Jeremy winced theatrically.
“It is no longer with us,” he said, with great solemnity. “May it rest in peace.”
Caroline dissolved into laughter, and Jeremy looked pleased with himself.
“I like her enormously,” Jeremy announced to Damien, as if Caroline were not sitting directly beside him. “You have done well for yourself.”
“Thank you,” Caroline said, before Damien could respond. “I like you enormously, too.”
“Of course you do, dearest,” Jeremy replied, entirely without arrogance. “Everyone does. It is both a gift and a burden.”
“The burden being?” Caroline asked.
“That people are forever wanting my company, and I simply cannot be everywhere at once,” Jeremy said, heaving a dramatic sigh. “It is exhausting, truly.”
Caroline pressed her lips together, clearly fighting a smile.
“It sounds dreadful,” she said sympathetically.
As Damien listened, he watched how easily Jeremy seemed to make Caroline laugh, and he wondered if Adrian might be right. What if he let go a little? Would his guard fall and lead him toward pain as he feared? Or would he feel safer, happier, and be able to encourage Caroline’s beautiful laugh to tumble from her lips more often? Perhaps with Jeremy back, he might just be able to try.
He then felt a small kick at his leg, and only then realized that he had become so lost in such thoughts that he had stopped massaging Caroline’s foot. He grinned, picked up her foot again, and decided that yes, he certainly was going to try.
Chapter 18
“Which ones do you like?” Caroline asked, looking down at the little boy standing between her and Jeremy.
George continued to stare at the invitation samples before him as he stroked his little chin, as if he were about to make the most serious decision of his life. It had been almost a week since Jeremy had joined them, and Caroline had been delighted with how quickly he had bonded with the boy. If he had any reservations about the child, he certainly did not show it. Instead, he had allowed George to help with the preparations for the ball, which in turn had brought him even further out of his shell.
In fact, the entire household, including herself, appeared to breathe a little easier with his presence. He always seemed to go for a jest as often as possible, and he had a way of noticing things about people that made them feel seen. A compliment about a maid’s new hairstyle or the housekeeper’s fine embroidery on her collar was enough to make them all giggle, blush, and insist he not distract them so.
“I-I like this one,” George stated at last, picking up the middle invitation.
Jeremy snapped his fingers as he grinned and did a little dance that had both George and Caroline giggling. The invitation’s thick paper was light gray, with a brilliant blue, elegant script font that stood out beautifully against the darker paper. The edges were trimmed in gold, and a miniature silk ribbon cravat that matched the blue ink sat at the top center of the invitation.
“You are a man of taste, my boy,” Jeremy praised excitedly. “That is precisely the one I wanted!”
“Well done, Georgie,” Caroline added cheerfully.
George’s answering smile was brilliant, and his shoulders, which now had a little more meat to them, squared as he puffed out his chest with pride.
“So when is the party?” George asked. “May I attend?”
“Two weeks from tomorrow,” Jeremy answered, then his bright green eyes grew sympathetic as he crouched down to be level with George. “However, I unfortunately must say that the ball is only for adults. Do not worry, though, I will ensure that averylarge platter of treats is taken up to your room. How does that sound?”
Though George looked disappointed at not being able to come to the party, he gave a nod.
“I do like treats,” he admitted. “I suppose that is good enough.”
“There’s a good lad,” Jeremy praised, and as he patted the boy’s shoulder, Caroline noted that George did not flinch.
He has come so very far. Perhaps when his parents are found, and it is time for me to leave, I should try to host him a little party of his own.
The thought of leaving Ravenshaw House made her sadder than she thought possible, and she quickly shooed away the thought. She was having too much fun with Jeremy and George and did not want to dampen the day.
“Shall we move on to our next task?” Caroline asked, reaching for the list Jeremy gave her a few days ago. “We have the orchestra booked, the extra maids and footmen hired, and now the invitations,” she read off the list. “Should we move on to the dance cards? And then perhaps we should create the menu?”
“Excellent,” Jeremy agreed with gusto.
