Chapter 16
CAROLINE
Near midnight, I began to accept that Kendrick wouldn’t make an appearance at the ball tonight.
I’d spent the first hour inundated with requests from gentlemen who wanted to sign my dance card.
When the music began, I spent the rest of the evening dancing with many of the same gentlemen who’d been trying to capture my interest all season.
I’d spent much of the night looking around the ballroom, hoping to spot Kendrick’s familiar form leaning against a wall, a small, sardonic smile on his lips.
More than once, I’d dragged my attention back to my dance partner to find that he’d asked a question I hadn’t caught.
Fortunately, little was required of me beyond a smile and a murmur of assent or noncommittal gesture.
Men weren’t interested in me for lively conversation and were content with that interaction.
Kendrick was the only man who’d ever gone out of his way to engage me in conversation. Distracted yet again by thoughts of him, my gaze wandered to the garden doors. I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about when he’d led me outside into the gardens.
A few gentlemen had commented on the beautiful evening and how delightful the gardens must look under the full moon.
Instead of replying, I’d simply widened my eyes, pretending to be shocked that they’d make such a suggestion.
The look was enough to send them into a stammering attempt to change the subject.
No one else would be leading me outside. The last thing I wanted was to be married to one of these men. When it was time for the waltz, I straightened and forced myself not to cringe as Lord Penham approached. Kendrick wouldn’t be saving me from this unwanted waltz tonight.
I dipped into a curtsy when he stopped before me and gave him a polite smile that was far from genuine. Every other gentleman with whom I’d danced had been content with that, but Penham was always insufferable. From his smug smile, it was clear he thought he’d scored a win.
I suppose he was handsome enough with his light-brown hair and pale-green eyes, but he wasn’t nearly as attractive as Viscount Kendrick. And I’d known him far too many years to be fooled by his attempts to woo me.
When he escorted me to the center of the dance floor, I tried not to frown as I thought of how much I’d enjoyed waltzing with Kendrick.
Penham wanted to ensure everyone would see me on his arm.
I was used to his attempts to appear more important than he was, so I ignored it.
And thankfully, when the music started, he didn’t try to draw me closer than what would be considered respectable.
I suppose I had his friendship with my brother to thank for that because he was exactly the sort of man to try to take liberties.
Our prominent positioning also ensured everyone would notice if he behaved in such an improper manner.
And if there was one thing important to Penham, it was his reputation.
He thrived on everyone thinking he was honorable, which was laughable given that he was scheming with my brother to trap me into marrying him.
He tried to engage me in conversation, and I brought out my usual half smiles and noncommittal murmurs.
With each one, his frown deepened. Finally, he leaned close while executing a turn—one not nearly as skillful as Kendrick’s—and whispered into my ear, “I don’t know what game you’re playing with Kendrick, but he’ll only disappoint you. ”
When he moved back to a respectable distance, I met his gaze and laughed. For the first time, he’d said something that amused me.
“Do you honestly believe I’m foolish enough to think Lord Kendrick has any romantic interest in me?”
He was careful to keep his face neutral when he replied. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
I laughed again. “I’m sure it’s not any different from the way every other man looks at me.”
A slight frown marred his careful expression before he smoothed his forehead again. “You’re courting disaster. Men like Kendrick are too dangerous for the likes of you.”
Penham had succeeded in accomplishing the one thing no other man had managed to do that evening.
He’d brought out my true emotions. I’d been feeling increasingly detached as the hours passed, but at his words, a spark of anger ignited within me.
How dare he act as though he had my best interests at heart?
He only cared about my dowry and winning me as a trophy to show off to all the unsuccessful suitors. A slight shudder went through me as I wondered what it would be like to endure a kiss from this man, to share the marriage bed… I forced my thoughts away from that image and glared at Penham.
If his haughty expression was any indication, he thought he had the upper hand. “You should be afraid, Caroline. It would be best if you ceased all association with the man.”
I tilted my head and somehow managed a tight smile. “That would be exceedingly difficult given what my brother has done. Viscount Kendrick has more rights to my attention than any other man, including you.”
Penham’s jaw tightened. “What does that mean?”
I shook my head. “You should speak to my brother. It appears he’s holding back a few details.”
Thankfully, the waltz came to an end then. Penham bowed, and I dipped into a curtsy. But I could no longer look at his smug, self-satisfied smile.
“I will call on you tomorrow.”
I lifted one shoulder. “So will every other man I danced with tonight. You can do as you wish, but you should know that nothing will come of it.”
He escorted me back to my aunt, and I counted myself fortunate when he said nothing further. This was the last dance for me tonight, and I couldn’t wait to leave. The ball would continue for a few hours yet, but Auntie didn’t enjoy staying out very late.
Diana intercepted us before we reached my aunt. She looked up at Lord Penham and dipped into a deep curtsy before turning to smile at me. “I know you are planning to leave soon. Can I steal you away for a few minutes?”
“Of course.” I took her arm, relieved to be done with Penham. But I could feel his gaze on us as we left the ballroom.
“The retiring room is down this hallway,” Diana said.
I frowned. “I thought it was to the left.”
Diana shook her head. “You are very much mistaken. We want to go this way.”
I knew I was correct, but something in her expression caused me to nod and follow her.
We passed a darkened room with the door ajar, and I felt goosebumps form on my arms. I opened my mouth to tell her we needed to return to the ballroom when an arm reached out and pulled me into the room. A hand covered my mouth, muffling my cry of surprise.
Diana’s expression was serious as she looked past me to my assailant. “You have exactly five minutes. I’m going to the retiring room and will be back soon.”
To my shock, she closed the door and left me there.
“You’re safe, Caroline.”
The soft words spoken in a familiar voice, coupled with the welcome scent of sandalwood, sent a shiver of awareness through me. I sagged with relief. When he released me, I turned to face him.
Kendrick stood there, looking wickedly handsome in the darkened library. If he were any other man, I’d be frightened right now, but I knew he would never hurt me.
I wanted to smile. Heaven knew I was happy to see him. Instead, I placed my hands on my hips and forced myself to glare at him. “You frightened me.”
He smirked. The expression wasn’t too different from the way Penham had looked at me, but for some reason, it didn’t grate on me when Kendrick did it.
Heat burned in his eyes as he looked at me. “We certainly can’t have you screaming in alarm.”