Free The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Paige Cameron Page A

Their relationship might never be the same. He rubbed his hand over his heart. He didn’t expect his folly to hurt the people he loved the most. At that moment he hated himself far more than Royston ever could.

Chapter Five
     
    Her dress arrived the afternoon of the ball. Inside, along with the dress, were several dark-blue and silver feathers with a note to place them in her hair. Caroline watched as her maid, Mary, pulled the gown out.
    “’Tis lovely, my lady. You will be the most beautiful lady at the ball.”
    “Thank you, Mary. Perhaps we can arrange my hair in a more relaxed style and place the feathers to the back.”
    “It will be the crowning touch.” Mary turned to her and smiled. “You will show the ton your real beauty.”
    “Ah, Mary, if only life were so simple.” Caroline looked at the gown and regretted her decision to buy it. Perhaps this wasn’t her best idea. However, the situation was beyond her control no matter what she wore.
    When she swallowed, she tasted her fear. She mustn’t let him sense it. She planned to hold her head high.
    Caroline took her time dressing. She soaked in the tub much longer than usual and sat patiently while Mary worked on her hair. Finally, she stood in front of her mirror.
    The dark blue jets sparkled seductively when she moved. Mary had arranged her hair with soft curls in the front and had placed the feathers standing up from her braids in the back.
    “Caroline.” Her mother stood in her doorway. “Oh, my dear, you are beautiful. That gown is the most becoming I have ever seen you wear.”
    “Then you are pleased, Mama?”
    Her mother crossed the room to stand behind her. Caroline smelled the rose bath water, a fragrance she’d always associated with mama.
    Tonight, her mother had dressed in dark red and wore a necklace of diamonds. Caroline smiled to herself. Mama would go down defiantly. But she wouldn’t have to go down at all if Caroline succeeded in her plan. Her heart pounded at the thought of approaching Lord Royston.
    “I know this has been a difficult time since your talk with your Father. I am sorry for the compromising situation you find yourself involved in because of your fathers’ past discretions.
    “Nevertheless, I’ve been thinking about a solution to your father’s problem. Perhaps Lord Royston would change his mind about hurting your father and us, if you married him. He did appear interested in you, and he is a viscount, so he’d be quite an eligible catch. I’m sure he would not mistreat you in any way. Altogether this may be the best answer.
    “Really, Mama? Did he tell you he would love and honor me? That he was not serious in his threats to Papa?”
    “He is a gentleman. You will see. Everything will be fine.”
    Caroline started to snap at her mother but stopped herself. Mama had assumed Caroline would agree to marry the viscount and end their problems. She saw Lord Royston as an advantageous match for her daughter.
    “It is hard to believe you might be married soon and moving into your own home.” Her mother smiled.
    “Let us not pretend, Mama, this is a match I would desire.”
    “He is as good as any and better than most. You will lack for nothing.”
    “Only love and who knows how he may treat the daughter of his sworn enemy,” Caroline retaliated.
    “You would be his wife. You have nothing to be concerned about. I am sure.” Lady Halsford snapped her fan across the palm of her hand.
    “You are aware, Mama, that I may not accept, if he offers for me.” Caroline looked in her mirror at the reflection of her mother standing behind her.
    Lady Halsford’s face paled. Caroline turned away and picked up her gray pelisse. Her plan, should it work, would make Mama very happy.
     
    * * * *
     
    Damon saw her as soon as she entered the ballroom. The lights sparkled off her gown. Her golden hair glowed, and the feathers waved in the slight breeze from the open French windows.
    The beads on her gown swayed continuously