Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Beatrice looked at Caroline eagerly as they descended the grand staircase. "Do I look alright?"

Her feverish whisper was just loud enough to be audible, and Caroline nodded at once. "You look perfect, darling sister," she encouraged her immediately. "Please don't fret. Remember, as long as you show him your true self…"

Beatrice scoffed at this and shook her head. "Please," she admonished. "You know I will be on my best behavior."

Rather than speak, Caroline merely rested a calming hand on Beatrice's arm as they made their way downstairs.

Though she had seen Sebastian Fairchild before, Caroline was once again surprised by just how handsome he was. He was tall—tall enough for her to have to tilt her head all the way up to see his face. She was not surprised that he caused the ladies of the ton to blush and sigh wherever he went. He truly looked like the type of man who knew how to make a woman weak at the knees with whispers and kisses.

Those clear green eyes seemed to look right through her and Caroline moved quickly, pushing Beatrice forward in the movement.

"Lady Beatrice Wentworth and Lady… Caroline Wentworth," the butler announced, his clear voice carrying through the room.

"May I present to you… The Earl and Countess of Burlington, and their son, Sebastian Fairchild, Viscount Casterbridge."

Of course, Beatrice complied with the perfect curtsy as she looked up at the earl and his wife—though her cheeks turned crimson when she looked at Sebastian.

"My Lady," Sebastian spoke, his deep voice resonating through the drawing room. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

Caroline watched as a flicker of joy flashed over Beatrice's face. As she had expected, her sister was immediately charmed by the man. Though she was not quite certain whether this was because of him, or merely because she was eager to get married.

An awkward silence settled between the group. It was William Wentworth, the Earl of Lincoln, who clapped his hands together, a self-satisfied grin appearing on his lips. It was apparent that he was proud of his daughters and enjoying this opportunity to boast with them.

"Let us make our way to the dining room," he announced joyfully, and he made his way out of the drawing room without a second thought, the guests following him silently.

Though she was quite used to it, Caroline had to lift her brows, an impressed movement, when she saw the dining table adorned with the finest china, gleaming silver and an array of mouthwatering dishes.

Of course, Beatrice and Sebastian were seated close together and as Caroline knew it would happen, she was seated with them while the elders sat a little further away.

Caroline pretended to cough as the servants placed small plates in front of them and Beatrice looked at hers with a frown. Luckily, Caroline thought, Beatrice seemed to understand what Caroline attempted to say with a look and she glanced at Sebastian uncomfortably.

"What do you think of the fish, My Lord?" she asked sweetly. Sebastian looked back at her, and a stiff smile flashed over his lips.

"It is fine, My Lady," he answered simply, and Beatrice smiled. "Do you taste the dill? I suggested it."

He paused and looked at her with a bit more attention. "It is a lovely addition," he said, and Beatrice nodded before looking down at her hands, the conversation between the two drying up rather swiftly.

Caroline watched as Beatrice's fingers started fidgeting nervously with the napkin in her lap. Sebastian was focused on his meal, seemingly unsure of how to proceed, his eyes darting between the two sisters as if he were searching for a safe topic of conversation. One, Caroline hoped, that would prove more interesting than the entree.

She looked between the two, then swiftly—and rather firmly—decided to take it upon herself to break the ice.

"I just read a lovely book," she announced suddenly, and both Beatrice and Sebastian looked up at her with mild interest at this. She grinned brightly. "The Mysteries of Udolpho by Mrs Radcliffe," she continued as though she had not noticed the odd looks. "It is the talk of the ton, and I must confess, I was utterly captivated by it."

Sebastian lifted a brow at this, though there was the hint of a smile that appeared on his face. "I have read it indeed, Lady Caroline," he said now. "It is a true masterpiece in my opinion."

He turned to Beatrice, that same smile still around his lips. "Have you read it, My Lady?"

Beatrice nodded excitedly, her eyes sparkling with delight at the opportunity to have a conversation with her husband-to-be.

"I was rather skeptical of the novel's merits at first," she admitted, and a blush colored her cheeks when Sebastian turned his full attention to her. "Though, once I began reading, I found myself utterly enthralled. It is not often that you read of a heroine with such strength and resilience, is it?"

Sebastian nodded. "Hmm. It makes one wonder if ladies of such strength exist."

At this, Caroline scoffed audibly, and she shook her head. "You must not have met many a lady, My Lord," she said firmly. "I promise you that many of us are indeed filled with strength and resilience."

Beatrice's eyes widened at her outburst, and she shook her head apologetically. "I apologize for my sister," she said to Sebastian, her blue eyes wide. "She sometimes needs to learn to guard her tongue. It does not come easily to her."

Caroline laughed softly to herself. She could not help but wonder what Sebastian's reaction would be if he knew the books the two sisters read only in secret: the racy novels about roguish lovers and wanton kisses. Would he blush?

She glanced up at him and her face flushed slightly when she caught his eye—as though he could read her thoughts. For some reason, she was quite certain that he would not blush. No, instead, Caroline thought, she thought he'd be quite similar to the roguish lovers that existed only in the pages of books.

Sebastian laughed softly at this and inclined his head in Beatrice's direction. "It is interesting how two sisters can be so different," he teased. Caroline narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.

Her first instinct was to defend herself, but she remained quiet, allowing the pair to speak, even at her expense.

To Caroline's relief, the novel was just the thing they needed in order to get a conversation flowing, though it was Beatrice who made sure to involve her younger sister.

"I also must admit that I am rather partial to Lady A's novels," Beatrice said, her cheeks turning crimson. "I know it is not all that often that a lady reads those novels, but I do enjoy them quite a bit."

"Fret not," Sebastian said easily, a grin appearing around his lips. "I too am quite an avid reader."

Beatrice laughed softly at this and shook her head. "While I do enjoy reading quite a bit, it is really my sister who is an avid reader," she admitted with a look in Caroline's direction. Sebastian seemed quite intrigued at this as he turned his glance towards her.

"You are?" he asked almost eagerly. "What is your favorite novel?"

"Oh," Caroline shook her head with a laugh. "I could not possibly choose. It is a new one each week. What about you?"

Sebastian flashed her a grin, though he did return his attention to Beatrice almost instantly. "What about you?" he inquired, and she shrugged.

"Oh, anything romantic for me. I am not like my sister who dreams of adventure and excitement. I dream of the normal things in life, like love and stability. A good husband."

Sebastian laughed softly. "Well, who is to say marriage, love and stability are normal? In fact, I do believe that love may be rather extraordinary indeed."

While Beatrice swooned at this, Caroline once again had to suppress the urge to scoff. Who was he trying to fool? Love and stability were like prison chains, keeping women from achieving all they were meant to.

Despite the animated conversation now happening across from her, Caroline found her thoughts drifting toward Edward.

She could understand why Beatrice was certain they'd marry soon, but she couldn't see how a life with Edward Pembroke could be exciting in the slightest.

Of course she enjoyed spending time with him and often when they spoke, they shared some laughs… but was that enough for a marriage?

She looked up with a thin frown between her brows. Sebastian and Beatrice were still engaged in an animated conversation. She shifted uncomfortably and glanced at the pair of them. Beatrice had a lively blush on her cheeks, and she grinned brightly as she looked up at Sebastian—her chance at a marriage, as she had explained.

Sebastian was something else entirely and Caroline took the opportunity to truly observe him. Of course, at a first glance, the man was quite attractive.

No, she mentally corrected herself. Incredibly so, with the grassy green eyes, the dark hair falling over his forehead and the thin lines next to his eyes.

But there was something more about him. He seemed… kind, she realized. As though he would truly be willing to help those who needed him to.

Caroline kept sparing glances at her sister and the man next to her.

They truly made a beautiful pair, she couldn't help but think. Soon, to Caroline's hidden relief, the dinner came to an end, and she waited eagerly for her father to announce that they were to retire to the parlor.

As she had expected, her father rose to his feet as soon as the last dish was finished, and he looked at his guests proudly.

"Thank you for joining us for the delightful dinner," his voice boomed through the dining room. "Now, shall we retire to the parlor?"

None of the other guests showed even the faintest hint of apprehension at this. Instead, they quickly made their way to the parlor, Caroline trailing behind. Beatrice seemed to notice this, and she turned to face her sister with a sympathetic grin.

"Oh, Caroline, darling. I apologize if we'd excluded you from the conversation. We ought to have invited Edward too."

She turned to Sebastian, despite the man not having responded in any way to her comment, and smiled brightly. "Edward is madly in love with Caroline," she explained eagerly. "I believe they will marry soon."

Caroline merely smiled stiffly at this unnecessary comment from her sister. She knew that Beatrice was merely over-excited at the prospect of marriage and as such it was easy to let it slide. Sebastian, luckily, did not comment and Caroline made her way into the parlor silently too.

Once the tea was served, it was not hard for Caroline to realize that she was once again on the outside of what seemed to be a rather intimate group. There was her father and mother, of course and next to them stood Sebastian's parents—the Earl of Burlington and his wife—and off to the side, delicately sipping on tea, were Beatrice and Sebastian.

It was almost with relief that Caroline noted the evening drawing to a close, and she made her way back to her bedchamber rather swiftly after saying goodbye to the Fairchilds.

She had hardly gotten into her bed, when the door opened to reveal Beatrice, her face alight with excitement.

"Caroline, are you asleep?"

Caroline moved to sit up and shook her head. "Not yet. What is it?"

Beatrice moved swiftly, taking a place on her sister's bed as well, their shoulders rubbing together.

"What do you think of Sebastian?"

Caroline laughed softly. "Sebastian? I think he is charming and rather intelligent. You?"

Beatrice sighed and shrugged. "He is very handsome, isn't he?" she admitted now, her eyes twinkling. "I think we will make a very good match, he and I. Don't you? I wish we had spent more time talking to the earl and his wife, though. But I will ask mother and father all about their conversation in the morning. I do hope we will be able to make an announcement by the end of the week. I think the sooner, the better. I really do look forward to being Lady… I mean… Viscountess Casterbridge…"

As her sister's excited chattering continued, Caroline could only smile. She could not help but wonder if she would ever be as excited about her own marriage as Beatrice was now.

"Do you think you could love him?" she asked eagerly, and Beatrice sighed dreamily.

"Love?" she said the word as though she'd never truly thought of it before, then shrugged. "I don't know. But I do think we can be quite happy together. I really do. He will be stable and safe… and that's all I really want!"

Caroline flashed her sister a smile. She sounded quite content.

Stability and safety, though, were never what Caroline wanted. She wanted much more.