Kaleidoscope: A Regency Novella by Hannah Meredith Read Free Book Online Page B

will certainly never be my well-loved aunt. I will scream that from the rooftops, and there’s not a thing you can do about it. And as to this other—I think you’ll discover your information is in error.”
    Carolyn had conducted enough negotiations to recognize bluster when she saw it. Her lips tipped up into a smile of satisfaction. “You never even checked the legal basis for what you threatened, did you? If you had, you would know that there is no way to void my marriage and no way you will ever get your hands on Rydell Shipping. The most you can do is try to blacken my name in society, and by now, you should have guessed that I’m indifferent about what others think.”
    “That much is obvious.” Gerald’s face had gone from red to the most amazing shade of purple. “I heard you were flaunting yourself at Hazelton’s ball.”
    “I’m sorry you weren’t there, Gerald. We could have danced.” She gave him an insincere smile. Gerald looked like he might have an apoplectic attack. Carolyn couldn’t find it in her to feel badly if that were to happen. She was sure she was a much nicer person before she came to England.
    “I doubt there was any room left after all the men who think you’ll be their mistress had signed your dance card. Tell me, do all these men know that spot has already been taken by Lucien Harington?”
    She must have shown some reaction, since the satisfied smile again appeared on Gerald’s face. “What? Did you think I wouldn’t know when that rake visits you? You were closeted alone with him yesterday for over half an hour.
    Laughter bubbled out. “Gerald, you really need to decide if I’m your uncle’s virgin widow or if I’m a morally loose woman with a string of lovers. I obviously can’t be both—and if you were to suggest as much to others, you will only confirm that you are a fool.”
    He looked shocked that she had seen his arguments as illogical. “You’re the one who is a fool,” he said, standing abruptly. “You shouldn’t have control of my uncle’s legacy, and I’ll eventually prove it.”
    Gerald stormed out, imperiously calling for his cane in the foyer. Caro relaxed and took a deep breath. She was confident that the man would continue to be an irritant, but she’d decided his threats were toothless. The worst he could do was to blacken her name in society, and, as she’d told him, she really didn’t care what a group of useless, effete people thought of her.
    But she did want friends. She was tired of a solitary life. She wished some of the businessmen she’d met had interesting wives, but the few she’d come into contact with were absorbed in their homes and children and had nothing in common with her. Any such relationship would be forced, at best.
    Of all the people she knew, she could imagine a friendship with only one person—Lucien Harlington. Of course, offering the man her virginity was a rather awkward way to begin a friendship. But he’d not leaped at the chance to bed her, so perhaps friendship was possible.
    She firmly believed that she wouldn’t know until she tried, however, and her curiosity spurred her to try. She pulled a sheet of her stationary toward her and began composing a friendly invitation to dinner.
       
    Intrigued—that was the word. Luke was definitely intrigued. It had been a long time since he’d been so pleased to receive a dinner invitation. Accepting it had been worth all Tremaine’s teasing about finding a cache of money in unexpected places. Luke had given up trying to convince his friend that Carolyn Rydell was something very different than a purse he was considering marrying.
    Exactly what she was remained to be seen. But he was going to pursue the possibility.
    When he arrived for dinner, therefore, he didn’t know exactly what to expect from the evening. Mrs. Rydell had expressed the need for a kind friend, and if that was all she needed, he would fill that place in her life. He regretted disabusing her of