Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

P ropriety be damned, Agnes would have kicked off her heeled shoes if she could bother to stop. Instead, she grabbed ahold of her dress and raced out of the castle, flying down the steps into the driveway just as her beloved friend alighted from the carriage.

Caroline's eyes lit with happiness the moment she spotted Agnes. Agnes didn't stop, charging straight to her friend with her arms wide open this time. She expected Caroline to do as she'd always done when they greeted each other after a while of being away—throw her arms around her in a tight embrace.

Someone cleared their throat. Agnes watched as Caroline's excitement was shuttered away and her smile fell. She came to a halt in front of Caroline, letting her arms drop to her side.

"It is good to see you, Agnes," Caroline greeted in a soft voice.

Agnes frowned. This wasn't like Caroline at all. Her naturally exuberant friend would have tackled her to the ground if she thought she could get away with it.

An aged gentleman came to stand next to Caroline and Agnes immediately understood her friend's uncharacteristically reserved demeanor. The Earl of Reeds, Harold Charmain was a dreadful man with a dreadful appearance: his white and black hair receding to the crown of his head and his eyes narrowed to slits that viewed everyone with disdain. Agnes had always disliked him, though she made sure not to make that obvious out of respect for Caroline. Even so, she could not help the slight scowl that came across her brow before she wiped it away as his eyes fell on her.

The Countess of Reeds, Prudence Charmain, came to her husband's side and didn't bother lowering the most debilitating sneer on Agnes. Her face was not as lined as her husband's, showing the remarkable difference in their ages, but the blonde hair beauty she had once been rumored to be was not so evident now. Not with that dreadful look permanently etched into her features.

"I had forgotten you would be here as well," Lady Reeds said in that high, snide tone Agnes despised.

"It is lovely to see you as well, Lady Reeds," Agnes pushed through gritted teeth, her tone making it clear that she was the last person Agnes wanted to see.

Sometimes she pitied Caroline for being under the care of her aunt and uncle. Even though they had decent wealth and prestige afforded to them by their title, Agnes could only believe how horrible they were as guardians.

Before anyone else could attempt to exchange tight words, the others caught up, the Duke of Claymore leading the charge in long and determined strides.

Agnes took a step to the side. She didn't miss the way Lord Reeds straightened as he tried to level his gaze with the duke's towering figure. Despite his best attempts, he looked like half a man next to someone as imposing as the duke.

"Good day, Your Grace," Lord Reeds greeted with a bow. "It is a pleasure finally meeting your acquaintance. Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Lady Reeds and my niece, Miss Caroline."

Lady Reeds and Caroline sank into identical curtsies. "A pleasure, Your Grace," Lady Reeds said, her voice overshadowing Caroline's "Pleased to meet you, Your Grace."

"The pleasure is mine," His Grace returned with a stiff bow. He was so different from the man who had been talking with Agnes in the drawing room. So cold and standoffish.

Even when he reached for Caroline's hand and pressed a kiss on the back of it, it felt cold and impersonal, as if he was only going through the motions. A voice in the back of her head wished the duke would show her friend a little more affection.

They were meant to be married, after all.

It was one of the reasons she had agreed to her arrangement with the duke's brother. Caroline was Agnes' best friend.

"Oh, Caroline, it is such a pleasure to see you," Mary spoke up, wearing a warm smile. "And it looks like you've grown more beautiful than the last time I saw you. You look more like your mother every day."

Caroline blushed, right on cue. "You flatter me, Lady Sutton."

"Oh, come now, Caroline, there is no need for modesty," Solomon spoke up with a smile. "Your father would be proud to see the lady you have grown into. Your Grace, you are quite a lucky man."

Agnes silently agreed, keeping her gaze steady on the duke's impassive expression. Agnes thought of Caroline as the sister she'd never had, especially after her parents passed away in a tragic carriage accident. If Caroline could find happiness with the duke, while Agnes found happiness with the duke's brother, then it would be the perfect arrangement, would it not?

So that other voice in the back of her mind that felt a bit of jealousy when the duke kissed Caroline's hand was promptly ignored. It had to be because she was yet to receive any affection from her own intended. Of course, it was. There could be no other reason for such a feeling.

"Welcome to Claymore Castle," the duke went on, releasing Caroline's hand. "I shall have my men take your luggage inside. Allow me to escort you to the drawing room where you may be able to rest after your lengthy trip here."

Lord Reeds was about to respond but Agnes beat him to it. She stepped up to Caroline and slipped her arm through hers, saying, "I shall help Caroline get settled in. If you would excuse us."

Agnes began leading her friend away even as Lady Reeds hissed under her breath. "Caroline?—"

"You needn't worry, my lady," Agnes continued. "His Grace does not mind, does he?"

She looked expectantly up at the duke. He stared down at her with an impassive expression, making her wonder if she'd overestimated what his response would be. But then he nodded. "I think it is a grand idea to have Miss Caroline relax in the company of her friend."

She grinned victoriously. Agnes did not bother to spare the Lord and Lady Reeds another glance before she continued guiding Caroline towards the castle. As she went by, Caroline murmured soft greetings to Agnes' family, who greeted her warmly.

They were met by the housekeeper as they made it to the foyer. Mrs. Adams bowed slightly before saying, "Allow me to escort you to your room."

Agnes grinned at Caroline and only then did a glimmer of her friend show through with a slight smile of her own. Together, they followed Mrs. Adams up to Caroline's chambers, which was located right across from Agnes'. It was as magnificent as Agnes', though the view of her window overlooked a meadow rather than the imposing forest as it did in Agnes' room.

Mrs. Adams informed them that luncheon would be served shortly and, in the meantime, Caroline's luggage would be brought up to her chambers. Agnes stood idly by as she waited for Mrs. Adams to finish her spiel, but once she was gone, she let her grin grow wide once more.

"Oh, Caroline, I am so happy you're here!" This time, she did not hesitate to throw her arms around her friend.

Caroline's laughter was like music to her ears. She hugged her back just as tightly. "I cannot believe I am finally here! I thought we would never make it to the castle. It is rather far from London."

"Be glad you did not arrive in the dead of night like we did," Agnes told her. "It seems the duke is in a much better mood in the light of day."

Caroline's green eyes went wide. She was a gentle beauty with flushed skin, soft green eyes, and silky blond hair. She always liked to keep most of her hair down around her body but, ever since she debuted, her aunt and uncle made certain it was done atop her head at all times.

"Is he dreadful?" Caroline asked in horror.

"Oh, no not at all! On the contrary, I find him quite polite and gentlemanly. But I have only met him just last night, you see, so I cannot say I know much."

That was an understatement. Agnes didn't like how much time she'd already spent thinking about her interactions with the duke and dissecting his responses to everything she said. She didn't need to say that to Caroline, even though she told Caroline everything.

"Hm." Caroline sank into a nearby sofa and slipped her shoes off, tucking her feet underneath her. Agnes did the same. "What do you think of them? I know how observant you can be so I'm sure you have already drawn a conclusion?"

"A conclusion?" Agnes laughed. "You make me seem like a scientist specializing in human behavior."

"It is not that far from the truth, I'm sure. Have you met your intended?"

"I have." Though I was not terribly impressed with him . "He is not well. He has retired to his chambers to sleep away his ailment."

"Oh, dear. Do you think he might be…"

"Staving off a terrible megrim from a night of alcoholic indulgence?" A smile touched her lips. "I am almost certain. The duke is rather annoyed with Lord Christopher's state, though he will not say why he is the way that he is."

Caroline giggled behind her hand. "I am certain he does not know you've already deduced the reason behind his illness."

"He has not and I shan't make either one of them any wiser."

"Well, I do hope His Grace is not a lover of spirits. I have seen the way it makes my uncle and I would hate to deal with such a thing in my marital home."

"Yes, and let us hope that Lord Christopher does not indulge often either."

Footmen were coming in and out of the room, bearing trunks of Caroline's belongings. After the fourth trunk, Agnes raised her brows in surprise.

"Just how many dresses did you bring?" she asked.

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Enough to last me years, I'm certain. Aunt Prudence has paid a pretty penny at the modiste to ensure that I have new dresses for every day of our stay here at Claymore Castle. She is determined to impress His Grace in every manner imaginable."

"Does she not know that you two are already betrothed?" Agnes asked in wonder.

"I do not understand it myself, nor do I wish to. The days leading up to this trip have been absolutely dreadful. If I was not being dragged to the modiste, I was forced to practice song after song on the pianoforte. I believe she thinks that my playing will let the duke fall in love with me. Or at least smitten enough to marry me tomorrow if he could." Caroline's eyes followed the footman carrying what Agnes assumed must be Caroline's last trunk. "At least the dresses are lovely."

Agnes dissolved into a fit of giggles at that last comment. "One would think you did not really mind being dragged to the modiste."

"Having to go in order to impress a gentleman is one thing," Caroline explained, joining in with the laughter. "Having an assortment of lovely dresses at my disposal is another thing entirely."

This was perfect, Agnes thought as they continued joking about all the ways Lady Reeds expected Caroline to impress the duke. This visit did not feel complete without her friend here and now that she was, Agnes felt as if everything was right in the world again.

They chatted incessantly about all manners of things, the time getting away from them. Neither one of them realized just how much time had passed until Mrs. Adams returned to inform them that luncheon had been served.

Agnes went to her room to change, donning a light blue dress, and met Caroline in the hallway. Her friend had changed as well, in a similarly styled dress, though it was greenish blue instead.

Arm in arm, they made their way down to the dining room. The moment they entered the room, with everyone but the dowager duchess and Lord Christopher present, the conversation stalled.

Agnes ignored the duke. She knew that he must be looking at Caroline. She was lovely, after all. She wouldn't be surprised if he no longer paid her any mind now that she was here.

But she couldn't ignore him for long. As she claimed the chair next to her brother, she let herself glance up at him for a brief moment. A breath hitched in her throat when she saw that he was staring at her instead.

The moment their eyes met, he blinked rapidly and looked away, paying keen attention to his meal. It left Agnes staring at him in utter awe. Surely that wasn't a hint of a blush on his cheeks?

"Sit up straighter!"

The soft hiss drew Agnes' attention away from the duke to Lord Reeds on the other side of the table. He was glaring at Caroline who withered under his eyes. Agnes felt a rush of anger at the sight.

She contemplated coming to Caroline's defense but was saved from making such a decision when another person entered the room. Lord Christopher seemed far more alive now, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish grin.

"Forgive my tardiness, everyone. I have just woken from my nap and find myself in much better spirits than this morning. Mother sends her apologies as she has found herself rather lightheaded and took to her bed."

He claimed the chair next to his brother and introduced himself to the newcomer. Agnes admired the tousled look of his hair. Yet she couldn't help but think she preferred a more styled look like that of the duke's…

Oh, for God's sake.

Lord Christopher was her intended. Lord Christopher was the gentleman she should be trying to get to know, to determine if she truly wanted to be tied to his name. Because of that, she should take care not to let her mind wander to the duke too often.

She couldn't help but think that might be a difficult feat to accomplish.