Confessions at Midnight

'No.' She stepped closer to her sister and whispered, 'Kiss number one was from Daniel… Lord Surbrooke.'

'Ah,' Sarah said, a smile that could only be described as knowing playing at the corners of her lips. 'And how was it?'

Incredible. Delicious. Amazing. 'Nice.'

'Just nice?'

'Very nice. Botheration, why aren't you surprised?'

'Because I've seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is looking.'

'And how is that?'

'Like he wants to kiss you. No, actually like he's dying to kiss you. Very thoroughly. For starters.'

Oh, my. And he had. Very thoroughly. For starters.

'And kiss number two?' Sarah asked, with another elbow prod.

'Was courtesy of Logan Jennsen.'

This time Sarah's brows rose. 'Interesting.'

'But not surprising?'

'Not particularly, as I've also observed the way he looks at you.'

'And how is that?'

'Like you're a bowl of cream and he's a very thirsty cat. And how was Mr. Jennsen's kiss?'

'Also nice.'

Sarah stared at her over the rim of her spectacles. 'It's not like you to be so uncommunicative, Carolyn.' Her expression turned to one of concern. 'Is something wrong?'

Carolyn shook her head. 'No.' Then she nodded. 'Yes.' She frowned. 'I… don't know.'

A trio of ladies walked by, and Sarah drew her deeper into the corner. 'Something's amiss. Please tell me.'

Her sister's concern lodged a lump in her throat that she had to swallow twice to dislodge. 'Nothing's wrong, exactly. I'm just confused.'

Sarah nodded. 'Because both men are very attractive, yet you felt something from Lord Surbrooke's kiss that you didn't from Mr. Jennsen's.'

Carolyn simply stared. 'When did you become clairvoyant?'

'I'm no such thing. I'm merely observant and I know you very well.' She clasped both Carolyn's hands in hers. 'I've also seen the way you look at Lord Surbrooke when you think no one is looking.'

Oh, dear. 'And how is that?'

'Like a woman who is captivated by what she sees.' Sarah studied her for several seconds through serious eyes. 'He makes you laugh.'

She nodded. 'Yes. And feel and want things I'd never anticipated feeling or wanting again. I thought those yearnings were strictly the result of reading the Memoirs. That the sensual nature of the book made me long for the sort of physical closeness Edward and I shared.' She paused, not quite sure how to continue.

Sarah nodded slowly. 'You thought that like the Anonymous Lady, any of several men could satisfy those physical longings. Yet after kissing two men, both of whom are very attractive, you realize only one of them will do.'

Perhaps her sister truly was clairvoyant. 'I'm afraid so. And that is most unsettling.'

'Because you feel you're being disloyal to Edward's memory?'

'Partly.'

'Why else? Lord Surbrooke is a good man.'

'Yes.' Indeed, he was proving a much better man than she'd thought.

'Yet somehow you don't sound happy about that. Has he done something to offend you?'

'Actually, he sent me candy. And flowers.'

One corner of Sarah's mouth quirked upward. 'That fiend. I should set the dogs on him.'

A laugh escaped her and she shook her head. 'Danforth and Desdemona? I'm afraid your dogs, in spite of their imposing size, would simply lick him to death.'

'You're right. Clearly I need to purchase some vicious dogs.'

'It wouldn't matter. Dogs like him.'

'Then you should be happy. Dogs are very good judges of character. A man beloved by dogs is a man worth having.'

'But that is the problem. I don't want to have him.'

Sarah's expression turned soft with understanding. 'I think, in your heart, you do. And that is what is causing your turmoil.'

She shook her head. 'My heart belongs to Edward.' Didn't it? The fact that she would question something she'd always been so certain of truly alarmed her. 'And even if it didn't, Daniel's made it clear he doesn't want my heart. He is only interested in me in a physical sense.'

'Is that all you're interested in?'

Yes. No. I don't know. She thought she knew, but she just didn't anymore. The fact that all these changes and feelings had occurred in such a short time span only added to her confusion. 'Y- Yes.'

'Then I fail to see the problem. You both want the same thing.' Sarah squeezed her hands again. 'And you both should have it.'

Carolyn searched her sister's eyes. 'You're encouraging me to have an affair.'

'I'm encouraging you to do whatever is going to make you happy. You've been unhappy for so long, and I want you to live again. I'll not find fault with anything you do, Carolyn.' She hesitated, then said, 'You've already begun an affair with him.'

It wasn't a question, and was stated with such kindness and understanding, tears pooled in Carolyn's eyes. 'I… I'm not quite certain what's come over me. I thought I had everything all figured out, but after Logan kissed me and it didn't elicit the same sensations as Daniel's kiss…' Her voice trailed off, then she drew a deep breath and continued. 'This interlude with Daniel was supposed to be lighthearted. Carefree. And uncomplicated. And suddenly it doesn't feel that way.'

'Because feelings are very difficult to contain. And predict.'

'Which is very unsettling and vexing.'

'Yes. But it can also be wonderful.'

Yes. Or heartbreaking.

Sarah gave her quick hug. 'Enjoy yourself, Carolyn. Bask in everything that makes you glow. If you concentrate on making today the best it can be, tomorrow will fall into place.'

Carolyn leaned forward and kissed Sarah's cheek. 'Thank you.'

'You're welcome.' She lowered her voice. 'Don't look now, but Lord Surbrooke is across the room speaking to…' She craned her neck. '… Lady Margate. He's just caught sight of you and-oh, my, what a look came into his eyes. Like a flare of fire upon dry kindling.'

Carolyn couldn't help but look. Her gaze locked with Daniel's across the room, and it seemed as if everything between them-the guests, the noise, the music, the clink of crystal glasses-all faded away. Myriad questions bombarded her and it was all she could do to remain in place and not rush across the room to ask him. Did you read the book? My note? Are you as anxious to be together again as I am?

'Julianne and Emily are about to descend upon us,' Sarah said from the corner of her mouth. 'I'm going to leave you in their very capable hands while I locate my husband, who promised me a dance.'

Wondering how long it would take Daniel to approach her, Carolyn offered him a discreet nod, one he returned. Then she forced her attention to Emily and Julianne, who were demanding to hear the details of last night's shooting. When she glanced back to where she'd last seen Daniel, he was gone, as was Lady Margate, to whom he'd been speaking. Was he on his way across the room? Her heart quickened with the notion. But after a quarter hour had passed in conversation with Julianne and Emily and he'd yet to approach her, her spirits sank. Where was he, and why hadn't he come to her?