Chapter 27

Chapter 27

The morning sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Caroline set out to see Beatrice, her heart heavy with trepidation and resolve. The previous night's revelations— about her sister's potential involvement in the scandalous events at the party—had left her reeling, desperate for answers and accountability.

As she was shown into the drawing room, Beatrice looked up from her needlework, surprise flickering across her face. "Caroline. I wasn't expecting you."

Caroline took a deep breath, steeling herself for the confrontation to come. "We need to talk, Beatrice. About last night, about Edward... about everything."

Beatrice set her embroidery aside, her expression guarded. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Don't lie to me," Caroline said, her voice trembling. "I know you've been associating with Edward. Nathaniel saw him leaving your house. And your behavior last night... how you kept me away from the party, from Sebastian... it's too much of a coincidence."

Beatrice's eyes flashed with indignation. "How dare you accuse me of such things? I would never stoop so low!"

But Caroline pressed on, her gaze unwavering. "Wouldn't you? After everything that's happened between us, the hurt and the anger... I can't help but wonder if you'd stoop to this level to get your revenge."

For a long moment, Beatrice was silent. Then she lifted her chin and faced her sister angrily.

"Fine," she spat, her voice thick with resentment. "Yes, I've been spending time with Edward. Yes, we talked about you and Sebastian, about the scandal that brought you together. But can you blame me, Caroline? Can you blame me for wanting to make you feel even a fraction of the pain and humiliation I've endured?"

Tears sprang to Caroline's eyes, her heart clenching at the venom in her sister's words. "Beatrice, please... I never meant to hurt you. I was only trying to protect our family, to salvage both our reputations. When will you understand that?"

Beatrice laughed, the sound harsh and mirthless. "Understand? How could I possibly understand being cast aside, watching the man who was meant to be mine marry my own sister? Do you have any idea how that felt, Caroline? The shame, the betrayal?"

Caroline reached out, her hand trembling as she laid it on Beatrice's arm. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm so sorry, Beatrice. But please, don't let your anger destroy what I've found with Sebastian. Don't let it poison the love we've built."

At the mention of love, Beatrice's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise passing over her face. "Love? You... you really love him?"

Caroline nodded, a watery smile touching her lips. "I do. More than I ever thought possible. And he loves me, Beatrice. He believes in me, in us. But if these scandals continue, if the gossip and the doubt keep eating away at our bond... I'm afraid of what might happen."

She drew in a shuddering breath, her eyes pleading. "I don't want to lose the joy we've found together. Please, Beatrice... I'm begging you. Don't let your revenge destroy my happiness."

Something in Beatrice's expression softened, a glimmer of the sisterly affection that had once been so strong between them. "I didn't know you truly loved him, Caroline. I thought... I thought… I thought you were interested in him, you found him attractive, but that this was just a marriage of convenience…"

Caroline shook her head, a tear slipping down her cheek. "It started that way. But oh, Beatrice... he's become everything to me. I can't bear the thought of losing him, of watching our love wither under the weight of lies and scandal."

Beatrice was quiet for a long moment, her gaze distant. Then, slowly, she reached out, clasping Caroline's hand in her own. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her own eyes shining with unshed tears. "I was so blinded by my own pain, my own bitterness... I never stopped to consider yours."

She squared her shoulders, a look of determination settling over her face. "I'll make this right, Caroline. You have my word."

Caroline let out a choked sob of relief, pulling her sister into a fierce embrace. "Thank you," she breathed, clinging to Beatrice as if she were a lifeline. "Thank you, Beatrice. You have no idea what this means to me."

As the two sisters held each other, whispering tearful apologies and promises of reconciliation, Caroline felt a glimmer of hope kindle in her chest. Perhaps all would be well after all.

***

Across town, Sebastian strode up the steps of Edward Pembroke's townhouse, his jaw set in a grim line of determination. Nathaniel followed close behind, a silent presence at his friend's side.

As they were shown into the study, Edward looked up from his desk, a smirk playing about his lips. "Well, well. Fairchild and Wellington. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Sebastian wasted no time with pleasantries, his eyes blazing with fury. "I know what you've been doing, Pembroke. The lies you've been spreading about my wife, the seeds of doubt you've been sowing. It ends now."

Edward leaned back in his chair, an air of nonchalance about him. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, Fairchild. I've simply been enjoying the company of a dear friend. Caroline and I... well, our bond runs deep."

Sebastian's hands clenched into fists at his sides, his knuckles turning white with the force of his rage. "You listen to me, you despicable worm," he growled, his voice low and deadly. "Caroline is my wife. Whatever delusions you've concocted about your place in her heart, know this... she will remain my wife."

Edward's eyes flashed with anger, his facade of calm slipping for a moment. "You don't know anything about us, Fairchild. What we share, what we feel for each other... it's beyond your comprehension. In fact, despite your sham of a marriage, our love never faded…"

"It's Lord Casterbridge to you, Pembroke. Furthermore, I don't believe you," Sebastian said quickly and Edward laughed softly, an eerie light appearing in his eyes.

"You don't have to, Casterbridge. I am certain the ton will not be surprised to hear of our affair—after all, they know that we were meant to marry."

Sebastian took a menacing step closer, his eyes boring into Edward's with an intensity that made the other man flinch. "Do not think that I am unaware of your schemes with my wife's sister, Pembroke. Or that I believe for a second that Caroline would love someone like you."

Edward opened his mouth as if to retort, but something in Sebastian's gaze made him think better of it. He simply nodded, a muscle ticking in his clenched jaw. His silence did not do anything to calm Sebastian, however, and it was only Nathaniel's insistent arm on his shoulder that dragged him away from the other man without it coming to physical blows.

***

Caroline was pacing the drawing room, her nerves frayed and her heart racing, when Sebastian returned home. She flew into his arms the moment he crossed the threshold, clinging to him as if her very life depended on it.

"How did it go?" she asked, her voice muffled against his chest. "Did you confront Edward?"

Sebastian nodded, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I did. And while he didn't outright confess to his schemes, I made it clear that his behavior would no longer be tolerated. That if he continued to spread lies about you, about us... he'd face the consequences."

Caroline let out a shuddering breath. "Beatrice admitted to everything, Sebastian. To associating with Edward, to trying to cause another scandal. But she didn't know... she didn't realize how much you mean to me, how deeply I love you."

Sebastian's eyes softened, his hand coming up to cradle her cheek. "And I love you, my darling. More than anything in this world."

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, startling them both. A moment later, Beatrice entered, her expression contrite and her eyes red-rimmed from crying.

"Lord Casterbridge," she said softly, her voice trembling. "I've come to apologize. For my part in this horrible mess, for the pain I've caused you and Caroline."

Sebastian regarded her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he inclined his head. "I appreciate your apology, Beatrice. And I understand, to a degree, the depth of your pain. But you must know... your actions could have had severe consequences. Pembroke's claims of an affair with Caroline…"

Beatrice's eyes widened at this and she shook her head, her face pale. "No," she whispered, looking from Caroline to Sebastian. "No, that was never… that was not part of the plan, I swear…"

Sebastian glanced at Caroline, who had paled too and shrugged. "I warned him to keep his mouth shut, but…"

Beatrice shook her head, two angry blotches appearing on her cheeks. "I will fix this," she insisted, gathering her skirts and looking at her sister and Sebastian earnestly. "Just give me time, I will fix this—I swear," she promised before rushing out again.

Caroline let out a sigh and looked at her husband tiredly. "You know I would never…"

Sebastian shook his head and pulled his wife into an embrace, his lips meeting hers in a searing kiss.

"I know you would never," he growled against her lips, his hands moving to caress her curves gently.

"You are mine–and I am yours. No one will ever take that from us. No one."