The Lady’s Christmas Secret by Ella Edon
CHAPTERTHREE
Two emotions flooded Caroline’s mind as she watched the passenger of the black carriage step out the side door. The first was relief. Even if she did not make it home on time, at least someone could assist them in calling for help; they would not have to sit there and freeze out in the cold.
The second was bewilderment. Having caught a glimpse of a particular familiar crest at the side of the carriage, Caroline had braced herself. She expected a most unpleasant encounter with Lord Derby, the duke, who shared her father’s age, as well as the enmity that had kept the neighbouring families apart all these years.
But instead of the formidable figure she expected, in front of her stood the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was tall and well-built, while his slim frame stood straight with an air of nobility. His muscular arms were visibly outlined through his tight black coat, which was unbuttoned at the front; underneath, a vest in deep burgundy cradled his broad chest over a loosened cravat.
He was the picture of pure decadence, and Caroline felt dazzled by the sight of him as if she were unable to look away.
Once her gaze finally drifted further, to his perfectly shaped face, she suddenly felt breathless with the realization of who he was. His hair reached his broad shoulders in rich, dark curls. Underneath his long thick lashes was a pair of green eyes watching her with curiosity. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen those eyes.
No, it cannot be.
“Good evening,” he said, and his voice sent a shiver through Caroline’s body. “My coachman spotted your carriage from a distance and thought it quite odd that you’d stop at this godforsaken place at this hour. Is everything alright?”
He looked behind Caroline concernedly, where Mr. Adderton was still struggling to remove the broken piece of the wheel without ruining its wooden axis.
Caroline seemed to be at a loss for words. The sound of his voice washed over her. Even though it sounded mature and husky now, it transported her back in time to a night many years ago, when they were both children, playing in the snow.
His face had shaken off the roundness of youth, which was replaced by flattering angles and a strong jawline, revealing nothing from the days of childhood and innocence. His hypnotic green eyes were still fixed on her.
“Forgive me. I forget my manners. My name is Adam Seton, the Marquess of Derby. I am happily at your service,” he said, bowing and giving her a crooked smile that revealed a glint of his perfect white teeth.
Caroline felt as if time itself had frozen. She had dreamed of this moment many times, trying to picture what he would look like, how he might talk to her. Now, it was clear to her that he did not recognize her. For some reason, it bothered Caroline that he could have forgotten so easily.
Not that it matters, Caroline reminded herself; for she knew what it meant to be near a Seton. She did not have to guess to know that she would be in fresh trouble, more than the one she was in already if her father found out about this.
She reminded herself Adam Seton was nothing but a stranger, and he shouldn’t be trusted any more than she would trust any man she might encounter on the street.
Miss Grant brought Caroline out of her thoughts by tugging at her sleeve gently.
Adam turned to face her maid and briefly addressed her.
“Pardon the question, but doesn’t the lady have a voice?” His tone, part amusement, part perplexion, sent a jolt of annoyance through Caroline.
“I – Yes, of course, I can speak,” she said and cleared her throat.
She had forgotten herself and had appeared a fool in Adam’s eyes, but she would not give him the pleasure of gawking at her any longer.
Caroline decided to ignore the blatant arrogance of his question and treat him like she would any stranger. She would not take any chances.
“We were hoping someone would pass us by and offer to help. The carriage has a broken wheel, you see, and I’m afraid we’re unable to move for the time being,” Caroline explained, straightening her back and looking at him defiantly.
His crooked smile had not faded.
“And to whom do I owe the pleasure of providing my assistance this gloomy afternoon, if I may ask?” He continued confidently.
“I haven’t asked for your assistance,” Caroline said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Adam chuckled, and his face broke out into a full-blown smile.
“Miss White! If Miss Grant could fetch me a bag at the front, please, I could use a hand for a minute,” Mr. Adderton’s gruff voice sounded from the other side of the carriage.
Her maid’s eyes met Caroline’s, silently asking for permission to go.
“You may go. The quicker Mr. Adderton fixes that retched wheel, the sooner we’ll be out of here,” she said, as her maid sank into a brief curtsy and took her leave.
Caroline could see Adam’s coachman had taken an interest in Mr. Adderton’s efforts, and the three of them were soon chatting about tools as they joined forces to fix the carriage a few feet away from where she and Adam were standing.
“Wait,” Adam had spoken softly, his voice infused in sudden disbelief, “it’s you.” He was looking incredulously at Caroline as he took a step closer.
She felt her instincts, already alert, telling her to run from this man. And yet, she did not move an inch.
“Caroline White!” he continued, narrowing his eyes under his thick dark eyelashes. “It’s really you, isn’t it?”
She could see a glimmer of realization dawning on his face. He had recalled her slower than she had him, but his memories seemed to have caught up to hers,
Hearing her name on his lips threatened to shake her defences to the ground, but Caroline remained calm.
What is the matter with you today? She asked herself as she strengthened her resolve to stay as distant from him as possible.
Leaning back slightly and licking his luscious lips before pressing them into a thin line, the Marquess of Derby gave her a long, penetrating gaze. He pinned his eyes to hers, allowing them to wander down to her bosom, following to the thin line of her waist and hips, reaching her feet, and coursing back up again.
All the willpower in the world proved pointless after he looked at her like that.
Caroline knew that she should be furious at his inappropriate – and unapologetically scandalous – behaviour. Instead, she caught herself feeling flustered. Looking at her the way he did, it was as if he’d undressed her in his mind and seen every inch of her naked and exposed.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” was all he said.
“I beg your pardon?” Caroline asked, trying to keep her voice stable.
“Forgive me. It’s just that – ,” It was Adam who seemed to have lost his voice this time, if only momentarily. He never moved his eyes from her gaze as he continued with a lowered voice.
“I remember that Christmas Eve as children, but I never imagined you would turn out so… so beautiful.” His eyes flickered from her eyes to her lips for a suggestive second.
He lifted a perfect eyebrow in appreciation, and Caroline felt her blush deepening. To her surprise, she could tell that the rosy colour of his clean-shaven cheeks had grown a few shades darker as well.
“Forgive me,” he said, swallowing the lump in his throat. “It’s just been so long.”
Caroline nodded, not trusting her voice to speak.
“You were saying you needed help with your carriage. I will ensure your ride home safely, and then you can make arrangements,” Adam continued.
The tension between them was palpable, and Caroline had momentarily forgotten about her unfortunate circumstances.
“Oh, no, thank you,” she responded immediately. “I believe there is no good that can come of me getting in a carriage with you.”
The thought of returning home in a different carriage – and one bearing the Seton crest no less – and risking getting caught by her father made Caroline shudder with dread.
Adam pretended to grab the left side of his chest, feigning taking offence.
“The lady’s tongue doth hurt me so,” he said mockingly.
Though for a split second, Caroline could swear she saw his confidence falter. He focused his eyes on her again as he tilted his head slightly to the side. She thought to herself that he looked like a statue that had come to life, divine and polished to perfection.
“Are you frightened your father won’t approve?” he asked.
Adam’s mention of her father took her aback. She shifted her weight from her left leg to the right uneasily, and his stealthy eyes caught each of her movements. He nodded toward the direction of the others, who could still be heard chattering a few feet away. It did not sound like they had made any progress adding the rectifying touches to the carriage.
“This could be your only chance to get home safely, you know,” he pointed out, a triumphant smile spreading slowly on his lips.
“Safely? With you? I think not,” she raised her chin and averted her eyes, pulling her pelisse more tightly around her waist.
At that moment, the wind picked up, and – as if nature itself had decided to join the marquess’ side as an ally – it started to drizzle.
“I care not about what my father thinks. However, I do mind having my reputation sullied, which is why I would rather freeze to death than be seen with you.
Are you truly surprised that word of your scandals and your debauchery reached our ears out here in the country? God only knows what you would do – ”
The way he covered the distance between them in two long strides to reach her took her breath away; and she was unable to finish her sentence.
“You wish to know what I could do to you?” Adam whispered, a highly amused look in his eyes.
The intensity of his gaze and the earthy scent of the rain combined with his cologne made her dizzy. He chuckled, and it was the most devilish sound Caroline had ever heard.
“The only thing I’d ever do to you would be bound to give you pleasure. You have my word on that, Miss White,” he added nonchalantly.
Caroline’s jaw nearly fell in shock. The man was utterly insufferable, completely disregarding her attempts to keep the decorum. It was as if he had forgotten entirely the feud between the Whites and the Setons that had divided them and kept them apart for all these years. It was as if he took pleasure from teasing her relentlessly as if they were old friends. Not that she would exactly describe his attitude as friendly.
Before she could find the right words to give him an answer, Miss Grant’s timid voice sounded right next to where they were standing, clearing her throat discreetly.
“Pardon my interruption, miss, but the men say the rain is about to get worse, and there is no chance Mr. Adderton can get the wheel running before it gets completely dark.”
Caroline looked at her maid, furrowing her eyebrows in concern.
“I’m afraid we might have to accept the lord’s generous offer and continue home in his carriage, miss,” Miss Grant added apologetically.
Caroline didn’t have to look at Adam to know that he was already flashing a victorious smile at her.
“Splendid.” Adam offered his left arm to guide her to his carriage.
Looking around in one last act of despair, Caroline accepted her fate. She looked straight into the eyes of the familiar stranger who had walked right back into her life so unexpectedly and sighed.
“I find I have no other reasonable choice.”
She resigned herself to the situation and ignored his gesture as she walked past him, secretly praying she was not making the biggest mistake of her life.
