“No. Why do you ask?”
“You seem preoccupied.”
Stephan was preoccupied trying to figure out what he would say to Caroline once this dinner was finally over. He was also plotting a way to get the damn place cards rearranged, but neither of those were details he wanted to share. “Just thinking about the next trial run for the boat.”
Ann wrinkled her nose. “Are you as obsessed with winning the purse as my father is?”
“All men want to win,” Stephan replied noncommittally, although he wondered if Tisdale wanted to win to impress the prince regent or if he needed the purse. How much of a deficit had securing that shipment of brandy that Tisdale intended for the prince set him back? Hard on the heels of that thought was the earl’s motivation for marrying Caroline. Sir Reginald had done well for himself, and Caroline was his only child, so her dowry would be substantial. In addition, Alex had told him that his brother George had set up an account for Caroline when he dropped her, but she hadn’t touched one pence of it. Stephan didn’t need any of those funds, but did Tisdale? It was something to ponder on later.
Ann continued to prattle on about the rest of the social events scheduled for the house party, and Stephan tried to look at least mildly interested, although the more she talked, the more bored he became.
Finally, the interminable dinner was over. As the women rose to retire to the gallery room, Stephan waited as the women disappeared and then stood, too. He hoped Tisdale would not get suspicious and follow him, but it was a chance he had to take. Caroline had just gone through the doorway when he caught up to her. Calamitously, Ann chose that moment to turn around and saw him. She gave him a big smile as she hurried back. “Did you wish to stroll in the garden with me, my lord?”
No. Stephan wished to stroll in the garden with Caroline, blast it. Now, he couldn’t ask. “If you will excuse me, I need to speak to Miss Nash.” He turned toward Caroline. “Perhaps a seat in the saloon?”
She gave him that same cool look that she had used earlier. For a moment, he thought she might refuse to accompany him, but then she nodded.
“As you wish.”
They passed through the gallery, and when Stephan gestured to a love seat, she hesitated, then sat somewhat primly on the edge. “What did you wish to say?”
He blinked at her directness. Although it was a trait he admired, he wasn’t sure why she was behaving so strangely. “I wanted to apologize for not leaving a note regarding my absence.”
“You do not owe me an explanation.”
He didn’t? Then why the hell was she acting so aloof? Perhaps he should change the subject. “Brice and I took theLadyout today. Her time was very good.”
“I am glad to hear it. I know the regatta is very important to you.”
It was, but, somehow, he got the impression she meant more than that. “I am pretty sure I will be able to beat Tisdale.”
“I hope you do. After the way you handled the boat and saved those boys, you deserve to win.”
“I give the crew credit for the sail-handling,” Stephan said, “but I meant what I said the other day. I would not have seen those boys if it had not been for you. You were the one who really rescued them.”
“That is very kind.” Caroline gave him a small smile. “In any event, the debutantes cannot seem to stop chattering about you. Your action seems to have removed any stigma that might still have been clinging to you.”
Stephan frowned slightly. “Has my…stigma…bothered you?”
Caroline’s eyes widened. “Of course not! I never believed any of it in the first place.”
His frown vanished. Caroline had never mentioned the incident or the rumors surrounding him, but hearing her say what she said left him with a warm, glowing feeling in his chest. “Well, perhaps my newfound popularity will convince your father that I am worthy of challenging Tisdale.”
Caroline turned and studied him. Then she took a deep breath. “About that. Since the ban on you paying court to the debutantes seems to have been lifted, I do not want to stand in your way.”
Stephan’s frown returned. “What do you mean by that? I threw down a gauntlet.”
Caroline continued to search his face with her gaze. “And that was very well done. But I know you agreed to help me because Brice persuaded you to. The intention was only for you to get me through this house party.”
The hell it was. “I plan to see this challenge through.”
Caroline nodded. “Brice said you would. And I appreciate it.” She turned away and fixed her gaze on a painting. “But that was before your status changed. I… I…would… not want to impede your chances of courting a young lady you…you actually wished to marry.”
“What the—”
“There you are, Caroline!” Lady Linford, followed by Lady Compton and Lady Ann, came bustling into the room. “We need a fourth for our whist table, and Ann said you were an expert player.”
“Of course.” Caroline rose so quickly, she nearly tripped. “I would be happy to.”