Chapter 10
Caroline
**
"French, German, and Italian?" Ursula Flint Black nodded at her appraisingly at her answer, casting her son, Phineas, a smile as he sat next to Caroline in the newly established shop of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
"Yes, Lady Black—my family traveled through Europe before we settled here in England. Mama is a wonderful teacher, she was an accomplished musician and singer before she married by father."
"Oh! And do you play, dear?"
Caroline nodded, her fingers playing with her own hands underneath the table, "Yes, the piano and violin—though I'm not much of a singer as my mother."
Lady Black laughed heartily, eyeing her up and down, "I can see why Phineas is quite taken with you then. A well-bred young lady, indeed!"
She smiled, resisting the urge to wince at the title noting Phineas' awkward cough as his mother continued to appraise her. Caroline breathed a small sigh of relief at the cracking pop of a house elf appearing, Lady Black refocusing her attention on the new arrival, "Kreacher! Is everything alright?"
The house elf bowed low, stuttering as it stared between Lady Black and Phineas, "Belvina is asking for you ma'am."
Lady Black sighed, pouting as she turned to Caroline and Phineas, "I'm afraid I must cut my stay short. But please, do enjoy yourselves! Phineas—you must write me more about this later. Of the few letters I receive from you, to hear about a young lady—finally!" Caroline stood to drop into a slight curtsey goodbye, waiting for her to leave before she turned to Phineas with a soft laugh.
He bit his lip to hide his smile, turning to the elf next to him, "Thank you, Kreacher—truly! That will be all for now."
"Kreacher is most happy to help master Phineas!" the house elf exclaimed with a happy wiggle of his ears before popping away.
Phineas bowed, before he stood to extend his arm to her, "I apologize for my mother's enthusiasm, she can be a bit of an acquired taste."
She laughed, taking his arm as they meandered down Diagon Alley looking through shops, "She seems quite lovely though. Do you think I passed her review?"
"She's lovely enough... especially if you meet the single criteria of being a pureblood," he gave her an apologetic smile, "She's not very fond of anything Muggle."
Caroline nodded as they stopped at the front of Flourish and Blotts, peering up at him, "I take it you don't share the same view?"
"Clearly," he scoffed, pouting, "I was quite hoping she would have been busy. I did hear such great things of Muggle London."
She bit her lip at the disappointment on his face, "Well then—perhaps next time we should go. In disguise though, yes?"
He laughed nodding, taking hold of her hand crooked through his arm, and kissing the back of her palm softly, "It's a promise then."
**
Two families in one day—Caroline thought as her knee bounced underneath the table at the Three Broomsticks. She had opted for this second meeting to be closer to Hogwarts—in the hopes that familiar faces would deter her next suitor from trying anything untoward. Sirona had placed her at a table viewable from the bar. Thank Merlin for that woman... honestly—she thought as Marvolo pulled his chair to sit before her.
"Good afternoon, my darling—and how are you this fine day?"
Caroline had a stiff smile as she watched him sit, blinking in curiosity as she looked behind him, "Is... is your family joining us?"
YOU ARE READING
Sins of the Father | Sebastian x OFC (Caroline Rookwood) | Ominis x Garreth
RomanceOnly fools would ever deign to consider that one could outrun the cost of a bargain. For Victor Rookwood, his deeds and dealings have become his daughter, Caroline's, to bear. For Ominis Gaunt? A centuries-old myth and whispers of a curse among the...
