Chapter 3

Chapter Three

C aroline drummed her fingers against the ancient wooden desk, staring out the window. A cold wind pulled across the dying countryside, shaking all the colorful leaves to the ground. When she had been younger, it had all appeared so magical, but now, such dreariness only reminded her just how lonely she truly was. There was no joy to be had in Hamstead.

But she couldn’t let Aunt Fanny’s estate go to just anyone, not when the inheritance rightfully belonged to her. She wanted the property, if for no other reason than she could sell it and see her personal worth grow even further. It was a tempting idea to keep the property and let the tenant farmers provide a consistent income, though perhaps most of that would go back into the upkeep of the estate. There were many factors to consider. Her father had taught her to never turn down a wise financial opportunity, for that was the only way to thrive in London society without a title, and she would pursue that course until the day she died.

The door to study opened, and the housekeeper appeared with a tray of tea and refreshments.

“Perhaps you could enlighten me, Mrs. Park. In recent years, did my Aunt Fanny change anything about her Christmas ball? Or did they continue to be the riotous collection of everyone in the village from the nobility to the church mice?”

Mrs. Park cleared her throat. “She did continue on as she always had in keeping them open to the public, inviting all the villagers along with the local noblemen and gentry. Though not all of them attended, I dare say.”

“I can imagine why. Who would desire to share company with such riffraff?” Caroline muttered under her breath. “If I had my way, I’d much prefer to throw a private dinner party instead and be a bit more reserved with the guest list.”

Caroline spoke her thoughts as she always had, never expecting any repercussions from it. Mrs. Park stood straight, leveling her eyes at the new mistress of Longford Manor. It was very bold of her to do so as a servant, though Caroline knew the elderly woman would never speak out against her, but she could tell from the pert set of her lips and the indifference of her brows that Mrs. Park wished she could.

“I suppose you can host the event however you like, mum,” she said before curtsying and moving toward the door.

“I don’t believe I could, for there would be legal ramifications for not complying with every minute detail of that dreaded will.”

Mrs. Park considered this for a moment. “Indeed. It may be better to direct your questions of legality to Mr. Eddleton himself.” Then she saw herself out, closing the door behind her.

Caroline almost made a snide remark about how the old woman would know nothing about such legalities, but instead, her mind caught hold on the verbiage of the will. It had not said a thing about the definition of the Christmas event. There had been no specifics about whether it was a ball or a dinner party, about how many guests needed to be invited, or their social standing. Perhaps she could get away with her plan and avoid seeing all the faces of those who had either disappointed her in the past, or those who would be disappointed in her. She could see this party through to the end in her own way, and then she could put everything in Hamstead and her past behind her forever.

Reaching for parchment and quill, Caroline quickly wrote out a letter to Mr. Eddleton. She would write to accept the terms of the will and inquire about such details required for the event. Perhaps she could get away with her own way after all.

She had the letter signed and folded just as a knock sounded at the door and Norman entered.

“Ah, excellent. Please have this post sent to Mr. Eddleton immediately.”

“Of course, mum,” he responded, accepting the responsibility. “And you have visitors.”

“Visitors? Who the devil knows I’m here?” It had barely been two days since she arrived, but then, word always travelled quickly in this little village. “Is it my brother?”

Norman nodded. “Yes, mum. He and Mr. Cratchit, and their daughters.”

Caroline immediately stiffened at the news. Robert Cratchit, the man she thought she’d never have to face again. Did he know she was here? Of course, he had to. But what could he be doing in Aunt Fanny’s foyer, and especially with his daughter?

Trying to think quickly and failing, Caroline rose to her feet. “I will see to them myself,” she said, though there was not an ounce of strength or certainty in her voice. Clearing her throat and pressing a hand to smooth her hair, she made her way to the front foyer, digging for the familiar protection of her courage.

Her heart wrenched inside her chest, pounding painfully at the prospect of seeing Robert again. How many years had it been since they had parted ways? And how many times had she thought of him, wondering how he fared? If he hated her?

But she crushed down those questions as she walked through the corridor, for she would certainly receive no such answers from him.

With a clenched jaw, she squared her shoulders and rounded the corner.

Her eyes fell on two young girls she did not know, the chipper grin of her elder brother, and finally the sour expression of Robert Cratchit. She would always be able to recognize him, even if it had been over a decade since she last stood in his presence. His brown hair was just a shade lighter than her own, his icy blue eyes still burned her to the core, and his lips were set in a pert frown, so she did not misunderstand his clear distaste for her company. He may have been taller since she last saw him, and only slightly more attractive as an adult, but even standing before her, he was just as distant as he’d been since the day they parted.

“Well, well,” she managed to say, folding her hands in front of her in an attempt to appear confident. “What do we have here?”

“And how wonderful to see you too, sister,” Fred said with a mocking bow. “Allow me to introduce my daughter, Kitty, her friend, Martha, and you know the good doctor here.” Fred patted Robert on the back, who then glared at him.

Caroline nodded toward the girls, noting how worn their simple dresses were, before letting her gaze settle once again on her young childhood friend.

“How do you do, Robert?” she asked, her voice smaller than she would have wished.

He took a measured breath before responding. “Good day, Mrs. Marley.”

His words stung; she had called him by his given name, but he refused such casual closeness, using her married name instead. He would want nothing to do with her, which is just as she should have suspected. It was just as it should be.

“What brings you to my door again, Fred?” She turned her attention to her brother, a worthy target for her gathering frustrations. “I have no time for your rubbish today.”

“Fortunately, no rubbish at all. We only came by to visit and see if you would be willing to carry on Aunt Fanny’s gracious benevolence for these two young dears.”

Caroline sighed, eyes momentarily flicking to Robert who remained silent. “Already you press me for charity, and it is not yet Sunday.”

“This will not cost you a penny, Caroline. It is only that Aunt Fanny had agreed to let these young girls use the music room to improve their skills on the pianoforte.”

Of course that would be the case. The old woman had set her up for failure a hundred times over.

“What do you say?” Fred pressed. “Could you spare your music room? Just a half hour or so?”

Brushing a hand over her curls, she sighed. “I suppose a half hour would be acceptable.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Marley,” the girls said in unison before rushing forward.

“And they’ll not be mistreated?”

Robert’s deep voice caught Caroline off guard. She had not expected him to speak, let alone to say such damning words. She met his gaze, light blue eyes with specks of white and bright veins of dark blue, and she remembered what it was like to have him peer into her soul. But did he truly think her so heartless?

He had no reason not to.

“Of course not. I am not inclined to mistreat children.” Caroline straightened her shoulders. She would not even be in the room, as she had no intention of sitting and listening to their commotion.

He listened with a clenched jaw and then nodded. “If you have things in control, Fred, then I’ll see myself out.”

Fred nodded with certainty, and without another word or a glance or even a breath, Robert turned his back and disappeared out into the cold.

Caroline lifted her chin, frustrated to the bone with their interaction, for it was not how she would have preferred to see him again after all these years. But she could not hope for reconciliation or even pleasantry. This was all a direct result of her own actions.

She moved to stand in the music room doorway, only intending to make sure they didn’t touch anything they shouldn’t, with Fred falling into step beside her.

“They’re well-behaved girls,” Fred said, no doubt noticing her changed demeanor. “They’ll not harm anything or be a bother while they’re here.”

“That is not the point of my concern,” Caroline said stiffly. “They may continue their music practice if they wish. But would it be so difficult for you to give me a notice in advance before bringing such guests to my front door?”

This time it was Fred who folded his arms across his chest. “It didn’t make sense to send a letter, considering I live a quarter mile down the road, especially when such a notice would just be tossed in the fire.”

Caroline could feel the heat that crept into her neck and cheeks, and she looked away. How well her brother knew her, even after all this time.

“Besides, why would it matter? It is just your niece and her friend, isn’t it?” Fred pressed with a knowing smile.

“You know very well why I would want to know before he steps foot into my home,” Caroline snapped, then inhaled deeply to regain her composure. Her nerves were simmering just beneath the surface, and she needed some sort of peace before she snapped again.

She still felt Fred’s gaze on her, which she was unable to ignore.

“So you consider this your house then?”

“It is only temporary, Fred. You know this.”

“I see.” His voice was soft and tender, as if reaching out for a brotherly embrace. “So what is your concern, then? Is it because you still care for him?”

“Of course not!” The words came out quicker and sharper than she’d intended, so she tried to rally. “Not that it would matter anyway, considering I do not throw myself at married gentlemen.”

Caroline took multiple steadying breaths as the silence settled over them in the corridor. She wanted to send him away, but at the same time, she was not ready to leave his company.

“Actually, he is not,” Fred said.

“He is not what?”

“Robert is no longer married. His wife died some years ago, just after his son Tim was born. He is a widower.”

Again, Caroline’s breath caught in her chest, and it seemed the grandfather clock in the entryway stopped ticking entirely. Such a world she had never considered would come to pass. That she had married into wealth had been expected, but then her humorless husband had died, making her an even wealthier widow. That Robert— her Robert— had also married but was again alone… Caroline shook her head. It couldn’t mean anything. Any childish hopes that came rushing to the surface had to be shoved back down with a vengeance. There would be no future with him. She could never settle for a country doctor. Besides, Robert certainly would want nothing to do with Caroline, not after the way they had parted. Not after how she had ended things. Not after how he had left her just now.

“Why did you never tell me?” Caroline asked thoughtlessly, regretting the words as soon as they had been spoken.

“I am certain I did send you word back when it happened, but I am not the one with the habit of burning unwanted correspondences.”

Anger flared in her chest again. “And how is it that you know of my habits from hundreds of miles away? Have you sent staff to spy on me for your entertainment?”

Fred laughed, and were she in a more pleasant mood, she might have laughed along with him. They had shared a lifetime of enjoyment together when they were younger, before the realities of life had separated them, changed them. But so much was different now, so much time had passed. She didn’t know if they could ever share a relationship like they did before.

“You forget much these days, sister, but I do know you. Perhaps better than you know yourself.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “And all because we shared the same father.”

Then he gave her a small smile and disappeared into the music room.

Caroline did not follow after him.