Chapter 17 #2
"With a man you barely know," Bea pointed out gently.
"That's why we're getting to know each other," Carol said. "We have dinner together. We talk. We... we're trying."
"She watches me train," Caspian added, and was that amusement in his tone?
Carol felt her face flame. "I was not watching—I mean, I was observing—you said the eastern terrace had a good view—"
"I did," Caspian confirmed. "I wasn't complaining."
Jasper looked between them, his expression slowly shifting from protective suspicion to something that might have been reluctant acceptance.
"You like him," he said to Carol.
"I—" Carol stopped. There was no point denying it. "Yes. I like him."
"And you?" Jasper turned to Caspian. "Do you like our sister?"
Caspian was quiet for a moment, considering the question with his usual careful precision.
"I find her company pleasant," he said finally.
"She's intelligent, thoughtful, and has been making genuine efforts to improve herself.
She cares about the staff and the estate.
She shows compassion to orphaned creatures.
And she came to see me off when I rode to war, which is more consideration than I expected. "
"That's very diplomatic," Bea said. "But it doesn't answer the question."
Caspian met her eyes directly. "I'm not comfortable with my wife. I'm trying to be. She's making that easier than I anticipated."
It wasn't a declaration of affection, but coming from Caspian, Carol thought it might be close.
"Fair enough," Jasper said, though his protective-brother expression hadn't completely disappeared. "But if you hurt her—"
"Jasper," Carol protested.
"No, let me finish," Jasper insisted. "If you hurt her, Your Grace, you'll have to deal with me. And while I'm aware you could probably kill me seventeen different ways before I finished this sentence, I'm still her brother, and I'm still obligated to threaten you."
"Your fire magic would make it at least twenty seconds," Caspian said.
There was a beat of silence.
Then Caspian's lips twitched in what might have been amusement. "That was a joke."
"Oh," Jasper said, looking slightly stunned. "You made a joke."
"I occasionally make jokes," Caspian said.
"He does," Carol confirmed. "They're very dry, so sometimes it's hard to tell."
"I'm still processing the fact that The Butcher of the North just joked about how long it would take to kill me," Jasper said.
"At least twenty seconds," Caspian repeated. "I was being respectful of your abilities."
Bea laughed—actually laughed—and the tension in the room finally broke.
"I think I'm starting to understand what Caroline sees in you," Bea said, smiling. "You're unexpected."
"I've been told that," Caspian said.
The rest of dinner passed more smoothly. Conversation flowed to safer topics—the estate's management, the upcoming summer festivals, Jasper's own holdings, Bea's interest in art and design. Caspian engaged with questions about their family, their interests, their lives in the capital.
Carol noticed how he listened carefully, asked thoughtful follow-up questions, and showed genuine interest in her siblings' answers. This wasn't the cold, distant duke from a week ago. This was someone making an effort.
For her.
She also noticed how Caspian made sure her juice glass stayed filled, how he served her portions before serving himself, how his attention would shift to her whenever she spoke.
And from the looks Bea kept giving her, her sister had noticed too.
When dessert arrived—a beautiful array of pastries and cakes—Carol couldn't help but smile.
"The cook knows you have a fondness for sweets," Caspian observed.
"I may have mentioned it once or twice," Carol admitted, selecting a chocolate tart. "Or a dozen times."
"You make enthusiastic sounds when you eat dessert," Caspian said. "It's distinctive."
Carol nearly choked on her tart. Across the table, Bea was fighting a smile.
"I do not make sounds," Carol protested.
"You do," Caspian said. "Small satisfied sounds. It's... endearing."
"Endearing," Carol repeated, feeling her face heat again.
"Yes."
Jasper looked like he was trying very hard not to laugh. "I think our sister might actually die of embarrassment, Your Grace."
"That would be unfortunate," Caspian said. "I'd have to find someone else to name my rescued creatures."
"And who would spend ten thousand gold crowns redecorating?" Bea added, fully smiling now.
"Exactly," Caspian said. "Very practical reasons to keep her alive."
Carol buried her face in her hands. "You're all terrible. Every single one of you."
But she was smiling when she said it.
As dinner wound down and servants cleared the plates, Jasper stood and stretched.
"We should let you both rest," he said. "It's been a long day for everyone."
"Will you be staying longer?" Caspian asked.
"A few more days, if that's acceptable," Bea said. "We'd like to see more of the estate. And spend time with Caroline."
"You're welcome to stay as long as you like," Caspian said. "The estate has plenty of room."
"Thank you, Your Grace," Bea said. Then, more softly, "For being patient with us tonight. We were... concerned."
"Understandably so," Caspian said. "You're welcome to assess the situation as long as you need to."
"I don't think we need much longer," Bea said, glancing at Carol with warmth. "We can see she's happy here."
"I am," Carol confirmed. "Really, truly happy."
Jasper moved to her side and pulled her into a quick hug. "Good," he said quietly. "That's all we wanted. For you to be happy."
Bea hugged her next. "He's not what I expected," she whispered in Carol's ear. "But he's good for you."
After her siblings left for their rooms, Carol remained in the dining room with Caspian. The servants had finished clearing and departed, leaving them alone.
"That wasn't as terrible as I feared," Carol said.
"Your brother threatened to fight me."
"Only a little bit," Carol said. "And you joked about it. Which I think won him over, actually."
"Did it?" Caspian asked.
"Yes. Bea too. She likes you."
"She approves of the decorating expenses."
"She approves of how you treat me," Carol corrected. "The decorating is just a bonus."
Caspian stood, and Carol realized how close they were standing. She had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes.
"Did I pass their assessment?" he asked.
"I think so," Carol said. "They'll probably stay a few days to be sure, but... yes. They can see I'm happy."
"Are you?" Caspian asked. "Happy?"
"Yes," Carol said simply. "Very much so."
"Good," Caspian said. "I'm glad you're home when I return from campaigns."
"I'm glad you returned safely," Carol replied.
They stood there for a moment, and Carol wondered if this was the moment. If he would lean down, if she should rise on her toes, if—
"I should let you rest," Caspian said, stepping back slightly. "It's been a long evening."
"Right," Carol said, trying not to feel disappointed. "Yes. Rest. Good idea."
"Goodnight, Caroline."
"Goodnight, Caspian."
Carol watched him leave, then pressed her hand to her racing heart.
Dinner with her protective siblings. Check.
Successfully proving she was happy. Check.
Almost being kissed by her husband. Almost.
"Progress," Carol whispered to herself.
And smiled all the way back to her chambers.