She gestured to him, then went back to her room, and as she stepped inside, he followed like a puppet on a string. He shut the door and spun the key in the lock.
“What’s your plan, Miss Grey?” he asked. “You’ve lured me to your boudoir like the naughtiest courtesan. Are you hoping to have your wicked way with me?”
“Maybe.”
“Why would I oblige you? I’m simply an innocent young sailor.”
“You liar. You’re a rutting dog, and you’ve been lusting after me from the moment we met.”
“You could be right about that.”
“It’s a common fact that men can’t control their desires. It’s physically impossible, and I would hate to have you injure yourself by panting after me, so I’ve decided to have mercy on you.”
“Are we about to engage in a flirtation?”
“Yes, we are.”
He grinned a grin she felt clear down to her toes, then he pulled her into his arms—as she’d been wishing he would—and she was dreadfully glad he’d thought to lock the door.
“Sit down.”
Samson glared at Gregory, watching as his son slunk to the nearest chair. It was early evening, the house quiet, with guests dressing for supper.
Samson, himself, had been trying to get ready, but he was so irate that he couldn’t focus on the elemental task. Finally, he’d given up and had summoned Gregory to his bedchamber.
He could smell a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Gregory’s person, and his beleaguered condition highlighted the urgency of Caroline’s complaints.
“What is it, Father?” Gregory asked. “From your dour expression, it appears I’m about to be scolded for another infraction, but I’m not in the mood for any of your nagging.”
“Don’t be insolent.”
“I’m thirty years old and about to become a husband. I can’t abide your incessant lectures. What reason is there to visit Grey’s Corner? I should stay in town and not bother making these futile trips to the country.”
“Have you seen Caroline today?” he asked.
“Yes. She and I had that idiotic appointment with the vicar and his wife, so I spent two hours with her.”
“How did she seem to you?”
“She was peculiar as a bird with a broken wing. She’d badgered me about the meeting, so I dragged myself to it, but it was the most awkward encounter ever. She was sullen and morose, almost as if she was in a trance.”
“Was she rude to them?”
“Not rude precisely. She simply acted as if she was a stranger who had no connection to the discussion.” Gregory bristled with annoyance. “Just to warn you, they were bewildered by her behavior and even a tad insulted. You’ll likely have to mend that fence.”
“We have bigger fish to fry than the vicar’s hurt feelings.”
“What could be bigger than that? Those religious types can be a massive pain in the ass when they’ve been slighted.”
“Tell me about you and Mrs. Starling,” Samson said, deftly switching to the only subject that mattered. “I realize you’re involved with her, but are you openly cohabitating?”
Gregory’s cheeks heated. “Have I mentioned that I’m thirty? Have I mentioned that these lectures have to stop?”
Samson’s temper flared. “As you conveyed her to Grey’s Corner, had it occurred to you that there might be people in the manor who would find that invitation to be very shocking?”
“Who would find it shocking?” Gregory inquired like a dunce.
“Your fiancée, for starters.”
“Oh.”
“Yes, oh! Your liaison with Mrs. Starling has been exposed, and Caroline is incredibly enraged.”
“My life in London doesn’t have anything to do with my life at Grey’s Corner. It’s really none of Caroline’s business, is it?”
“That’s exactly what I told her, but unfortunately for you, she would beg to disagree.”
Gregory scowled. “Meaning what?”
“First off, she is demanding Mrs. Starling vacate the premises.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I enjoy having Lucretia here.”
“I am demanding it too,” Samson added. “I recognize that you’re entitled to pick your friends, and I’m to have no opinion about them, but this is the limit of what I can tolerate. She’ll depart in the morning—the minute she’s eaten her breakfast.”
“I don’t believe she’ll go quietly.” Gregory smirked. “Would you like to be the one to order her out?”
“I would be glad to speak to her the instant this conversation is over.”
Gregory sighed as if Samson was a great burden. “I’ll handle it, but I must point out that you’re being absurd. Caroline too.”
“Is that what you imagine? She and I are being absurd?”
“Yes. She isn’t even my wife yet, and she’s whining like a shrew.”
“She’s called off the wedding,” Samson bluntly announced.
Gregory blanched with astonishment. “What?”
“She doesn’t want to marry you!” Samson uttered each word slowly, as if clarifying for an imbecile. “She’s changed her mind!”
“Why would she? It’s deranged thinking.”
“It’s recently dawned on her that you are a foul choice for a spouse. You’re a gambler and drunkard, and you have a doxy to whom you are devoted. Evidently, you’re very stupid too. You brought that trollop home with you, and someone tattled.”
“Caroline is such a little mouse,” Gregory said, “and she and I have always been cordial. At this late date, why would she be chafing over any of my failings?”
“That scoundrel, Caleb Ralston, has been gossiping with her.”
“Ralston is a chum. He wouldn’t have betrayed me.”
“Caleb Ralston wouldn’t have?” Samson shook his head, feeling disgusted and even a bit afraid. “How much money do you owe him? How many promissory notes have you signed?”
“The amount is a pittance. Don’t worry about it. I’m certainly not concerned.”
“He has to go in the morning too,” Samson said. “You can tell him after you’ve finished informing Mrs. Starling.”
“Could we forget about Ralston and focus on Caroline. I hope you told her she couldn’t cry off.”
“I told her I won’t permit it, and she told me to stuff it.”
“You’re her guardian, and you contracted the match. It’s not up to her who she weds. It’s up to you. Her opinion is irrelevant.”
Samson laughed a nasty laugh. “I’ll let you explain
