse while Sterling tied the basket to the back of his saddle then mounted his horse and took the reins from the stable hand.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“I look forward to our outing, Lord Wyndham.”
“I believe my mother is attempting to organize my life,” Sterling said once they were on the main road.
“Why do you think so?”
“She claims that she does not want me to leave Wyndview Farm until it is necessary, yet she does not appear to want me around either.”
“Perhaps she does not want you to grow bored while you wait to meet with my father,” Caroline suggested.
“No, I think it is more. I get the distinct feeling that she does not want me spending too much of my free time at Wyndview Farm.” He glanced over and waited to see if Caroline would have a response. She was looking straight ahead, pearly teeth biting her bottom lip.
Strange.
“Would you know why my mother keeps sending me away?”
Caroline winced at his question.
“What are you keeping from me?”
“It is not for me to say.”
“If it is about me, you most certainly are at liberty to say.”
“Your mother’s concerns are inconsequential given the reason for your visit. They are truly harmless.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Caroline straightened. Likely because of his sharp tone.
“I am sorry but if you must know, my mother is the most maddening and frustrating woman alive.”
Sterling had not expected Caroline to agree with him but was surprised at her giggle.
“Please tell me what my mother is about?”
She glanced at him, indecision in her brown eyes. “Do you promise not to say anything to her?”
“That would depend on what you tell me.”
“Then I will not tell you anything unless you promise me.”
“I cannot make such a promise when I do not know what my mother is up to or what you might tell me.”
“Then I suppose we are at an impasse, Lord Wyndham.”
“What happened to calling me Sterling?”
“I will not do so if you are going to take such a tone.”
For just a moment, he was shocked by her reproach, but soon he was overcome with laughter. Nobody had ever spoken to him that way other than a parent.
“I am sorry, Caroline. Forget my demands and let us enjoy the day.” He didn’t want to spend it arguing. Besides he could ask his mother when he returned now that he knew she definitely was up to something.
*
Caroline was already keeping her own secret and did not want to keep Lady Wyndham’s as well.
She was not going to lie to Sterling but she also wasn’t going to pretend that she wasn’t aware that Lady Wyndham had plans for her son.
However, if he wished to know what those were, Sterling could ask his mother directly.
It was going to be difficult enough if he ever learned of her deception, and she prayed that he never did.
At first, she feared what would happen if he learned, now she worried about his reaction because she had come to care for him.
Where had that thought come from?
She could not care for him.
They could share friendship, desire, and intimacy, but under no circumstances could she develop any deeper emotions.
They were lovers and nothing more and, in few months, he would be gone. She would carry on as she did before and he would do the same. If they were lucky, they would have fond memories and then she would return to doing what she needed to for her family.
“Are you upset with me?”
Sterling’s question intruded on her thoughts.
“No, why would you ask?”
“You not only grew very quiet, but there is also an expression of serious concerns on your face.”
Yes, well, she was worried. “I was thinking about the duties that I have avoided for the fourth day in a row.” It wasn’t necessarily a lie because her duties were exactly what she feared he would learn about.
“Ah, we have arrived.”
Sterling led the horses down a small slope before he dismounted and tied them to a spindly bush then lifted Caroline effortlessly from her mount and lowered her until her feet were once again on the ground.
There was barely any space between them and as she had in the past, Caroline became acutely aware of Sterling. Except now, she had so much more to remember than a bare chest.
He lifted his hand and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear before he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers then pulled away.
“Shall we picnic on the beach or on this rise?” he asked as he untied the basket.
Caroline walked a little further, before some of the small boulders that the beach was named for and the sand began. From here they could see the ocean, and the penguins—the reason they were here.
The waves were gentle and the breezes were light, but still enough to cool their skin in the heat. Dozens of penguins frolicked in the water and walked along the beach while seals sunned themselves on the boulders.
“Here!” she said before she returned to her horse and retrieved the blanket then shook it out and spread it on the ground.
Sterling joined her and set the basket in a corner then took a seat next to her.
“I had forgotten how much I enjoyed watching the penguins when I was a boy.”
At least his mother’s plan was working.
“I am also glad that your mother insisted that we do this.”
“And though I do not appreciate how she has been attempting to manage us, I do not mind in this moment.”
Neither did she. They were in a perfect setting, it was a beautiful day, and nobody else was around.
Sterling leaned forward and opened the basket and took out roasted chicken, fresh bread, plums, which had been recently picked from the orchard, and strawberries from their fruit garden, wine, glasses, plates and utensils—everything that they needed to enjoy a repast, including napkins.
Caroline added a few choices to her plate while Sterling opened the wine and poured two glasses.
“Cook apologized that the wine comes from another local vineyard, but since we do not bottle ours at the vineyard, it was impossible to enjoy something we have grown.”
Caroline laughed. “Do not tell the owner of Wyndview Farm, but I do enjoy drinking Groot Constantia on occasion.”
“As does a good portion of the world,” Sterling grumbled. “They sell more than we do. Even Napoleon in exile receives cases of Constantia.”
She had not meant to introduce what appeared to be a bitter topic. “Your wine does sell well does it not?” she asked when she truly did not know. Yes, they produced it, but once it was shipped, Caroline did not know where it was bottled, or what type of profit Trade Wynd earned.
“It does well, and I should not complain.”
Yet, she sensed that he wanted to. “Are you going to brood for the rest of the afternoon because I enjoy your competitor’s wine as does a former emperor who waged war that killed thousands over your wine?”
She meant to tease him into realizing how ridiculous his complaints were but Sterling grew serious.
“I am sorry. I should not complain. Hundreds of men died because of Napoleon, your husband included, which makes my complaint rather selfish.”
Caroline had not even been thinking about Peter when she mentioned the deaths. “Do not concern yourself. It has been three and a half years and I have not forgotten.”
“I suppose you wouldn’t.”
She did not want to think about Peter and changed the subject.
“You said that you send the wine to England, America, and the Caribbean. What do you bring back?”
“Sugar, molasses, tobacco, and cotton,” he answered and then started telling her how many ships Trade Wynd owned.
Where they sailed. What they imported, what they exported.
It was all fascinating that a cargo ship filled with wine would return filled with sugar—coveted items on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Have you ever wanted to visit America or the Caribbean?” He had already visited several countries on the Continent, but the one that most fascinated her was Greece.
“I would, but I have been gone for almost a year and cannot take more time to sail across the Atlantic.”
“Maybe you can in a few years,” she suggested.
Caroline understood that he had duties in England but if she had access to a ship to take her anywhere that she wanted, she would travel the world.
It was a silly thought, especially when she may not even be given the opportunity to return to England.
“Where do you suppose your mother will send you tomorrow?” she asked.
Sterling snorted. “There are not many places left to visit. At least few that are close because I am not going to ride in a wagon for a full day again.
Caroling chuckled and leaned into him. “Was your bottom sore?”
“I expect that it is also bruised,” he grumbled before he began to smile. “Maybe I should ask you to take a look to see if it is. I would be happy to check you for bruises as well.”
“I am certain you would.” Caroline laughed as her blood heated.
“But when and how?” he straightened and glanced around.
“Certainly not here!” she objected. They were out in the open and anyone could decide to visit the beach and watch the penguins.
Sterling leaned in and took her hand then kissed the back of it. “I do want to…be alone with you again in a setting where no one will find us.”
“I would be agreeable to such an arrangement.”
“Then we are back to my original question. When and how?”
Never had Caroline been so happy that she had insisted on the back parlor as her chamber. “Simply cross the terrace.”
“Your house?”
“Do not use the front door, but the one a little further down.”
“To the parlor?” he asked with a frown.
“It is where I sleep and have since I gave my brother back his room when he returned from school.”
“What of Livia?”
“She is above-stairs in my old chamber. I am the only one on the ground floor.”
“I cannot believe your family allows you to sleep in the parlor.”
“I have made it into my bedchambers and it is treated as such by my family so I am never disturbed.” Except for the one time she had slept too late, right after Sterling had arrived, and woke up to Livia standing by her bed afraid that she was ill.
He started to grin. “What time should I call?”
“Not until everyone is asleep. I do not want to have to explain to my family or your mother and I certainly do not want servants gossiping.”
“Does that mean you will make me leave before the sun rises?”
“As much as I may not want you to, I am afraid that I must insist.”