Read Online The Secret of Castlegate Manor by Karen Cogan - Free Book Online
Authors: Karen Cogan
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endeavor to see that no harm comes to anyone."
"So, I am to understand you have been hired by this gentleman to depose Lord Humphrey?"
"Have you a better plan, my lady? Perhaps you would prefer to marry him."
Caroline shivered. Geoffrey did not fail to note the effect of his words.
"I do not wish to marry Lord Humphrey."
"Then I have not misjudged your character, my lady. But be wary. I should not be able to abide myself should any misfortune befall you."
Caroline smiled, peering to see his handsome features shaded by the shadows of the trees. "It relieves my fears only to know that you shall be espying the possible misdeeds of the Viscount."
Geoffrey looked into the upturned face and knew if he did not escape, he would pull her to him and claim the bright lips with a kiss. Such a grave social error would shock her to the core and, no doubt, erase the trust he saw shining in her dark eyes.
She thought of him as a groom, hired by a nobleman to secure his estate from the clutches of the iniquitous Lord Humphrey. He must be careful to sustain that impression. Until he completed the task before him, he must put all amorous thoughts from his mind. He must remember the necessity for this beautiful young lady to remain lure for the trap he would lay. Yet the longer he knew her, the more difficult it became to believe the risk worth the possible price.
He studied her face, his thoughts in turmoil. "You had better return, my lady, before anyone suspects ill of your absence." His uneasy emotions made his words curt.
He turned from her and paced to the stables. Caroline watched the retreat of his broad shoulders, struggling with the confusion in her heart. She had seen the concern in his eyes when he had promised to look out for her. Did his promise rise from a sense of duty or a deeper sentiment?
She picked up her skirts and hurried to the house. She had come here to marry a member of the ton, not a simple groom, no matter how powerful his employer might be. She would carry out her plan. And she would ignore any attempt by her traitorous heart to bewitch her into changing her mind.
CHAPTER SIX
The carriage was repaired and the trip into Bath commenced the following morning. This time Geoffrey accompanied John Coachman to act as footman and protector of the ladies. His formal behavior chilled Caroline after their intimate talk in the woods. She chastised herself for wishing it otherwise.
The conversation of gowns and guest lists lacked the giddy abandon of the first attempt. Though they had been assured that the carriage had been personally inspected by John Coachman prior to the trip, the occupants struggled with the memory of the frightening misadventure of the preceding day.
Spirits lightened as they rolled across Pulteney Bridge. Safely into town, a sense of security enveloped them. Lady Aberly chatted in light-hearted abandon about the various shops they would visit and the tea room at which they were to meet Lady Ruyter.
Madame Marian's sign for her establishment came into view. John Coachman drew the carriage to a stop. Caroline's hands trembled as she disembarked in front of the famous modiste.
Her fears were soon put to ease as the stylish proprietress graciously greeted Lady Aberly and the two young women. "With three such elegant figures, I shall find my creations the talk of the town," she proclaimed, including Caroline in her assertion.
The ladies accepted lemonade and settled into gilt chairs in the elegant workroom with walls of flowered satin silk.
"I trust you have been well?" asked Madame Marian.
Lady Aberly launched into an account of the unfortunate carriage mishap, a story which she now seemed to enjoy retelling. She provided such embellishment and detail that Caroline soon quite despaired of ever getting on with the reason for the visit.
However, after the polite coze, the modiste proved more than efficient. As her assistants brought out various fabrics
"So, I am to understand you have been hired by this gentleman to depose Lord Humphrey?"
"Have you a better plan, my lady? Perhaps you would prefer to marry him."
Caroline shivered. Geoffrey did not fail to note the effect of his words.
"I do not wish to marry Lord Humphrey."
"Then I have not misjudged your character, my lady. But be wary. I should not be able to abide myself should any misfortune befall you."
Caroline smiled, peering to see his handsome features shaded by the shadows of the trees. "It relieves my fears only to know that you shall be espying the possible misdeeds of the Viscount."
Geoffrey looked into the upturned face and knew if he did not escape, he would pull her to him and claim the bright lips with a kiss. Such a grave social error would shock her to the core and, no doubt, erase the trust he saw shining in her dark eyes.
She thought of him as a groom, hired by a nobleman to secure his estate from the clutches of the iniquitous Lord Humphrey. He must be careful to sustain that impression. Until he completed the task before him, he must put all amorous thoughts from his mind. He must remember the necessity for this beautiful young lady to remain lure for the trap he would lay. Yet the longer he knew her, the more difficult it became to believe the risk worth the possible price.
He studied her face, his thoughts in turmoil. "You had better return, my lady, before anyone suspects ill of your absence." His uneasy emotions made his words curt.
He turned from her and paced to the stables. Caroline watched the retreat of his broad shoulders, struggling with the confusion in her heart. She had seen the concern in his eyes when he had promised to look out for her. Did his promise rise from a sense of duty or a deeper sentiment?
She picked up her skirts and hurried to the house. She had come here to marry a member of the ton, not a simple groom, no matter how powerful his employer might be. She would carry out her plan. And she would ignore any attempt by her traitorous heart to bewitch her into changing her mind.
CHAPTER SIX
The carriage was repaired and the trip into Bath commenced the following morning. This time Geoffrey accompanied John Coachman to act as footman and protector of the ladies. His formal behavior chilled Caroline after their intimate talk in the woods. She chastised herself for wishing it otherwise.
The conversation of gowns and guest lists lacked the giddy abandon of the first attempt. Though they had been assured that the carriage had been personally inspected by John Coachman prior to the trip, the occupants struggled with the memory of the frightening misadventure of the preceding day.
Spirits lightened as they rolled across Pulteney Bridge. Safely into town, a sense of security enveloped them. Lady Aberly chatted in light-hearted abandon about the various shops they would visit and the tea room at which they were to meet Lady Ruyter.
Madame Marian's sign for her establishment came into view. John Coachman drew the carriage to a stop. Caroline's hands trembled as she disembarked in front of the famous modiste.
Her fears were soon put to ease as the stylish proprietress graciously greeted Lady Aberly and the two young women. "With three such elegant figures, I shall find my creations the talk of the town," she proclaimed, including Caroline in her assertion.
The ladies accepted lemonade and settled into gilt chairs in the elegant workroom with walls of flowered satin silk.
"I trust you have been well?" asked Madame Marian.
Lady Aberly launched into an account of the unfortunate carriage mishap, a story which she now seemed to enjoy retelling. She provided such embellishment and detail that Caroline soon quite despaired of ever getting on with the reason for the visit.
However, after the polite coze, the modiste proved more than efficient. As her assistants brought out various fabrics
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