“Good morning, Mrs. Hawkins,” she greeted happily. “I was hoping we could talk a bit about the weeks menu’s.”
Menu’s, she had decided, seemed rather safe—far safer, she thought, than ordering servants around. Mrs. Hawkins merely nodded at her suggestion and the two women moved to the dining room where Caroline moved to take a seat. They had barely started with the planning, when the footman Caroline recognized as George, entered the room.
“Excuse me, My Lady, Mrs Hawkins,” the young man spoke hesitantly. “But there is a visitor at the door for Lady Casterbridge.”
Caroline rose to her feet at this, a soft smile settling around her lips. She was rather certain that it was Martha who had come to visit and joy filled her very being at the thought of telling her friend that all was well.
“Thank you, George,” she said softly. “You may send her to the drawing room.”
George hesitated in the door, drawing a sharp look from Mrs. Hawkins.
“Lady Casterbridge gave an order, George,” Mrs. Hawkins barked and the young man swallowed nervously.
“Yes, My Lady, yes Mrs. Hawkins,” he said nervously. “It is Lord Pembroke who is visiting.”
Caroline’s eyes widened at this and she let out an irritable sigh. “Send him to the drawing room, George,” she said simply and the footman nodded before leaving. Caroline made her way to the drawing room almost irritably, glancing at Mrs. Hawkins behind her.
“If you shall send us some tea, Mrs. Hawkins. I am certain it will be a quick visit.”
She was not, however, truly certain of this and a frown furrowed her brow when Edward sauntered into the drawing room.
“Edward,” she greeted coolly. “What on earth brings you here today?”
He had the grace to look slightly abashed, though there was a determined set to his jaw as he stepped fully into the room, taking a seat on the sofa across from her.
“I apologize for the intrusion, Caroline,” he said simply, “But I need to speak with you rather urgently.”
Caroline frowned at this, unease prickling along her spine. After their uncomfortable encounter at the ball, she had rather hoped to put some distance between herself and Edward in an effort to re-establish the boundaries of their friendship.
There was, however, a rather pathetic look on his face—quite like a dog that had been undeservedly kicked—and she found her resolve wavering.
“Very well,” she said, sighing in resignation. “We can talk.”
Edward looked at her gratefully and he reached out to take her hands. Caroline flinched slightly at the contact, then drew her hands from his grip.
“I know my being here is unorthodox and rather improper,” he admitted, “But I could not stay away. I had to see you.”
To her relief, Mrs. Hawkins chose that moment to enter with a tray of tea, giving Caroline a bit of a reprieve as she busied herself with the cups.
“I thought we settled matters quite clearly, Edward,” she said evenly as she poured tea into the cups. “I am married now, and whatever feelings you may have harbored in the past are just there. It is vital that we move forward as friends—nothing more.”
Edward shook his head impatiently, letting out a frustrated sigh. “I know that, Caroline. And I am trying, have tried… but it is not as simple as that. Seeing you with him… it pains me.”
Irritation coursed through her at this. “Edward,” she said coldly, “I am sorry if this is difficult for you, but you must try to see reason. I am Sebastian’s wife and nothing will change that. What you are feeling, what you are saying… it is improper.”
“You dare talk about improper,” Edward shot, his voice fraught with bitterness. “Do you have any idea how utterly unfair it is to see you, the woman I love, trapped in a marriage of convenience? Shackled to a man who will never truly understand or appreciate you. How am I meant to simply smile and pretend that it is right, normal?”
Caroline stared at him with wide eyes, momentarily speechless in the face of such audacity. “Edward!” she let out at last. “You cannot say these things.”
Edward held up his hands in a placating gesture, though there was a glint of something triumphant in his eyes. “Forgive me if I’d spoken out of turn,” he said slowly, his voice measured. “But you must know that I only want what is best for you. I cannot bear to see you unhappy, settling for a pale imitation of the life you deserve.”
“Stop, please,” Caroline whispered and Edward sighed. “Alright,” he relented, though a strange smile appeared on his face.
“Tell me how things are going with you—and your family?”
Caroline closed her eyes at this. “It is difficult,” she admitted softly. “Beatrice and I have not spoken in quite some time.”
At this, Edward leaned forward and placed a gentle hand on her wrist. “I am sorry. I cannot imagine how difficult that is—I know how much you and your sister love each other.”
