Chapter 18
CAROLINE
The most aggravating part of a London season was having to devote so much time pretending to enjoy the company of the large number of people wanting to speak to you. The burden was that much worse when you’d been named the diamond of the season.
I glanced over to the corner of the drawing room where Auntie was smiling out the window at all the men streaming through the front doors in a seemingly unending parade.
I could only imagine they’d noticed Kendrick’s absence at the Hatfield ball last night.
They probably assumed he’d grown tired of me already.
I couldn’t blame them since I knew he wasn’t actually courting me.
My cheeks were beginning to hurt from smiling so much. Fortunately, because so many gentlemen were calling, I only had to speak to each one for a few minutes before they had to take their leave.
As he had the other day after the Henderson ball, Penham arrived early and was sitting next to my brother.
Even though I tried to ignore him, I could feel his self-centered air of superiority radiating from him.
I wanted to ask the butler to escort him out, but my brother was head of this household.
And since neither he nor Auntie seemed bothered by Penham’s presence, he was an immovable obstacle in my life.
I glanced at the clock over the mantel and was relieved to see that it was almost four o’clock. Calling hours were almost over. The last visitor had just left, and my duty was over for the day.
To my annoyance, Penham rose and joined me on the settee. He sat far too close and ignored the scowl I aimed at him.
“Miss Edwards,” he said. “Caroline.”
I narrowed my eyes but didn’t say anything.
“Now that everyone has gone, I think you and I should speak privately.”
I looked over at Henry, who was smiling widely. I imagined how satisfying it would be to stand up, walk over to where he was sitting, and kick him. Had he encouraged this nonsense after what he’d already done with Kendrick?
“Perhaps we can put this off until I’m feeling better. I didn’t sleep well last night and entertaining all these callers has tired me.”
He lowered his voice so only I could hear him. “You can’t ignore me forever.”
I planned to do exactly that. I was about to stand and excuse myself but stopped when I heard another knock at the front door. I wanted to groan. This afternoon was never going to end.
Then I heard Lord Kendrick’s voice. I smiled and congratulated myself for informing the butler that I was always home for Lord Kendrick. Penham leaned back, his arms folded across his chest. His smirk faded when we heard the butler allow Kendrick into the house.
The Legend stopped in the drawing room doorway and took in the scene. My mood instantly improved. Last night I’d accused him of not coming to my rescue. Today he’d more than made up for that because he’d just saved me from Lord Penham’s uncomfortable attention.
I rose to my feet. “You are late, my lord, but our house is always open to you.”
He smiled at me. Then I saw the flowers he held. Every other man had brought roses. Red roses, white roses, a few had even thought to distinguish themselves by bringing yellow roses. But Lord Kendrick had brought lilies.
I crossed over to him and accepted them. I buried my face in the bouquet and inhaled the scent.
I looked up at him. “How did you know that lilies are my favorite?”
His eyes met mine. His voice was low when he said, “I pay attention.”
I frowned. “I’m fairly certain I’ve never mentioned it.”
“At the Henderson ball, before we danced, I watched you. Whenever you passed by an arrangement with lilies, you reached out to touch them. You did the same thing last night.”
He was right—I did do that. I shouldn’t have been surprised that he’d noticed. “I didn’t think you were there last night.”
He shrugged. “I was in the ballroom briefly. Then I saw Miss Atherton and enlisted her assistance.”
I raised a brow. “So you could have saved me earlier.”
One corner of his mouth quirked. “You seemed to be doing fine on your own.”
We looked at each other for what seemed like a very long time before my brother spoke.
“What brings you here, Kendrick?”
He turned to face Henry. “I’m just keeping an eye out for what is mine.”
Aunt Augusta gasped, and I felt as though I was going to faint. I touched Kendrick’s arm to get his attention.
“She doesn’t know,” I whispered.
Kendrick met my gaze and nodded. He leaned close and spoke in my ear. “I won’t offer the information, but I won’t lie if asked.”
I swallowed thickly and nodded. Lord Kendrick had nothing to hide, after all. Henry was the one who’d acted badly.
Aunt Augusta stood and crossed over to us. I stared at her, clutching the bouquet of lilies to my chest.
When she stopped in front of Kendrick, she said, “I think we need to have a conversation, my lord.”
He raised a brow. “Now?”
“No. Alone.” She turned and looked at Lord Penham and Henry. “The two of you need to go somewhere and do something else right now. I have to speak to Lord Kendrick.” She turned to look at me. “You, too, Caroline. I’ll speak to you later.”
Alarm spread through me, and I turned to Kendrick.
He nodded. “All will be well.”
I turned to Auntie, hoping she couldn’t see the panic threatening to swamp me. “If you need to speak to me, I’ll be in the music room.”
At her tight smile, I turned and quickly left the drawing room. The last thing I needed was for Penham and Henry to follow me.