Chapter 19
KENDRICK
Caroline’s concern had been written plainly on her face before she turned to leave. I hadn’t lied when I’d assured her that all would be well. At some point during our short acquaintance, I’d grown to admire her, and I would do everything in my power to save her from distress.
I watched as Penham and Weston left the room.
I wanted to see if they’d try to corner Caroline.
Their voices were low when they reached the hallway, and I couldn’t make out what they were saying.
After a brief conversation, Penham turned toward the front door, and relief flooded through me when I heard the door close behind him.
I turned to face Lady Fredricks, who was watching me.
Looking at her, I had the impression that Caroline would look very much like her aunt when she reached a similar age.
Unless I was mistaken, Lady Fredricks was in her late forties and still a very attractive woman.
A smattering of silver hair threaded through the blond at her temples, and her figure was still slim and elegant.
She was a widow, but that was all I knew about her.
Her gaze never wavered. “What are your intentions toward my niece?”
Well, now I knew something else about her. She was as straightforward as Caroline. I didn’t think I’d be able to get out of this conversation without revealing the truth, but I owed it to Caroline to at least try.
“Your niece is a beautiful young woman who is also intelligent and in possession of a sharp wit. I enjoy spending time with her.”
Her eyes widened when I mentioned Caroline’s intelligence, and I knew why. Most men who looked at her wouldn’t see anything of her mind. They were only concerned about what lay on the surface.
“Does that mean you’re interested in courting her? Because if that’s not the case, I need to ask you to step aside. People are talking. They’ve noticed your interest in my niece, and I fear the speculation might jeopardize her chance to find a husband.”
Caroline didn’t want a husband, but it wasn’t my place to make that announcement. And it certainly wouldn’t paint my interest in Caroline in the best light if I revealed what I knew.
“Your niece and I have become friends.”
From the look on her face, it was clear she didn’t believe me. I wouldn’t have believed it possible myself a few short days ago.
Lady Fredricks straightened to her full height. “So what you’re telling me is you’re not looking for a wife.”
I silently apologized to Caroline as I nodded. “You are correct in that assumption.”
She clasped her hands at her waist and nodded. “Very well. Then you should leave, and I am asking you to stay away from my niece. The next time you see her, act as though you are not acquaintances.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, my lady.”
She drew back as though I’d struck her, but she rallied quickly. I could see she was about to insist, so I did the one thing that would end this argument. I reached into the inner pocket of my coat and pulled out the promissory note her nephew had penned.
I gave it to her and watched as she unfolded it and read the scrawled lines. Her eyes widened, and I noticed a slight tremor of her lips before she pressed them together. She refolded the note and handed it back to me.
“Tell me that note isn’t real. That this is some sort of jest you are trying to play on my niece. I know that the Legends have a certain reputation, but I never thought—”
“Do you know your nephew’s handwriting? Because I don’t. I’d never seen it before he wrote that note.”
She closed her eyes, and I watched as she took a deep breath before facing me again. “This cannot be happening. Please tell me he didn’t write you that promissory note.”
I tucked it back into my pocket. A promissory note was an odd thing for me to be carrying around at all times—but no stranger than someone giving me their sister as payment for a debt. Carrying the note close to my heart had absolutely nothing to do with my protectiveness toward the young woman.
“I would never perpetrate such a forgery. You have my word on that.”
She stared at me for several long moments.
When it was clear she didn’t know how to proceed, I offered the only suggestion possible. “I think that you need to take this matter up with your nephew.”
She took another deep breath and nodded.
The determination I’d seen in her was now replaced by fatigue.
Her entire body sagged, and I couldn’t help but feel a hint of guilt, which was damned annoying.
I wasn’t the one who’d set us all on this course.
I was simply trying my best to help Caroline through what could have been a horrible situation.
I didn’t want to imagine Weston signing a marriage contract between her and Penham without her consent.
Caroline was a determined young woman, but she cared about her family. Weston could conceivably convince her the marriage was her duty to the family.
“I can assure you I’ll do just that,” she said.
“I’ll take my leave then.” I didn’t want to, but I knew when to make a strategic retreat. Lady Fredricks needed to speak to her nephew right now.
I turned to depart but stopped when she spoke again.
“You should be aware, my lord, that I am very protective of my family, and I am not done with you. We will speak about this again.”
I dipped my head. “I would expect nothing less.”
I could definitely see where Caroline got her spirit.