Charlaine was curious to see Caroline again, and as Fate would have it, the moment Pierce led her onto the terrace of Pembroke Hall, she spotted the woman in question standing off to the side within a group of friends or family.
Dressed in mousy gray, with thick spectacles upon her nose as before, she seemed inconspicuous. Pierce’s gaze, however, found her without delay, and Charlaine could not help but smile, for the moment their eyes met, it seemed like lightning struck.
Indeed, there was something tangible between them, something that reminded Charlaine of that moment at the marketplace long ago when Amancia and Peter had first met.
Caroline’s face paled as she beheld them. Then she quickly mumbled an excuse to her companions and disappeared inside. It seemed for all intents and purposes that she was fleeing the scene, pain etched into her eyes.
“You should go after her,” Charlaine told Pierce as he stood beside her like a stone column, his dark gaze staring after Caroline. “You clearly want to. Don’t let her get away.”
His chest rose and fell with a slow, deep breath before he followed after her.
Returning her gaze to the guests around her, Charlaine belatedly realized that by sending Pierce away, she now found herself alone in the arena facing hungry lions. Frowned expressions greeted her, disapproval and distaste sparking here and there as judgmental eyes swept over her from head to toe.
Of course, Charlaine could have changed her appearance in an effort to hide the differences that made her stand out. That revealed her as an outsider. Emma had kindly offered her help. However, Charlaine had refused.
After all, she was proud of who she was, and she would not dishonor herself or her family by hiding a life she had loved. No, she was who she was, and those who disliked her were simply not worth her time.
With her head held high, Charlaine made her way through the crowd until she came to stand on the edge of the terrace, overlooking the green lawns. Children raced up and down a small slope, their faces aglow with joy and effort. One little girl waved to her, and Charlaine waved back, cherishing the way children saw the world.
With kindness and curiosity.
Indeed, it was a beautiful day, and Charlaine determinedly pushed away all dark thoughts and decided to enjoy it. Her skin warmed under the sun’s rays, and she felt its effect deep within her soul. The lawn beckoned to her to lose her shoes, but she refrained, not wishing to embarrass Pierce. And besides, she had promised Albert.
Thoughts of Pierce’s ancient butler brought a deep smile to her face for he reminded her of her own father, always trying to teach, to impart wisdom, to counsel and protect. Pierce had told her that Albert had lost his own daughter a few years back and still grieved her loss.
Perhaps it was Fate that they had come into each other’s lives.
After a small eternity, Charlaine glimpsed Caroline return to the terrace, her face taut and her eyes filled with sorrow. With a look over her shoulder as though afraid that someone might be following her, she approached an elderly couple—presumably her parents.
Sighing, Charlaine marched across the terrace and neared the French doors the second Pierce stepped through, his gaze tense as it swept over the assembled guests, clearly looking for someone.
For Caroline.
Apparently, whatever had happened had not gone well. “I assume you didn’t tell her you loved her,” Charlaine remarked, unable to hide that hint of reproach that came to her voice. “Otherwise, she would not be so furious.” She tugged on his arm, urging him to look at her. “What did you say to her?”
Swallowing, Pierce finally met her gaze. “I will not discuss this with you,” he growled, frustration written all over his face.
“Well, you should discuss it with her,” Charlaine pointed out, pained to see two people apart who should be together. She reached for his hand, and his eyes returned to hers. “Sometimes loss cannot be remedied,” she whispered, feeling a catch in her throat as she remembered the moment Peter had closed his eyes for the last time. “Sometimes it is final, and there is nothing we can do about it.” Her eyes darted to Caroline. “This is not one of those times, and you’d do well to remember it.”
Pierce’s gaze softened, and she could see that her words had reached him. “You’re right,” he whispered, gently brushing a tear from her cheek she had not even been aware of. “I will speak to her again.” A smile tugged on his lips. “Thank you for wearing shoes today.”
Charlaine laughed, loving him for always knowing what to say. “Albert convinced me.”
“Did he now?” Pierce asked, incredulity in his gaze. “How on earth did he manage that?”
Charlaine could not help but grin as she recalled the mischievous twinkle in Albert’s gaze when he had spoken to her earlier that day. “He said it would hurt less if I ever needed to step on someone’s toes, and it would be more effective.” She had read concern on Albert’s face and wondered how much he knew about how she had been received by the ton. She loved him for not urging her to change, but to stand tall and proud.
“Whose toes do you intend to step on?”
Charlaine shrugged. “I have no immediate plans. But a woman always needs to be prepared.” Her eyes swept over the assembled guests, unwilling to allow anyone to intimidate her. Eyes met hers here and there, but Charlaine did not drop her gaze.
In her mind’s eye, she could see Albert nodding to her encouragingly.
“I hope you’re enjoying yourselves,” Lord Pembroke greeted them with a wide smile as he strode to their side.
Pierce nodded. “It is a splendid celebration, however, I cannot help but be surprised by it.” He regarded his friend with teasing interest. “I thought you detested the ton.”
Lord Pembroke laughed. He was a young man with laughing eyes and an honest countenance. Charlaine liked him instantly. “I cannot say my opinion has changed in that regard. Now, however, I have a wife to consider and she has a cousin very dear to her.” When he said cousin, Charlaine thought she heard a deeper meaning behind that one word and couldn’t help but wonder if Lord Pembroke suspected that there was something between Pierce and his wife’s cousin, Caroline.
Then he cleared his throat and his gaze moved to her. “Would you grant me a moment alone with my friend?”
Charlaine smiled at him. “Not at all.” Then she grinned at Pierce. “If you need me, I’ll be on the lookout for toes to step on.”
Pierce chuckled, then turned to his friend as she made to step away. Perhaps Lord Pembroke could convince Pierce not to waste any more time and finally reveal to Caroline how deeply he cared for her.
Sighing, Charlaine returned to watch the children. Always had she found their unrestrained joy a healing balm for the soul. Whenever her days had been filled with darkness, whenever there had been pain too crushing to bear, Charlaine had done her best to remember her childhood, that way of living in the moment, her eyes focused only on the here and now, finding joys all around her.
The warmth of the sun.
The way the waves rolled over her feet.
The smile of someone she loved.
Laughter had always been the best medicine. Laughter and silliness. Following a hunch. Trudging through the forest or across a field. Getting her hands and feet dirty. Exhausting her limbs.
And a friend by her side.