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“It is an unfortunate mistake,” Alexander explained. “Our family butler, Baldwin, is getting rather old. Recently, his sight began to fail him. We have relieved him of most of his duties, but that day there happened to be no one else who could deliver my message, due to its sensitive nature. I asked him to deliver my letter to my lover’s house. He knows who she is, so it is clear that he made a mistake coming here due to his condition. I am truly sorry.”
The Lord's face lit up with relief. “Oh. Although it is a rather ridiculous turn of events, I now understand what happened. I usually trust my daughter and know she would not get involved in scandals, but one cannever know in matters between lovers," he said.
Alexander smiled, nodding. He could onlyimagine how the man felt. He almost laughed in relief. He imagined himself in this situation if Isabella's father discovered what they were up to. Who would have thought it would be due to a silly mistake?
The issue seemed to be over when Lady Campbell suddenly spoke. “It does seem ridiculous! So ridiculous that I do not believe it!”
Alexander glanced up in surprise to find her staring at him with daggers. He winced. It was natural for the mother to be angry in this situation, but heknew he had nothing to do with her daughter, so he just wanted her to calm down and see the truth.
“Dear… as wild as it sounds, it is also plausible… besides, do not you think it is better that this fades away?” the Lord murmured to his wife.
“No. Even if it is plausible, he still wrote a letter to anunmarriedyoung woman to whom he isnotengaged,” the woman said, throwing her nose in the air.
Alexander knew there was some truth to her words as that could also bring about a scandal, but it was not like anyone knew of it. It was not an issue as long as they ignored it.
"There is already whispering among the servants about letters being exchanged between the two of them.People think they are courting! It is made worse by the fact that he's come to meet us today as if he were meeting his intended's parents. If this is not handled appropriately, it shallbe a massive scandal," sheglared at him.
Alexander was shocked, and to his credit, the Lord seemed just as surprised. “If I may ask, what would be an appropriate handling of the situation?”
Lady Campbell looked at him, her face expressionless. "What are you on about?" Marriage of course.”
Alexander nearly laughed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Marriage? I'm sure Miss Campbell is a lovely young lady, but I've never met her. How could I marry her when I already have a lover? After all, I only came because I was invited. Would it not be clear if that were explained?”
“Explained? Do not be naive. They will believe any explanation we provide is merely an excuse. You know how London's gossip mills work. I shall not makea laughingstock out of my daughterbecause of your mistake," the Lady stated emphatically.
Alexander looked to the Lord, hoping that he would see reason, but hestood firm in his support of his wife. "It isunfortunate, but given the circumstances, it appears that this is the only way it can be resolved. I understand your predicament, but I cannot let my daughter be made a fool. I am confident that you shallmake the correct decision. I shall give you some time to do so on your own.”
The finality of the words struck Alexander like a ton of bricks. He was still struggling to comprehend how quickly he had been cornered. Just an hour ago, he was going about his business as if everything was fine. His future had become bleak in a matter of minutes.
"I... I should take my leave.Perhaps we should revisit this discussion another time," he stammered. The Lord dismissed him with a nod, and Alexander couldn't get out of there fast enough. As he rushed out of the room, he collided with someone who was standing just outside.
"Pardon me," he said, holding their arms to keep them from collapsing. It was a woman no taller than his chest, and the skin on her upper arms where he grabbed was so soft that he unconsciously loosened his grip so as not to bruise her. He caught a glimpse of long, sandy tresses and the lightest blue eyes he'd ever seen before the lady dashed away and stowed herself in the nearest room. He paused for a moment, his hands still outstretched. She had moved so quickly that he felt dizzy.
Was that the Lady Caroline?He did nothave much time to think about it before the butler arrived, followed by a group of older women who appeared to be Lady Campbell's friends and were being led inside. Their words quickly drew him out of his thoughts and brought him back to the harsh reality of the present.
“Oh dear! Iheard the rumors, but I couldn't possiblybelieve the Honorable Alexander Mannfield was Caroline's intended!”
CHAPTERTWO
Caroline’s heart was pounding in her chest as she leaned against the door of the drawing room she had escaped into. Her cheeks were red up to her ears, and her arms felt like they were on fire in the place where he had placed his hands. She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself, but it was futile.That was the most handsome man I have set eyes on in my entire life!
She had sneaked up to the door of her father’s study, trying to listen in after Ann had told her that their parents had summoned Alexander Mannfield to the house. She did not feel too sorry for the man at first, as it was not her fault his letter had landed in her hands, but she wanted to know what her parents would tell him, since it involved her as well.
She did not like what she heard at all, and it seemed Alexander, who wanted to marry his lover, did not either. She had been furious, considering whether she should throw her dignity away and burst in there to make her outrage known, when the door had suddenly opened. His hands were so large, going all the way around her upper arm with ease. His eyes were an icy gray made even more stark by his dark locks. His voice, deep and polite, had rumbled in her chest, and set a strange feeling free in her guts.
She ran away like a coward, too shocked to process what she was feeling and still have rational words leave her mouth.It was better I left. I would have, for sure, made a fool of myself.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard voices in the hallway. She pressed her ear to the door just in time to hear Carlisle’s uncomfortable tone. “Ah, ladies, the drawing room is this way. It seems Sir Mannfield was just on his way out, shall we let him go? I am certain he has affairs to tend to.” Caroline cocked her head to the side.We have visitors?
“Oh please, I am certain he can find some time to greet us, we are friends of his soon-to-be mother-in-law after all!” a voice, Lady Silverstein, said. Her face paled at that and the reverie from meeting Alexander vanished instantly, bringing her back to reality. She frowned as she heard the responding laughter from the other women.Why are mother’s friends talking as though I am betrothed to the man?
Caroline was not pleased at all, and from the sound of it, neither was Alexander Mannfield. “I am sure conversation with you lovely ladies would be wonderful, but I must leave.” He sounded like he was walking on broken glass. Caroline winced.
“Pity, I would have loved to hear all about the wedding plans straight from the source. I’ll just have to hear it from Lady Campbell it seems,” Lady Silverstein said.
It seemed Alexander began to see himself out as Carlisle said, “Ah, Sir, let me walk you out.” His words were followed by hurried footsteps and then he added, “Ladies, please use the door in front of you. Lady Campbell shall be with you soon.”
Caroline moved away from the doors just before they opened. The four women who stepped into the room all widened their eyes at the same time.
