Celeste wanted to tell Devons she’d already pushed one away with a ridiculous lie, but she didn’t. “My only goal is tocontinue to make this club successful, and perhaps when not in London, have a cottage in the country I can spend time in.”
Her business partner grinned. “I suspected you would like being out in the country. It is more freeing than London.”
“It is the air. It is fresher.”
He nodded in agreement and sighed. “I won’t push you about love or finding a match. You will do what you want but know that you deserve it.”
She nodded, and he wandered off. Celeste swallowed, fearing that she had made a mistake with Caleb. She pushed the thought away and sternly told herself that she had made the right choice for all involved. Her cat, Heathcliff Fitzsimmons, the Second, decided to join her on the balcony at that moment. He brushed her skirts, completely content to play the made-up role of her partner.
Chapter 8
London – Three months later - January 1856
Caleb sat with Lord Burrows, his wife, their daughter Lady Eloise, the dowager Lady Burrows, and his family at the theater. He’d been courting the young woman for the last couple of weeks, and his mother was beside herself with excitement. He grimaced. Soon, he would have to call an end to it. Lady Eloise was charming, but he wouldn’t marry her.
He glanced at her, studying the young woman who was only twenty. She was one of the most sought-after ladies on the marriage mart, and he should be thrilled. A union between them would solidify his place in society. Yet, he wasn’t going to propose, no matter how much his mother wished it.
The problem was that he enjoyed spending time with Lord Burrows. He was one of the most level-headed lords he’d met since arriving. Caleb’s gaze pivoted to the man’s mother. She stared back at him, her mouth pinched. The older woman was a different story. He often found her sneering at his mother. He didn’t like her at all. He didn’t see the same rudeness in Lord Burrows’ wife or his daughter.
His mother tended to make herself small around the woman. Cordell sighed next to him. “I’m so ready to be back in New York City.”
“You would be doing the same thing,” their sister whispered from behind them.
Their mother shushed them. Lady Eloise smiled prettily at him. “Have you seen this opera, Lord Haven?”
He smiled back at her. “No, my lady, operas are not a favorite of mine.”
She fluttered her eyelashes dramatically. “I just adore them.”
For a moment, Caleb wondered if she was intentionally trying to be annoying. Guilt coursed through him that he would think such a thought. He caught her slyly smiling before facing forward. No, he suspected, the lady didn’t want to marry him either.
His gaze drifted across the theater and skidded to a stop. Celeste sat in a box across the way with several people. She laughed and touched a man’s arm. He’d done his best to forget her after their night together. Yet, jealousy swirled in him. Was the man she beamed at Fitzsimmons?
She turned back, and the smile stayed on her face as she perused the crowd around her. He should turn away, knowing he decided months ago he would not pursue her. That vow hadn’t stopped him from thinking about her, unfortunately. He did that far too much. Her gaze reached the box next to Lord Burrows’.
Caleb leaned back and closer to Lady Eloise, who glanced at him, startled. Finally, Celeste’s eyes locked in on him, and he watched her eyes widen and her lips part. He wanted to curse and rage because the connection he hoped would be gone sizzled and sparked between them.
Lady Eloise leaned towards him. “Did you have a question, my lord?”
He didn’t tear his gaze away from Celeste. Her eyes widened, and she reeled back in shock. She perused the rest of his box, and suddenly she was on her feet and departing.
“My lord?” Lady Eloise prompted.
He stood and said, “If you will excuse me. I need some air.”
Cordell frowned at him. “Shall I join you?”
Caleb shook his head. Everyone nodded, lost in the beginning of the opera. Well, everyone except for the dowager who frowned at him sternly. This would be the last time he made his mother spend time with the woman, he told himself.
He raced to the corridor that connected to the box Celeste had just departed from. She stood leaning against a wall, taking deep breaths. Was she upset? Fury filled Caleb that he couldn’t prevent himself from caring that she seemed distressed.
“For a woman who is attached, you seem upset to see me with another lady.”
Her head jerked up, and her blue eyes flashed. “Go away, Caleb.”
He strode to her. “Are you still with Fitzsimmons?”
“Yes,” she spat.
