Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Caroline flashed her husband a dazzling smile as she made her way downstairs and Sebastian pressed a hand to his heart.

"Must we go?" he teased, his eyes devouring her. "Could I not keep you all to myself tonight?"

Caroline laughed softly as she met him at the bottom of the stairs, lifting her face to meet his lips in a chaste kiss. "You are the one who accepted the invitation," she teased and Sebastian let out a deep sigh.

"I could not say no to Nate," he admitted. "Though looking at you now, it may have been a mistake."

A blush rose to Caroline's cheeks and she shook her head with a soft laugh. "You are silly," she admonished. "Let us go—we do not want to keep our host waiting."

"No," Sebastian said softly, offering her his arm. "We do not want to keep him waiting."

As they made their way to the carriage, however, Caroline was almost certain that Sebastian was almost as reluctant as she was to attend Nathaniel's dinner party—something that sent a lovely warmth to the pit of her stomach.

Still, as the carriage rolled to a stop in front of Nathaniel's grand estate, Caroline couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over her. The imposing fa?ade of the mansion loomed before them, its countless windows ablaze with light and the distant strains of music drifting through the night air. She glanced at Sebastian, her hand tightening on his arm as he helped her alight.

"Are you sure about this?" she murmured, her brow furrowed with concern. "I must admit, I am not quite sure your friend is overly fond of me."

Sebastian frowned at this almost curiously.

"Why do you say that?"

Caroline shrugged. "I do not know," she admitted softly. "Perhaps because of the way we married—it is rather unconventional, and he possibly wanted more for you. There was just something in the way he spoke…"

Sebastian smiled reassuringly, patting her hand as they ascended the sweeping steps to the entrance. "It will be fine, my darling. Nathaniel may be a bit of a rogue, but he's harmless enough. And besides, I'll be right by your side the whole evening. Besides, he could not want more for me than what I have—you, my darling."

Caroline nodded, and flashed him a smile as they stepped into the opulent foyer. The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses grew louder as they approached the ballroom, the glittering throng of guests parting like a sea before them. But as Caroline's gaze swept the room, her heart nearly stopped at the sight of two familiar figures.

"Sebastian," she whispered, her fingers digging into his arm. "Is that... Beatrice? And Edward?"

He followed her gaze, his own eyes widening in surprise. "I may have asked Nathaniel to keep an eye on Beatrice," he admitted, his tone apologetic. "To make sure she wasn't being shunned or excluded because of all the gossip and drama. I suppose they must have become friends of a sort. Though I must admit, I have no idea what on earth Pembroke is doing here."

Caroline nodded slowly, her heart racing wildly at the sight of her sister—and a deep discomfort aching in the pit of her stomach. She was grateful for Sebastian's thoughtfulness towards her sister, but the idea of Beatrice and Nathaniel becoming close was not one that she was particularly fond of. She still was not sure what she thought of Nathaniel whose roguish jokes and direct stares made her rather uncomfortable.

"Thank you for looking out for her," she murmured, squeezing Sebastian's arm gently. "Even if she still hates me, I worry about her."

Sebastian pressed a reassuring kiss to her temple. "I know, my darling. But eventually, all will be well. She cannot hold our marriage against you forever."

As they continued to mingle, Caroline couldn't help but notice the curious glances and hushed whispers that seemed to follow them. The ton was still abuzz with the scandal of their marriage, and she knew her every move would be scrutinized.

Suddenly, Beatrice caught her eye from across the room. To Caroline's surprise, her sister inclined her head, beckoning her over. Heart pounding, Caroline excused herself from Sebastian's side and made her way towards Beatrice.

"Can we talk?" Beatrice asked, her voice uncharacteristically conciliatory. "In private?"

Caroline nodded eagerly, hope blooming in her chest. "Of course. Lead the way."

Beatrice guided her out of the ballroom and down a quiet hallway, stopping before a set of ornate double doors. "Lord Nathaniel has quite the art collection," she remarked, pushing the doors open. "Wait for me here. I'll be just a moment."

Caroline stepped into the dimly lit room, her eyes adjusting to the muted glow of the gas lamps. Paintings and sculptures lined the walls, their shadows casting eerie shapes across the polished floors. As she waited for Beatrice to return, the sound of footsteps made her turn.

"Edward," she sighed, her heart sinking as he emerged from the shadows. "What are you doing here?"

He smiled, but there was a hard edge to it that made Caroline's skin crawl. "I saw you slip away with Beatrice. I thought perhaps we could have a moment alone."

Caroline shook her head, backing away. "No, Edward. I told you, there can be no more of this. I'm waiting for my sister."

He advanced on her, his eyes glittering with a possessive intensity. "Caroline, please. You must know how I feel, how much I still care for you. We belong together, you and I. Do not attempt to fool me into believing that Sebastian cares for you like I do—do not lie to me and pretend that you enjoy his caresses and touches like you'd enjoy mine."

"Stop it," she hissed, her voice trembling. "I'm married, Edward. I care for Sebastian. You need to leave, now."

As she made to brush past him, Edward's hand shot out, grasping her arm in a vice-like grip. He pulled her towards him, crushing her against his chest in a mockery of an embrace. Caroline struggled, trying to break free, but his hold was too strong.

Suddenly, the doors flew open, and a group of partygoers spilled into the room, their laughter dying on their lips as they took in the scene before them. Caroline wrenched herself away from Edward, her face burning with humiliation as she saw the shock and judgment in their eyes.

"It's not what it looks like," she pleaded, but they were already turning away, whispering furiously amongst themselves.

Caroline rounded on Edward, fury and betrayal coursing through her veins. "Are you happy now?" she spat. "Have you finally managed to get your way?"

Edward had the audacity to smile, a smug satisfaction playing about his lips. "On the contrary, my dear. I think this is just the beginning."

Tears blurring her vision, Caroline pushed past him, desperate to find Sebastian and explain before the gossip could reach his ears. But as she hurried down the hallway, Beatrice appeared, blocking her path.

"Caroline, wait!" she called, her expression unreadable. "We need to talk."

Caroline shook her head, trying to sidestep her sister. "Not now, Beatrice. I have to find Sebastian, I have to tell him what happened before–"

But Beatrice held fast, her fingers digging into Caroline's arm as she pulled her back. In her haste, Beatrice's foot caught on the hem of Caroline's gown, tearing the fabric with a sickening rip.

Caroline stared down at the ruined silk, despair washing over her. She couldn't go back to the ballroom like this, not with the scandal already brewing. She had to get out, to find some way to salvage the situation.

"Beatrice, please," she begged, her voice thick with unshed tears. "Just go get Sebastian. Bring him to me, and explain about the dress. I can't face everyone, not like this."

Beatrice hesitated, an unreadable emotion flickering in her eyes. But finally, she nodded, releasing Caroline's arm. "Wait here," she instructed. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

As Beatrice's footsteps faded away, Caroline slumped against the wall, burying her face in her hands. How had everything gone so wrong, so quickly? She had only wanted to mend fences with her sister, to put the past behind them. But now...

"Caroline?" Edward's voice, tinged with concern, made her head snap up. He stood before her, his brow furrowed as he took in her disheveled appearance. "What happened? Your dress…"

"You happened," she snapped, anger overriding her despair. "You and your selfish, manipulative games. I want nothing to do with you, Edward. Not now, not ever."

He held up his hands in a placating gesture, taking a step closer. "Let me help you, Caroline. I can fix this, I can make it right."

But Caroline recoiled, pressing herself further against the wall. "No. I don't want your help, Edward. I want you to leave me alone. I want you out of my life, for good."

Though Edward opened his mouth to retort, Caroline shot him a haughty look before gathering the tatters of her dress and rushing to the carriage—hoping that Sebastian would join her soon, and ignoring the man who followed her silently.

***

Meanwhile, in the ballroom, Sebastian was engaged in polite conversation with a group of gentlemen, his eyes constantly straying to the door as he waited for Caroline to return. As the minutes ticked by with no sign of her, a niggling sense of unease began to grow in the pit of his stomach.

His sense of unease deepened when Nathaniel appeared at his elbow, his expression grave. "Bas, a word?"

Excusing himself from the group, Sebastian followed his friend to a quiet corner of the room. "What is it, Nate? Have you seen Caroline?"

Nathaniel hesitated, his eyes darting around the room before leaning in closer. "There's something you should know, Bas. People are talking, and... it's not good."

Sebastian frowned, a cold dread settling over him. "What do you mean? What are they saying?"

Nathaniel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Apparently, a few guests walked in on Caroline and Edward Pembroke in a rather... compromising position. It looked like they were embracing, and... well, you know how the ton loves to gossip."

Sebastian's jaw clenched, a hot surge of jealousy and betrayal coursing through him. But even as his heart raced and his fists itched to connect with Edward's smug face, he forced himself to take a steadying breath. He trusted Caroline, knew in his bones that she would never betray him, especially not so publicly.

"There must be some mistake," he ground out, his voice low and controlled. "Caroline was just going to talk to Beatrice. She ended her friendship with Pembroke, for good. She wouldn't…"

Nathaniel laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, his expression sympathetic. "If you believe her, so will I, Bas. But you ought to be careful. The vultures are already circling, looking for any sign of weakness."

Sebastian nodded, his mind racing as he tried to formulate a plan. He had to find Caroline, to hear the truth from her own lips.