My beloved.

I trust that you are well… Ah, I could go on rambling, trying to find myself an excuse for writing, but there is none. Truthfully, there is no reason for this letter other than to say that I miss you. Alas, I set eyes upon my coat, which had just been cleaned and returned to my chambers, and it reminded me of how it looked around your bare shoulders that first night as I tasted your lips on a balcony.

Of course, this in turn led me to think of many other things, starting with your eyes, sparkling like sapphire jewels as you smiled at me, letting me in your window. I know it has only been a few nights since then, but can you blame me? I am a man lost to your charms. I find myself longing for your kiss again… No matter how many times your soft lips succumb to mine, it could never be enough.

It has been too long, my lover. I wish to hold you close once again… to feel the softness of your skin against mine, without our clothes to bar me from my fill of you. I catch myself at many points in the day, dreaming about your breasts and how your back arches when I bring my lips to them. It is with great effort that I am able to put thoughts of you aside for even a moment. How loathsome it is that we must run around like this, as though ashamed of our love. I cannot wait to hold you in the open… Perhaps then I would not need to write letters such as these, detailing how bereft I feel when you are not here.

Alex.

Alexander Mannfield put his quill down. The letter he had just finished stared back at him, a mirror showing just how infatuated he had become. Heat bloomed slightly on his face from embarrassment as he watched the ink dry on his penmanship. I am absolutely being led by the nose here, am I not? His thoughts put a wry smile on his face.

It was one thing to realize it and another entirely to want to do anything about it. He knew that he was much more taken by Isabella Levingston than she was by him, but he did not mind at all. He still counted the days until he could see her again; and did silly things like sending her a frothy letter because he saw a coat that reminded him of her.

Sighing to himself, he folded the letter up, preparing it to be sent. Before he could convince himself to change his mind, he rang the bell in his room, calling for his valet to collect and deliver his message. It did not take long before his call was answered. However, when he looked up, it was not the valet but the old butler who had come.

A concerned frown settled on Alexander’s face from the surprise. “Baldwin? Why are you here?” he asked.

“Why, I am responding to your call Master Alex,” Baldwin said.

“Why would you respond to my call? You are to be resting Baldwin!” The old butler had served the Mannfield family for two generations already, with Alexander being the third. Recently, his eyes had begun to fail him, signaling that it was time he retire. He was immediately relieved of most of his duties and made to focus on training his understudy to replace him. Baldwin was an important member of their family, to the point where he had practically raised Alexander, so of course everyone wanted to pamper him. Despite their efforts, Baldwin, who had been busy all his life, did not know how to rest.

Baldwin had the grace to look sheepish. “Master Alex, I have been resting all day. This is nothing,” he said.

Alexander folded his arms over his chest. “Well, you should not have come anyway, I wanted to speak to Barnaby.”

“Oh, you must not have heard it yet. After he helped you dress this morning, Barnaby received a letter from his sister saying his mother had an apoplexy. He asked the Baron for permission and left in a hurry,” Baldwin said.

Alexander’s eyes widened in shock. Barnaby was his valet, and just that morning he had been asking him if he missed his family yet as the young man helped him put his clothes on. The thought of something happening to Barnaby’s mother worried him greatly. “An apoplexy you say? That is terrible! I can imagine how anxious he must have been when he left. I hope she is alright…”

“Indeed, we all do. The Baron made sure he had enough money to see a physician; a most generous extension of aid,” Baldwin said, seeming proud of Alexander’s father. “What did you needed him for?”

“I was going to have him deliver a letter for me,” Alexander said, waving it off as nothing. It was not as though the letter was truly urgent anyway.

“Why not have the footman deliver it instead?” Baldwin asked.

Alexander shook his head. “No, I think it best not… the contents are rather… sensitive.” His cheeks warmed again, making it obvious to Baldwin, who knew of his relationship, the contents of the letter.

“My, my, Master Alex, I am sure I told you before to be careful of the liberties you take with the young Miss Levingston,” Baldwin said, a trace of teasing in his voice.

“I never said the letter was for her,” Alexander said, struggling to hold back a smile.

“Oh please, young master I was not born yesterday,” Baldwin said, giving him a look. “Anyway, seeing the nature of the letter, I can deliver it for you in Barnaby’s place.”

Alexander refused immediately. “You shall do no such thing, Baldwin. I have told you that you should be resting! There is no way I am sending you on an errand.”

Baldwin waved a hand. “Pah. I might be blind as a bat, but I can still get things done easily! You all are overreacting! My bones will go brittle if I stay still.”

When Alexander did not budge, the old butler sighed. “Everyone is occupied, and I was going to deliver a letter to the butler of a neighboring estate during my daily walk anyway. I can just deliver the letter for you while I’m out on my own errands. How’s that?”

Alexander’s resolve cracked a bit. If he was already on his way out he could just drop the letter off. He had already accepted it in his mind.

Baldwin smiled at him as he took the plain envelope. “Do not worry, your secret is safe in my hands,” he joked.

Alexander could not help but return his warm smile. “Indeed. Just remember when you deliver it, to ask that the letter go straight to the young Miss and no one else.”

“Of course, Master Alex.” Baldwin bowed as he left.

Chapter One

It was a day like any other for Caroline Campbell. She was sitting in the drawing room of her family’s London house with her mother and three sisters after having breakfast. She was practicing her needlework. A most banal activity and one that was her least favorite, but her mother was sitting right in front of her, and she could not complain lest she got her ears filled with nagging and lectures.

Her sisters, Ann, Marjorie, and Alice were also practicing their needlework, with her mother paying special attention to Alice who was the youngest. Marjorie and Alice had yet to debut and in Caroline’s opinion were still free. She and Ann, however, were in the public eye and now had to watch themselves very carefully as the slightest error or incompetence could lead to their ruin.

“Caroline, look, I made a duck,” Ann whispered to her, showing her what she was needling.

Caroline looked over to see that her sister had sewn a grotesque duck onto the handkerchief she was needling. “That is the ugliest, yet most detailed duck I have ever seen in my life.”

Ann was the best at needling. She could make the most beautiful patterns and could recreate images as well, if she had the time. Recently, she had taken to needling images off the top of her head. Today it was a hideous duck. Their mother, who had them needling the gardenias in the center of the table, would not be pleased. Ann snickered, clearly pleased with herself.

Caroline was thinking of how their mother was going start ranting about how Ann could put her talents to better use again, when a knock disturbed them. She did not pay much attention when the butler came in because she figured she had no business with him; and though she had made her debut two seasons ago, no one came calling for her as she had no friends aside from her sister.

To her surprise, however, Carlisle handed her a letter. She looked up at the butler in surprise, but his expression was blank. The letter had no seal, recipient, or sender, leaving the exterior blank. Caroline, who was bored of needling and all too happy with the distraction, did not bother asking where the letter came from and dismissed Carlisle.

She glanced over at her mother, finding that she was engrossed in directing Alice and was not paying attention to Caroline. She opened the mysterious letter curiously, and after only reading the first line, she closed it again, her jaw falling open. ‘Beloved it says?! Have I gotten a letter meant for another?’

She already knew there was no way the letter was intended for her as she was no one’s beloved. She was still at loggerheads with her mother because she was not in the least bit interested in having a marriage set up for her and always ran the boorish men off. She wanted to marry only when she fell in love, so if she were to be anyone’s beloved, she would know of it.

She opened the letter again and read it through this time, her face contorting as she did. What manner of filth is this?! She could not keep the blush from her face. Ann, noticing that she was turning red, frowned in curiosity, and leaned over to see what she was blushing about. She let Ann see it, after all she was old enough, and her best friend.

Ann started to giggle almost immediately. “Around your bare shoulders?!” she whispered, quoting the letter as she tried to stifle her laughter.

Hearing the words from her sister’s mouth made Caroline’s face heat up even more. “I know! Who could even conceive such filth, not to mention having the boldness to write it?!” She whispered back to Ann who was almost falling apart in a fit of giggles.

“Frankly, I am more taken by the fact that he is climbing in through her windows to make her lips ‘succumb’ to his,” Ann said, keeping her voice low as she wiggled her eyebrows.

“Stop!” Caroline scolded in hushed tones, pressing a hand to her sister’s face, and pushing her away.

The snickering Ann dodged her hand and leaned in close again. “I for one think it is romantic. Although they are having a scandalous affair right now, he seems to want to make an honest woman of her.”

Caroline reread it again and saw that Ann was right. Although he was filthy, he did seem like a man truly in love. Her gaze dropped to the last line of the letter where there was finally a signature. Alex… I wonder who it is. Perhaps a commoner? No, if he were a commoner, he would not even dream of marrying this lady who is clearly a noble since he needs to sneak in through her window.

Her sister leaned in again, interrupting her thoughts. “Do you reckon that when he says, ‘hold you out in the open’ he means for them to frolic naked on their estate?” Ann whispered.

Caroline, who was tired of her sister’s misbehavior, forgot their mother was there, and smacked her face with the letter. Ann leaned back, also forgetting herself and letting out a cackle.

“Girls.” Their mother’s voice brought them back to reason in an instant. Lady Campbell stared at them with murderous intent. “Let me see that. Just what is causing such foolish behavior.”

Caroline stared at her mother’s outstretched hand, not wanting to give her the letter for how embarrassing it was. Lady Campbell did not wait for her to decide and reached over the table to snatch the letter from Caroline’s hand.

Caroline exchanged a glance with Ann as their mother read the letter, and Ann had the grace to look apologetic. Their mother reacted just as they thought she would. With dramatics.

“Ann, Marjorie, Alice. Give us the room.” The girls could not defy their mother and Ann mouthed an apology to her sister as she led the younger girls out of the drawing room.

“Caroline.” Lady Campbell clutched her chest in horror, fanning her face as though faint. “Caroline, are you trying to ruin our family name?!”

“Mother-” Caroline spoke knowing she would be cut off.

“Caroline who is this Alex you have been allowing to sneak in your window at night?!” Lady Campbell thundered.

“Mother! How could you think that of me?!” Caroline was offended.

“With all the rubbish you spew about your lofty and strange expectations of marriage, can you blame me? How do I know you have not begun some ill-fated relationship in the name of ‘love’?” her mother said.

“With how you direct my everyday life, I wonder how I’d find the opportunity.” Caroline crossed her arms over her chest. “I have not been letting anyone in my window and I know no man by that name. I am sure there has been a mistake in the delivery of the letter.”

“A mistake? The letter says, ‘eyes sparkling like sapphire jewels,’ you have blue eyes!” her mother said exasperatedly.

“Well, they are not sapphire!” It was true, Caroline’s eyes were a sky blue that was almost green.

Her mother was not impressed. She summoned Carlisle while Caroline massaged her forehead tiredly. She knew better than to get involved in any type of scandal. She was already in enough trouble for continuously rejecting the advances of the men who came calling for her hand in marriage.

“Yes, Madame?” The butler returned to the drawing room.

Her mother wasted no time asking. “Where did you get this letter?” She held the offending sheet of paper up.

“The old butler from the Mannfield estate brought it personally and insisted that I give it directly to the young lady of the house. I simply assumed he meant Miss Caroline as she is the oldest.” Carlisle responded. He looked over at Caroline when she snorted with laughter. “Is there a problem?”

Lady Campbell seemed deep in thought. “No, you may leave.”

“See, mother? I told you it was a mistake. If it is the Mannfield estate, then ‘Alex’ is certainly Alexander Mannfield. I have never spoken to that man in my life. I haven’t even gotten a proper look at him,” Caroline said with a chuckle, thinking that things would be cleared up easily. “He was always quiet and distant at balls. I suppose we know why now.”

She had said that last part playfully, thinking that the next line of conversation would be gossip on who the true recipient of the letter was supposed to be. She was wrong. Her mother jumped to her feet, not looking any less concerned.

“Your father needs to see this,” Lady Campbell said.

A frown wrinkled Caroline’s brow as her mother stood up, rushing toward the door. “Wait, you want to tell father? This is much too trivial an issue to bother father with-” she began to say, but her words were cut short as her mother left her in the drawing room, the door slamming shut with a finality.

…..

Two days had passed since he sent his love letter and Alexander was still thinking about Isabella. He hoped at the very least that his letter had made her smile. Isabella was not exactly forthcoming with her replies, if she ever replied at all, so he was not waiting for a response, only imagining her reaction. Though she often did not respond to his letters, she always let him know how much she enjoyed them whenever she did meet him.

They had been meeting once a sennight for the past few months, and it was more recently that their interactions took on a more carnal nature. Perhaps that was why Alexander had become so obsessed, but then how could he not be? Isabella was a dream in the sheets. The fact that she was somehow more experienced than him did not bother him in the slightest when she showed him new ways to please her, and new ways she could please him with every encounter. She was naturally gifted despite him being her first lover as she was his. They were just so compatible and as creative as she was, their lovemaking was never boring.

Now that he thought about it, they barely spent any time talking anymore. The past four meetings since the first time they slept together, had been spent lost in each other’s bodies. I wonder if she minds… usually she initiates it, so I would think not…

He was supposed to be looking over reports of the taxes in the Mannfield’s lands and comparing them to the harvest, a duty he was given in preparation for when he would become Baron. Instead, he was daydreaming about Isabella. Perhaps that was why he jumped when there was a sudden knock on his door.

“Yes, do come in.” He shuffled the reports on his desk, making it look like he had been doing what he was supposed to.

“Young Master Alex,” the footman, Oliver, said, poking his head in through the door before coming in. “A letter for you from Lord Campbell. I was told to relay that the message is urgent and they expect you immediately.”

Alexander took the letter from Oliver with great confusion and dismissed him. The Campbells were not a family he was acquainted with. He had heard of their daughter, Caroline, who was said to be quite the beauty and had a habit of breaking the hearts of the young men who sought her hand. Word went around that her standards were high. He was in a relationship with Isabella, however, so he did not take much interest in the gossip.

He wondered what business they had with him as he read the letter and found that it was a summons from the Lord. If this were a business call, would he not reach out to my father and not me?

Alexander was confused, but he was also too polite to ignore the invitation which, quite frankly, seemed more like a summons. It was strange that the Lord would summon him like this. He wanted to find out what was going on, so he did as the letter asked and went to the Campbell house. It seemed they had been waiting for him. As soon as he arrived, their butler, a middle-aged serious man, took him to the Lord’s study.

Alexander could not help feeling a bit worried when he stepped into the office and found both the Lord and Lady Campbell staring at him. The Lady, standing beside her husband, looked even more intense, as though he had done something wrong.

“The Honorable Alexander Mannfield,” the Lord said.

Alexander bowed in greeting. “A pleasure to meet you, Lord Campbell. I received your summons and came as fast as I could, but I admit that I am confused by the sudden call.”

Lady Campbell sniffed at that and threw her nose in the air. For some reason… this does not seem to be a friendly call…

“You are confused? So not once did it occur to you when you were sending my daughter that illicit letter, or as the letter suggests, meeting her secretly, did you think that you would end up in this situation?” the Lord asked, barely masking his anger.

Alexander blinked in confusion. “Meeting? With all due respect, Lord Campbell, but I have never met any one of your daughters out in the open, not to mention secretly. I have never sent them any letters either. So yes, I am indeed confused,” he said, being firm but also respectful.

The Lord reached into a drawer in his desk and smacked a familiar letter on the table. “Are you saying this letter was not written by you? Your family butler came here insisting that this be delivered directly to the young lady of the house.

Picking up the letter, which was meant to have gone to Isabella, Alexander immediately understood what had happened. There was no way he could have suspected that anything went wrong. If the Campbells had not summoned him, he might never have discovered the error, unless he mentioned it to Isabella when he met her next. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he let out a tired sigh. Oh Baldwin, what have you done?

“My deepest apologies, Lord Campbell.” Alexander bowed again and put the letter back on the table. “I did write this letter, but it was by no means meant for your daughter. Forgive me, but I cannot state the intended recipient’s name in order to protect her reputation.”

“If the letter was not meant for Caroline, then how did it end up here?” the older man asked, bemused.

“It is an unfortunate mistake,” Alexander explained. “Our family butler, Baldwin, has served the Mannfields for two generations now and he is getting rather old. Recently, his sight began to fail him. We have relieved him of most of his duties, but that day there happened to be no one else I could send to deliver my message, due to its sensitive nature. I asked Baldwin to deliver my letter to my lover’s house. He knows who she is, so it is clear that he made a mistake coming here due to his condition. I am truly sorry for this.”

He saw relief flash over the Lord’s face. “Oh. I understand what happened now, although it is a rather ridiculous turn of events. That is good. I usually trust my daughter and know that she would not involve herself in scandals, but in matters between lovers, you never know,” he said.

Alexander nodded with a smile. He could imagine how the older man had felt. He almost laughed in relief himself. When he thought of being in a position such as this, he had imagined it would be if Isabella’s father caught on to what they were doing.  Who would have thought it would be due to a silly mistake?

The issue seemed to be over when Lady Campbell suddenly spoke. “It does seem ridiculous! So ridiculous that I do not believe it!”

Alexander turned to her in shock to find that she was glaring daggers at him. He winced. It made sense that the mother would be more incensed in a situation such as this, but Alexander knew he had nothing to do with her daughter, so he just wanted her to calm down and see the truth.

“Dear… as wild as it sounds, it is also plausible… besides, do not you think it is better that this blows over?” the Lord murmured to his wife.

“No. Even if it is plausible, he still sent a letter to an unmarried young woman, when he is not even engaged to her,” the woman said, throwing her nose in the air.

Alexander knew there was some truth to her words as that could also bring about a scandal, but it was not like anyone knew of it. It was not an issue as long as they blew over it quickly.

“There is already gossip among the servants of letters being exchanged between the two of them. People think they are courting! It is made even worse by the fact that he has shown up here to meet us today as though meeting his intended’s parents. It will be a scandal of immense proportions if this is not handled appropriately.” She glared at him.

Alexander was shocked, and to his credit, the Lord seemed just as surprised. “If I may ask, what would be an appropriate handling of the situation?”

Lady Campbell turned to him with a blank expression. “What are you talking about? Marriage of course.”

Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose, almost laughing from how awful it was. “Marriage?  I’m sure Miss Campbell is a lovely young woman, but I do not know her. How could I marry her when I already have a lover? Besides, I only came here because I was invited. Would it not be clear if that were explained?”

“Do not be naive. Explained? They will think any explanation we give is simply an excuse… a cover up. You know how the gossip mills of London run. I will not have my daughter be a laughingstock for your mistake,” the Lady said firmly.

Alexander looked to the Lord, hoping he would see reason, but Lord Campbell stood by his wife. “It is most unfortunate, but it seems this is the only way we can resolve this, given the circumstances. I understand your plight, but I cannot allow my daughter to be made a fool in social circles. I trust that you will make the responsible decision. I shall give you some time to do so on your own.”

The finality of the words hit Alexander like a ton of bricks. He was still finding it hard to come to terms with how quickly he had been cornered. Just an hour ago, he was still going about his life believing all was well. Now, in a matter of minutes, his future had become bleak.

“I… I should go… Perhaps we should continue this conversation another time,” he stammered. The Lord nodded, dismissing him, and Alexander could not get out of there fast enough. He was in such a hurry as he stepped out of the room, he bumped into someone who was standing just outside.

“Pardon me,” he said, steadying them by the arms to keep them from keeling over.  It was a woman standing no taller than his chest, and the skin of her upper arms where he grabbed felt so soft, he unconsciously loosened his grip lest he bruise her. He caught a glimpse of long, sandy blonde tresses, and the lightest blue eyes he had ever seen, before the lady took off in a mad dash and stowed herself in the closest room. He stood there for a moment with his hands still outstretched. She had moved so fast it almost made him dizzy.

Was that the Lady Caroline? He did not have time to consider this much longer as the butler appeared, followed by a group of older women who seemed to be Lady Campbell’s friends, who were being led inside. Their words quickly drew him out of his thoughts and returned him to the harsh present.

“Oh dear! I heard the gossip, but to think it was true that The Honorable Alexander Mannfield was Caroline’s intended!”

Chapter Two

Caroline’s heart was pounding in her chest as she leaned against the door of the drawing room she had escaped into. Her cheeks were red up to her ears, and her arms felt like they were on fire in the place where he had placed his hands. She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself, but it was futile. That was the best looking man I have set eyes on in my entire life!

She had sneaked up to the door of her father’s study, trying to listen in after Ann had told her that their parents had summoned Alexander Mannfield to the house. She did not feel too sorry for the man at first, as it was not her fault his letter had landed in her hands, but she wanted to know what her parents would tell him, since it involved her as well.

She did not like what she heard at all, and it seemed Alexander, who wanted to marry his lover, did not either. She had been furious, considering whether she should throw her dignity away and burst in there to make her outrage known, when the door had suddenly opened. His hands were so large, going all the way around her upper arm with ease. His eyes were an icy gray made even more stark by his dark locks. His voice, deep and polite, had rumbled in her chest, and set a strange feeling free in her guts.

She ran away like a coward, too shocked to process what she was feeling and still have rational words leave her mouth. It was better I left. I would have made a fool of myself for sure.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard voices in the hallway. She pressed her ear to the door just in time to hear Carlisle’s uncomfortable tone. “Ah, ladies, the drawing room is this way. It seems Sir Mannfield was just on his way out, shall we let him go? I’m sure he has a lot to do today,” the butler was saying. Caroline cocked her head to the side. We have visitors?

“Oh please, I’m sure he has time to greet us, we are friends of his soon-to-be mother-in-law after all!” a voice Caroline recognized to be Lady Silverstein said. Her face paled at that and the reverie from meeting Alexander vanished instantly, bringing her back to reality. She frowned as she heard the responding laughter from the other women. Why are mother’s friends talking as though I am betrothed to the man?

Caroline was not pleased at all, and from the sound of it, neither was Alexander Mannfield. “I am sure conversation with you lovely ladies would be wonderful, but I do really have to go.” He sounded like he was walking on broken glass. Caroline had to wince.

“That’s too bad, I would have loved to hear all about the wedding plans straight from the source. I’ll just have to hear it from Lady Campbell it seems,” Lady Silverstein said.

It seemed Alexander began to see himself out as Carlisle said, “Ah, Sir, let me walk you out.” His words were followed by hurried footsteps and then he added, “Ladies, please use the door in front of you. Lady Campbell will be with you soon.”

Caroline moved away from the doors just before they opened. The four women who stepped into the room all widened their eyes at the same time.

“Oh, hello Caroline, so you were in here,” Lady Silverstein greeted.

Caroline gave a courteous curtsy. “Hello. A pleasant morning, ladies,” she replied.

The women waved her greeting away and headed over to find themselves seats, chattering as they went. Caroline tightened her fist. “I could not help overhearing your conversation with Sir Alexander Mannifield. It seems you think that we are in a relationship and to be wed?” she said, allowing the latter end of her statement to become a question.

Four pairs of eyes turned to her blankly. “Indeed, it is not that we think so, but that it has become a well-known fact. Have you two not been exchanging love letters?” Lady Silverstein spoke for the group.

Caroline rushed to explain, a bit of desperation seeping into her voice, “No! No, we have not been sending each other love letters, it was just one time that I received a letter from him, and it was a mistake!”

The older women exchanged glances and giggled to each other. “Sweetheart you do not have to pretend to be innocent in front of us. We are not judging you for being a little naughty,” the raven-haired beauty, Lady Wittlesworth, said from beside Lady Silverstein.

“Indeed, there’s no harm in a little fun, especially when he is not taking advantage of you and is taking responsibility by marrying you. We are your mother’s friends dear, there is no need to keep up appearances in front of us,” Lady Silverstein added.

Caroline opened her mouth and closed it again. There was nothing she could say that would make them believe her now. This was the frightening power of the gossip mills. She could not help the frustration that flooded her. Pretend to be innocent?! Me?! As if I care about any of that! I cannot believe they think I’m lying!

Upset, she left the drawing room, not wanting to spend another second listening to the women assuming things about her and her nonexistent relationship with Alexander. How did the rumor even spread so far? It has only been a couple of days.

As she hurried off, she bumped into her mother who was heading for the drawing room. “Oh, Caroline, I did not know you were here.”

Caroline grabbed her mother’s hand and pulled her into the closest room which happened to be the library. “Oh dear, what do you want to talk about in such a hurry that you had to pull me like this?” Lady Campbell asked, brushing down her skirts as though they had been ruffled by the quick movement.

“Mother, I listened in on you and father’s conversation with Sir Mannfield earlier,” she said, to which a frown wrinkled her mother’s face.

“Eavesdropping? That is unbecoming of a lady, and you know it! I hope he did not see you,” the ever-proper Lady Campbell scolded, seeming to worry about how Caroline would come across to Alexander.

Caroline waved her hands in the air out of frustration. “That is not important right now! Why would you try to make Alexander Mannfield marry me? It is so clear that this whole situation was just a mistake, and more importantly, that he wants to marry his lover!”

Her mother gave her a blank look. “I do not see why we should care about that,” she said.

Caroline rolled her eyes. “Alright, then do you think you should care about your daughter, who only wants to marry for love? Did you consider how devastated I would feel if a marriage were forced upon me? And did you consider how badly I would do in a marriage with a man who loves another and as such, is not even open to loving me? He will probably hate me since he will see me as someone who took away his chance to be with the woman he loves.” She was truly devastated at the thought of such a marriage. Every time he looked at her, he would be reminded of the woman he could not be with. She shuddered at the thought.

Her mother did not share her worries. “Please, Caroline, whatever your relationship turns out to be, you two will get used to it. Besides, Alexander Mannfield seems like a gentleman. I do not think it possible that he will maltreat you.”

A frown settled between Caroline’s brows. “What about the other woman, mother? It is clear his lover expects to marry him. What is she to do if he marries me? Not only does she love him, she gave herself to him. Do you not care about that young woman’s pain?”

Her mother sighed. “It is indeed unfortunate, but we are not at liberty to think of others right now. Everyone is already aware of the correspondence between you both. What is a mother to do? Of course, you are to marry, there is no other solution,” she said, matter-of-factly.

“What do you mean everyone is aware? How could they have known? The content of the letter was only known to us and Sir Mannfield and I doubt he would want that information to go public. So how exactly did it happen?” Caroline voiced her questions. She did not see how they ended up in such a predicament so quickly.

“Leave it be, Caroline. Of what use would it be if you found out how the news got out? It will not change the fact that everyone knows, so stop asking these questions. That’s what happens when you encourage men to send you letters with such filthy words.” Lady Campbell sniffed, turning her nose up.

Caroline felt her anger rise at her mother’s words. She would not be blamed for something she had no control over, she was a victim in this situation after all. Her mother knew very well that she was innocent in this matter, yet she continued to avoid the truth. It made suspicion rise in Caroline’s mind. “Mother, you know that letter was not meant for me. You also know that I have never been in close contact with Sir Alexander until today when he showed up in our home, so you cannot blame me for what has happened. Now I need you to please answer my question, please mother,” she said.

Caroline watched her mother look everywhere but at her.  She narrowed her eyes. “Are you the reason why everyone knows of the letter, mother? Did you spread the rumors?”

Lady Campbell’s eyes widened at the direct question, and she made a show of being angry. “How can you accuse me of something like that, Caroline?” she asked, but her face held traces of guilt.

Caroline concluded that her mother was responsible for the spread of the news, as she watched her try to avoid the question. Seeing that Caroline wasn’t falling for it, she tried to leave the room to escape her daughter.

Caroline blocked her mother’s path, stopping her from leaving. “I will not let you leave until you tell me the truth, mother.”

“Fine, I did it. Is that what you want to hear? I circulated the rumors about a relationship between you and Sir Mannfield,” Lady Campbell finally admitted.

Caroline felt the shock run through her at her mother’s words. Although she had suspected her of spreading the rumors, her mother’s confirmation still filled her with betrayal. “How could you do this to me, mother? All I ever wanted was to find someone who would love me just as you and father love each other. Do you not want me to marry for love? Is that why you are trying to force me into a loveless marriage? Do you not…” she paused as her voice cracked. “Do you not want me to be happy?” she finished.

Lady Campbell appeared to be shocked at her daughter’s outburst, and Caroline could see her eyes cloud a bit with uncertainty, but she ultimately pushed it away, her expression hardening again. Caroline could feel a pain in her heart at her mother’s actions. She fought to stop the tears that threatened to spill, her mother’s next words making it harder.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic Caroline. I am your mother, of course, I want you to be happy. Why do you think I am doing all of this? Sir Mannfield will be a baron someday and he will have all he needs to make you happy. Soon you will have children of your own and they will fill you with joy. All I ever wanted was to find you and your sisters suitable husbands. It does not matter if you do not love him now, you will learn to love and respect him after you marry.” The words came to her so naturally that Caroline was convinced that her mother truly believed this. She could tell that they would never see eye to eye on this matter.

“When you marry, you will understand that everything I have done was out of love and in a bid to secure a good future for you. I promise, you will see,” Lady Campbell said, moving to take her daughter’s hands in hers.

Caroline moved away from her mother, avoiding her touch, and heading for the door. “I did not ask you to do any of this, mother. I am embarrassed that you would go to such lengths. Pray Sir Mannfield does not find out your deception, else your plans will be ruined.” Caroline slammed the door closed behind her, unable to control her rage, and headed for her room.

In fact, pray that no one else ruins your plans.

…..

Alexander felt dazed as the butler showed him out of the Campbell home. As he stood in front of the gates, he could not help feeling like a child in need of guidance. He dug his nails into his palms, almost drawing blood as the scene that had just taken place played in his head repeatedly.

How can this be happening? What am I supposed to do now? I am out of my depth here. He pressed a hand against his forehead and pinched, trying to massage away the headache he could feel forming. He wished there were something he could do to make the situation go away. He could not even pretend to be calm. The last of his composure had been spent getting through the group of Lady Campbell’s friends. His mind was reeling but standing in front of the Campbell gates would not solve anything.

“Master Alexander?” his footman, Matthew called out to him as he walked past the carriage, confused about why he was choosing to walk on foot instead of boarding the carriage that awaited him.

“Master Alexander?” Matthew repeated, running to catch up with him. Alexander startled as his footman called his name near his ear. He could not remember when he had walked past the carriage. It was all for the best anyway. He needed to clear his head after today’s dramatic event and the exertion of walking would do him better than if he sat in the carriage and stewed.

“I believe I will take a walk, Matthew. You can go on without me.” He watched as Matthew and Brunswick, the coachman, turned to stare at each other in bewilderment, knowing that it was out of character for him to send them off like that. Deciding that he did not care for their confusion, as he had bigger problems to worry about, he turned and continued on his way.

He walked on, the sound of the wheels and the clop of horse hooves as his servants trailed behind him fading out of hearing as he focused on his thoughts.

From Lord Campbell’s words, he knew that the Campbells meant to take matters into their own hands if he did not propose marriage to their daughter soon to curtail whatever gossip was going around. If he did not take responsibility, they would no doubt take the matter to his family and demand that he do so. He frowned as he thought of how his father would react to the news. The Campbells would probably make it seem like he was fooling around with their daughter and refusing to take responsibility. He imagined that was what Lady Campbell would do, given how she had reacted during their talk.

As he walked, it suddenly hit him. If the gossip was as widespread as they had claimed, then it would not be long before it reached his parents. Lady Campbells’ friends were agents of the gossip mills after all. His mother would hear it soon, even if his father did not. He had to have a discussion with them both as soon as he got home.

The next moment, he came to another realization and froze in his tracks, a weird groan emanating from his lips as the blood drained from his face leaving him pale. He was so stupid. If the rumor had already spread so far, then what if it had already reached Isabella? She would be going about her day only to suddenly hear that the man she was in a relationship with was getting married to another. She would think the worst.

Alexander spun on his heel, running toward his carriage, which was still following him. “I am so glad that you two did not listen to me,” he said breathing heavily as he got to the carriage. “To the Levingston house at once, Brunswick. Hurry.”

On his way to Isabella, Alexander thought of what he would say to her. She was probably heartbroken, thinking he had taken liberties with her and shunned her. He tapped on the roof of the carriage, telling Brunswick to pick up the pace. He was out of the carriage the moment they stopped in front of the Levingston house, flying up the stairs to the front door after he was allowed through the gates.

“Sir Alexander, welcome,” the Levingston butler said. Even though this was the first time he had come face to face with the man, Alexander knew from previous conversations he had shared with Isabella that his name was John.

“Thank you, John. I apologize for coming unannounced like this, but I really must speak to Lady Isabella at once,” Alexander said, hoping she was in. He knew her father was not usually in at this time, so he was not worried about bumping into him, but the sudden visit also meant he was not sure if Isabella was around.

“Certainly, Sir Alexander. The lady will join you in a moment. Please follow me and I will see you to the drawing room, while I alert her to your presence,” the butler said as he let him into the house. Alexander followed him, unable to stop his eyes from wandering. It was the first time he was seeing these parts of the house, after all.

He was drawn back to the butler very quickly however, as the man said, “Ah, by the way, congratulations on your upcoming wedding sir.” With a smile, the butler shut the doors of the drawing room, leaving Alexander with his thoughts.

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