Page 3 of Once Bitten, Twice Mine

Her uncle smiled. “See, you’re my favorite because you’re clever.”

“That’s not an answer.” It was a fool’s dream to think he would part with the money out of the goodness of his heart. They were family, but he was a viscount first and foremost. If he made a deal that was good for her, it would be better for him. “Besides, I’m already solving the issue with my marriage.”

“And what if I told you the Andrews family didn’t have as much money as you thought?”

Caroline froze. She wasn’t marrying Edgar only for his money, but she needed it to pay down the debts before they spiraled out of control.

And they needed a new roof.

“Lord Blythe, I’m so glad you were able to make it to our party,” Edgar said as he walked up beside her, looking at her with a raised brow.

She nodded and flashed him a small, grateful smile. Surely this man hadn’t lied to her. Her uncle was likely bending the truth to get what he wanted from her.

“Of course, you’ll be family soon,” her uncle said, eyes tightening.

Luckily, someone else came over to speak with the Viscount, so she was able to pull Edgar away.

“Edgar,” she whispered. “Is there an issue with the money to pay off the estate’s debts?”

“Of course not,” he frowned. “Why do you ask?”

“My uncle seems to be under the impression that you don’t have the money.”

She stopped him on the side of the dance floor so she could look him in the eye and determine his sincerity. He paled at her statement, and her stomach dropped.

“It’s not what you think, I promise. The money is mostly there, and it will be by the time we marry. That’s why I’m going on this business trip. It will be enough to pay the last of your debt and to set ourselves up for a good life. Once I’m a partner, we will never have to worry about money again.”

Caroline let out a deep breath. “That explains why you must go away again, I suppose.”

“I promise you won’t have to worry about money again, my sweet. I will never let you lose the estate. Not you or your parents.”

“Thank you.” She took her fiancé’s hand and squeezed. Maybe he didn’t make her heart race, but he took care of her. Which was better.

A high peal of musical laughter sounded from across the ballroom, drawing her attention to a woman clad in black silk with yellow detailing, and her head thrown back in laughter. When she lifted her head, Caroline got a good look at her. The woman had a golden complexion, dark brown hair curled into an updo with yellow roses sewn in that matched her dress. Dark brown eyes caught hers, and she gasped. Quickly, Caroline looked down, her cheeks heating at being caught, but even after all these years, she would never forget her face.

“Ah, there’s someone I want to introduce you to.”

Edgar led her across the room, and she said a little prayer that fate wouldn’t be so unkind to her at her engagement party. Perhaps she was wrong. It had been years since their one summer spent together at the vineyard in Italy.

Fate had forsaken her as Edgar stopped in front of the very last woman Caroline ever thought she would see again.

“Lady Valeria, thank you so much for coming out this evening. Allow me to introduce you to my fiancée, Miss Caroline Blythe.”

She knew she should curtsy, or say something, or at least smile, but she remained frozen. It was the very same Valeria she had once known.

“Your fiancée and I are already acquainted, aren’t we, cara?” She said in a voice richer than she remembered, but it gave her the same butterflies she always had around her.

“Yes.” Her mouth felt like sandpaper, but somehow she formed the words. “Lady Valeria and I met when my family was vacationing in Italy a few summers ago.”

“I believe it was eight summers ago, Miss Blythe.”

It was, but Caroline hadn’t wanted to seem like she was counting.

“What a small world!” Edgar said with genuine surprise as he looked between them. “My firm has been working with Lady Valeria’s family for some time. The business trip I’m going on is to help her family sell some property.”

“Ah, so you were the one who drew the short straw.”

“No,” Edgar said, turning a deep crimson. “It’s an honor to be chosen for such a responsibility. We’re excited for the opportunity and will get married upon my return.”