A Lasting Impression

him. Cara Netta LeVert could have her choice of so many other men. Wealthier, and from better families.
    “ Marriages are built on many different foundations, Mr. Monroe .”
    Adelicia’s comment returned on a dull echo. What kind of marriage would he and Cara Netta have if he were to proceed in seeking her hand? The question wasn’t easily answered. But what bothered him far more—and what he couldn’t deny, no matter how he tried—was knowing that if Claire had felt something more than friendship for him, he wouldn’t be here right now, working so hard to justify his feelings for Cara Netta.
    The truth was jarring.
    “Cara Netta . . .” How could he share his hesitations without hurting her, without causing her to think it was her fault? “You and I have been friends for a very long time, and I’m not saying that we shouldn’t—”
    She took hold of his hand and squeezed tight. “Have I ever told you what my father said about you the night before he died?”
    Wary, he shook his head.
    “He told me that he thought you were one of the finest men he’d ever known. And that you were just the sort of young man he would have chosen for me.”
    Sutton blinked, feeling a veil being ripped away. And he heard the answer—at least in part—to his earlier question of why she’d set her cap on him. And the truth was—she hadn’t. Henry LeVert had done that for her. Cara Netta was following her father’s wishes, not those of her own heart.
    And knowing that explained so much.
    “I appreciate that, Cara Netta,” he whispered. “I know you loved your father very much.”
    She nodded, her grip tightening on his hands.
    “And you’re doing what you believe he would have wanted you to do.”
    She nodded again, then stopped. Her gaze turned appraising.
    Sutton touched her cheek, seeing awareness dawn in her eyes. “But you need to make your own choice in this. You need to listen to what your heart is telling you.” Just as he did.
    “I am listening. And it’s telling me that we would make a grand couple, Sutton.” Tears rose in her eyes. “And that we would have a good life together. A happy life.”
    Sutton considered the statement, and found truth in it. He and Cara Netta had their differences, but they were compatible in many ways. More so than many couples he’d known. He got along well with Madame LeVert, and Diddie was the sister he’d never had. Still, something inside him held back from agreeing.
    A dinner bell rang in the distance, and they turned to see Cordina waving from up by the house. He offered Cara Netta his arm. She looped her hand through, and they started back.
    “Cara Netta, about what we were discussing, I think it would be wise for us to give ourselves time to—”
    She turned to him and pressed a hand to his chest. “Let’s not talk about this now, Sutton. You’ve had a busy day and an even busier week. You have a lot on your mind right now. And I agree. . . . Let’s give things some time.” Her smile was almost convincing. “Let’s simply enjoy each other, and . . . we’ll talk about all this later.”
    He knew they needed to finish the discussion, but he needed time to sort things out. And he would do anything not to deliberately hurt her. He only wanted the best, for them both. Whatever that was.
    When they reached the front door, she turned to him, her expression vibrant once again, as though their exchange by the stables had never taken place. “I’m so excited about tonight,” she said, preceding him into the entrance hall.
    “Tonight?”
    She smiled and swatted his arm. “We’re all going to the opera. Mother arranged everything. Did you forget?”
    His stomach churned at the thought. “No,” he said quickly. “Of course not.”
    She eyed him.
    “All right, yes. I forgot.”
    Just before they entered the formal dining room, she slipped her hand into his. Everyone else was seated and turned their way, and he grew uncomfortable beneath the “happy couple” image they no doubt displayed.
    Especially when he met Claire’s gaze.
    It wasn’t until dinner was over that it occurred to him—had Claire been invited to the opera too? Sutton assumed she had. She’d joined them in the grand salon each evening as Cara Netta played and they enjoyed Cordina’s desserts.
    He stood and scooted his chair back beneath the table and tried to get Adelicia’s attention. But she and Madame LeVert were in deep discussion about something. He couldn’t very well ask