Chapter Forty-Three
“Well, that was an interesting visit on all accounts,” said James.
Caroline nodded. She had been fighting back tears all the way to the village of Newhall. Several times, she had been tempted to rap on the roof of the coach and ask the driver to turn around. But each time, she had sat back in her seat and counselled herself that she and Julian had agreed on a way forward and she should stick to the plan.
“Do you think the two of you could make a go of it?” asked James.
“I think so. Julian had a terrible childhood as a result of his parents’ disaster of a marriage, which means it will take time for him to become comfortable with the notion of a happy family. By undertaking a formal courtship, it will give us the opportunity for him to get to know the rest of our extended clan,” she replied.
“Yes, I had heard that the countess was an unpleasant woman. When she visited at Fulham Palace and tried to press my mother into forcing Claire to attend this week, she was quite forthcoming in her opinions. My mother is not used to being told what to do. Newhall’s mother did not take kindly to being given a firm ‘no.’”
Caroline was more than a little relieved to know that the countess had sailed back to the Continent. Austria was a long way from England, and for that, she was grateful.
“And what about you? I could tell from the lovestruck look on Newhall’s face that you have stolen his heart. Then again, I have seen that look on the faces of many men over the years. I hope your reasons for becoming the next Countess Newhall are sound. I must say, it does have a nice ring to it,” he added.
Countess Newhall did sit well with her. Not that the title in particular would sway her when it came to choosing a husband. Her mother was the daughter of a duke, and there were a few other noble titles floating around the family.
She wanted to marry for the very same reason that had made her sister elope with Viscount Rosemount’s second son. She wanted to love a man with all her heart and for him to love her in return.
“I love him. I just want the rest of London society to know that, and understand we are serious about our marriage and future.”
The journey back to London was as boring as James had said he hoped it would be. Without Francis taking up space, Caroline and he were able to spread themselves out on the benches of the coach and sleep most of the day.
A pleasant evening at an inn in Leicester, followed by an overnight stay with friends at Northampton saw them back in London in less than three days. James escorted Caroline inside the front door of the Saunders’s house in Dover Street, before making his hurried exit.
“I have to speak with my father before he meets with the Archbishop of Canterbury on Monday. I shall try to catch up with you before the week is out. Oh, and do send word on the Harry situation.”
With that, he was gone, leaving Caroline standing alone with her luggage, until a pair of burly footmen came and retrieved her things.
She eventually found a friendly face in her father’s study. The door was open, and she knocked on the wooden doorframe as she stepped into the room.
Charles Saunders was seated at his desk. At the sight of his youngest daughter, he leapt from his chair and came to her, pulling her into a fatherly embrace. “Caroline.Ma douce enfant, it is so good to see you. Welcome home. I have missed your sweet face.”
The weight on her shoulders fell away as she lay her head against her father’s chest. Charles was a modern father, not one who kept a distance from his children. Having lost many members of his family during the French Revolution, he was especially close to his offspring.
He leaned back and looked at Caroline a concerned expression on his face. “You have had an interesting time away from London, by all accounts. Have you seen Francis since you arrived home?”
“No, Cousin James literally dumped me and my luggage in the front hallway and then left. I have been in the house for mere minutes,” she replied.
Her father frowned but Caroline decided to leave the question of James alone for the moment.
“Well then, I shall call for tea and inform you of the developments since Francis returned home,” her father said.
Caroline took a seat on a nearby low couch and her father went to his desk. He returned momentarily, with several pieces of paper in his hand, including a copy ofThe Times. He set them on the low table, which was at the end of the couch, and took a seat next to Caroline.
He handed her the newspaper and pointed to a small square bordered notice.
Apology. The Times wishes to acknowledge an editorial error with regard to the false announcement of a betrothal, and hereby issues a full and unreserved apology to the following persons: Mister Harold Menzies of Mount Street, London. Miss Caroline Saunders of Dover Street, London. The error was made by a junior editor whose services have been subsequently terminated.
Caroline put the newspaper down and looked at her father. She dreaded to think how much money had changed hands to get the paper to print the apology. And a young man had lost his employment due to Harry’s pigheadedness.
Charles nodded. “The Timeswere very good about it, though it took Francis quite some effort to get Harry to go with him to Printing House Square. He still had it in his head that you might come to see sense and agree to marry him. It finally took both Harry’s father and myself to get it through his thick skull that you would not be changing your mind.”
“I don’t think it is fair that someone has lost their livelihood over this,” she replied.
Charles handed her a second piece of paper. It was an employment contract for a shipping clerk with the Saunders family business. Caroline read the front and then reached over and placed a tender kiss on her father’s cheek. “I take it this is for the young man who made up the betrothal notice for Harry atThe Times?Thank you, Papa. I shall rest easy knowing we have set matters fairly to right.”
A footman knocked on the door and carried in a tray with a pot of tea and several cups. Adelaide Saunders followed.
