Page 88 of Once Bitten, Twice Mine

“Have you decided yet?”

Caroline’s head snapped up to see Lucy looking at her expectantly in the mirror. She hadn’t been paying attention to her at all this morning; instead she had been brooding over Valeria’s letter like a security blanket while being distantly aware that Lucy was yammering as she did her hair for the day.

“Decided what?”

“When your wedding will be. Now that Mr. Andrews is back, you can finally get back to planning.”

“Oh.” Dread curdled within her. She knew she needed to get back to wedding planning in earnest, but her heart was no longer in it. “Once I speak with Dr. Murnau, I imagine I’ll have a better idea of when we could do the wedding. I don’t want to get married while the town is fighting a sickness.”

“Of course not,” Lucy said. “I think your wedding will be the perfect event for the community once we are on the other side of all of this awfulness. We could use some celebration.”

It wasn’t anything Caroline hadn’t thought of herself, but her stomach sank further at Lucy’s confirmation. Not only was her marriage still needed, but the wedding itself was also needed to lift the spirits of the remaining village. She couldn’t let them down.

“I’ll speak with Mr. Andrews at tea, and we will choose a date so I can get my parents from Brighton.”

Lucy gasped. “Mr. Andrews is coming?” She threw open one of the vanity drawers and started digging through her ribbons. “I would have done more than a few simple rolls if I knew we were expecting your fiancé.”

“It’s fine, Lucy. I’m sure Mr. Andrews won’t even notice my hair, let alone any ribbons.”

Lucy’s head popped up, and the look of devastation only made Caroline feel worse. “Oh, but Miss, I’ve been practicing. I’ve been driving the girls in the room next to mine crazy, making them sit still while I practice on them. It’s why I was able to do your rolls so well today. I knew I would have to be better if I wanted you to keep me on once you were married.”

Caroline frowned. “Why wouldn’t I keep you on? I’ll be staying in the house.”

Edgar hadn’t even blinked when she told him that she wouldn’t be moving after their marriage. They would be inheriting this house anyway, and she had no interest in leaving. Mrs. Thomas had cleared the rooms across the hall for him. They may have to renovate some, but it wouldn’t be a financial concern, simply a practical one.

“Yes, but I know I’m not a very good lady’s maid now, let alone when you become the lady of the house. I’m trying to be better though.”

“You don’t even have to try. I won’t let you go no matter what, I promise.” She patted Lucy’s hand.

“Thank you, Miss. I appreciate your kindness more than anything. I won’t let you down.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to let her maid know that nothing she did could let her down. If anything, Caroline was the one who had let her down when she let Valeria stay. She could have died because of Caroline’s negligence, and she still worried about being fired.

Lucy found the ribbon she had been searching for, a thin navy satin that perfectly matched her day dress. It was unnecessary, and she didn’t care if she looked pretty or not, but she would let Lucy fuss over her if it made her feel better. Which would undoubtedly mean wearing some cosmetics while she spent the day weaving her veil.

A sharp knock rapped on the door before Mrs. Thomas entered the room. Her knocks were never for permission, but a warning that she was coming in.

“Viscount Blythe is in your father’s study.”

Caroline’s fist tightened on Valeria’s letter. She didn’t know why her uncle was there, but nothing good ever came from Viscount Blythe arriving unannounced.

* * *

“Uncle, I wasn’t expecting you,” Caroline said as she entered the room. She was grateful Lucy had been so diligent with her hair this morning, and she proudly wore her chosen ribbons and the little bit of rouge on her cheeks and lips. It wasn’t that he cared what she looked like, but looking put together was a mark in her favor. Appearances could be wielded like a weapon if properly honed.

He lowered his paper as he sat in her father’s favorite armchair. “I told you at your engagement party that I would return soon.”

Caroline pasted on her most pleasant smile. “Yes, but I didn’t think you would be back until Father returned.”

Her uncle sat back in the chair and picked up the pile of papers she assumed he brought with him, his familiar frown returning. “My schedule is often unpredictable. I’m not like your father, who can gallivant anywhere at the drop of the hat.”

She carefully smoothed out her dress as she sat on the couch opposite her uncle. “He fell quite ill. The doctor suggested he go to Brighton for his health, not gallivanting.”

“Though we both know why he can,” he continued, looking at her from over his glasses, ignoring what she just said. “It’s because he has you.”

Caroline frowned. “I helped them make arrangements on their way out, but I haven’t done anything for them since.”

“Please, Caroline. You may pretend for everyone else, but you don’t need to with me. You don’t need to pretend your father is anyone other than who he is. He is my brother, and I know him as well as I know myself.”