A Little Bit Scandalous (7 page)

The woman curtsied and stood aside. Caroline stepped into the asylum and was immediately struck by the stringent smell of lemon, indicating the building was clean. That was good; she’d hate to think the girls who resided here lived in filth.

“I’m Mrs. Hancock,” the woman said as she led her down the corridor. “I’m the housekeeper here at Dover House, and anything else they need me to be.”

“Caroline Jellico,” Caroline said, her voice coming out thinner than usual. She cleared her throat and tried again. “I’m new to the board. Do you live here with the girls?”

“Oh yes, ma’am.” The woman’s shoes clicked against the wood floor as they walked. “The meeting is right over here.” She opened the door and allowed her entrance. “It hasn’t yet begun, though I believe everyone else is already here. All except Mr. Lamb, and he’ll be along directly.”

Caroline gingerly entered the sizable room. It could have been a dining room in a standard home, but hopefully, they had a much larger dining hall where the girls would gather for meals. This room had a smaller table, one that would seat probably twelve guests. The other people in the room milled about, speaking quietly to one another. Two men stood by the windows, dressed in gentlemen’s finest, right down to their expertly tied cravats.

Two elderly women stood by the tea service stirring their cups and eyeing the other woman in the room. Their object of interest was tall and younger than the other women, but obviously older than Caroline. She was startlingly pretty, with striking red hair and a curvaceous body she was comfortable showing off. Her cobalt blue dress molded to her, and all at once, Caroline felt quite aware of the plainness of her own dress. She was dressed in a practical manner, but her simple calico muslin felt drab and childlike. The contrast gave her pause, but she didn’t have time to fret for too long about it. The two elderly women approached her, teacups in hand.

“You must be Miss Jellico,” one of them said. “Duchess Chanceworth sent you, I believe. I am Lady Winguard, but you may call me Hildy.” She smiled pleasantly.

Caroline liked her immediately. She could not say the same for the other woman, who was eyeing her suspiciously. She introduced herself as Lady Greene. “Is there a reason why Millicent could no longer attend board meetings?” she asked, her voice sharp and unwelcoming.

“She has other charities she wanted to devote her attention to and thought that I might be of use here,” Caroline said, not missing a beat. She had dealt with women like this before. She didn’t like it, but she managed to maintain her wits about her.

“I should think we have most tasks covered,” Lady Greene said.

“Pish posh,” Hildy said, popping Lady Greene on the arm. “There is always plenty of work to be done. And we could certainly stand to have some young influences here. I would wager Miss Jellico here has plenty of splendid ideas.” She winked at her.

Caroline supposed she did have a few ideas, but she wanted to settle in first, figure out precisely how the orphanage was run before sharing any of them.

The buxom beauty approached. “Fresh blood,” she said with a smile. “Belinda Smith, Lady Fairfax.” She extended her hand to Caroline.

“Caroline Jellico. A pleasure to meet you.” She wasn’t too certain what to make of Lady Fairfax, but she seemed friendly enough.

“Indeed. We should be starting soon.”

The door opened and a man walked in holding a stack of papers to his chest. A pair of spectacles balanced on his long, straight nose. Instantly, Caroline recognized him. She’d seen him—no, she’d
played
him—at Rodale’s. She looked down at the floor, feeling exposed.
Deep breaths
. There was no reason to assume he’d recognize her. She might be wearing a simple gown, but she looked very much a woman at the moment, not at all resembling Mr. Grey. She’d played there for two months without anyone realizing she was a woman. The only reason Roe had discovered her identity was because she’d been foolish enough to play him at his own house. Granted, he’d recognized she was a woman before that, but Roe was far more observant than most.

“Mr. Lamb,” Belinda said, walking over to the man. She ran her hand down his arm and he dropped several pieces of parchment.

“Ah, my Lady Fairfax, looking as lovely as ever,” he said with a toothy grin. He bent to retrieve his papers. His small, watery eyes looked her up and down. He did nothing to hide his admiration of her. Then he caught sight of Caroline. He walked straight towards her. “Miss Jellico. Duchess Chanceworth speaks quite highly of you. I suspect you will bring much to our small group. If you should need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask me directly.” He gave her a smile, but it offered no reassurance, instead making her feel uncomfortable. “Now then, shall we begin?” He stepped over to the chairs and sat in the largest and plushest of the mix.

The rest of them took seats and Caroline found herself between an empty chair and Lady Winguard. Mr. Lamb discussed the need for new beds on the third floor and said they’d had six new girls added to the orphanage in the last two weeks alone.

The door opened and in walked Roe. Caroline almost stood, concerned something had happened to Millie. Mr. Lamb nearly swallowed his own tongue. He stopped talking, came to his feet. He straightened the hem of his coat. “Your Grace, I…to what do we owe this visit?”

“Is it not the right of the largest benefactor to stop into the board meetings once in a while?” Roe asked.

Caroline couldn’t explain Roe’s presence.

“Yes, of course,” Mr. Lamb said. “I thought that your family’s position had been passed to Miss Jellico.” He motioned toward Caroline.

“I believe there is room for both of us on this board.” Roe’s brows rose slowly.

Caroline wanted to throttle him. No, there wasn’t room for the both of them. His blasted broad shoulders seemed to take up the entire doorway as it was, and suddenly the air felt thin.

“You wish to serve as well. That is to say, yes, welcome. Please here, take my chair,” Mr. Lamb said, flustered by the appearance of the duke.

“That is not necessary,” Roe said, surveying the room. His eyes lit on her.

Caroline rolled her eyes heavenward.

“What a wonderful day for the children here at Dover House,” Mr. Lamb said. “I’d wager we’re the only orphanage in London with such an attentive board.”

Roe sidled over and then lowered himself into the empty chair next to her.

“What are you doing here?” she asked between her teeth.

“I like to know what my money is paying for. Also, I believe when a family member vacates a board position it falls to another family member.”

His words were a slap in her face. It was a cold reminder of the fact that she was truly alone in the world. She had no family. She clenched her teeth.

“You intend to steal this board position from me?” she asked.

He leaned toward her, his head almost touching hers. “No, nothing quite so dramatic. I merely intend to assist.”

“Out of the goodness of your heart, no doubt.”

“Precisely,” he said with a tilt of his head. “That is my reputation, the duke with the good heart.”

“Funny, I haven’t heard any such thing said about you.”

He chuckled, but said nothing else.

Mr. Lamb continued on about all the funds they would need for this change, that new fabric for the girls to sew into their winter dresses, and wage monies to pay for a second housekeeper. The two older ladies made suggestions for how to generate new benefactors for the orphanage.

“Perhaps His Grace would host a ball to raise funds,” Lady Fairfax said.

The two older ladies clapped with glee. “What a spectacular idea,” Lady Winguard said.

All eyes turned to Roe, and Caroline found it immeasurably appealing to have him put on the spot in such a way.

“I shall see what can be done,” he said with a curt nod.

“Now then, Miss Jellico, being new to the board we shall need to find something for you to do, some way for you to contribute,” Mr. Lamb said. “I’m certain we can think of something appropriate.”

Caroline didn’t like the man. It wasn’t so much anything he did or said, but there was a feeling and he made her feel quite uneasy. The way his pointed teeth gleamed when he smiled sent a shiver up her arm. “Very good, sir.”

The meeting came to an end and Caroline gathered her belongings, coming to her feet.

“Caroline, I shall give you a ride back to the townhome,” Roe said moments before Lady Fairfax approached him.

The woman wrapped her hand around Roe’s forearm and pulled him aside. Her long talon-like nails were covered in some red-colored lacquer. She looked up at Roe from beneath her lashes and cooed when he spoke, never taking her hand off his arm for more than a second.

Jealousy, hot and heavy, settled in Caroline’s stomach and she turned away from the sight. Her feelings for Roe were unwanted both by him and by herself. She had no desire to be with him, not truly. It was merely her heart or her body that betrayed her. And if Lady Fairfax wanted him, she could have him. But Caroline saw no reason why she had to stand there and watch it happen, so she turned away and stepped out into the corridor. She had more important things on her mind. Mr. Murdock had complicated the issue of her townhome. She knew that raising the money would be a challenge, but she’d thought their agreement to end the lease prematurely had been settled. What the devil would she do if she had to wait another year before she could live in her own house? If the house was empty that long it could fall to vandals and vagrants. Yet if she continued to lease it, the house would continue into further disrepair.

Roe was at her side. He pressed his hand against the small of her back. The heat was instant, traveling down her legs and up her arms.

“Shall we?” he asked, pushing her gently forward.

They walked in silence from the orphanage and into the carriage.

“You are familiar with Lady Fairfax,” Caroline said.

He met her gaze, and his green eyes did not waver from her own. “We have known each other for a while. Belinda is a friend.”

The way he said it made her wonder if there wasn’t more between Roe and the buxom Lady Fairfax. If so, then no wonder he had no interest in Caroline. Compared to the older woman’s voluptuous figure, Caroline looked like something pulled from the banks of the Thames. She was taller than most women and did not have that petite form. She was thin, “lithe” as Millie called it, with narrow hips and overly small breasts. She’d never be the voluptuous woman Roe clearly desired. And damnation, she hated she’d even noticed that fact.

Caroline didn’t particularly want to be there, but she reminded herself that Millie was right—if she wanted to put herself in a better position with the board of the orphanage, possibly raise additional funds—she would need to be more socially active. Still, she hadn’t set foot inside a ballroom since she’d been introduced into Society the first time around. Right after she made an utter fool of herself proposing to Roe. Thankfully, he hadn’t brought that up, as she wouldn’t know how to deal with her own embarrassment.

She had a beautiful gown on tonight, she admitted to herself, and she loved how pretty she felt in it. It was a far cry from her tweed trousers and suspenders she’d worn for so many evenings. She looked around the room and wondered what these people would think if they knew the truth about her.

She followed Millie into the ballroom and over to a crowd of women. “You remember my dear sweet, Caroline, do you not?” Millie asked, not truly giving any of the women opportunity to say anything but yes. Caroline could honestly say she herself couldn’t place any of the women standing before her.

“Of course we do,” one woman said, her voice dripping with kindness. “Lady Broderick. So nice to see you again, Caroline.”

“Thank you, and you as well,” Caroline said with a slight curtsey. She was glad for Millie to get to see many of her friends that she didn’t see as often since she spent most of her time in Dorset with Caroline. Still, if these women were planning to give monies to the orphanage, wouldn’t they have already agreed to do so to Millie herself?

“What do you think of your new daughter-in-law?” one woman asked Millie.

Caroline nearly choked. Had Roe married and somehow she missed that? Certainly not considering she’d been staying in his home and he’d even kissed her.

“Clarissa is lovely,” Millie said. “And Justin seems truly happy, which of course pleases me.”

“He did well for himself,” another woman said, her tone a little arrogant.

“Yes, well, Clarissa did as well. I believe Justin’s annual income is twice your daughter’s husband,” Millie said. She smiled genuinely at the woman who pinched her lips, but said nothing more.

“Now, then, I should like to introduce Caroline to a few more people. You ladies do try to behave. I believe I shall see most of you at Lady Brancherd’s tea later this week.” And with that, Millie led Caroline away.

“How do you do that?”

“Do what, dear?”

“Put them right in their place without sounding snide or cruel?” Caroline asked.

Millie smiled. “Unfortunately, that comes from plenty of practice being married to my boys’ father. I’ve been the subject of gossip in my life more than most people can even imagine. The former Duke of Chanceworth was a cruel man who never loved anyone but himself.”

How was that even possible? Millie was so delightful, so kind and fun. “Why did you marry him?”

“My parents made the arrangement with his parents. It was a good match, since I was the daughter of a marquess and had impeccable bloodlines, which, as it turns out, is all my husband cared about.”

“You never loved him?”

“Oh, heavens no. I thought I could, when we were first betrothed. He was polite and so very handsome and charming. But after we were married, the charm fell away and his true character came through.” She squeezed Caroline’s hand. “It is why I’ve never pressed you, my dear, to marry simply for the sake of being married. I want you to have a choice.”

Caroline wanted to embrace Millie, but she knew this was not the time or the place. She blinked away her tears and reached over to squeeze Millie’s hand. “And for that, I will always thank you.”

“Good gracious, is it truly you?” a woman asked as she approached. The woman was tall, much like Caroline, though she had a lusher figure. Her coloring was similar, too, though her features were more attractive. They could have been related, she and this woman, but in that scenario, Caroline would definitely have been the lesser attractive cousin from the country.

“Penelope, dear,” Millie said warmly. “How lovely to see you. This is Caroline.”

“Oh yes, Monroe’s ward.” Penelope turned her gaze to Caroline. “I’ve heard so much about you. How wonderful that you’ve come to London for a visit.”

Caroline smiled, trying to think of something clever to say. She found it odd she had never heard anything about this Penelope woman.

“Oh, she’s not here for a visit,” Millie said. “Caroline has come to London to stay. For good.”

“How positively splendid. Well, it is truly lovely to see you. I do hope you’ll consider coming for tea,” Penelope said. “And bring Caroline along.”

“Perhaps after we’re all settled,” Millie said, and the woman walked away.

“Who was that?” Caroline asked. She also wanted to ask how the woman knew Caroline was Roe’s ward. Did everyone in London know?

“That is Roe’s former, well, shall we say,
intended
.” Millie waved her hand. “They were never officially betrothed.”

Roe had been engaged or nearly engaged? Had it been before her own proposal to him? Their relationship had obviously happened after Roe had taken Caroline in. She looked at Millie knowing her face probably wore all of the questions she had.

Millie linked her arm in with her own and squeezed her hand. “I believe I see some people over there that we simply must see. Come.”

She led them across the ballroom and Caroline allowed her to do it without asking anything else about Roe and his relationship with Penelope. It was bothersome that no one had seen fit to tell her about the woman before, but she wasn’t really a part of the family, she was merely beholden to them. It was so easy to forget, since Millie was always so loving to her and Roe so generous.

As they approached the people Millie wanted to see, Caroline recognized Justin immediately. She’d only met Roe’s half-brother a few times when he’d come to visit in Dorset and when she’d been in London before. But he looked the same, his dark, exotic features accented by the broad smile on his face. It would seem married life made him very happy indeed. His wife, Caroline assumed, was the petite blonde standing next to him. She looked vaguely familiar and Caroline guessed they might have met once upon a time.

“Hello, darling,” Millie said as she reached Justin. She leaned up to kiss his cheek, then embraced the petite blonde. “Clarissa, you look so pretty tonight. Look at you two, so blissfully in love.”

“Is it that obvious?” Clarissa asked.

“Yes,” Caroline answered before she thought better of it. But the truth was, she was fascinated by the notion of that kind of love. Love matches, they called them. As a girl she’d expected to make one herself. Love matches were far more common among the lower ranks of the ton. As the daughter of a Baron, she might have met and married someone of her own class. But then everyone in her family had died, one by one, leaving her in a world she had never anticipated. Now as Roe’s ward, she was shuffled into an in-between state. Forced into the highest levels of the ton, without really being a part of them. She was at the mercy of Roe’s generosity, and although he had always been unfailingly generous, she could never forget that the money for her dowry was his, not her own family’s.

Clarissa smiled at her. “You’re Caroline, aren’t you? I remember meeting you once when we first came out. Are you back in London to stay?”

“That is my intention.”

“I have given Caroline my board position for the Dover Street Girls’ Asylum, so let her know if you intend to make a donation,” Millie said.

Justin smiled. “Millie, you know I can never say no to you. Caroline, let me know how much you need.”

“Thank you for your support.” It was then that Aggie walked over with a man in tow.

“Millie, this is the young man I was telling you about,” Aggie said.

Justin and Clarissa excused themselves and strolled over to the dance floor.

“Caroline, this is Wade Bishop. He’s an American and he’s here in London making some investments. Mr. Bishop, this is our dear friend, Miss Caroline Jellico,” Aggie said.

“Miss Jellico, a pleasure to meet you.” Mr. Bishop leaned over her hand, but did not press his lips to it. He was a pleasant-looking man, though she would not consider him handsome. His hair was pale in color and his eyes an unremarkable brown.

“And you as well, Mr. Bishop,” she said.

“Caroline, I was telling Mr. Bishop about your involvement with Dover House and he’s interested in learning more about it,” Aggie said. “Primarily about potentially becoming a benefactor.”

“Indeed. That’s quite kind of you.” Caroline knew this was part of being on the board of directors. This was especially true for her, since she didn’t have money of her own to donate to Dover House. She would have to seek out and line up benefactors for the charity.

“Perhaps you would accompany me to the refreshment table. I believe I saw some lemonade over there,” Mr. Bishop said.

Millie and Aggie smiled and motioned with their hands as if they’d choreographed it. So Caroline allowed Mr. Bishop to lead her to the refreshment table. He chattered politely about how different London was than his home back in America, how much more civilized and proper everyone was. Caroline nodded, doing her best to listen, but the fact was she didn’t particularly care about Mr. Bishop’s life in America.

She heard Roe’s name being announced at the entrance of the ballroom and her heart thundered in response. He stepped into the room looking so dashing she missed a step and faltered. Mr. Bishop steadied her.

“Everything all right, Miss Jellico?” he asked.

“Certainly. I merely stumbled. I do believe that lemonade you mentioned would be just the thing to make me feel better. Do you suppose you could fetch some for me? I can wait here by this topiary,” she said. It gave her a perfect view of Roe as he greeted some men. Behind said group of men were three potted ferns that created a perfect isosceles triangle.

Mr. Bishop smiled broadly. “I shall return.”

Roe seemed as much at home in this glittering ballroom as he did in the gaming room at Rodale’s. He might pretend to be this entitled duke who didn’t care about the people around him and only lived for his own comfort, but she knew that wasn’t the truth. He was far too generous in nature. She sensed he had to work very hard at maintaining his devil-may-care attitude.

Mr. Bishop reappeared at her side, lemonade in hand. She took a sip and did her best not to make a face when the drink proved more tart than she was anticipating. “Thank you.”

“I would like to hear more about this orphanage you’re involved with,” he said. “Perhaps we could discuss it at length if you would attend the opera with me. Mozart’s
Don Giovanni
is playing, and I’m told it is not to be missed.”

She’d never been a fan of the opera, but Millie had carefully explained that some benefactors needed to feel appreciated. Perhaps joining Mr. Bishop at the opera would be enough appreciation for him to open his purse and give a sizeable donation.

“I’d enjoy that.”

“Excellent. I shall pay call to you,” he said, then tilted his head. “Is that how you express that particular sentiment?”

Caroline smiled. “You said it perfectly.”

…

Later that evening, Roe sat in his study, sipping a brandy and trying to decide what to do about Caroline. She’d looked so beautiful in her dress tonight, and she’d even danced with a couple of gentleman. It was what needed to happen, he told himself. It mattered not that the sight of her in another man’s arms had made him want to storm the dance floor and rip said arms off.

Nothing he said would get her to leave London and, in truth, it was his damned problem, not hers. She shouldn’t have to leave simply because her presence created temptations he didn’t want to handle. His mother had worked her particular magic and persuaded Caroline to attend the ball. They hadn’t stayed late, since Caroline had claimed to have a headache.

Roe doubted that was the entire truth, but certainly she wouldn’t dare to don her disguise and try to enter Rodale’s again. Just in case she was tempted to try such a stunt, Roe had instructed his butler and housekeeper to send notice to him immediately if they saw a carriage pick up a boy anywhere outside the house. In the meantime, he was staying up to keep watch himself. He hadn’t decided if he was going to Rodale’s himself. Frankly, he wasn’t too keen on the idea. Caroline had been the best opponent he’d played in years, and the thought of going and having to deal with the idiots that littered the tables at Rodale’s made him yawn. Moreover, the chances of him getting into the back room to play Cabot were slim.

There was a scratch at his study door and his butler stepped inside. “Your Grace, Lady Fairfax is here to see you.”

Roe didn’t bother to stand. Belinda strolled into the room, her deep burgundy gown leaving very little to his imagination, though he didn’t need his imagination to envision her body; he knew every curve she had to offer. She was a stunning woman, he would not deny that, but he’d grown bored with her and had ended their affair six months before.

“Darling,” she said as she stepped forward. “I had not realized how much I missed you until I saw your handsome face today. And then imagine my surprise when you also attended the Paddington ball tonight. I knew I simply must come over so we could have a talk.”

“Don’t you have a new toy to play with?” he asked her.

She feigned a pout, puffing out her bottom lip and glancing up at him from beneath her darkened lashes. “You wound me. What we had was special. Certainly you have realized as much now. Don’t you miss me?” She sauntered over to him and stood before his chair.

“Not particularly.” There was no use in being anything but bold and up front with her, since anything else she’d misconstrue as flirtation. He was not interested in rekindling an affair with her.

“You have found another then?”

He didn’t answer her. It was none of her damned business if he’d taken another mistress.

She bent down, bracing her hands on the wooden arms of his chair. Her breasts were a mere breath from his face. “I could change your mind. Don’t you remember how it was with us when we were lovers? How passionate we were together? No other man in London makes me feel as you did, no other can pleasure me the way you can.”