Page 82 of Once Bitten, Twice Mine

She couldn’t overlook the harm Valeria had caused. Not this time.

When Mrs. Thomas called them to dinner, Caroline took Edgar’s arm with a smile. As they tucked into their seats across the table from one another, she knew this was a sneak peek at what the rest of their life would be together. Looking at him didn’t give her butterflies, but no part of her feared him. They could walk together in the sun, and that would be enough. More than enough.

“This looks so cozy. It’s a shame I wasn’t invited.”

CHAPTER 22

“Lady Valeria, what are you doing here?” Caroline asked, her voice going up so high-pitched that Edgar flinched.

“It’s dinner time, isn’t it?” She asked with an arched brow as she sat beside her.

Valeria looked so good Caroline wanted to weep. Her cheeks had filled out again, and her skin was smooth, lush, and glowing. The bags beneath her eyes were gone, and her shiny hair looked softer than silk as it was piled high on her head. Even her movements were more graceful and fluid than she had been in days. Caroline hadn’t realized just how frail she had become. There was no way she looked this good after being gone overnight without killing at least a few people.

“Our Miss Blythe certainly keeps a schedule, doesn’t she?” Edgar said with a polite smile from across the table.

“It does make her easy to find. Though I am surprised to see you. She didn’t tell me you were returning.”

Edgar’s lips turned down, but it wasn’t quite a frown. Though it may have been the most negative expression she had ever seen him make. “She didn’t know. My return was a surprise because the journey was hard on me and I wasn’t sure how long it would take from London.”

“Well, that certainly explains it. Even though she barely mentioned you while you were gone. It’s such a shame you left your pretty fiancée alone for so long.”

Caroline stiffened as heat shot across her face. She hadn’t thought she could be more upset at her than she already was after the previous day, but she was furious. It was one thing to fluster her when they were alone, but Edgar was to be her husband. He could never know anything about what transpired between them.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better, but please don’t feel that you have to strain yourself just to have dinner with us,” Caroline said with a strained smile. “I know the sick bed is a lonely place, but I’m afraid you’re still a bit delirious.”

She caught Valeria’s eyes as she gritted out the last of her statement, but the woman only gave her a sly grin before turning back to Edgar.

“Isn’t she so sweet, our little nurse. Always putting others first, but never too shy to share her healing touch with others.”

Edgar’s hand tightened on his fork, but Caroline couldn’t read his face, and her heart pounded so hard it was the only thing she could hear. She prayed that he only thought Valeria was grating and didn’t understand her subtext. No matter how thick she was laying it on.

“My sweet, why don’t you get your guest a plate so she can dine with us?”

“No need, cara. I’m already quite full.”

Caroline ground her teeth. As if she needed the reminder of how many innocent souls fed her beauty.

“I didn’t think Mrs. Thomas was sending trays up to you anymore.”

“She didn’t, but I managed to find my own meal.”

“You certainly were gone for long enough. Though, I’m not sure if you should be welcomed back with open arms if you’re going to be eating elsewhere.”

“I didn’t realize Cook was so jealous.”

“I am glad you’re feeling well enough to dine out, Lady Valeria,” Edgar said, ignoring the tension between them. “The Count was worried when you were here for so long. Far longer than you said you would be.”

Caroline frowned as Valeria stiffened; her air of casualty was threatened. “What else did he say about me?”

Edgar shrugged. “He only mentioned you periodically. At first he said you would be along shortly, but he became agitated with how long it was taking you to recover.”

“It does seem like you spent a lot of time with The Count, but signing a few papers shouldn’t take very long. What happened?” Valeria asked.

“You mean before I fell ill?”

“Of course.”

There was a tension between them that Caroline couldn’t read, but she hated it.