A Rogue to the Rescue (The Rogue Chronicles #4) - Lana Williams Page 0,65

pleased she’s my sister so I can benefit from her abilities.” Caroline chuckled.

“I’m surprised she doesn’t attend more parties,” Beatrice said as she followed Caroline into the drawing room.

“I wish she would. She insists she wants to help Mother as much as possible with Father, but I don’t want her to do so at the expense of living her own life.”

“You and Annabelle spend a considerable amount of time with him as well.”

“True, but Annabelle’s busy with her writing and planning her wedding, and I no longer live there. Which leaves Margaret to do more. I worry whether Margaret will ever leave home. At least, not as long as Father is there to care for.”

“The situation must be difficult for everyone.” From the way Caroline described it, Sir Reginald was only a shadow of his former self. She couldn’t imagine seeing her own father each day while knowing so much of him was gone. And worrying the next time she called, he might not remember her. Was it better to lose a loved one all at once, or in bits and pieces over time?

“It has been, though I feel as if we’re making the best of it. I just don’t want Margaret to sacrifice her future and neither does Mother.”

Caroline settled into a chair by one of the windows where she kept a small desk. She pressed a hand on her stomach as if to gently cradle the baby, something she did more and more frequently.

“That is one more reason why I appreciate you coming to stay with us,” she continued. “Assisting with your wardrobe has been an excellent distraction for Margaret, along with helping Mary.”

Caroline looked through the letters that had arrived in the post while Beatrice sat in a nearby chair and picked up her embroidery.

“A letter arrived for you, Beatrice. Is it someone from home?” she asked as she passed it to her.

Beatrice nodded with a smile. “Sarah Ramsey, an acquaintance of mine. She’s two years younger and thought my coming to London was the most exciting adventure she could imagine. I was careful what I included in my letter to her, but I wanted her to know I am alive and well.” She opened the letter and read the contents, surprised at the news Sarah shared.

“What is it?” Caroline asked.

“She’s coming to London to look for a position.” Beatrice bit her lip as a shiver of unease passed over her, though she couldn’t say why. It wasn’t as if Sarah would experience what she had. Not with Beatrice to aid her.

“Then your idea of creating an introduction agency is even more important. Perhaps she can be the second person you help. When will she arrive?”

“She doesn’t say precisely, though it sounds as if she’ll be here soon.” Beatrice frowned as she re-read the letter. “I’ll reply today, requesting she give me the specifics.”

“Wouldn’t she be surprised if you met her at the coach stop? Has she ever been to the city?”

“No, but she’s certain a more thrilling life awaits her in London than anything she could find in the village.”

“Isn’t it funny how we always believe the life someone else has is more exciting than our own? I was guilty of that when I was younger.”

Somehow, Beatrice had difficulty believing that. Caroline appeared every inch a confident lady. She had shared the story of how a chance moment alone on a darkened terrace with Richard had ended with him being forced to propose, much to both their dismay. Caroline had been so worried over her family’s future due to her father’s declining mental health that she’d been hoping to marry well to save them.

At the time, Caroline had thought Aberland a rogue with little to his name other than his title. She’d believed marrying him wouldn’t help her family in any way. Luckily, things had turned out quite differently than she expected as she’d found love and more help for her family than she could’ve ever hoped for.

While Beatrice tended to look at Caroline and only see a beautiful woman, poised and happy, her friend had faced her own share of difficult times. Perhaps they had more in common than she’d realized.

“Do you think you’ll announce your betrothal at the ball?” Caroline looked up from the post with a smile.

Would they? A combination of worry and nervousness wound through her. Beatrice had convinced herself it was a good idea to wait. It gave her time to adjust to their betrothal. Time for them to learn more