Page 89 of Once Bitten, Twice Mine

Her cheeks heated because she knew what he meant. She had the same thoughts hundreds of times. Thousands even. Every time her resentment got to be too much, those same thoughts poisoned her until she feared all of her ugliest thoughts would spill from her.

He sighed. “It’s not being disloyal since we are family. Our jobs are the same, to protect the Blythes. You do so on a smaller scale, but you’re running this house and the property and all of your father’s businesses. Even without speaking with him at your engagement party, I knew the truth. That conversation only confirmed you’re very good at it.”

Caroline snorted. “I’m not doing a good job. We’re nearly dead broke, and I don’t know how to fix the failing crops. The house is crumbling. We have to shut off more and more rooms as the roof is caving in, and there’s more rot in the walls and floors found every day.”

If anything, she was only keeping the estate from the final death rattle, willing it to stay alive because she was too stubborn to give up.

“Do you think you’re the only house with this problem? I know many barons, viscounts, and even a few dukes in similar situations. They’re looking for all kinds of heiresses without even caring about their breeding. A few are even looking at America for options.”

“Then why are you so upset that I am marrying Mr. Andrews if I’m doing the same thing your friends are?”

“Yes, but you’re marrying a man who has already proven to be ambitious. He won’t want to wait around for your inheritance. Which means you will be dragged away on some foolish errand of his. Or, worse, he’ll think he knows better than you and undo all your good work.”

Caroline frowned. “We’ve discussed it, and he wants to stay here and work with Father on the estate. We’re going to be partners.”

The smile her uncle gave her was so condescending she wanted to slap him. “Of course, I’m sure he even believed it when he told you, but I have to ask, where is he now?”

A sharp rap sounded before Mrs. Thomas entered the room.

“Mr. Andrews is here to see you, Miss.”

“Let’s ask him.” She turned to Mrs. Thomas and schooled her features in preparation for her fiancé’s arrival. “Please send him in.”

“What a treat; he can tell us his plans for the future to prove I’m right.”

“No, you’ll see that I’m right.” She hesitated, knowing she wasn’t about to do Edgar any favors with how her uncle saw him, but his state would be obvious the moment he saw him. “He isn’t feeling well. He fell ill on his trip to London, which delayed his return.”

Edgar walked into the room before her uncle could respond, but his lips pressed in a firm line. She didn’t care if he liked Edgar. He was to be her husband, so her opinion was the only one that mattered. Though it would be inconvenient if her family hated her husband.

“I didn’t realize you had a guest, my sweet. It’s good to see you again, my Lord,” Edgar said with a small bow, and her uncle lazily waved him off.

“My niece told me you were ill, but I think she undersold your condition. Are you sure you should be out of bed? I can’t afford to get sick.”

Edgar smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I can assure you I feel much better. My illness was difficult to manage in London, but the promise of returning to my beloved bride fueled me.”

“I’m sure it did.”

“Now that he’s back, we have returned to wedding planning and are hopeful to be married shortly,” Caroline said with a tight smile. “I just have to fetch my parents from Brighton. I believe my father is well enough to travel.”

Her uncle snorted. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. He wrote me a letter sprouting such madness that it’s what brought me here. He went on about demons in the house and how you were sure to be the next victim. It was a lot of nonsense, but I wanted to prove to him that you’re fine.”

Caroline’s heart thumped. She didn’t know how many details the letter contained, but she was glad Valeria was gone. Her uncle didn’t seem suspicious, but he was moved to visit, and he had the best poker face she’d ever seen. Any emotion he showed was purposeful.

She scrambled for a response, but Edgar beat her to it. “As you can see, your niece is perfectly fine. Mr. Blythe’s illness hit him hard, and it will take some time for the hallucinations to leave him, but even if he isn’t fully recovered, we still want him here for the wedding of his only daughter. Besides, it’s better if he’s home in case he takes a turn for the worse.”

Caroline frowned. She had never told Edgar what was wrong with her father.

“I would like for him to see a specialist. I worry that what he has can’t be cured by the sea air.”

“I’m sure he’s fine. My mother said he has greatly improved. I don’t think being here will make him any worse.” Especially since what made him sick is now gone. And never coming back. No matter how Caroline feels about that.

“I’ll get them so you can stay here and finish planning the wedding. My horses are faster anyway. Do you have a date?”

“Three weeks from today,” Edgar said, not even looking to Caroline for confirmation. “I let the vicar know on my way here. The church ceremony will be family and close friends, but we will have a massive reception here that night.”

“Oh, will we?” Caroline bit out, unable to keep the bitterness from her tone. She had tried to get him to participate for ages, but he only cared about their wedding now that her uncle was there. “I hope this means I can finally get your guest list.”

The viscount’s eyes slid between them, and he gave Caroline a meaningful look. She didn’t want him to be right about Edgar’s social climbing.