Caroline stopped, too. Sarah’s face was pale. “You do not have to worry about those two. They are friends of mine.”
“It…it’s not that.” Sarah adjusted her spectacles. “I have just not…not…ever had a conversation with a gentleman.”
“Well, you may not have aristocrats in America, but do not let titles intimidate you. Those two…” Caroline gestured toward Brice and Stephan. “…at least, are quite human.”
Sarah shook her head. “You don’t understand. I have never actually talked to a man.”
Caroline felt her mouth start to drop open and quickly closed it. “What do you mean, you have never actually talked to a man? Are you saying not one word?”
“No. Yes. I mean…Yes, of course I havespokento men. There was the priest who heard confession. Tinkers, coopers, and chandlers would come to the convent to sell their wares.” Sarah shrugged. “And I remember my father. He used to hold me and tell me stories of faeries and leprechauns and such.”
“But were there no social engagements? Not an opportunity for a young man to indicate an interest?”
“The abbess frowned on such things,” Sarah answered. “She said the ways of the world were too sinful and that we should be grateful to have an education so we could pay homage to God by taking the veil.”
Caroline wasn’t going to argue the merits of that, but she couldn’t imagine how austere such a life must be. And how completely opposite and overwhelming being thrown into anhaute tonparty at the lavish Royal Pavilion, no less. No wonder the girl was as white as freshly bleached linen.
“Perhaps the introductions can wait at that,” Caroline said. “Why do we not go for a walk and you can tell me more about yourself?”
The relief on Sarah’s face was pitiful, but the last thing the girl needed was pity. What she needed, Caroline decided, was a friend.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The sun burned through the morning haze on the horizon, the bright red rays riding the ripples of the Channel to make it appear that the water was on fire. Stephan stood in the cockpit ofLady of Fortuneshading his eyes and squinted.
“There is nothing out there.” Brice wrapped his hands around the warmth of his coffee mug. “Why you wanted to get us up at sunrise I have no idea.”
Stephan glanced at him. “Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning.”
Brice groaned. “There is hardly any wind and not a cloud in the sky.”
“Yet.”
“Well, I could have used several more hours of sleep,” Brice grumbled.
“Maybe you should have taken to your bed earlier,” Stephan said. “The reception ended at midnight.”
“Ah, the magic stroke of midnight,” Brice replied, “when the pumpkin and mice return to their original forms and Cinderella flees the ball before her fine gown changes into rags. Only last night, Cinderella arrived at the ball pretty much dressed in rags.” A corner of his mouth lifted. “I thought Prinny was going to have an apoplexy when he saw Miss Vincent.”
Stephan tried not to laugh. Prinny had finally made an appearance—grand entrance as usual—and practically toppled off the stairs when Miss Vincent had entered the room accompanied by Caroline. The expression on the prince’s face had reminded Stephan of a trapper not quite sure what kind of animal his cage contained. “I never thought the color brown would gather such attention, although I am sure it was not Miss Vincent’s intent to stand out.”
“That garb did make her look rather like a women’s warden at Newgate,” Brice answered. “Thank goodness she was not wearing black or the illusion would have been closer to the Grim Reaper.”
“It was notthatbad.”
“You think not? Miss Vincent’s countenance was somber as a judge’s. I do not think the girl even smiled once.”
“Well, she was raised in a convent. Smiling probably was not allowed.”
“Probably nothing else that hinted at fun, either.” Brice shrugged. “I pity the man who marries her. He will have his work cut out to get someone like her to respond to bed sport.”
Stephan grinned. “Maybe you could help the future chump out by softening Miss Vincent up a bit.”
“Me? No, thanks. I prefer my women experienced. Very experienced.” Brice grinned, too. “Which is why I was out so late last night. Or rather, early this morning.”
“And why you have drained nearly a whole pot of coffee.”
“Only because you wanted to see the sun rise. Every other intelligent human being is still sound asleep.” Brice suddenly looked around. “Where is Eric, by the way?”