UnexpectedChristmas by Jean Hart Stewart Page B

by our
immoral ton . But you will marry Lady Cecilia. You may be my son
but I do not have to leave you anything but the entailed property. You’d find
that not enough for a man of your extravagant tastes.”
    Sebastian looked his father straight in the eye.
    “I assure you I’ll make do. And I’ll not marry any other
than Caro. I don’t think Lady Cecilia will mind. We barely know each other.”
    His father’s apoplectic color and his determined glare
worried Sebastian. In no way did he want to widen the gap between himself and
his father. But Caro was the link to his humanity, his better self. He knew
with a knowledge that reached his soul she was the love of his life. He could
not give her up. She might not know yet how much she meant to him but she soon
would.
    A fleeting thought almost made him smile. What if he
alienated his father beyond redemption but still could not convince Caro?
    Not possible. He would not let her get away from his loving
possession.
    The marquess stopped his pacing and turned again to
Sebastian.
    “Bring this lightsk—” He stilled at Sebastian’s clenched
fists and heightened color. “Bring this woman to meet me. Now, if you please. I
would at least see what kind of adventuress has ensnared you enough to throw
away your inheritance.”
    There was the sound of a sharply inhaled breath. Sebastian
looked up to see Caro standing in the doorway, her hands to her lips. Her great
eyes filled with pain as she shook her head slightly.
    As he rushed to her she held him off. “No, Sebastian. Do not
say a word. I would speak with your father and tell him he has nothing to fear
from this adventuress. I will never marry you against his objections.”
    Sebastian grabbed her hands. She stood proudly and wrenched
her hands free.
    The Marquess of Somerdale swiveled to look at her, whitened
and then spoke in a whisper.
    “Althea. My Althea. I never dared hope to see you again.”
    As Sebastian turned to his father in confusion, Caro shook
her head in bewilderment.
    “Althea? That was my mother’s name.”
    Sebastian moved to her and took her hand. He said nothing
but his protective stance was evident.
    Caro looked at the marquess with her entire face showing her
incomprehension.
    “You knew my mother, my lord? I am told I resemble her.”
    The marquess answered in a softer voice than Sebastian had
ever heard.
    “You are her image, my dear. That my son has fallen in love
with you is understandable.” He took a deep breath and continued. “I would have
married your mother in an instant but she decided otherwise.”
    Caro’s questioning eyes prompted the marquess to continue.
She felt Sebastian’s start of surprise though he said nothing.
    The marquess took her hand and half dragged her to a chair
beside one he lowered himself into. His motions were those of someone in a
dazed dream but he never freed Caro’s hand.
    “I loved her, you know. I thought at the time Althea
returned my regard. Just foolish wishing on my part. She certainly looked on me
as a trusted friend. I wanted much more than that. I stormed and railed at her
when she announced she was in love with your father. She was genuinely
distressed but stuck to her resolve. Was she happy, my dear? Please tell me
that at least she was happy.”
    Caro looked at her hand in his for a long while.
    “You must know my father committed suicide. I cannot
understand all you are telling me, sir. I really can make no comment. I will
leave immediately. Of course you do not want your son to marry a woman who the ton holds in disgrace. I had already realized I could not do that to him.”
    She turned and started away when Sebastian laid his hand on
her arm and stopped her.
    “Caro, I do not care about anything or anyone but you.”
    “Then you are a fool, my lord.”
    Her head high and her shoulders stiff, she left the room.
    Two astonished men watched her go.
    Sebastian turned to his father. “I will have her, sir.”
    The marquess nodded. “I