Chapter 3 #2
God, she was lovely. She was wearing a teal gown with a lighter lace overlay that seemed to make her skin glow to radiant heights.
And the gold highlights at her waist and in an intricate pattern across the bodice of the dress were also simply perfect.
She seemed oblivious that the gaze of more than half the men in the room went straight to her as she gave a little wave to friends she saw.
When Caroline’s gaze found her, Simone found herself standing up a little straighter.
She smiled and slightly inclined her head and Caroline did the same.
Simone expected nothing more from the interaction.
Caroline was a lady, this was a very public gathering, even if the company was mixed.
For her to approach would be incredibly shocking to some in attendance.
“I think I’ll go talk to the old boy,” Robert said, and Simone was jerked back to reality.
She blinked as she tried to get herself together. Who was he talking about? Oh yes, his friend. Jurgens. Jenkins? “You should, darling. I’ll wait right here for you.”
He squeezed her hand, then weaved off through the crowd toward a small group of men who were now gathered across the room. Simone half-turned to accept a drink from one of Lady Lena’s servants and when she pivoted back she nearly dumped it on herself because Caroline had approached her.
“Sim—Miss Stanhope,” she said, rather breathlessly, Simone thought. “I am shocked to see you here.”
Simone gathered herself and gave a little smile. “You don’t think I enjoy an intellectual pursuit, Mrs. Banfield?”
She was teasing, of course, and enjoyed the pink that entered Caroline’s cheeks. It felt intimate to create it there. She wondered what else made her turn that color.
“Oh, I’m sure you do,” Caroline corrected herself swiftly. “The few times we’ve spoken, you’ve seemed very bright.”
“Bright,” Simone repeated, and found her own cheeks warming a fraction. “That’s a lovely description.”
“It fits,” Caroline said and dipped her head to stare at her hands clenched before her. They were both quiet a moment, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable to be so. Then Caroline lifted her dark eyes back to Simone. “I-I was wondering how Evelina was faring.”
Any lightness Simone had felt a moment before faded.
Evelina was Arabella’s middle sister and she had very recently fled their abusive father just as Arabella had.
And walked straight into the same life of a courtesan, though perhaps without as much excitement as her older sister had felt about the notion.
“Your nieces are both very well,” she reassured Caroline gently because she could see the very real pain on her face. “She’s adjusting. Slowly, but considering the fact that she actually had to run into the night and make her way to London less than a few months ago, that’s to be expected.”
“The paleness of her when I first saw her,” Caroline breathed. “She looked a ghost. But of course she seemed far more healthy and happy the last time we met. You were very kind to take her in like you did with Arabella.”
“She is very welcome,” Simone assured her. “And she will be protected, by me and by her sister. I promise you that.”
“I’m realizing you keep your promises,” Caroline said. She shook her head. “I fear my youngest niece will join them soon enough. Her father will put all his vile efforts onto her now that he’s lost the two eldest girls.”
“Your brother, yes?” Simone asked.
“He is no longer my brother,” Caroline snapped, and there was a fire that lit into those amber eyes.
Simone caught her breath at the sight of it.
So Caroline Banfield was a Valkyrie under all that propriety.
But it faded, as she’d likely been taught all her life to stifle such intensity. “My apologies.”
“You owe no apologies,” Simone said.
She reached out and touched Caroline’s arm.
For a moment time stopped. She’d only meant to reassure this woman, but there was electric current that flowed between them now.
Even if there hadn’t been, for Simone, a courtesan, to touch this very proper lady…
Christ, it was unheard of. And yet Caroline didn’t pull away.
She just stared first at Simone’s hand and then let her gaze move to her face.
So Simone was forced to pull back and she shook out her fingers at her side as she said, “Many women of your station would have turned their backs on their kin if they made such choices. It speaks highly of your character that you remain their champion.”
“Thank you, Simone,” Caroline said, and her voice cracked a little, as if those words mattered when they shouldn’t, at least not from someone like Simone. Caroline cleared her throat and looked around the large room. “Well, are you excited about the presentation tonight?”
“I am. I’ve always liked Donovan’s work. The poetry is beautiful.”
“Isn’t it?” Caroline gushed as she clasped her hands at her heart. “I have every collection he’s ever published, and this is the first time I’ll hear him read in person, so I’m thrilled.”
Simone stared at her face, all lit up by true excitement. Suddenly she wished she could sit next to Caroline while they listened to Donovan wax on about passionate love. She wished they could talk about it afterward over a meal and a bottle of good wine.
Her thoughts were brought up short as she realized two ladies were watching them from across the room, talking together behind one of their fans. She stepped back a little and said, “I believe you’re being watched, Mrs. Banfield. I think you ought not risk your reputation by lingering.”
Caroline looked over her shoulder and found the two. Her cheeks pinkened again, but this time it didn’t feel as pretty or sweet. She shook her head. “I would say hang them, but—”
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
Simone shrugged. “We all have our roles. Breaking them is…it’s difficult.”
“Impossible.” Caroline let out a shuddering sigh and then inclined her head. “Good night, Miss Stanhope.
“Good night.” Simone inclined her head as Caroline slipped away. She watched her as she made a few quick connections with ladies who were obviously her acquaintances and then took a seat close to the front of the room where she could have the best vantage point on the speaker.
Once again, men watched her as she moved. Perhaps one of them would one day court her, even marry her. Simone ignored the little twinge that went along with that thought. The lady had been widowed for many, many years now. Why had she never explored that option?
“You look leagues away,” Robert said as he returned to her side. “What could make you look so forlorn?”
“Forlorn?” Simone said with a laugh as she shook herself back into character. She rested a hand on his chest briefly. “Only the lack of your company, my dear. Why don’t we find a place to sit?”
He took her arm and guided her to do just that. They ended up across the room, almost as far as could be from Caroline. And it was a good reminder that far away was exactly what they were and always would be.