Sebastian inclined his head in acknowledgment, gratitude welling up in him at his friend's unwavering support and loyalty.
“I must say, her sister is quite charming too.”
Sebastian lifted a brow. “So you have indeed been spending time with Lady Beatrice?” Nathaniel nodded immediately. “Of course. You asked me, did you not?”
“Thank you,” Sebastian said with a sigh. “Caroline and I will both be glad if their sisterly relationship can be restored. I cannot help but feel guilty over my part in it and if you have something to do with it, I am grateful.”
Nathaniel waved away his thanks, although there was a flicker of something Sebastian couldn't quite identify in his eyes. “Think nothing of it. Lady Beatrice is a beautiful young woman, and it's been no hardship to pay her a bit of extra attention.”
He paused then, a slight frown marring his brow as if debating whether to speak his next thought aloud. “I must admit though, I was surprised to see her in the company of a certain gentleman at the last ball. A Lord Pembroke, I believe? They seemed quite... familiar with one another.”
Sebastian stilled, a prickle of unease skittering down his spine. “Edward Pembroke?” he asked, his voice carefully neutral. “Iwasn't aware that he and Beatrice were particularly close. I know he's a childhood friend of Caroline's, but beyond that…”
Nathaniel shrugged, taking a sip of his brandy. “As I said, I was surprised. Perhaps it's nothing, just a young lady enjoying the attentions of an eager swain. But I was rather curious about it—seeing as you asked me to make sure she was not alone. I did not know that he was close to your wife.”
Sebastian nodded slowly, his mind churning with the implications. He trusted Caroline implicitly, knew without a shadow of a doubt that she would never betray him or their marriage vows. But he also knew how persistent Pembroke could be in his affections, how entitled he seemed to feel to Caroline's time and regard.
The thought of the man using Beatrice as a means to get closer to Caroline made his blood boil, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He would not allow anyone, least of all a lovesick fool like Edward Pembroke, to threaten the happiness and security he had found with his wife.
No, he would handle this himself, quietly and efficiently. And heaven help Edward Pembroke if he overstepped the bounds of propriety or brought even a hint of further scandal down upon Sebastian or his wife.
Chapter 22
When Caroline arrived home, her heart was heavy from the confrontations with Beatrice and Edward. As she stepped into the drawing room, she was surprised to find Sebastian already there, lounging on the sofa with a book in hand.
“You're back early,” she remarked, trying to keep her tone light. “I thought you'd be out with Lord Wellington for a while longer.”
Sebastian set his book aside, a smile playing on his lips as he rose to greet her. “As pleasant as it is to spend time with my best friend, my place is here. With my wife.”
Caroline's heart skipped a beat and she looked at Sebastian earnestly. “You… you want to spend time with me?”
Sebastian nodded almost instantly. “I enjoy spending time with you, Caroline,” he said with a soft smile. “You make me feel as though I am exactly where I belong.”
Warmth rushed to her chest and she took a step towards him, their eyes meeting. “I feel the same way,” she admitted half-clumsily.
He pulled her into his arms, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. Caroline melted into his embrace, the warmth of his body and the steady beat of his heart soothing her frayed nerves.
“Is everything alright, my darling?” Sebastian asked, his brow furrowing slightly as he studied her face. “You seem a bit tense.”
Caroline simply shook her head, forcing a smile. “It's nothing, really. Just a long day. But being here at home makes everything better.”
Sebastian's eyes softened, and he drew her closer, his lips brushing against her temple. “I feel the same way, Caroline. You have made this house a true home.”
With that, he drew her into his embrace, their lips meeting in a tender kiss. Caroline let out a deep sigh as he led her up to her bedchamber, her worries dissipating as they shared more kisses before falling down on the bed, their limbs intertwined.
Beatrice’s hurtful words, Edward’s thinly veiled cruelty… all of it disappeared as she melted into her husband’s arms, losing herself in his kisses.
“Caroline,” Sebastian whispered when her gaze drifted from him, and she returned her attention to her husband quickly. “Are you here?”
“I am here,” she whispered as they became one again, wrapping her arms around him and holding him close. “And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
***
Despite the satiating night spent with his wife, Sebastian struggled to sleep—as much as he wanted to think nothing of it, he was bothered by Beatrice's surprising connection to Edward Pembroke. As such, he left early the next morning to visit his old friend—surprised when he stepped into the drawing room to find not only Beatrice at Nathaniel’s house, but the countess as well.
“Lord Casterbridge,” the countess greeted, her tone rather cool and distant. “What an unexpected pleasure. I wasn't aware you and Lord Wellington were friendly.”
Sebastian smiled, taking a seat beside Beatrice. “Nathaniel and I have been friends since our school days. But I must admit, I'm the one surprised to find you and Lady Beatrice here.”
