Once they reached Burton-on-Trent, James’s thoughts moved to the question of finding his friends. The town was bigger and more crowded than he had expected. Not long after they’d arrived in the main street, they were forced to alight from the carriage. Walking the short distance into the town square, they were greeted with the sight of row upon row of market stalls, all selling local produce.
“I didn’t realize it would be this big,” James said, taking in the view. He chanced a glance at Caroline, but she was looking elsewhere. He noticed a subtle change in her black mood. She had gone from being quiet and distracted, to being on edge.
Julian pointed toward a small double-story public house which stood on the corner of the square. A sign was hanging above the doorway of the whitewashed building. The Union Inn.
He turned back to Julian who, after looking briefly in Caroline’s direction, nodded toward the tavern. His message was clear; Caroline would be safe with him and Lady Margaret. James hesitated, torn between his need to support his cousin and the burning desire to seize his future.
He took hold of Caroline’s arm and she looked up at him. The sadness in her eyes was heartbreaking.
“There is The Union Inn. Are you still alright for me to go and see my friends?” he said.
Caroline muttered a low, “Yes. You need to do this, James.”
“Caroline will be fine with Lady Margaret and myself. There is plenty to see and do here at the market,” said Julian.
“Thank you. I shan’t be long,” said James. With more haste than he knew was polite, he made a hurried dash across the square.
He would gauge Caroline’s mood once he returned, and if she was still amenable to his spending a day or so with his friends in the wilds of Derbyshire, he would leave Burton with the two Tims rather than return to Newhall Castle. In the meantime, he could only hope that Julian was able to work his magic and bring Caroline out of her funk. But as soon as he opened the door of the inn and saw his friends waiting for him, all doubt fled.
By day’s end, he would be somewhere in the Marchington Woodlands.
Chapter Nineteen
James hadn’t counted on the bitter, biting wind which greeted him upon arrival in the Marchington Woodlands. The tiny stone cottage which his friends occupied had an even smaller fireplace than the one in their attic in London. It didn’t take him long to understand why neither of his friends removed their coats even when they were inside.
“I thought all those Christmases and New Year’s at Strathmore Castle in Scotland would have hardened me up for this, but I must confess—I am absolutely freezing,” he said.
Smith chuckled. “I take it Newhall and his drafty castle don’t seem as bad as you thought now?”
“No. Actually it has been a good stay. Newhall, it turns out, is quite a decent chap. His home is warm and inviting. I shall be loath to leave when the time comes,” he replied.
Walters frowned. There had been an awkward meeting between the two parties in the middle of the market at Burton. Upon seeing Caroline, Timothy Walters had pushed Julian aside before gushing and fawning over Caroline. She had not seemed the least bit happy to see Walters. James had felt embarrassed for both his cousin and his friend.
“How long is Caroline staying at Newhall Castle? Perhaps we could all travel over to visit. We didn’t get much of an opportunity to spend time with her today,” said Walters.
Out of the corner of his eye, James caught the slight shake of Smith’s head and a silently mouthed “no.” He gave a touch of a nod in reply.
“Lord Newhall may not take kindly to unannounced visitors. Radley, how about you and I go and get some more wood for the fire? I think tonight is going to be a cold one,” said Smith.
As soon as the two of them were outside, Smith took hold of James’s arm and pulled him close. He looked back to the door of the cottage, but their mutual friend remained inside.
“You need to keep him away from your cousin. He has it set in his mind to marry her. He ignored her wishes and went to see her father. Charles Saunders rightly refused him, but Walters did not take it well. She is all he ever talks about. And from the look on Newhall’s face today, I was left with the distinct impression that Caroline is about to become the next Countess Newhall,” said Smith.
The pieces of the puzzle now fell into place for James. Little wonder Francis had backed out of getting the Prince Regent to buy any of the two Tims’ paintings. If Timothy Walters was an unwelcome suitor for his sister, Francis was not going to want to have anything to do with them.
What was it with some men? Here was yet another stubborn male who had decided that what he wanted carried more weight than the stated wishes of a young woman. First Guy, then Harry, now Timothy.
At least Caroline had the support of her family when it came to suitors. Unlike Leah, she would not be pressured into marrying a man she did not love.
“Thank you. It explains a lot, replied James.
Smith bent and picked up a log, then piled several more into his arms. James followed suit. It would look odd if they returned to the cottage empty-handed.
When they were inside, he didn’t say anything to Walters about what Smith had revealed regarding Caroline, and he was careful not to make mention of her again. A headache threatened just at the prospect of yet another male trying to force his marital intentions on a young woman against her wishes.
His thoughts turned to Leah. He quickly chided himself for his selfishness. An awkward conversion with Smith and a headache was nothing compared to what she was facing.
He grabbed his sketchbook and headed back outside, hopeful that the cold, clear air would be a balm for his worried mind.
