She turned to Beatrice now, desperate for her sister to believe her. “Beatrice, please,” she begged, reaching out to take herhand. “You know me. You know I would never do anything to hurt you or jeopardize your happiness. Please, you have to believe me.”
Beatrice, however, pulled her hand away quickly—her eyes filling with tears as she looked down at her feet, blatantly refusing to Caroline’s gaze. It was this rejection, this refusal to listen, that stung far more than any of her mother’s harsh words or her father’s disappointment.
“Beatrice,” she pleaded again, but her sister took a step away from her, closer to their mother.
“Caroline,” William spoke at last. “I think it is best if you retire for the night. I shall handle this… incident.” His voice was colder than she had ever heard it and Caroline bit down on her lower lip.
She wanted nothing more than to argue, to plead until they believed her. Unfortunately, it was quite evident that anything she’d say would be useless. So, she merely nodded before turning and leaving the study—though she once again came to a halt next to her sister.
“Beatrice, please,” she whispered, her voice and eyes filled with tears. “You have to believe me. You have to know that I would never betray you like this. Never. I love you. You are my best friend.”
Beatrice shook her head, angry tears appearing in her eyes. “I have heard the whispers about his reputation,” she accused. “How he has left a trail of broken hearts and ruined women behind him. Is that what you want, Caroline? To be just another one of his conquests?”
Caroline blinked at the painful sting of the accusation, even as a traitorous part of her shivered at the idea of being seduced by Sebastian.
Beatrice, however, merely shook her head and took another step away from Caroline. “I don’t know what to believe anymore,” she whispered brokenly, her voice trembling. “I just… I need some time, Caroline. I need you to leave me be. Please.”
Caroline let out a shuddering breath before leaving the study and making her way towards her bedchamber slowly. She stripped the dazzling blue gown off and made a quick grab for a nightgown before crawling into her bed, tears stinging behind her eyelids.
How had this happened?
Her hands gripped tightly at the covers as her mind raced with the unfortunate events that had struck over the evening.
First, there was Edward who had acted in a manner completely different from the friend she was used to. Then there was the unfortunate way she had tripped over her own dress—which for her, was not entirely new. Then she was caught in a compromising position with Sebastian Fairchild and she knew without a sliver of doubt that the entire ton would be on fire with the gossip.
She could not entirely blame them. Despite the knowledge that he was her sister’s betrothed, the memory of Sebastian’s touch haunted her overwrought body. The ghost of his strong hands at her waist, the press of his muscled chest, the intoxicating scent of his skin. She squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her thighs together, trying in vain to banish the sinful heat that coursed through her blood. She had never before experienced a feeling like that.
Surely, she mused, once Beatrice and Sebastian announced their engagement and were married, this would all blow over? People would see that it was just a misunderstanding, a moment of clumsiness on her part and chivalry on his?
Despite what she told herself, however, there was a nagging voice in the back of her mind, warning her that it might not be that simple at all. The way her father had talked about Sebastian’s past, the betrayal in Beatrice’s eyes…
And what had her father meant when he said that he would handle it?
She could imagine them now, furious with her. Talking about how she had embarrassed the family, talking about how they would have to save it. Caroline shut her eyes tightly and wrapped her arms around herself.
She lay still, waiting to hear the sound of Beatrice's footsteps as she made her way to her bedchamber. As soon as she heard the tell-tale click of her sister's door closing, Caroline sprang into action. She couldn't bear the thought of Beatrice believing the worst of her, of letting this misunderstanding fester between them.
She padded softly down the hallway, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. When she reached Beatrice's door, she took a deep breath, steeling herself before knocking gently.
“Beatrice?” she called out, her voice barely above a whisper. “Beatrice, please, I need to talk to you. I need to explain what really happened.”
There was no response from the other side of the door. Caroline pressed her ear against the wood, straining to hear any sound of movement within. But there was nothing. Just a heavy, suffocating silence.
“Beatrice, I know you're awake,” Caroline tried again, a note of desperation creeping into her voice. “Please, just let me in. Let me explain.”
Still, there was no answer. Caroline felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, hot and shameful. She knew Beatrice was pretending to be asleep, avoiding her. And who could blame her? After what she had heard, what everyone had seen...
Caroline turned away from the door slowly, her heart heavy. She knew she couldn't force Beatrice to listen, to believe her. Not now, not when the wounds were so fresh. She would have to give her sister time, and hope that eventually she would be willing to hear her out.
Impulsively, she made her way down the stairs towards her father’s study. As she stopped in front of the door, a muffled sound caught her attention. Voices—unmistakably her parents’. Despite her knowledge that it was a bad idea, Caroline crept closer, her curiosity getting the better of her.
“...damage control…” her father’s strained voice drifted toward her through the closed door. “...no other way…”
Her mother's response was too low to make out, but the tone was unmistakable. Serious. Grave. As if they were discussing a matter of life and death.
Caroline felt a chill run down her spine. Damage control? No other way? What did that mean? What were they planning to do?
A thousand terrible scenarios raced through her mind. Would they send her away, banish her from the family to avoid scandal? Would they blame Sebastian, call off Beatrice's engagement entirely?
