Page 6 of Once Bitten, Twice Mine

“My sweet, I’m so sorry to be leaving again so soon.”

Caroline hummed in acknowledgment as she took a sip of tea, daintily placing the off-white china cup back on its saucer covered in garish butterflies. Her mother had awful taste in china. Caroline had chosen an elegant blue-and-white pattern for her wedding gifts. It wasn’t flashy, but a classic pattern would always be in style.

“Just keep with the wedding preparations, and we will be married upon my return,” Edgar continued.

“How long will you be gone?”

“I’m not sure, but it shouldn’t be more than a fortnight, my sweet.”

Caroline wasn’t sure how she was meant to continue wedding planning under those vague instructions, but it wasn’t worth the argument. She certainly had no problem continuing to pick out china patterns and upholstery samples.

“You will write to me, won’t you, dear?”

Once they were engaged, Edgar began to call her “my sweet,” and Caroline knew she needed a pet name for him as well. Dear was the only one that didn’t make her gag. It all felt so rehearsed she didn’t know what its point was, though she wouldn’t be the one to bring that up.

“Of course,” he said, flashing her a bland smile. “I will write as soon as I am able. Though it may take me some time to get settled in at the manor.”

“Of course,” Caroline replied with a bland smile of her own. She worried this was what would become of her life, a series of polite smiles until one of them died.

“I’m sure you’ve told me this many times, Edgar dear, but what is it you’re doing for The Count’s family?”

Her eyes dropped to the intricate lace doily she crocheted ages ago in an attempt to seem casual. Never before had she asked more than a cursory question about his work, so she didn’t want him to grow suspicious.

“They want me to sell their real estate in London and finalize the purchase of a new home in America.”

“So they are moving?” Caroline frowned at the swoop in her stomach at such news. It shouldn’t matter where Valeria was moving.

“Yes, The Count has grown tired of this country and wants to try his hand in the New World.”

“You keep calling him The Count; what is he The Count of?”

Edgar paused, tilting his head for a moment. “You know I’m not entirely sure. Mr. Hawkins has only ever referred to him by the title. I imagine I’ll find out while I’m there. There are many papers for him to sign so I’ll become quite familiar with his given name and title.”

“What country is he from at least?”

She didn’t care about The Count, but she wanted as much information about Valeria as possible. Especially since she wasn’t sure she could collect information directly from the source.

“Somewhere in Eastern Europe, but his family moves around a lot. I think his wife has some illness that causes him to keep strange hours.” Edgar cleared his throat. “Is Lady Valeria still here?”

“Yes.” The ball had only been the previous evening. Mrs. Thomas had visited her earlier, but said Valeria was still in a dead sleep. “I haven’t had the chance to check on her yet. Would you like to join me?”

“No, I don’t wish to disturb her. Besides, I should be on my way.” Edgar’s eyes remained on the table as his speech continued. “I only wish to impress upon precisely how important her family is to my business. The firm couldn’t continue if they were to drop us.”

A tiny spark of anger flared within Caroline. It was one thing for her to be unsure if she could ever love him, but she could certainly be his wife. And a good one at that. “And you think I will be the one to ruin that for you?”

“Of course not, my sweet!” Edgar’s eyes flashed, and his clammy hand darted for hers. “You are an impeccable hostess. I would never dare question your ability. The only reason I brought it up is that I have heard the girl can be…trying, and I didn’t want you to be surprised.”

Her shoulders relaxed a fraction, but her tiny kernel of anger still flickered. “It’s been a few years since we have seen each other, but we were close friends for a time. I’ll be able to handle her.”

Caroline couldn’t remember any eccentricities she had, but they had been young that summer, barely older than children at sixteen. Valeria hadn’t been truly wild, but was unrestrained in a way Caroline had never been. It was one of many things she had admired about her during their summer spent together.

“You know me, I just worry,” Edgar sighed, squeezing her bare hand with a hand nearly as soft as hers. It was the first time they had ever touched skin-to-skin while alone. “Especially because they’ve already sent one agent away and The Count said I was to be the final chance. So nothing can stop this deal or…”

Edgar trailed off, but Caroline nodded. If The Count severed his relationship with Edgar’s firm, there wouldn’t be enough money to revive her family’s estate. Her stomach twisted, but she steeled her spine. There would be no need to resort to desperate tactics.

“You don’t have to worry, dear. I will make sure to treat her as an honored guest.”

“Once this is behind us, we will finally be able to start our life together.” His thumb moved up her hand, rubbing across the pulse point on her wrist. It was the boldest he had ever been with her, and it didn’t set off even a single spark within her. “I will be counting down the days until I can return to your side.”