A Rose At Midnight. Jacqueline Navin

he known she was called Cara?

      Playfully, he reached out a finger, set it under her chin, and with a twitch, closed her jaw. “Now go.”

      His fingertips brushed her face, not quite by accident. All at once, she was aware that in a week’s time she would lie with him. He would kiss her then. And touch her. How could she bear it when only the slightest contact sent such wild tremors through her?

      He raised one brow when she did not obey. “Unless you are waiting for that kiss?”

      She took one step back, her fingers touching her lips, betraying the fact that he had, indeed, read her thoughts. “No!” she declared.

      “Then good day, Caroline.”

      “Good day, Magnus.”

      She was almost at the door when he called, “Caroline.”

      Pausing, she did not turn around. “Yes, Magnus?”

      “When you choose your gown, make certain it is grand, and do not mind the expense. You must have something worthy of you.”

      She shot him a glance over her shoulder. He stood with his feet braced apart, hands clasped behind him, looking every bit the aristocrat. “I mean worthy of the Countess of Rutherford,” he amended.

       Chapter Five

      “So, how do you find my brother?” David asked once they were bumping down the dirt road to the village.

      “Quite agreeable,” Caroline answered.

      “Agreeable? Magnus must be dusting off the old Eddington charm. Hasn’t used it in. years. Usually in a sulk, is Magnus, at least until he sets his sight on a beautiful woman. Then, he’s formidable.” He seemed to catch himself, casting her an apologetic look. “Sorry, bad form to mention that sort of thing. Anyhow, the Eddington charm is actually inherited from our mother, which would make it the Coulter charm. Now, she actually worked at it. Had a bevy of sycophants who adored her. Oh, nothing improper. She just attracted admirers in droves. We grew up with it, so it seemed quite natural.”

      “Did your father not mind?”

      “He tolerated it. You see, he was besotted himself.”

      Caroline smiled slightly. “I see you have a touch of your mother’s charm as well.”

      “Ah, bless you. Now, tell me about you. You are a Londoner.”

      “Yes.” Caroline’s guard went up. Was this friendly escort simply a ruse to delve into her life on Magnus’ behalf? “I have lived there all my life.”

      “I love the town. So much to do. How is it we have never met?”.

      “I had two seasons several years ago. Since the death of my father, I have been working at a bookseller’s shop.”

      “What? Not as an old lady’s companion? I suppose your looks made that impossible. Governess, too. No wife wants a beauty hovering about. How awful—I have made you blush.”

      She was. She could feel the heat on her face and at the tips of her ears. She said, “Actually, the reason I took the position of clerk was to be able to be close to my family.”

      “Oh?” She had raised his curiosity.

      “My mother needs me.”

      “Ah.” Whether he was satisfied with that or tactful enough not to pursue it, David allowed the matter to drop. However, his next question was even more unsettling. “Do you like children, Miss Wembly?”

      She blinked as he chuckled. “I only ask because it will make a great deal of difference to my nephew—or niece. Magnus hates children as a rule. He has none of his own. By-blows, I mean. You must have wondered. Am I shocking you? No, you are made of sterner stuff, aren’t you?”

      “He hates children?” she asked.

      “He is not cruel to them, if that’s what you’re thinking. Just doesn’t particularly care for their company. Me, now, I find their crafty little minds charming. Refreshing to have them come right out and tell you what’s what. I like that.”

      “Children are very honest,” Caroline agreed.

      “That they are. You mustn’t worry about Magnus. He is a good man, and he will do his duty and beyond for his child and you.”

      “He has assured me of it.” She didn’t mention the contract.

      “Magnus is a man of his word.”

      The conversation turned to lighter topics, helping to pass the drive until they pulled up to the Ordinary. David sprang out of his seat and leapt to the ground, gallantly holding out his arm to hand her down. “Allow me to take you safely to your rooms.”

      “Thank you, Mr. Eddington, but I can find my way from here. It was good of you to accompany me. I enjoyed it most thoroughly. I hope I will see you again soon.”

      “Yes, Miss Wembly. I suppose you shall. At your wedding.” He took her hand, bowed over it and brushed a light kiss to her fingers. “You will be lovely, I know.”

      “Thank you again. Good day, Mr. Eddington.”

      “And to you, Miss Wembly.”

      When she entered her room, her mother’s face was lined with concern.

      “Yes, Mother. He asked me to marry him. We are to be wed in a week’s time.”

      The only response her mother made was a hard swallow. “So it is to be.” She drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “Was that he who brought you home?”

      “It was David Eddington, Magnus’ brother. How is James?”

      “He is sleeping.” She gave her daughter a measured look. “Magnus?”

      “The earl. He insisted. And Mother, he called me Cara. I didn’t tell him to. He just knew.”

      Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “Caroline, darling, he said he was going to thoroughly check your background. It was probably a fact he uncovered.” She motioned for Caroline to sit with her over by the small hearth. Two chairs and a soft, overstuffed settee clustered about a deep fireplace, creating a cozy grouping. “Now tell me everything.”

      “So much happened, Mother.” Caroline began with the curious exchange over her allowance and related everything. When she reached the part about James and she being allowed to stay at the Ordinary, Audrae clasped her hands over her mouth and her eyes shone.

      “Goodness! It is such an expense!”

      “And he was rather charming today. Not so dour. He said he would be coming to the village later on this week, so you shall meet him then.”

      A small voice cut in. “Can I meet him, Cara?”

      James was standing at the portal to his room, hair mussed, eyes puffy with sleep. His small bare feet peeked out from under his nightshirt.

      Caroline jumped to her feet. “James, darling, what are you doing out of bed?”

      “I wanted to hear more about the earl. I want to meet him. Can I?”

      Kneeling in front of his slight body, Caroline lightly grasped his shoulders. “Listen to me, James. I need you to understand something which may seem quite strange to you. The earl is very ill. He is dying. He has arranged for me to be his wife, and he told me today he wishes me to attend him when the sickness is upon him. Now, I know I can help take care of you and still have plenty of time for the earl, but I am afraid he will not think so.” She didn’t like the furrowing of the little boy’s brow. “Now you mustn’t worry. It is only that we must keep you a bit of a secret. So the earl will not consider he has made a bad bargain. Do you understand,