Chapter 1 #2
Luckily, someone else came over to speak with the Viscount, so she was able to pull Edgar away.
“Edgar,” she whispered. “Is there an issue with the money to pay off the estate’s debts?”
“Of course not,” he frowned. “Why do you ask?”
“My uncle seems to be under the impression that you don’t have the money.”
She stopped him on the side of the dance floor so she could look him in the eye and determine his sincerity. He paled at her statement, and her stomach dropped.
“It’s not what you think, I promise. The money is mostly there, and it will be by the time we marry.
That’s why I’m going on this business trip.
It will be enough to pay the last of your debt and to set ourselves up for a good life.
Once I’m a partner, we will never have to worry about money again. ”
Caroline let out a deep breath. “That explains why you must go away again, I suppose.”
“I promise you won’t have to worry about money again, my sweet. I will never let you lose the estate. Not you or your parents.”
“Thank you.” She took her fiancé’s hand and squeezed. Maybe he didn’t make her heart race, but he took care of her. Which was better.
A high peal of musical laughter sounded from across the ballroom, drawing her attention to a woman clad in black silk with yellow detailing, and her head thrown back in laughter.
When she lifted her head, Caroline got a good look at her.
The woman had a golden complexion, dark brown hair curled into an updo with yellow roses sewn in that matched her dress.
Dark brown eyes caught hers, and she gasped.
Quickly, Caroline looked down, her cheeks heating at being caught, but even after all these years, she would never forget her face.
“Ah, there’s someone I want to introduce you to.”
Edgar led her across the room, and she said a little prayer that fate wouldn’t be so unkind to her at her engagement party. Perhaps she was wrong. It had been years since their one summer spent together at the vineyard in Italy.
Fate had forsaken her as Edgar stopped in front of the very last woman Caroline ever thought she would see again.
“Lady Valeria, thank you so much for coming out this evening. Allow me to introduce you to my fiancée, Miss Caroline Blythe.”
She knew she should curtsy, or say something, or at least smile, but she remained frozen. It was the very same Valeria she had once known.
“Your fiancée and I are already acquainted, aren’t we, cara?” She said in a voice richer than she remembered, but it gave her the same butterflies she always had around her.
“Yes.” Her mouth felt like sandpaper, but somehow she formed the words. “Lady Valeria and I met when my family was vacationing in Italy a few summers ago.”
“I believe it was eight summers ago, Miss Blythe.”
It was, but Caroline hadn’t wanted to seem like she was counting.
“What a small world!” Edgar said with genuine surprise as he looked between them. “My firm has been working with Lady Valeria’s family for some time. The business trip I’m going on is to help her family sell some property.”
“Ah, so you were the one who drew the short straw.”
“No,” Edgar said, turning a deep crimson. “It’s an honor to be chosen for such a responsibility. We’re excited for the opportunity and will get married upon my return.”
“Then you will return to your bride all the sooner,” Lady Valeria said, never once taking her eyes from Caroline.
Caroline flushed, causing Lady Valeria’s gaze to dart to her cheeks before returning to her eyes.
“Yes,” Edgar said, clearing his throat. “I do hope you can join us for the wedding as well.”
Lady Valeria’s attention finally turned to Edgar, and Caroline felt like she could breathe again. If she thought the woman was intimidating before, she was utterly suffocating now. Despite being the same height, her elegant posture and haughty demeanor made her imposing.
“Unfortunately, I am unlikely to attend your wedding since my family will be away by then.”
“Oh, yes. My apologies for forgetting.”
“Don’t worry, we don’t expect everyone to keep track of us.”
“Where are you and your husband moving?” Caroline asked. Valeria had no such title when they knew each other.
“I’m not married.” Valeria’s lips twitched in amusement. “My parents passed away some years ago, but I was taken in by distant relatives. The Count and his wife.”
“I’m so sorry to hear about your parents.” She hadn’t spent much time with them, but she remembered their warm smiles and how they always made room for her at the dinner table.
“Thank you. It was a difficult time, but I’m grateful for The Count. He’s made everything better.”
She had more questions about this Count, but it didn’t seem like the proper moment for that kind of interrogation.
“He’s a great man and a great client,” Edgar added.
She had forgotten he was even there. She cleared her throat before directing the conversation back to neutral territory. “I’m glad you had the chance to stop by our party.”
“Of course, the moment I heard you were getting married, I knew I had to see you.”
“You knew it was me?”
“Of course.” Valeria smiled softly at her. “The moment we got your invitation, I knew I had to be the family representative.”