Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

" A gnes! What took you so long?"

Agnes sucked in a breath of fright and pressed herself against the doorframe to avoid the blond-haired lady charging towards her. Caroline seemed exceedingly frustrated, scowling at Agnes as if she had just done her some great wrong.

"Caroline, do not frighten me so," Agnes admonished. She released the breath growing stale in her lungs and let herself relax. "Were you waiting on the other end of the door to accost me?"

"Not at first, no. But when I realized how long it was taking you to arrive at your chambers, I considered it. What took you so long?"

Agnes closed the door behind her, suddenly so tired that she couldn't imagine staying on her feet a moment longer. She lumbered towards her bed, sitting on the edge even though the only thing she wanted to do was crawl under the sheets.

"I met Her Grace in the hallway," Agnes informed her friend.

The scowl on Caroline's face smoothed away as her brows lifted in surprise. "And you conversed with her?"

"She sought me out, in truth," Agnes told her. Now that it was over, it felt like it had all been a dream. She could hardly remember the dowager duchess speaking more than a few words at time before and she'd had an entire intense conversation with her.

Her response only served to deepen Caroline's confusion. "For what reason would she do that?"

Agnes hesitated. She faked a small yawn to stall for time as she decided whether it would be a good idea telling Caroline what her and the dowager duchess had spoken about. She never kept a secret from Caroline. But at the same time, it felt like a betrayal of the dowager duchess' trust to reveal what she must have told Agnes in confidence.

"She was a little lonely," Agnes lied casually. "It is nothing of serious concern, I assure you."

Caroline didn't look convinced. Before she could question Agnes further, Agnes quickly changed the topic.

"Why were you waiting for me, Caroline? Was it to speak about what you had alluded to earlier?"

"Yes." Caroline sat next to Agnes on the bed, crossing her arms as she faced her. The serious look on her face was both adorable and concerning. "What is going on, Agnes?"

"I'm afraid I do not know what you mean."

"I'm sure that you do."

Agnes couldn't help laughing at that. "I assure you that I do not, and I am far too tired right now to attempt to figure it out. Pray tell, what do you speak of this time?"

A frustrated look passed across Caroline's face. She seemed to gather herself, then fixed Agnes with another determined look.

"Who do you think I snuck out to see that night, Agnes?"

Agnes frowned. "Who else could it be but Christopher?"

Without warning, Caroline collapsed back on the bed. She put her hands over her face, sighing dramatically. "Oh, heavens, I knew it!"

"Knew what?" Agnes asked in alarm. "Caroline, what are you going on about? Is it not obvious that your beloved is the duke's brother?"

"No, Agnes, it is not obvious at all because it is simply not true!"

Caroline shot to her feet and began pacing back and forth, a clear sign that she was agitated. Agnes stared at her in shock.

"What do you mean it is not true?" Agnes repeated. "How couldn't it be true? I was so certain…"

"Believe it or not, Agnes, you are not always right. I cannot imagine what could have possessed you to think that I was in love with Lord Christopher."

"Well, it could not be the duke," Agnes protested, her mind running at a rapid pace. "If it were, you would have no reason to sneak all the way to the woods. I could not imagine that it could be Paul because…" Agnes' eyes widened in horror. " Is it Paul?"

"Heavens, no!"

"Then the only other option had to be Christopher!"

Caroline shook her head, letting out a small, delirious laugh. "Goodness, Agnes, you must have put a great deal of thought into this?—"

"I have."

"—but Paul is a brother to me and far too young for me to see him romantically. And while I do enjoy Lord Christopher's company, I reserve no affection for him."

"Then who could it be, Caroline?" Agnes asked desperately. "Tell me before I am forced to make more assumptions."

She laughed again, this time sounding a little more like herself. "He does not reside in the castle, but in the village, which is why we must meet in the woods."

Agnes could tell that Caroline was stalling. Perhaps had this been a different matter, she would have entertained her, but she had no patience for it now.

"Caroline, who is he?"

Caroline began wringing her fingers together, pacing back and forth. "His name is George. I met him at my uncle's estate."

"How?" Agnes probed, fearing that she already knew the answer.

"He works there," Caroline answered. "He is a stable boy and I have known him since I was ten-and-three and he ten-and-four. It began as a friendship but as time went on, it developed into more." Caroline finally stopped her pacing to look at Agnes, eyes swimming with love. "He treats me like a princess, Agnes. Despite the fact that he is a commoner, he provides me with all the love and care I require. I cannot imagine my life without him."

For the first time in her life, Agnes didn't know what to say. That was the last thing she'd expected to hear.

But why was she? Caroline was the most kind-hearted, loving person she knew. She was not the kind of lady to pay mind to silly things like titles and status. And this was the kind of love that had followed her to the countryside, that stayed by her side despite the fact that she was here to marry someone else. Agnes could see the adoration in Caroline's eyes. There was no hiding such affection.

"Are you terribly disappointed?" Caroline asked as she resumed her anxious pacing. "I know this is not what you expected. But though he is not a titled man, Agnes, I promise you that he treats me very kindly."

"Caroline, I…" She was still at a loss for words.

That was clearly sending Caroline's anxiety through the ceiling. "I know that it was a risk having him follow me here but he insisted and well…I could not fathom going through this entire ordeal without his presence. It is killing us both that I must do this but to be able to see him at nights is the only thing that brings me peace during the day. I hope you can understand."

Agnes opened her mouth to respond but nothing came out. At last, Caroline stopped her pacing to face her fully.

"Agnes, please say something!"

She shot to her feet, clasping both of Caroline's hands and pulling her into a sudden embrace. "I have never felt prouder of you," she murmured.

"Proud?" Caroline repeated. Her arms hesitantly wrapped around Agnes. "You are proud and not disappointed?"

"I would never feel disappointed in you, Caroline. I do not even think that is an emotion you are capable of making me feel." Agnes pulled away, smiling. "To know that you are so devoted to the one you love, right to what you believe may be the end, is nothing short of inspirational. I am proud of you, Caroline. And I am so, so ecstatic that you have found someone to love you the way you deserve to be loved."

With a sudden quickness, Caroline's eyes were filled with tears and on the verge of overflowing. "Oh, Agnes, you don't know how happy I am to hear you say that."

"Well…I might have lied. I am a tad disappointed in you."

Caroline's face fell. "Why?" she whispered.

Agnes couldn't help her cheeky grin. "I'm disappointed that you thought it fit to wait so long to tell me about it. Haven't I been your dearest friend for as long as we can both remember? And you have been keeping this secret from me all along?"

Caroline blurted out a laugh amidst her crying. "Agnes, I knew the scandal it would cause. And because of it, I was afraid you would try to talk me out of it. I could not take the risk."

"I know better than to do such a thing. But perhaps you are right. It will cause quite the scandal, even more so now that you are out in society and expected to marry the duke by the end of the season."

"Oh, what am I to do?"

Agnes held Caroline by the shoulders, leading her back onto the bed. "What would you like to do, Caroline? Will you truly go ahead with the wedding as planned?"

"I have no choice," Caroline sobbed. The tears now rolled down her flushed cheeks without hindrance. "My uncle will allow no less. He has been working fervently to have me married off to any gentleman he believes may strengthen his social standing, all of which have been three times my age! I have managed to make myself undesirable to them thus far but he continued his pursuit to have me married up until he met the duke."

She wiped her tears but they were quickly replaced. Agnes didn't dare let go of her. She was a little afraid that Caroline would fall apart entirely if she did.

"I resigned myself to accepting the duke's proposal since he was much closer to me in age. And when I met him, I found that he was rather kind. I thought it would be the best and, perhaps my only, option."

"It is not your only option," Agnes assured softly. "Your George followed you all the way here to show you that it was not."

A rueful smile touched Caroline's lips. "I was much resolved in my decision until he arrived. Now I do not know what to do. My uncle will stop at nothing to have me marry the duke when the only name I wish to take is George's."

"Are you truly willing to take his name?" Agnes asked carefully.

Caroline nodded without a moment of hesitation. "I would willingly give up everything I have for a lifetime with George."

That was all Agnes needed to hear. "Then that is what must happen."

Caroline's tear-filled eyes widened. "Agnes…"

"It is enough for me that you love him, Caroline. So I shall endeavor to do anything in my power to make you happy."

"But what can you do? Since my parents' death, my uncle controls all that I do. I cannot defy him."

Agnes understood that perfectly. Lord and Lady Reeds were the only obstacles standing between Caroline and her happiness, perhaps the biggest difficulties Agnes would ever have to face. She doubted Lord Reeds would be open to considering anything other than a marriage between Caroline and the duke. As Caroline said, he was hungry for a rise in his social status.

She wondered how things were going between Johnathan and the earl at this very moment. Lord Reeds had certainly looked frustrated when they'd returned to the manor and she could only imagine how much of that was caused by Agnes' meddling.

Agnes didn't know the answer right now but that wasn't the right thing to say now. Caroline needed hope for the future, not a dismal feeling that her fate was sealed.

"We will find a way," Agnes assured her, squeezing her hand. She wiped away the tears still streaming down Caroline's face. "I assure you."

Caroline smiled hopefully. Before she could say anything in response, there was a knock on the door.

Agnes couldn't imagine who that could be. She stood, hesitant to release Caroline. In such a fragile state, she was afraid Caroline would fall apart if left alone for too long. She was half tempted to bring Caroline to the door with her.

As if Caroline knew what was going through Agnes' mind, she wiped her face and pulled her shoulders back as she put on a brave smile. "You should see who that is."

Agnes nodded, unable to fight the curiosity any longer. She left Caroline on the bed, making her way to the door. Before she could open it, she noticed a slip of white paper right by the threshold.

Agnes picked it up with a frown, pausing to read.

Meet me by the hedge labyrinth at the back of the gardens. - J

"J?"

Agnes jumped at Caroline's voice over her shoulder. She hadn't heard her approach.

"J?" Caroline repeated. "As in Johnathan Harken? Is that note from the duke?"

Agnes was afraid to answer. To give herself time to think, she turned to open the door even though she was fairly certain that no one would be on the other end. Sure enough, the hallway was empty.

Agnes closed the door and turned to face her friend's look of question. "Yes, it is from the duke," Agnes answered at last.

"Oh. I see."

"You see? What do you see exactly?"

Caroline smiled cheekily. "I have noticed how close you have grown to His Grace. I'm sure everyone has noticed it, in fact."

"It is not that we have grown close," Agnes protested. She was having a hard time meeting Caroline's eyes. "I simply asked for his help in pairing you with Christopher, when I believed that you two were in love, and in order to do so, we were often in each other's company, that's all."

"Why do I find it difficult to believe that that's all?" Caroline asked with an arched brow.

"I'm sure the reason he wishes to see me has something to do with your dilemma."

"I'm sure."

"You do not sound as if you believe me."

"That is because I do not," Caroline confessed with a smile. "At least, not completely. You have not looked at me once since you received your note."

Agnes made it a point to look Caroline directly in the eye. "It is nothing. Now, if you will excuse me, I shall see about informing the duke that you are not, in fact, in love with his brother and that we must change our course of action."

"Perhaps you could confess your affection for him while you are there," Caroline sang happily.

Thankfully, Agnes was already halfway out the door, saving her from having to respond.