The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (29 page)

* * * *

Damon sat in his chair. He’d released his anger on Caroline. Still, he had a bitter taste in his mouth and a deep sadness. He raked his hand through his hair. Never had he felt so lost, or so full of darkness. A faint hint of her cologne scented the room. It reminded him of flowers and sunshine. He raised his head. The shadows in the room mocked him and filled his very being with bleakness. It was as though he’d deprived himself of all light and joy when he sent her off.

Damon arose early and was finishing his breakfast and coffee, when Hannah joined him in the small breakfast room.

“Good morning, Hannah. You look very serious this morning.”

Hannah nodded and walked into the room sitting in the chair Damon pulled out for her. He sat down and looked questioningly at his sister. “Would you like Mrs. Parker to bring tea and muffins?”

“That would be fine, thank you, Damon.”

He waited until after the tea and muffins were placed before his sister. He hadn’t seen her so quiet and still. It worried him to see she lacked her usual glow of cheerfulness.

“This must be something very important to have robbed you of your smile, little one,” Damon prodded.

“I just saw Caroline. She told me she is moving to Atelstone Hall, alone,” Hannah stated bluntly.

“Hardly alone,” Damon answered. “She will be hiring staff to take care of her needs and to take care of the household.”

“But her husband will be living several miles away in another house,” Hannah said, and looked at Damon with questions in her eyes.

“Hannah, you know I had this house built so I would never have to live at Atelstone Hall!” Damon realized he’d shouted when he saw Hannah flinch. “I’m sorry, I’m not angry with you. You will have to trust me that this is best for both of us.”

“I have always trusted you, Damon, and respected your judgment, but I feel you are wrong this time. The ancestral home is where you should live and bring up your children. All of our ancestors for two hundred years have lived there.” Hannah’s words rang loud in the small room.

Damon sat back. Hannah had never questioned him, and he had never heard her raise her voice to anyone.

“If this is all you came to tell me, Hannah, then the conversation is at an end,” Damon warned her.

“I do have one other topic of conversation before I leave.” Leaving her tea and muffins barely touched, she walked toward the door. “Arthur will ask to see you to request my hand in marriage. I want you to accept his suit. I care for him very much.”

“Arthur Thomlin, Lady Ferrier’s brother?”

“Yes, surely you can find no complaint to refuse his suit. He is an earl’s son.”

“You have a marquis and even one duke showing an interest in you. This is too soon. Be patient. You can do much better,” Damon stated bluntly.

“Perhaps you chose to marry for other reasons than affection, Damon. I do not. Mr. Thomlin is a fine man and I wish to marry him.” Hannah curtsied at the door and swept through the doorway with her head held high.

Damon strolled to the window. It was a bright, sunny summer day. A good day to visit Hutshell about the mare he was considering buying. It would get him away for several days.

All of this was Caroline’s fault. Ever since she’d arrived his control seemed to be eroding, especially with females. He had not really believed she would agree so easily to move without him to Atelstone Hall. She had held on her ground on so many issues before. Why didn’t she argue and try to convince him to either go with her or let her stay with him?

It didn’t matter. The decision was made. He would not follow behind her. This was a good time to show her who was in control. She’d return to him after a few nights in that old empty building.

Of course, Nanny Fowler, Mary, and old man Peter would be with her. But other than those three, Caroline would have to hire the rest of the staff she needed from the village.

Damon strode out the door to the stables. This trip would be good for him and Devil. They both needed the exercise. Hannah had never confronted him on any decision and he was confused and unhappy. The fresh air would clear his head.

* * * *

Caroline awoke early and considered going downstairs to confront Damon. She had slept little last night. Damon’s bitter words went round and round in her head.

Hannah had stopped by her room, and Caroline found herself telling Hannah about the move. Talking to her about living at Atelstone Hall made it more real. Perhaps it would turn out better than she expected. She would go to breakfast and then prepare to open up the grand, old house.

“We thought you might be up,” Joan said, as she and Sara came into the small breakfast room. “Let’s go for a short walk. Sara and I will be leaving soon, as will your other guests. We should discuss last night before we go.”

“I’m ready.” Caroline scooped up several crumpets in a napkin for Joan and Sara and they headed out the side door. Caroline lifted her head and breathed in the fresh air.

“You look sad. Has something happened?” Joan spoke in her matter-of-fact, calming voice.

“Damon confronted me last night after Charles complained of someone breaking into his home.”

“We did not break in. He left a window partially open,” Sara responded indignantly.

Caroline gave her a wry smile. “That is not an invitation to visit. I thought we agreed you would forget the idea of going to his house?”

Sara flushed and looked down. “I wanted to help. It was the only chance you would have to know if he had hidden anything there.”

“I, for one, was not happy to have to ride with Lord Haddon to your rescue. It could have been disastrous for all of us. Perhaps you would not mind if Rook would have to marry you, but I have no intention of marrying someone who is forced to do the right thing.” Joan looked angrily at Sara.

“You did not have to rescue me. I had Rook.”

“And how much good was that doing you? You were being vigorously pursued until we arrived and joined forces,” Joan replied.

“Sara, Joan, please don’t argue. I have enough problems today, and my stomach is feeling very queasy right this moment.”

Caroline put out her hands to calm her two friends. “Tell me if you found anything important.”

“Caroline, you look pale. Here sit on this bench under the tree.” Joan took Caroline’s arm and walked with her to the bench.

Sara followed, looking guilty. “What we found was strange. There was a loose board in his bedroom and under it were some papers in a small black satchel. The papers were addressed to the Honorable Mr. Charles Royston. They were identification papers for a Mr. Charles Royston, and there was a letter from a lady named Eleanor. Why would you hide your own papers under a board in your bedroom?” Sara’s eyes reflected her bewilderment.

“Probably to keep them safe from thieves,” Joan said dryly.

Sara glared at her. “We did not have time to read the letters or check the identification papers closely. We heard a horse and had to get out of the window and back to our horses before getting caught.

“Rook was very upset. He used a few words I had never heard before.” Sara grinned, but neither friend smiled back.

“You took a terrible risk, Sara. I do appreciate your desire to help. But, please promise me you won’t do anything so dangerous again.” Caroline reached out to take Sara’s hand.

Sara knelt down in front of Caroline. “I won’t. I really wanted to help. You must have noticed me holding this satchel. The papers we took are all in here.” She handed it to Caroline. “Keep it. Maybe the information will help you in some way in the future. Seeing you now, I feel I have only caused you more anguish.”

“No, Sara. What happened last night between Damon and me has been coming ever since we met. Both of us are hardheaded and determined. I am not the refined lady Damon expects in a wife.”

“Nonsense,” Joan protested. “You are not feeling well today. All will look brighter tomorrow when all of us are gone from here.”

Caroline tried to smile. She would not tell her friends of her move to Atelstone. They would only worry and Sara would feel guiltier. Looking across the lawn, Caroline was relieved to see Nanny coming toward her.

“It is good to see you three together again,” Nanny Fowler said, and smiled at them. “I see you are not looking well this morning, Caroline. Shall we go to your room? You can rest a few minutes until you have to see your guests on their way.”

Caroline took Nanny’s arm and waved good-bye to her friends. “How did you know I needed you, dear Nanny?”

Nanny patted her hand. “I looked out the dining room window and sensed something was not right. Are you feeling unwell this morning?”

“I feel strange, tired and queasy, but I slept poorly last night, so that is probably the reason.”

“Possibly, but I will have Mary bring some warm tea and crackers to you. I’ll get you downstairs in time to say good-bye.”

“Thank goodness you are here, Nanny. I don’t know what I would do without you.” Caroline sniffed and reached in her pocket for a handkerchief as they climbed the stairs.

“Now, now, it will be all right in the end. Just you wait and see.” Nanny patted her hand, but she looked worried.

When Nanny left the room for a moment, Caroline hid the satchel. She’d look at it later.

After Caroline’s rest, she and Hannah stood in the doorway and waved good-bye to the last carriage. Caroline let out a deep sigh.

“It will be good to have peace and quiet again. I’m going to walk to the stables and see how my new puppy, Gallant, is doing. Would you walk with me, Hannah?”

“I’d love to. Isn’t it a beautiful morning, and listen to the birds? I hear a goldfinch singing.” Hannah fairly danced alongside of Caroline.

Gallant raised his little head on seeing Caroline. He stood and ran on his short legs up to her, jumping along the edge of her skirt. Bending down, she picked him up and rubbed his head.

“You are much cleaner and healthier looking. Old Peter has done a good job of caring for you.” Caroline smiled across the yard at Old Peter coming in the stables.

“He’s a cute little hound. He’ll make you a fine companion and protector when he gets bigger,” Old Peter said.

“Peter, I was hoping to see you. I will be moving to Atelstone Hall later today. I would like to employ you and your family to help me with the move, and I hope you’ll stay on to help me where needed.”

“Talked the young lord into moving, did you?” Peter pushed his hat back off his forehead.

“No, I will be moving. Lord Royston will continue to live here.” Peter stared at her with a stunned expression.

“Are you really going through with this, Caroline? Surely you would not leave without my brother?” Hannah asked.

“Damon has agreed this is for the best.” Turning to Peter, she added, “I am going to need staff, a butler, housekeeper, and any other staff you feel will be needed. Do you have any suggestions?”

Peter scratched his head and looked down. “I reckon my son and his family will help with your stables. I’ve got a cousin who could be your butler. Best ask Mrs. Parker about a housekeeper and cook.” Peter’s pale blue eyes searched her face. “I hope you won’t mind me asking, but are you sure you want to do this, milady?”

“I’m not sure of anything. But I’m going to do this. I have no choice.” She looked out the barn door and into the distance.

“I’m going to walk to the gazebo,” Caroline said. She was glad Hannah didn’t suggest joining her. She wanted to be alone. But she felt Hannah and Peter watching her as she left, carrying Gallant with her.

* * * *

Damon stopped at the Crows Inn at noon and went in to have lunch and get a fresh horse. The proprietor, a short, thin man, came forward.

“Hello, I’m Goodshall, the owner. How may I help you, milord? I have a private dining room available, and some good homemade soup, vegetables, and a beef roast.”

“Fine, and add a decent bottle of wine, if you have any. I’ll need a fresh horse to complete my journey and will pick up my horse upon my return.” Damon followed Goodshall along a narrow hallway and into a sitting room.

A table sat in the middle of the room and two cushioned chairs were arranged by the fireplace. A small fire had been lit to dispel the dampness. Damon went over to sit in one of the chairs.

“I’ll send my wife in right away with the wine. It won’t be long before she has your meal and fresh bread ready.”

“Thank you.” Damon nodded, dismissing the man. He was tired. He had slept little last night. Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted agreeing for Caroline to move out of his home. Damon stretched his long legs, encased in buckskin trousers, out in front of him.

He was really not interested in the horse he was going to see. It was an excuse to get away and have time to sort out his head. Ever since he had first seen Caroline, nothing had gone as he had planned.

Being harsh to her caused him as much distress or more, than her. Why had he thought marrying her would be a good revenge on her parents? They had seemed happy to see her married, and not at all disturbed to have her taken off to the country.