She laid a hand on his arm. “Your father was, in his own way, a decent husband to me.”
“Meaning he kept quiet about his affairs, rather than flaunting them as he had when married to my mother.”
“The divorce broke him.”
“The divorce. My mother’s betrayals. My joining the army. He always had some grievance.”
“I know.” She snorted. “You have no idea how well I know.”
“Bessie says that after my mother died, you kept up a correspondence with Mr. Vane.”
She paled. “I did. And, when he decided to make his life here, I allowed him to visit Emily.” Her gaze fell. “I know I’ve broken your trust, but Emily took to him—”
“Emily,” he replied, “takes to everyone.”
“Yes, but she said there was something she liked especially about Mr. Vane. And he was so good with her. So interested ineverything she had to say—and not in the kind of encroaching manner of most young men.”
“Perhaps because he is her brother?”
Caroline covered her mouth. Her hand was shaking. He frowned at her trembling fingers.
“Are you sure Emily was the one taken with Mr. Vane?
She didn’t answer.
“You’re blushing.”
“Am I?”
“Have you developed atendrefor him?”
Her eyes went wide. “He’s just such a gentleman. So mild. So softspoken. Overly conscientious, perhaps, but honest, and thoughtful—”
“The opposite of a D’Acre.”
“If you’re referring to your father, then yes.” She sighed. “Perhaps I was developing atendre, but he’s Emily’s brother.”
Though not illegal, Adrian could she why she would hesitate.
“Caroline, I cannot publicly acknowledge any relationship to him. Why must you deny your feelings? Mr. Vane grew up on the Continent. He’s the known son of a respected diplomat. No one is likely to make the connection to my mother.”
“A romantic connection would be unthinkable. Imagine if you and I had developed feelings for one another—”
“A romantic connection between you and I would not just be unthinkable, but an abomination. Mr. Vane is another case entirely.”
“He’s your brother. Emily’s brother.”
“Yes. But not my father’s son.”
Her eyes remained troubled.
For years, Emily had been safe with Caroline, leaving him free to, he’d thought, pursue his own interests. But if Bessie were to be believed, he’d merely been free to nurse his wounds and indulge the worst of his whims.
He’d felt the truth in Bessie’s accusations from the start, but only now did he truly see how his indulgence had come at the expense of the women in his life.
Caroline had, perhaps for the first time in her life, fallen in love. And she was prepared to deny herself happiness for Emily’s sake.
Ah.What a tender heart she had.
