Adele Ashworth - My Darling Caroline

England, 1815

C aroline Grayson gently reached in and, carefully avoiding thorns, snipped the stem from the rosebush, pulling the bud toward her with nimble fingers to have a closer look. She eyed it with the detachment of a scientist, the expertise of a scholarly botanist, turning the rose slowly in her hands, taking careful note of its structure, its delicate beauty.

It was magnificent, the loveliest and healthiest plant shed bred so far. It would take time to find a name dignified and unique enough for such a creation, though. She needed something perfect for such a perfect rose.

The sudden rustle of skirts made her turn. Stephanie, her youngest sister, was all but running toward her through the garden, the early-morning sun playing shiny cords of light through the richness of her blond hair and off the blue silkiness of her gown.

Come and look at this one, Stephanie, she called out, smiling with complete satisfaction, her attention again focused on her rose.

Caroline, Stephanie said, gasping as she approached, youll never guess

Slow down, Caroline admonished as her sister grabbed her sleeve.

Stephanie took two deep breaths and wiped stray hair from her cheeks, stained pink from the cool morning air, her eyes wide and glowing with apparently delicious news.

The Earl of Weymerthshe gulped for airis here, and Father wants you to meet him.

Caroline, however, was much more concerned with the lovely creation resting firmly between her forefinger and thumb. Do you like it?

Stephanie dropped her gaze to the flower and gave a squeal of delight. Oh, this ones lovely! Two colors of purple.

Caroline grinned pridefully, placing the rose in her sisters outstretched hand. More a lavender fading into purple, really. Now explain yourself. Who is here?

Stephanies eyes danced in merriment. The Earl of Weymerth, she replied very slowly.

Caroline looked at her blankly, prompting Stephanie to sigh with exasperation. Really, Caroline! Brent Ravenscroft, the Earl of Weymerth? Societys talked about him for yearssome sort of family scandal, I think, though nothing that really damaged him socially. For a time he was courting Pauline Sinclair. You know, of the Sinclairs of Harpers Row. Then she dumped him on his arse

Stephanie!

and everybody speculated that he was mean, or foul-tempered and ugly, and thats why she didnt want him. She dropped her voice to a mischievous whisper. But I just got an excellent look at him, and hes not ugly at all.

Caroline smiled lightly as she dropped her clippers to the soft earth, wiping her sleeve over her perspiring forehead. In many ways Stephanie, although only seventeen, was a total innocent, for she had always felt that any vice a man might have could be ignored if he were attractive. Evidently she thought Lord Weymerth now above reproach.

I dont think you should be taking such an interest, Steph, she chided as she took the lavender rose out of her sisters fingers, starting her way up the stone path toward the house. Youre betrothed, if youll remember.

Stephanie fell into step behind her. I wasnt considering him for me, Caroline. I was considering him for you.

Thats ridiculous, she returned through a laugh.

Stephanie groaned softly. There are other things to consider in this great big world besides plants andSir Alfred Markham

Albert Markham, she corrected.

Stephanie said no more until they neared the house. Then smugly she disclosed, I think Father is considering Lord Weymerth for you as well.

Without pause, Caroline opened the kitchen door and walked into the house, placing her rose on the counter to free her hands for washing. The thought of her marrying anyone was just so incredibly unbelievable it wasnt even worth discussing. I dont know where you get these ideas

From Fathers mouth, Stephanie cut in sarcastically. I heard him say hes giving you to the earl along with some things hes selling him.

Caroline reached for a towel, gazing at her sister speculatively, quick to note the cunning grin playing across her lips, the sparkle in her pale blue eyes. That disturbed her a little, as Stephanie was the only living soul who knew of her plans to leave England and study botany in America, and she had more than once expressed her desire to have her older sister remain close to home.

Still skeptical, Caroline brushed a stray curl from her cheek. Ill talk to him.

Id bathe first, Stephanie piped up in a melodious, mischief-filled voice.

Ignoring the comment, Caroline picked up her rosebud and headed toward the study. Brimming with confidence, she approached the closed door, but before she could knock she heard tense, male voices. Suddenly oblivious to her position, she instinctively leaned closer to listen to the argument between the two pompous oafs on the other side.

Ill pay you whatever youre asking, but I refuse to marry for what rightfully belongs to me, she heard a strangers voice say in a deep, husky timbre. My property was sold unfairly, probably illegally.

Everything was purchased legally, Weymerth, and I can prove it.

The voices lowered, and after a moment of listening to words too muffled to understand, she heard them again, this time louder in tone but softer in urgency as the man tried to reason with her father.

This has nothing to do with you, Sytheford, but if I ever decide to marry, Id rather she be someone of my choosing, not a daughter of yours Ive never met.

Caroline will give you a smart, sturdy son

That is not the issue here!

A man in your position

Listen to me well, she heard the earl quickly counter in a dangerously subdued voice. I do not want to wed your daughter. I dont care how many other worthy noblemen have asked for her hand. I dont care that she is the loveliest creature this side of the Continent, that she has hair the color of sunshine or eyes the color of amethysts. I care only for my property, and by God, youre going to return it to me fairly. This conversation is finished.

A long, deadly silence ensued, then she heard her fathers deep growl fill the air. Perhaps you should take a look at this.

After precisely fifteen seconds the earl yelled, Oh, Christ! A fist slammed hard against the desk.

Her father said smugly, Its a bill of sale. Come Monday, theyre gone.

You cant do this

I will unless you marry my daughter.

Thennothing. Silence.

Carolines heart started pounding. For several seconds she couldnt breathe as the realization hit her like a brick in the face.

This could not be happening. She had plans, she had dreams, she hadthought her father understood.

Horrified and disoriented, Caroline slumped her shoulders and dragged her body across the hall and into the morning room. Sunlight streamed in through beveled glass to create a peaceful feeling in the sparsely decorated room, but it did nothing for her ever-increasing sensation of panic. She sat heavily on the yellow sofa and stared into the cold fireplace, forcing herself to take deep breaths.

She felt shocked. Enraged. Even scared. She swallowed hard to fight back tears, for if nothing else, she needed to keep her wits intact and think things through before her father came out of his study to inform her that hed chosen her a husband.

The thought made her shiver with revulsion. In her heart Caroline knew her fathers love for her was genuine, deeply felt, but she also knew that out of the five daughters he had sired, she was the disappointment.

She was the middle child and so very different from the others. Her sisters were, every one, blessed with long, graceful figures, light blond hair, light blue eyes that were so like her mothers, lovely faces, and perfect marriages. Even Stephanie was just recently betrothed to the Viscount Jameson after only one season. To their credit, they made her father quite proud, as they all fit the image of gently bred women, settling down nicely in polite society.