Lila gasped rather too loudly and hurried over to the vanity where she promptly pretended to rearrange some hairbrushes.
Caroline smiled. “Certainly not. There are things that happen in a lady’s bedchamber, before an important society event, that a gentleman must never see. It is like knowing how a magic trick is performed. It ruins the illusion.”
“Very well, but you should know that, once again, you are doing nothing to fend off the allegations that you are a sorceress. The Countess of Grayling must be thrilled that she has so many acolytes.” He pushed away from the wall and, with a fleeting, fond smile, he departed the bedchamber, closing the door behind him.
It was the one place that he did not dare to tread, or so Caroline had noticed. Whenever she called him in to get his opinion on this or that, he always stayed by the door, not fully stepping into the room.
She had quietly hoped that her husband might join her in her bedchamber again, as he had done at Cedar House, just to sleep beside her. There was something enchanting about curling up beside someone she trusted, knowing that they would be there when she woke up, but he had not joined her again. Indeed, he made a point of retiring before her, his chamber door closing long before she went to bed.
Nor had he repeated the magic of kissing her, though the memory was as fresh as if it happened two minutes ago.
“I think those brushes are in perfect order now,” Caroline said, raising a knowing eyebrow at Lila.
The lady’s maid blushed a shade pinker, clutching a comb in her hands. “I’m so very sorry, Your Grace. I just… can’t help it. I don’t know what happened at that summer house you were visiting, but there’s no denying that things are different between the two of you. It’s like… you’re newlyweds all over again.”
“I do not think we are that much changed,” Caroline protested.
“But you are, Your Grace!” Lila insisted. “I can’t explain it, but there’s a difference.”
In truth, Caroline knew exactly what Lila was talking about. She had felt it herself although she, too, could not explain or describe the change. It was subtle, like a new oil added to the bath, or a familiar scent on the wind. It was a tenderness that had not been there before, their teasing more cautious, their quarrels less frequent.
When they were out in the city, she had noticed that he was more protective than he had been before, too. Always finding an excuse to hold her hand or to touch her arm, her face, her shoulder, her hair. They were closer, she supposed, that former distance between them all but gone.
“Come now.” Caroline sighed. “Cool your cheeks and then let us begin. My hair will not curl itself—more’s the pity—and I cannot be late to this ball tonight.Allof my beloved Spinsters’ Club shall be there!”
More than anything, she was excited to hear their opinion of what was happening in her marriage. Perhaps, they would have the answers that seemed to be just out of her reach.
“Wherearethey?” Caroline muttered, scouring the ballroom for any sign of her dear friends. Her mother was also supposed to be in attendance, along with her brother, but, thus far, there had been no familiar faces whatsoever.
Max laughed, plucking two glasses of lemonade off a passing tray. “They will be here, dear Caro. You must have patience. It is fashionable for the hosts to be late to their own event, and it would not be the Spinsters’ Club if my sister and those friends of hers did not cause something of a stir upon their arrival.”
“I do so hate being early,” she grumbled on, sipping her drink.
He shook his head, his eyes shining with mirth. “Yet, when I suggested we might spend half an hour in the drawing room to have some tea before we left, you would think I had suggested we rob the palace of the crown jewels.”
“Yes, well, I thoughttheywould also be early.” She smiled up at him, wishing shehadtaken that extra half hour to enjoy with him. Alone. “If you are not averse, we could have tea before we retire tonight. That would make up for my eagerness, I think.”
“I admire your eagerness.” He lifted his hand and, for a second, she thought he was going to cradle her face. Instead, he plucked something off her cheek and held it up to her lips. “An eyelash, dear Caro. Make a wish.”
Her cheeks flooded with warmth as she closed her eyes.
I wish for tonight to be a success for the two of us, and that my friends reassure me that what is happening is a good thing.
She blew on the eyelash, and it flew away, hopefully to the forces that would make her wish come true.
“What did you wish for?” Max asked, as he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed the silk of her glove, the gesture taking her by surprise.
Goodness, these wishes work quickly these days!
She tapped the side of her nose, feeling positively giddy. “That would be telling. Besides, when we tossed the coins into the reflecting pool, you never told me what yours was.”
“I could, if you want me to?” he said, his voice low and sultry.
She considered it for a moment. “No, I shall be content to stay in suspense, in case my hearing itdoesprevent it from coming true.” She paused, gazing up into his beautiful blue eyes. “Unless youcantell me because it has already come true?”
“Maybe it has and maybe it has not,” he replied, smiling.
She groaned, half laughing. “That is too cruel, Max. Are you trying to make me desperate to know?”
