As the music began to wind down, Edward’s smile faded once again and he let out a sigh. “Caroline,” he said, his tone gentle but probing. “Do forgive me for prying, but I simply must ask… Why? Why did you marry him? Truly?”
Caroline hesitated and she bit her lip. Did she not owe Edward the truth? She let out a deep sigh.
“I had to,” she admitted at last, her voice barely above a whisper. “After we were caught in that embrace… even though it was completely innocent… I knew my reputation would be ruined if I did not marry him, and Beatrice would have suffered too. For having such a shameful sister. I could not let that happen.”
Edward’s brow furrowed in concern. “What about you, Caroline?” he insisted. “What about your happiness? Surely there could have been another solution, a way to avoid this forced union?”
Caroline shook her head quickly. “Not one that would have protected Beatrice,” she insisted. “Or restored my good name. Marrying Sebastian was the right choice, it was the only choice.”
“Are you happy with that choice?” Edward countered. “Does he treat you well?”
A soft smile appeared on her lips when she thought of Sebastian—of how they moved together perfectly, how his touch sent sparks dancing along her skin and how he’d started to make her heart race.
For some reason, however, she was hesitant to share that with Edward. Her growing feelings for Sebastian, she thought, were private.
“Sebastian is a good man,” she insisted. “And I am determined to be a good wife to him.”
Edward scowled at this and he searched her face for a long, drawn-out moment—as if he were looking for some sign of deception. Then he sighed and his shoulders slumped.
“Well then,” he said, managing a small smile as the final notes of the waltz faded away. “If you are happy, I suppose that is it. “But Caroline, you must know… If you ever need to escape, I am happy to help you. If you ever need anything…”
“If there is anything my wife needs, Lord Pembroke, I will be the one to provide it.”
Caroline’s entire body turned to ice at the sound of the cold voice and she turned slowly. Behind her stood Sebastian, his face a stoic mask. Caroline swallowed nervously as she noticed thetightness in her husband’s jaw, the carefully blank expression on his face as he looked at them.
“Thank you for the dance, Lady Casterbridge,” Edward mumbled, looking everywhere except at Sebastian. “And for your generosity, Lord Casterbridge, in sharing your wife’s company. She is a treasure.”
Sebastian inclined his head stiffly. “Indeed, she is,’ he agreed, his voice cold.
With a final nod, Edward melted into the crowd, leaving Caroline and Sebastian alone in the midst of the swirling dancers.
“Are you alright?” Sebastian asked quietly, his eyes searching her face. “Pembroke seemed as though he was quite the demanding dance partner.”
Caroline hesitated at this, her eyes meeting her husband’s. The last thing she wanted was for him to think that she had betrayed his trust.
“Edward and I have a long history,” she said carefully. “We were close as children, and he was quite used to being my partner at events. Suffice to say, he hoped for something more, before I married. But I made it very clear to him that my place is with you now, as your wife. He understands that.”
Sebastian was silent for a long moment, his expression inscrutable. Caroline's heart pounded as she waited for his response, her stomach twisting with sudden nerves.
“Alright then,” he said at last, though the ease between them had all but evaporated.
***
He did not like it one bit, Sebastian thought as he stood in the middle of the ballroom. He didn’t like Edward’s close proximity to his wife. Not one bit.
It wasn’t that he was jealous per se, he thought now, but still.
Caroline’s hand was suddenly warm on his arm and a shockwave coursed through him at the contact.
“Please don’t be mad,” she said softly and Sebastian sighed.
“I am not mad,” he said softly, then brushed his hand against her cheek in a tender caress. “I just… I suppose I am a bit protective over you.”
Caroline looked at him questioningly and he sighed, before quickly shaking his head.
“I mean—your reputation affects me now,” he explained quickly. You are part of my family now.”
“Oh,” Caroline whispered and she swallowed visibly. “Perhaps… perhaps we ought to go home.”
