Chapter Six #2
“Honestly? I’m exhausted. Worried, frightened. It has already been a long day.” With a sigh, Caroline sat on the end of the bed. “I don’t know what to think.”
“That can sometimes happen when too many events happen too close together.” Mary clasped her hands in her lap. Strands of her blonde hair glimmered in the afternoon sun. “But there is more to it than that, isn’t there? You’re hiding something.”
“I’m not,” she insisted.
Mary snorted and eyed her askance. “A woman knows.”
Heat infused her cheeks. “I have a history with the dead man that doesn’t bode well for my reputation or character.”
“The world is a small place when we take into account the number of people within the beau monde. I assume the major has told you he would interview you if he’s working the case?”
“He is.” She nodded. “I worry it will change how he perceives me, and then he might think I’ve trapped him…”
“You can’t think like that.” Mary gave her an encouraging smile.
“Suspicion happens, even to the best of us, but just tell the truth, let yourself be vulnerable, and trust that the man you’ve chosen to marry loves you no matter what.
” She pressed her lips together as she held Caroline’s gaze.
“But that isn’t the only thing that’s bothering you, is it? ”
“No.” In some despair, she blew out a breath. “I’m increasing,” she admitted in a barely audible voice. “Nearly three months along.”
Mary’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “You’ll have a babe in December.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.” It was a dismal prospect if Felix was adamant he didn’t wish for a family yet.
“Oh, my dear, please don’t cry,” the other woman said as Caroline’s eyes filled with tears. She left her chair to sit next to her. As she slipped an arm about her shoulders, Mary said, “All will be well, and it’s quite exciting to usher a baby into the world.”
Caroline sniffled. “I don’t think the major will think so. He’s not keen to fill a nursery at the moment.”
“I’m sure he’ll change his mind.” Then she gasped. “You’ve not told him?”
“No.” She shook her head. “It’s been so busy with the wedding planning, and I meant to yesterday, but when the body was found… Everything has been topsy turvy.” Wiping at the moisture on her cheeks, she glanced at Mary. “What should I do?”
“Be honest. That is what has worked so well for Gabriel and I. No matter what we’re facing or going through, communication is the best bet.”
“Right.” Caroline nodded. “And if he’s opposed to it? Or if his trust in me declines once all these secrets are revealed?”
“At least you’ll know and can make other plans.
” Mary patted her hand. “However, from what I’ve seen of the major, I rather doubt he’s that sort of man.
Men like him and Bright are intensely focused on cases and whether things are right or wrong, but when it comes to the things—and people—they love or care for, you’ll find no better or fiercer supporter. ”
That gave her a bit of hope. “Thank you for the talk. I suppose I have much work ahead of me.”
“Yes, but on the other side of that fear is everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Trust me on that.” Then, with a smile, Mary stood. “I must go collect my husband. We’ve brought the children to Brighton for a bit of a holiday, so I want to get back to them and play at the shore.”
“It sounds lovely. Enjoy your time here.”
“I will. Perhaps before Bright and I return to London, we can visit for a bit with you and the major… if you wish your honeymoon interrupted,” she added with a chuckle.
Heat filled Caroline’s cheeks for a different reason entirely this time. “I would enjoy that, and so would Felix. Just send a note ‘round when you’re free.” She sat a long time after Mary had left the room.
Finally rousing herself, Caroline ventured downstairs when her maid told her that her parents wanted to see her.
As she came into the drawing room, she patted a tendril of hair back into place.
Then she frowned, for the tension in the air was heavy between her parents and Felix.
They all stood wearing matching frowns, while the major occupied space near the fireplace with his arms crossed at his chest and leaning a shoulder against the wall.
“What is happening? This is hardly what I expected following my nuptial ceremony.” She glanced at her new husband, but he gave a negligent shrug.
Her father huffed. Annoyance was etched over his face. “Your husband has suggested that we can’t return to London until he’s done interviewing us as well as some of the wedding guests we were particularly close to.”
“Whyever for?”
Her mother was livid. Anger flashed in her eyes. “Apparently, Lord Danforth was found dead earlier this morning, dressed to come to the ceremony.”
“I see.” Caroline refrained from glancing at the major for fear of giving everything away. Her mother wouldn’t be best pleased to discover her daughter already knew about the dead man. “I’m sure his investigation won’t take long, and you can go home first thing tomorrow morning.”
Silence brewed between them.
Felix cleared his throat. “Every person deserves justice, wouldn’t you say, my lord?” he asked her father. “Especially men who were murdered.”
Her parents exchanged glances. Finally, her father nodded. “Fine. It shouldn’t be a bother to stay on a few more days.”
“Good.” Felix pushed off the wall and relaxed his posture—slightly—but he still seemed overly tense.
“I shall call tomorrow, Lady Beckham.” Then he looked pointedly at her.
“We need to take your things over to my cottage and then start the investigation. Time is of the essence. Danforth’s family will need to be notified so they can claim the body. ”
“Right.” Worry knots pulled in her belly. There was no more delay. She would have to tell the truth and reap the consequences. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mama.” Feeling obliged, she crossed the room and bussed her mother’s cheek. “Please try to enjoy the remainder of the day.”
If only she could take her own advice.
A half hour later, she and Felix entered his rented cottage. A few footmen trailed behind bearing the bits and bobs of her luggage and other things that needed transferred.
The housekeeper rushed over and directed the footmen where to find the major’s suite, or rather the honeymoon suite as it would now be called.
Then she beamed at Caroline. “How beautiful you are, Mrs. Kourier, and the ceremony was simply lovely.” She waved a hand.
“It’s so lovely the major has taken a wife.
He shouldn’t be alone.” With a wink, she put a hand on her chest. “I’m Mrs. Andrews, and from what I’ve seen of the major, you have made a smart match. ”
“Thank you.” It was rather strange, this needing to acclimate to being married, to being called ‘Mrs. Kourier,’ to having people treat her differently because she was no longer unattached. “It has been a whirlwind already.”
“I’ll wager it has,” the housekeeper continued, clearly not sensing the tension between them. “Especially with that nasty business of the murdered man found on this very day.”
“Yes…” Bile rose in her throat. She swallowed hard to clear it away. “I don’t wish to talk of it right now.”
Embarrassment crossed the housekeeper’s face. “Oh, I do apologize. Such a horrible thing to have intertwined with your wedding. You’ll always remember them together.”
“Right.” She’d not thought of that, but now the idea was in her head, it cast even more shadows on the day.
Felix cleared his throat. Up to this point, he’d refrained from looking at Caroline.
“Mrs. Andrews, if you could please see a tea service brought to the drawing room? I would like to speak privately with my new bride for the next hour or so, to find some peace after the chaos that was the wedding breakfast, you see.”
“I can only just imagine, Major Kourier.” The older woman bestowed a look of fondness upon him. “I’ll see to it myself.”
“Thank you.” He nodded as the housekeeper left them alone.
Finally, he sought out Caroline’s gaze with his.
“Please go upstairs to the drawing room and wait for me there. My sister and her family are taking one last afternoon of enjoyment at the shore with my mother. Afterward, they will drive her back to her residence and then come back here and pack before their return to London.”
“I’ll make certain to make my goodbyes to them.” It afforded Caroline time to be with Felix for a couple of hours. Where she’d hoped it might prove amorous, the murder of Lord Danforth had destroyed any chance of that, for he would use the time to interview her.
“That is most appreciated. My sister, at least, likes you.”
“Oh, well at least there is that.” Sarcasm dripped from her voice. His mother didn’t care for her because she wasn’t an heiress, and her parents didn’t like him because he wasn’t titled. Perhaps they were well matched indeed.
“Don’t fly into the boughs, Caroline,” Felix whispered with slightly narrowed eyes. “It’s not becoming, and it is not my fault you knew the dead man.”
It didn’t matter he had a point or that he had every right to let emotions overrule him, just as she was.
“There is no need to act the arse, Major.” Indeed, it was true.
The best men were only men at their best. “Don’t dawdle.
I’d like to have this next bit over with as soon as possible.
Then I can get on with this wretched day.
” Without another word, she fled upstairs to the drawing room, resisting the urge to slam the door.
Had she made a terrible mistake in marrying him?