"He's my friend. And his opinion of me matters."
'To whom?"
"To me, you nodcock." She was trying to right her appearance with such haste that her fingers kept slipping over the buttons of her dress.
"Here," Blake said, giving her a shove. "Into the washing room."
Caroline dashed into the smaller chamber with alacrity, grabbing her slippers at the very last minute. As soon as the door clicked behind her, she heard Blake yank open the door to his room and say, rather nastily, "What do you want, Perriwick?"
"If I may be so bold, sir-"
"Perriwick." Blake's voice was laced with heavy warning. Caroline feared for the butler's safety if he didn't get to the point with all possible haste. At this rate, Blake was likely to boot him right out the window.
"Right, sir. It's Miss Trent. I can't find her anywhere."
"I wasn't aware that Miss Trent was required to apprise you of her whereabouts at every given moment."
"No, of course not, Mr. Ravenscroft, but I found this at the top of the stairs, and-"
Caroline instinctively leaned closer to the door, wondering what "this" was.
"I'm sure she just dropped it," Blake said. "Ribbons fall from ladies' hair all the time."
Her hand flew up to her head. When had she lost her ribbon? Had Blake run his hands through her hair when he was kissing her in the hall?
"I realize that," Perriwick replied, "but I am worried nonetheless. If I knew where she was, I am certain I could allay my fears."
"As it happens," came Blake's voice, "I know exactly where Miss Trent is."
Caroline gasped. Surely he wouldn't give her away.
Blake said, "She decided to take advantage of the fine weather and has gone for a stroll in the countryside."
"But I thought you said her presence here at Sea-crest Manor was a secret."
"It is, but there is no reason she can't go outside as long as she doesn't wander too far from the grounds. There are very few conveyances traveling this road. No one is likely to see her."
"I see. I shall keep an eye out for her, then. Perhaps she would like something to eat when she returns."
"I'm sure she would like that above all else."
Caroline touched her stomach. She was a little hungry. And to be completely truthful, the thought of a walk along the beach sounded quite nice. Just the sort of thing to clear her head, which the Lord certainly knew needed clearing.
She took a step away from the door, and Blake's and Perriwick's voices faded. Then she noticed another door on the opposite side of the washing room. She tested the doorknob gingerly, and was
pleasantly surprised to note that it let her out in the side stairwell-the one usually used by servants. She looked over her shoulder, toward Blake, even though she couldn't see him.
He'd said she could go for a walk, even if it had been part of an elaborate fabrication designed to fool poor Perriwick. Caroline couldn't see any reason not to go ahead and do just that.
Within a few seconds she had dashed down the stairs and was outside. A minute later she was out of sight of the house and striding along the edge of the cliff that overlooked the blue-gray English Channel. The sea air was invigorating, but not nearly as much as the knowledge that Blake was going to be completely confused when he peered into the washing room and found her missing.
Bother the man, anyway. He could use some confusion in his life.
Chapter 14
nic-tate (verb). To wink.
I have found that nervous situations often cause me to nictate or stutter.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent
An hour later Caroline was feeling quite refreshed-at least in the physical sense. The crisp salty air held remarkable restorative properties for the lungs. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite as effective with the heart and the head.
Did she love Blake Ravenscroft? She certainly hoped so. She'd like to think that she wouldn't have behaved in such a wanton manner with a man for whom she didn't feel a deep and abiding affection.
She smiled wryly. What she ought to be considering was whether Blake cared for her. She thought
he did, at least a little bit. His concern for her welfare the night before had been obvious, and when he kissed her... well, she didn't know very much about kissing, but she could sense a hunger in him, and she instinctively knew that that hunger was reserved solely for her.
And she could make him laugh. That had to count for something.
Then, just as she was beginning to rationalize her entire situation, she heard a tremendous crash, followed by the sound of splintering wood, followed by some decidedly feminine shrieking.
Caroline's eyebrows shot up. What had happened? She wanted to investigate, but she wasn't supposed to make her presence here in Bournemouth known. It wasn't likely mat one of Oliver's friends would be traveling this little-used road, but if she were recognized it would be nothing short of disaster. Still, someone might be in trouble...
Curiosity won out over prudence, and she trotted toward the sound of the crash, slowing her pace as she drew close just in case she changed her mind and wanted to remain hidden.
Concealing herself behind a tree, she peered out at the road. A splendid carriage lay drunkenly in the dirt, one wheel completely splintered. Three men and two ladies were milling about. No one seemed injured, so Caroline decided to remain behind the tree until she could assess the situation.
The scenario quickly became a fascinating puzzle. Who were these people and what had happened? Caroline quickly figured out who was in charge- it was the better dressed of the two ladies. She was quite lovely, with black curls that spilled out from under her bonnet, and was giving orders in a manner that revealed that she had been dealing with servants her entire life. Caroline judged her age to be about thirty, perhaps a bit older.
The other lady was probably her maid, and the gentlemen-Caroline guessed that one was the driver and two were outriders. All three men were dressed in matching dark blue livery. Whoever these people were, they came from an extremely wealthy household.
After a minute of discussion, the lady in charge sent the driver and one of the outriders off to the north, presumably to fetch some help. Then she looked at the trunks which had fallen off the carriage and said, "We might as well use them as seats," and the three remaining travelers plopped down to wait.
After about a minute of sitting around and doing nothing, the lady turned to her maid and said, "I don't suppose my embroidery is packed anywhere accessible?"
The maid shook her head. "It's in the middle of the largest trunk, my lady."
"Ah, that would be the one that is miraculously still fastened to the top of the carriage."
"Yes, my lady."
The lady let out a long breath. "I suppose we ought to be thankful that it isn't overly hot."
"Or raining," the outrider put in.
"Or snowing," said the maid.
The lady speared her with an annoyed glance. "Really, Sally, that's hardly likely at this time of year."
The maid shrugged. "Stranger things have happened. After all, who would have thought we'd have lost a wheel the way we did. And this being the most expensive carriage money can buy."