35. Chapter 35
After she was certain Sterling had departed, Annabelle ventured downstairs to the parlor to join her sister-in-law for afternoon tea, as had become their practice.
Caroline was already seated in the armchair she typically favored. Upon noting Annabelle’s arrival, she set the leather-bound novel she’d been perusing aside, and sent her a genial smile. “Good afternoon, dear. Shall I pour?”
“Please,” Annabelle replied, attempting a chipper tone. She took the adjacent chair and righted her skirts. “I suppose Sterling told you of the plans he made for the two of us in light of his steward’s delay?”
“He did,” Caroline said as she filled Annabelle’s cup. The scent of rich cocoa filled the air. She added a thick dollop of cream before offering Annabelle her beverage. “Are you”—she hesitated—“looking forward to the journey?”
Annabelle sipped. “Did you think I would not?”
Caroline’s cheeks tinged a pretty shade of pink. “No. I merely…That is, we had not discussed any such thing.”
They had not spent a great deal of time together previous to recent weeks, and yet the woman seemed to know her so well. There was an odd comfort in that. “You guessed I’d be displeased—and why, no doubt.”
Caroline sipped her tea, as if buying a moment to frame a reply. “It’s only that I see how…um…”
“You’ve noticed how I foolishly allowed myself to fall in love with your brother and worried how I would react to being sent away. Is that it?”
Her sister-in-law’s mouth gaped briefly, then she blew air out her cheeks. “That is not at all how I’d word it.” She gave Annabelle a frank look. “Yes, I deduced your feelings for Sterling have grown. But I see nothing foolish in that, especially considering that he is no less attached to you.”
Annabelle stared at Caroline. “You believe he…cares for me?”
The corners of Caroline’s dark eyes crinkled with warmth. “Of course. Whether or not he is aware of his feelings is another matter entirely.” She cocked her head. “Well? He told you of his plans for us. What…er…was your response?”
She lifted her cocoa, sipped. “I told him I’d enjoy a holiday so much that you and I would likely stay away the entire Season.”
Laughter bubbled out of Caroline. “And? His response?”
Heat rushing through her, remembering the passionate interlude, she set down her cup, certain her cheeks flamed scarlet. “He…er…did seem rather put out by the notion. Strongly opposed, were the words he used, I believe.”
Caroline’s expression sobered slightly. “I’ll bet he was. But did he say why?”
“Indeed. He said it was because I was his wife.”
An unladylike snort sounded from her sister-in-law. “Bull and poppycock. What a poor excuse for a…well, excuse.”
Annabelle was well and truly intrigued now. “You think he had another motivation for not wishing us to remain apart from him?”
Caroline arched a dark brow. “Of course. Because he is beyond smitten. The thing is, Sterling has a long practice of shielding himself from the tender emotions.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Annabelle swiped up a biscuit from the tray, never taking her eyes off Caroline.
A considering expression crossed Caroline’s face. “I would say it started after the tragedy involving his friend, Dillon. But he was guarded even before that. Dillon’s death just seemed to cement his tendency to wall off.”
“I can see how that might have contributed,” Annabelle murmured.
Caroline dropped her chin into her hand and smiled a sad smile at Annabelle. “Yes. And the fact that Sterling shared the tale with you—well, that alone gives testament to his trust in you.”
“Trust is a far cry from love,” she said, splashing more chocolate into her cup before picking it up.
“Is it? I’m not so sure. At any rate, my point is Sterling loves deeply. Ask anyone in our family, or any of his close friends, and you’ll see we all agree. But ask him? He would probably look at you like you’d grown another head.”
Annabelle sipped her chocolate, contemplating Caroline’s words. “I know how much he cares for you and your brother, and I do feel he cares for me, somewhat.”
He wanted her. That had to count for something—not that she could say as much to his sister.
But wanting was not love.
“I’m making a muddle of this,” Caroline said with a self-conscious snort. “The point I’m trying to make is this: the way my brother expresses his love is not so much through words but through small acts of kindness.”
Annabelle glanced at the cup of chocolate in her hands.
She thought back to the time he’d changed their travel arrangements from oversea to overland because he knew she was terrified of sea travel.
Remembered how he’d allowed her to stay at Stoneford Castle, even paying her expenses, despite her accusations.
“Yes, he is a thoughtful and kind man. But surely that is more a testament to his character than his feelings toward me.”
“All right. But not only that, he also expresses his heart through…” Caroline made a sound of exasperation, as if she couldn’t find the words.
Annabelle set her chocolate on the tray. “Through keeping those he cares for safe,” she stated with dawning understanding.
Caroline clapped her hands together and steepled them under her chin. “Precisely. Witness the other afternoon, when he came home and found us absent and the sun on its way to setting. One would think his tantrum an overreaction—and it was. It was also…”
“Proof of his affection,” she filled in. “Yes, I rather worked that out on my own.”
Caroline sent her a watery smile. “Did you?”
“I told him I understood why he got angry when I put his sister in danger, after which, he got rather annoyed again.”
Caroline laughed, aloud. “Oh, I’ll bet he did. But did he own that he’d been worried about you?”
Annabelle lowered her lashes. “Yes.”
“Oh,” the dark-haired woman said, drawing out the word. “You are so very good for him.”
“I don’t know about that. I do hope to make him a good wife.”
Her sister-in-law reached across the distance separating them and touched her hand. “You will. You are. And I urge you not to read anything untoward into his decision to send us on holiday.”
“It is rather hard not to.”
“The thing is, Annabelle…” She broke off, wrinkling her nose.
“Yes? What is it?” Alarm spiked through her. “Wait. Are you saying there’s a reason Sterling is sending us ahead? Something other than me being a hindrance?”
Caroline gaped at her. “A hindrance? Did he say that?”
Annabelle nodded.
She rolled her eyes. “Leave it to Sterling. He never was diplomatic when trying to get his way. Obviously he wanted to be sure you would not put up any resistance. How better to see to that than to insult you into leaving?”
Annabelle considered that. “But…are you saying he thinks there’s danger for us if we stay?”
She nibbled her lower lip. “I’m not sure. I got the feeling there was more to his decision than he let on. But when I pressed him on it, he got quite prickly.”
Babette entered the room in a flurry of feathers and humming. Spotting them, Babette abruptly cut off the humming and emitted a sound of surprise that was half shriek. Then, she turned as if to dart from the room.
Ever since Caroline had arrived, Babette, who typically appeared throughout the manse like a fairy, flitting in and out of chambers with her feather duster, had been markedly absent.
“Babette, wait,” Annabelle called.
The maid froze. Slowly, she pivoted on her feet and dipped a curtsy. “Miladies. May I be of service?” Eyes lowered, she hovered near the exit as if on the verge of fleeing.
“Come closer. I do not wish to shout,” Annabelle said in a teasing tone.
Babette ventured nearer.
“Babette, has anyone told you that Lady Caroline and I shall be departing on the morrow for a holiday in Harrogate?”
Her honey eyes widened in obvious alarm. “No, ma’am.”
“And you shall join us, of course,” she said.
“I shall go and pack your things,” she announced, and Annabelle got the distinct impression she meant to quit the room.
“Lady Caroline will need assistance, as well, Babette.”
She sent Caroline a shy smile. “Of course. I’m pleased to serve both of my ladies.” Her expression sobered and she met Annabelle’s eyes. “And after Harrogate, will we come back here, to Holy Island?”
“No, Babette. I thought you understood. We’ll return to London.”
“And I’ll go with you?” Her eyes shot to Caroline and then back to Annabelle.
“Of course. Who else would you…” She trailed off as confusion gave way to understanding.
“Babette, you will not go back to that terrible place from which Sterling removed you. You will remain with Lord Randall and me, and Lady Caroline…” She broke off to send Caroline a warm smile, and was surprised to see her sister-in-law studying her hands which were clenched tightly in her lap.
She had hoped Caroline would stay with them. Perhaps, her new sister had decided against doing so. She mustn’t pressure Caroline, who had every right to live where she felt most comfortable.
Taking a bracing breath, she returned her attention to Babette. “You will live with Lord Randall and myself, and remain in my household for as long as you wish.”
Smiling with unabashed affection, the girl bobbed another curtsy and dashed from the room.
***
Almost immediately following Babette’s exit, a subdued Caroline excused herself, stating the need to begin readying herself for their journey.
Their last conversation before Babette had entered the chamber had certainly left plenty for Annabelle to consider.
She had been so consumed with discovering how Sterling felt about her. Desperate for his love and any sign of affection, she’d missed something important.
She waited several minutes, ensuring Caroline had time to return to her chambers. Then she rose, and started for the door. In the corridor, she glanced left and right, and seeing no servants, turned toward Sterling’s office.
Maybe Sterling loved her. Maybe he didn’t. Only one thing was sure. She loved him and had refrained from telling him. Why? To save herself the humiliation?