Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

A gnes didn't know how she made it back to the manor. Her legs remained unsteady and shaky as she headed out of the hedge maze. Much to Johnathan's glee, of course, because it gave him a reason to hold her closer. It was all under the guise of helping her, but Agnes knew better. And she couldn't be more thrilled.

By the time they made it to the manor, the last wisps of sunset were drifting away, casting a shadow across the estate. It only meant that they had to be more discreet so Agnes took the lead, hurrying into the manor and towards her chambers before they could be discovered. But not before sneaking a bold kiss on Johnathan's lips and feeling that poignant sense of satisfaction at the surprise in his eyes.

Her heart raced as she hurried to her chambers. The butterflies still swarming her stomach did not seem intent on giving her much relief any time soon and she could not fight the smile stretching across her face no matter how hard she tried. Bridget came to a halt in front of her door, her hand posed over the door knob. Should she tell Caroline about this?

There was nothing she wanted more than to divulge all the salacious details of what had happened…but perhaps she shouldn't. She wanted to savor the moment on her own before sharing it with anyone else.

"You look awfully happy."

Bridget's blood ran cold. The shrill, snide voice was enough to give the heartiest warriors nightmares, she reckoned. But as she turned to the speaker, she wondered if the sneer on the countess' face would do far more damage to one's peace of mind.

Thankfully, she was made of stuff strong enough to face whatever Lady Reeds was about to throw at her with her back held straight.

"Are you lost, my lady?" Agnes asked in a tightly polite tone. "I do not think your chamber is down this hallway."

"Not that it is any of your business but I am here to see my niece." Lady Reeds approached slowly, clasping her hands before her. Agnes thought herself immune to the judgmental once-over Lady Reeds was known for giving, but this particular one irritated her instantly.

"Then I do not know why you have approached me since I am, obviously, not your niece."

Lady Reeds' eyes narrowed. "You should mind that tongue of yours, girl. It has stood in your way in securing a husband for you many times before, so don't think it won't do the same thing this time."

Agnes thought of the way James had kissed her in the hedge maze just a few minutes before and could not help the sly smile that stretched across her face. "I'm certain that whomever I marry will enjoy this smart mouth of mine."

"I can never understand why Caroline enjoys your friendship. The first thing I intend to do when she is married to the duke is ensure that she severs all ties with you."

"The first thing you will do?" Agnes echoed, raising her brows. "And why do you think you will have any say in what she does after marriage?"

The side of Lady Reeds' upper lip curled disdainfully. "Because I am her guardian?—"

"Lord Reeds is her guardian."

"—and she will be nothing without my guidance."

"I assure you, Caroline will be far better off without your guidance."

"Why, you?—!"

Agnes took a sharp step backwards, missing the hand that had been flying towards her face. Icy anger turned her blood cold as she leveled Lady Reeds with an even look.

"You are not as intelligent or as astute as you believe you are, my lady," Agnes said as calmly as she could manage. The stunned, angered eyes of the countess was enough to spur her on. "You think us fools and naive as you and your husband plots to damage the happiness of your niece. You two are her closest living relatives and yet she must turn to those who are not blood to find any warmth. Do you not understand how easily this will turn against you in the future?"

Lady Reeds looked as if she was crossed between attempting to slap her again or dissect her words. "What are you going on about?"

Agnes smiled wanly. "You will know soon enough."

"Insolent girl! You will learn to watch your tongue!"

"Make another attempt to slap me and I promise that you will regret it."

The quiet threat was enough to frighten the countess, which was exactly what Agnes had been hoping for. She watched with acute satisfaction as Lady Reeds lowered her fist to her side, then turned with a sniff and stalked off. She watched her go with her own anger still chilling her to her bones.

Beside her, on the other side of the hallway, Agnes heard a door open. She turned to see Caroline standing there, tears in her eyes.

"Caroline," Agnes said in surprise. "Did you hear any of that?"

She didn't answer, but the tears gave the answer away easily enough. Agnes opened her mouth to apologize. She always tried to hold back much of her venom so as not to upset Caroline, the pacifist that she was, but before she could get the words out, Caroline rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her.

"You are the dearest person in the world to me," Caroline pushed out between sobs, her arms wound so tightly around Agnes that Agnes had to catch her breath.

"As you are to me." Agnes returned the embrace with almost as much strength. "Though any more time like this and I may begin to question you love for me, since you seem determined to stop my breath."

"Oh, forgive me!" Caroline pulled away quickly. "And I did not mean to eavesdrop. I thought I heard your footsteps and I was planning on coming to ask you about your meeting with the duke when I heard my aunt's voice and…well, I suppose it will come as no surprise that I did not want to leave my room."

"Understandable." Agnes patted Caroline's hand. "But now that it's over, you may go back inside. Dinner will be served soon, I'm sure, and I would hate for us to be late."

"Wait!" Caroline seized Agnes' hand before she could make her escape. "Won't you tell me what happened?"

"What happened?" Agnes echoed. "What happened about what?"

"You're being vague," Caroline accused, pouting.

"I am. Because I could not possibly tell you." At the way Caroline's face fell, Agnes quickly added, "At least not without being behind closed doors."

She caught Caroline's hand and dragged her into the room. As soon as the door was closed behind them, she said, "He kissed me."

"Agnes!"

The squeal was enough to return the excitement that had been doused by the arrival of the countess. "And we intend to be married."

"Oh! Oh goodness, that's…wonderful!"

Her sudden change in demeanor surprised Agnes. And alarmed her. "What is it?"

"I'm happy for you," Caroline tried to assure her. It failed when her smile slipped away as quickly as it came. "It is quite a lovely match, to be certain. And I'm sure you will receive the full support of your parents. Not to mention the fact that it will be viewed favorably by everyone you know."

Caroline's tears were back with a quick force, streaming down her face as she held back a sob. Agnes instantly wrapped her in her arms.

"No, I shouldn't be doing this," Caroline murmured, her face buried in Agnes' shoulder. "I am truly happy for you, Agnes."

"And I do not doubt it for a moment, Caroline. I know you would sooner give up your own happiness if it means that I will have a chance at it. Which is exactly how I feel about you. I shan't allow your story to end in anything else but happiness."

"Uncle will never?—"

"I do not care what your uncle thinks. And as you can see, I do not care what your aunt thinks either. What matter is you. What you want. The person you are dreaming of. And whether he is a pauper or prince is inconsequential if he makes you happy."

Caroline pulled away, wiping her tears. She forced a smile onto her face. "I feel like a fool crying about this. Even more so of a fool for not being able to stand up for myself."

"Come now, Caroline. Every princess has a white knight who will do anything to protect her. Consider me your knight."

"And I suppose I should consider the duke yours. Certainly not a bad option if I do say so myself."

Agnes couldn't help the heat that rushed to her cheeks. "Yes, well, I do not know when that happened, though I am certainly happy that it did."

"As am I. You deserve to be happy more than anyone else I know." Caroline squeezed her hand. "I shall get dressed for dinner. And perhaps don what little armor I have. I have a feeling it will be a rather strained affair this evening."

"Especially if Lady Reeds has anything to say about it, I'm sure," Agnes agreed.

Caroline flashed her another smile, this one touching her eyes, before she turned to leave. As soon as she was gone, Agnes made her way over to the bed and flopped over on top, a grin spreading across her face. She was so deliriously happy that she couldn't think straight. Yes, there were far many other things to take care of, Lord and Lady Reeds being at the top of that list. But she couldn't allow herself to think about them right now. Her thoughts constantly strayed back to the handsome duke and the way he claimed her lips as if he'd been dying to do so for as long as he could remember. The yearning she felt trembling in his bones ricocheted in tune with hers. She loved him. And he loved her. Together, she knew they would be an unstoppable force.

Agnes shot upright in bed, gasping. She'd forgotten to tell him the one thing he didn't know.

Being an unstoppable force required him to know about Caroline's peasant lover, after all.

Dinner was a strained affair but Johnathan truly didn't mind. Seeing Lord Reeds did instill some of his previous frustration but Agnes' overwhelming comforting presence soothed much of that. He was able to ignore the earl's scathing looks throughout the entirety of dinner, focusing instead on his bright and hopeful future. With Agnes. Once he had her in his life, he had nothing to fear.

Suffice it to say, there was no retirement to the drawing room once dinner drew to a close. Lord and Lady Reeds claimed tiredness the moment the dessert course was cleared. Lord and Lady Sutton read the room and decide to retire as well. Miss Caroline, who had remained quiet throughout the entirety of the dinner, finally broke her silence to murmur ‘goodnight' before trailing after the others.

Johnathan's eyes wandered to Agnes, as it always done. A smile crept across his face when he saw that she was already looking his way.

"I believe it is farewell for tonight, Your Grace," she said, paying her brother and Christopher no mind.

Johnathan did the same. He only had eyes for her. "Yes, I believe that is right. Goodnight, Miss Agnes."

"Goodnight, Your Grace."

She stood, eyes glowing. Then she looked over at Paul who was watching the exchange with a look of confusion. "Brother, walk with me to my chamber, won't you?"

"Can't you make the trip by yourself?"

Agnes gave him a stern look. "I shan't ask again."

Paul groaned loudly and dragged himself to a stand. "Goodnight, Your Grace, my lord."

With obvious reluctance, he offered his arm to his sister who took it with the satisfaction that could only be afforded to that of an older sibling. Johnathan watched the pair leave with a pang of envy. He would have loved to be the one on Agnes' arm, just so that he may bask in her presence a while longer.

"How odd."

"Hm?" Johnathan didn't look away from the door at Christopher's comment. "What's odd?"

"Miss Agnes hardly paid me any mind as she left. As if she only had eyes for you."

"Well, I am the host."

"And I am her betrothed."

Johnathan opened his mouth to respond, then closed it just as quickly. He'd forgotten about that fact, in truth.

Thankfully, Christopher didn't look very put out. In fact, he seemed more curious than anything else.

"Is there something you would like to tell me, brother?"

Johnathan swiveled in his chair to face him. He waved a hand over his shoulder, silently dismissing the footmen still hovering in the corner of the dining room. Once they were alone, Johnathan said, "I believe that is a question I should have directed at you a long time ago."

"Me?" Christopher's brows dipped. "Do you think I have something to hide?"

"I know you have something to hide. And I think that it is time you confess, before it is too late."

Christopher just stared blankly at him, blinking a few times.

Johnathan sighed impatiently. "You and I both know you do not want to be married to Miss Agnes."

"She is a nice enough lady. Quite attractive as well. I admit I had my doubts before meeting her, as you should be well aware, but after spending some time in her presence, I do not think I will be unhappy in our marriage."

"You do not? Even though your heart belongs to another?"

Christopher's frown deepened. "What in God's name are you going on about?"

"I speak of Miss Caroline, Christopher."

To Johnathan's surprise, Christopher's face didn't light with understanding. If anything, he seemed more confused. "You think my heart belongs to Miss Caroline? Whatever would have given you that idea?"

"You mean to tell me that you are not in love with Miss Caroline?"

"Love?" Christopher exclaimed. "Johnathan, I assure you that while I do find Miss Caroline to be a lovely lady, I have never had a single significant moment with her, let alone to be in love! Where did you get such an idea?"

Now it was Johnathan's turn to be confused. He'd been so sure. Agnes had been so sure. All this time, they'd both been wrong about everything?

"Now that I think about it," Christopher went on. "I did find it rather odd that you were always spending so much time with Miss Agnes. I was beginning to think that you were growing to fancy her but now I wonder if it was only to push me towards Miss Caroline."

"It was," Johnathan confessed. "Only because we thought that was what the two of you would have wanted."

"Johnathan, you could not have been more wrong. I am not in love with Miss Caroline. I am not in love with anyone."

Johnathan sighed, raking his hands through his hair. Surely they hadn't been wrong about everything? If Christopher wasn't the one Miss Caroline was in love with, then who was?

"Now tell me, brother," Christopher went on, eyes gleaming with interest. "What is going on between you and Miss Agnes? And do not pretend as if it is nothing because I can tell that is not the case."

For a moment, Johnathan considered lying to him. It felt like something that should be kept a secret. But why? He was desperately in love with Agnes. If he could crawl atop his manor and shout it from the rafters, he would. Telling his brother in confidence should not matter.

"I am in love with her," Johnathan confessed. He watched Christopher's face fall and suddenly felt the need to explain himself. "It wasn't something I had anticipated, nor do I think she expected the same to happen. Though I suppose after spending so much time conspiring with each other, it was only bound to occur. There is much time a gentleman may spend in the company of a lady like Agnes without falling hopelessly in love with her. But I assure you, it was not my intention to steal your betrothed away."

"You needn't assure me of anything, brother," Christopher quickly said. "As I said before, I was not very keen on getting married in the first place, as lovely a lady Miss Agnes is. If this means that I will be free to enjoy my bachelor lifestyle a while longer, then you have my gratitude."

Johnathan narrowed his eyes at his younger brother, even as a playful smirk touched his lips. "I have a good mind to arrange another marriage for you."

"Don't even think about it. You should pay keener attention to your own happiness. Heaven knows you deserve it more than anyone else." Christopher reached over to pat Johnathan on the shoulder. "I'm happy for you, brother."

A warm sensation spread through Johnathan's chest. He took in the genuine happiness in his brother's eyes, letting it melt away the icy anxiousness he'd been holding on to without knowing.

"Thank you, brother."

"Now, if you will excuse me," Christopher announced as he stood. "I shall make my way to the parlor to enjoy a celebratory drink in both our honors. For you, who has found love. And for me, who has regained his freedom."

Johnathan chuckled. "Shall I join you then?"

"It would be an honor," Christopher said with a grin.

As they made their way to the door, Johnathan felt inclined to say, "It may be wise to keep our knowledge of this a secret until I have gotten the chance to sort everything out."

"Not to worry, brother. I leave it in your capable hands."

They made their way to the parlor to enjoy a few bottles of Johnathan's finest brandy, bottles that had belonged to their father far before his death. The memory attached to the bottles, however, did not mar his happiness. In spite of it all, Johnathan could laugh and drink and jest with his brother as if he hadn't a care in the world. As if he did not have to deal with Lord Reeds demands and secure an approval from Lord Sutton. As if he still did not know who this mysterious man who had stolen Miss Caroline's heart was.

Tonight, he did not care.