“So we hear, Sanderly,” said Lady Grandison. “But where does one reach the scamp?”
“Bethany Baldeston will know,” Sanderly said and unexpectedly turned his compelling blue eyes on Carina, who froze all over again. “Isn’t she a friend of yours, Miss Jasper?”
Heat surged into Carina’s cheeks. “I would not presume to claim friendship.”
“Iwould,” Lady Grandison said wryly. “I have already invited her to the wedding, but I’m not sure she’s at home for purposes of tracing her brother.” She frowned at Carina. “Was she not going to some party or other?”
Carina swallowed. “I believe she was going to Lady Hawthorn’s for a couple of weeks, but since then I have no idea.”
Sanderly shrugged. “Oh well, if he shows up, I’ll ask him. If not, Jon Berry will do it, I’m sure. Or Wolf—I know he and his wife will be here.”
Rousing herself, Carina began distributing cups of tea from Lady Grandison to the others, while Lily and Rose offered plates around.
Lady Grandison said, “What do you think of inviting the Duke of Death? I hearhewas at Lady Hawthorn’s and I must admit I cursed myself for missing the event, but she informed me he is betrothed to the Dowager Lady Sark. We could invite them both.”
“Tabitha’s fine but her family is awful. Sark is—”
“Oh, haven’t you heard? Sark is no longer Sark! TherealSark is some American or Canadian or something. It was quite theon-ditof the country.”
Carina, bewildered, felt relieved she wasn’t expected to contribute in any way.
Sanderly himself looked entirely uninterested. “By all means, invite Isbourne—I knew him when we were boys—and Tabitha Sark and anyone else you wish. We’re already in your debt for hosting this here.”
“You do have the special license?” Sir John asked.
“I do.”
As the conversation jumped around, with frequent contributions from the children which did not seem to bediscouraged, Carina noticed that Sanderly’s gaze was frequently on his betrothed. They exchanged glances and fugitive smiles, and brushed hands as they stood up to walk in the garden. Carina suspected a genuine love match, quite against the odds, and was relieved for Harriet’s sake. Along with that gladness, however, came an unexpected surge of longing.
She hated this weakness, this foolish yearning for the impossible. But she could not help worrying about Durward. Would he take advantage of this second chance he’d been given, and stop duelling, risking his life and others’? Would he settle down and marry? She had the feeling he should, yet the pain of it made her fingers curl into fists.
He said he would come back, a plaintive, pleading little voice kept whispering in her mind, but his rejection made a mockery of that. It had been said to make her feel better, a sop to her pride. Not as a promise, not as a desire.
Viscounts did not marry the daughters of merchant sea captains, especially not captains reduced by drink to jobbing tugboat pilots. She had been seduced, not by Durward but by her own silly imagination.
“Are you betrothed, Miss Jasper?” Rose asked her suddenly as they returned to the schoolroom to put everything away.
Carina started, flushing, as though the child had somehow read her thoughts. “No, of course not. Why should you think so?”
“Everyone we know or hear of these days is either betrothed or married,” Orchid said on her other side with some disapproval. “At least those who are pretty and not old. Like you.”
“Thank you,” Carina said. “I think.”
“Don’t you want to be married?” Rose asked.
“I couldn’t be your governess if I was married,” Carina pointed out.
Orchid looked much struck.
But Lily, who was observant as well as a few years older, turned her head and smiled. “Butthatis not your reason.”
Carina sailed into the schoolroom ahead of them. “No, but it is a fact. I am glad to be your governess.” She even hoped Harriet might keep her on when the children went to live with her and Sanderly. Only Sanderly did seem to be rather closely associated with Lord Durward...
Her stomach dived. She might see him if and when he arrived at Grand Court for the wedding. But she would make sure he did not see her.
The children were all anxious to go about their own free time and the conversation mercifully moved on. But later on that evening, after she had read a story to Orchid that they all listened to, Rose returned to the subject.
“Is there no one you wouldliketo be married to?”
