Chapter Ten
“Caroline, do join us.”
Her mother had sent word for her to put aside her sewing and come to the formal drawing room. They had a special guest.
With her hair freshly brushed and pinned up into a soft bun, Caroline checked her gown for creases before making her way to her mother’s elegant drawing room. Only the best guests were received by Adelaide in there.
The placid smile she had fixed to her face as she entered the room froze as she beheld the sight of the Countess of Lienz seated on one of her mother’s deep green silk-covered sofas.
“Your highness, may I introduce my youngest daughter, Caroline,” announced Adelaide.
Caroline’s heart began to thump loudly in her chest. Had the countess come to complain about Caroline’s behavior at the ball?
“Ah yes, I see the resemblance,” replied the countess.
“Caroline, this is the Countess of Lienz, formerly Countess Newhall. She has come to share some wonderful news with us,” said Adelaide.
Caroline dropped into a deep curtsey. “Your highness.”
The countess held out a hand, and Caroline was left with no choice but to accept it. The countess looked at her and smiled sweetly. “So, the rumors are true. You are a diamond of the first water. How can it be then that you are not yet married? Don’t tell me you are holding out for a love match, my dear.”
Adelaide softly chortled. “My husband and I have set the example of a happy marriage. Both my daughters believe in love.”
The countess coughed, and Caroline sensed it was taking every ounce of self-control for her not to mock Adelaide for having created such expectations of marriage for her daughters.
“Well, love may come to you, but don’t forget duty. You owe it to your parents to make a good match. Many marriages are based on friendship, or at least respect,” replied the countess.
“Yes, your highness.”
“Now go sit with your mother while we discuss the good news.”
Caroline took a seat on the sofa next to her mother, and placed her hands in her lap.
The countess smiled once more. “I have come to invite you to a house party at Newhall Castle. My son has decided to invite a select group of young ladies and their chaperones to spend the week at the castle. Isn’t that exciting?”
Adelaide turned to Caroline and took her by the hand.
“Lord Newhall feels terrible about your accident at the Serpentine, and wants to help make amends.”
Caroline’s gaze went from her mother to the countess.
The countess shook her head. “Julian was beside himself with remorse after we got home. While it was purely an accident, he blames himself for you having fallen into the mud on the lake shore. He feels he should have done more to save you. And while you of course would not hold him to fault, he is most keen for you to come to Derbyshire so that he can personally apologize.”
The countess’s words dripped with insincerity, but Caroline saw the beaming smile on Adelaide’s face. There were few reasons why an unmarried nobleman invited a group of eligible young ladies to spend a week at his country estate, and all of them contained the word marriage.
She couldn’t understand the countess’s reasons for inviting her, but from her mother’s reaction to the invitation, Caroline knew she had no choice.
“Thank you, your highness. I would love to attend the party,” replied Caroline.
The countess rose, and picked up her gloves. “My only regret is that I will not be able to host the gathering. My husband and I sail for the Continent in the next few days and he is unable to change his schedule. Newhall will find someone to assist with any preparations that I have not finalized before my departure.”
“How disappointing for you,” replied Adelaide.
“Yes quite.”
Caroline caught the edge of the countess’s remark, and forced herself not to frown. Lord Newhall’s mother seemed anything but displeased at not being able to attend the house party.
Once the countess had left, Adelaide and Caroline gathered once more in the drawing room.
