She dressed in her best gown and managed to make it to the assembly hall with her maid in tow, on time. Her father cried off, a bit under the weather he said, but Caroline forgave him that lie, seeing as how she was telling them too often herself these days. Harriet had not met her at the park, and neither was she there tonight, though it was a gathering of the cream de la cream and boring beyond measure. Caroline did not blame her for skipping it. She left at a decent time, her mind not wanting to be preoccupied with dancing and nodding prettily, but wishing to savor what had happened, and what she felt like in the coach. As soon as she entered the house however, she knew something was wrong. Her father was standing in the foyer, looking strained and obviously having watched for the coach. He requested, “Join me, in the study, Caroline.” Half afraid she had been spied at the coffeehouse with the Captain, Caroline felt her stomach sink. “Yes, father.” She handed her cape and gloves to the maid and cinched her hands together, walking behind her father to a well-lit study.
