Marrying the Major

Caroline looked at Freddie and saw criticism but spoke anyway. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“You shouldn’t go,” the boy said coldly. “He won’t like it.”

Caroline ached for him. He was trying to earn his father’s love through rigid obedience. It wouldn’t work. The person who had to change wasn’t Freddie. It was the major, and she intended to confront him. No matter what the letter said, he should have given his children more consideration.

After a glance at Bessie and a nod from Jon, she went to the entry hall. She saw Noah and the major speaking to a man she didn’t recognize. No voices were raised, but she felt the tension as plainly as the sun on a hot day. Ducking into a room off the hall, she watched as the courier left. The major told Noah he needed air and went out the door. When Noah went back to the dining room, Caroline followed the major.

Tristan made a beeline for the carriage house. He needed to think about the contents of the letter still loose in his hand, and he wanted to be alone while he did it … or at least away from inquisitive women and little girls eating raspberry tarts, away from Jon who’d read his expression too easily and Freddie who’d forgotten how to laugh. Cairo was all the company he could stand in light of the news he’d just received. His father was in Cheyenne. He’d ordered Tristan to send two carriages—one for himself and his traveling companion and the other for his staff. He didn’t name his companion, and Tristan hadn’t quizzed the courier. It would be just like his father to travel with a mistress. Needing time to think, he had sent the courier back to the hotel with instructions to wait for a reply in the morning.