Caroline saw Ann talking with Amelia as soon as she entered the long gallery for the reception the prince regent had decided to host. She wasn’t quite sure what had made him decide to do it, since Americans—and certainly not an orphaned one—weren’t generally invited into any of theton’sSociety events. Perhaps it was because the Earl of Lockwood and his wife had not been able to join the house party until this late date. Or perhaps a young American woman would create a diversion in a house party that had begun to drag.
But at least this evening would be a buffet rather than another sit-down dinner where Caroline would have to be polite to Lord Tisdale. Keeping Amelia and Ann nearby would also eliminate the need to pay sole attention to the man. He could hardly fault her for becoming friends with his daughter.
Caroline understood the reasoning behind Amelia’s plan. Acting aloof toward Stephan would allow the earl to think he had a chance with her. That, in turn, might keep him from berating Ann for not succeeding in the scheme aboard Stephan’s boat. At least, Caroline hoped her being pleasant to the earl would keep him from striking his daughter again. In spite of Ann’s past flirtations with Stephan, Caroline found herself empathizing with her, since Caroline’s own father had manipulated this whole quagmire by trying to marry her off to the earl.
But more important was the fact that Stephan really was a pirate.Thepirate who had been responsible for boarding the French ships. Caroline didn’t understand why he would want to do such a thing, but she doubted it was just for the thrill of taking a risk. There had to be somereason. She would withhold judgment until she found out what that reason was. She’d had no chance to talk to Stephan alone. She’d considered telling Brice to deliver a message, but if Stephan hadn’t confided in him—and Brice had never indicated he knew anything—she’d only be making matters worse. Meanwhile, she had to do everything she could to keep the earl from having another reason to continue his snooping.
“I see our guest of honor has not put in an appearance,” Caroline said as she joined Amelia and Ann near the marble hearth. “The Lockwoods arrived this afternoon?”
Ann nodded. “Around five o’clock. I was just going in to tea when I saw the carriage pull up.”
“Well, then. We can probably not expect them to show for at least another hour,” Amelia said, “since it takes Lady Lockwood that long to get ready.”
“It is nearly eight o’clock,” Caroline said. “If she waits too much longer, most of the men will be so foxed they will not appreciate her efforts.”
Even as she spoke, she saw Tisdale come out from the saloon, brandy snifter in hand. As he joined them, Caroline could tell from the strong smell of liquor on his breath that the drink probably was not his first. At the same time, she saw Brice and Stephan come in from the front entrance. Her breath caught at the sight of him. The dark gray of his topcoat brought out the darkness of his eyes and inkiness of his hair, which tonight he had pulled back into a queue, although several stubborn strands fell across his forehead, giving him an untamed look. The silver threads in his waistcoat caught the light from the huge chandelier. Together with the blindingly snowy cravat, it created an illusionary luminescence that hovered around him much like an angelic essence seen in classic paintings. But Stephan Stoddard, Marquis of Kendrick, was no angel. Caroline smiled. Well, adarkangel, maybe. He looked enticingly dangerous.
He caught her gaze just as Tisdale spoke.
“I hope that smile is for me.”
Suddenly, Caroline’s face felt pulled into a grotesque mask as she managed to keep her lips curled and not give in to the temptation of a snarl when she switched her focus to the earl. “Why would it not be, my lord?”
He returned her smile, which Caroline had no doubt was as insincere as her own.
Tisdale reached for her hand, but she had anticipated that and snapped open her fan a precise second before contact. One of the spikes nearly scratched his face, and he scowled. She tried not to smile.
“Do not bring that thing along for our sail tomorrow.”
Her mirth faded. She had not been able to figure out a way to successfully excuse herself without casting suspicions on her reluctance to share his company. She sighed inwardly. Amelia had pointed out that it was only for an hour-and-a-half, and the captain would be aboard so she wouldn’t be alone with the earl. Still.
“I have not forgotten,” Caroline said and then, as Amelia gave her a sideways glance, added, “I am looking forward to it.” To it beingover, she silently added.
“Splendid!” Tisdale said and looked triumphantly in Stephan’s direction.
Blast it. Brice and Stephan weren’t standing that far away. He had probably heard the exchange, but when she turned her head slightly to steal a glance, Stephan turned and walked away. Blast. Blast.Blast.
Thankfully, their miserable conversation was halted by the appearance of the Earl and Countess of Lockwood on the far steps near the music room. All eyes turned in their direction as they proceeded down into the long gallery. The anticipation of the American guest following behind them, hidden from view, was almost palpable, although Caroline suspected, from the intense gleam in many of the women’s eyes, that the scrutiny was due more to what sort of fodder for gossip they could render rather than genuine curiosity.
Lord and Lady Lockwood stopped at the foot of the stairs to wait for the butler to announce them. Normally at a house party that wouldn’t be necessary but this was a reception, and Quigley materialized from seemingly nowhere in the way that all good butlers did. And he always took his duties seriously.
“The Right Honourable the Earl and the Right Honourable Countess of Lockwood and their guest, Miss Sarah Vincent of America.”
Vanessa stepped aside, and the room went completely silent for a moment before a buzz that sounded like a dozen hives of crazed bees began.
Caroline blinked. If the prince’s intention was to create a diversion, he had certainly succeeded.
…
Brice made a strangled noise that almost made Stephan divert his attention from watching Tisdale with Caroline. Something was going on that Stephan couldn’t quite get a feeling for. He’d heard Tisdale just now mention tomorrow’s sail and he’d heard Caroline’s reply, which sounded like she might actually want to get on his boat. Stephan had also watched her adroitly avoid the earl’s kissing her hand by snapping her fan open. If Amelia and Ann were not always clinging to her like suckerfish, he would be able toaskwhat the hell was going on. Caroline had made no effort to rid herself of the two women the past three days, which also was very strange, especially considering who they were.
Brice made another peculiar sound, and Stephan turned, ready to pound his friend on his back. “Is something stuck in your throat? What is wrong with you?”
Brice waved him off and pointed. “Not me.Her.”
Stephan followed the direction of Brice’s gesture and felt his eyes widen. “Good Lord. What is she wearing?”
Brice managed to find his voice. “I think Lord Lockwood may have had something to do with it.”