Caroline (14 page)

Caro's voice was growing stronger by the moment as her chin rose higher in her determination. Pierre was looking at her with such bewildered concern that she leaned forward to lay a tiny hand on his arm.

"Please excuse my outburst. I think I needed to let out some pent-up frustrations. I simply refuse to sacrifice myself on an altar as though he were a god. Other girls may do it, but I will not be ordinary. Can you understand the way I feel?"

He nodded, staring at her in fascination. Caro smiled as she continued, "And, you must not underestimate your own charm. I have truly enjoyed our evening together. It was very relaxing. Alec and I don't seem to be able to spend an hour together without ending it in a shouting match."

Pierre escorted Caro upstairs to her room and bade her a warm goodnight. She was happy to know that she had a friend, especially one who showed promise of acting as a buffer between her and the often volatile Alexandre Beauvisage.

Once in bed, she found that in spite of her extreme weariness she was unable to fall asleep. Her ears were tuned to the sound of Alec's footsteps, and she alternated between imagining where he was and trying not to think about him at all. Finally she drifted off into a fitful slumber, only to awaken hours later to the far-off sound of Alec's deep muted voice. Caro was on the verge of getting out of bed to investigate further when a soft, feminine whisper reached her ears. She could not make out the words, but the sound of his answering chuckle caused her to imagine an array of possibilities. Huddling under the deep quilts, she was suddenly very cold, and was surprised to feel bitter tears stinging her eyes.

"You devil! I hate you!" she whispered, but felt no better for saying it.

Chapter 10

The following morning, Caro was determined to be as cold to Alec as possible, for she was angry at herself for feeling hurt, and angrier still at him for inflicting it. She was feeling extremely disconsolate as well as tired, for her night's sleep had left her more worn out than she was before she retired. However, the day started off well despite her anger, for Madame Vontaine had a new dress sent over before Caro had even finished drinking her chocolate. When one of Madame's assistants entered the room displaying the new gown, she felt like a child receiving a special birthday gift.

The dress itself was lovely beyond words, made very simply of a rich cream-colored fabric overlaid with transparent pale-green gauze. There was a wide dark-green velvet sash at the waist, tied to one side, and the girl had brought shoes, underclothes, stockings, and even a dark green hat with a cluster of frothy cream-colored feathers emerging from its wide brim.

The gown was perfect for her, and she knew it as she dressed and surveyed herself happily in the glass before going downstairs.

When she reached the entrance to the dining hall she stopped short at the sight of Alec seated within. He was talking to a man she had never seen, leaning back in his chair with a cool elegance that made her heart pound maddeningly. Wearing no waistcoat or jacket, the soft lines of his shirt revealed the outline of his broad shoulders and chest. His expertly tied cravat was white against his tanned, finely chiseled face and the sweep of raven-black hair caught neatly at his neck. Even from a distance Caro could see the cynical gleam in his eyes. He did not see her at first, and she used the moment to calm herself and summon up her best manner of cool disdain. Then, as she stepped forward, Alec glanced up and flashed an irresistible grin that instantly melted her frosty resolve. He rose to surprise her by kissing her hand with lips that scorched her skin.

"
Cherie,
you look superb! Absolutely perfect. You know I am not a man given to idle compliments, so you must believe me when I flatter you."

Caro hardly knew what to make of his good humor. He looked completely rested, which irritated her, and she wondered if his night's activities had proved more soothing than sleep. She tried to look at him with cool detachment, but succeeded only in blushing.

The rest of the day followed the same pattern. Alec was in a rare good mood, brimming with witty conversation. Caro would watch him, remembering the humiliating tears she had shed the night before over the sound of a woman's voice in his room, and her heart would harden. But then he would speak to her, his voice dry with laughter, or he would grasp her arm with his warm, strong fingers, and she would melt again.

They spent nearly the entire day together, during which Caro found herself unable to start a quarrel. Alec took her out walking after breakfast, answering all her questions about New York City.

"I know it looks quite hopeless now, but I would be willing to wager any amount that New York will recover magnificently. I have a feeling that this city will be larger and more bustling than ever in a very short space of time."

As they strolled along, Caro was acutely conscious of the admiring stares she was receiving from passing men. The new hat was perched saucily atop her glossy curls, its wide brim accentuating her delicate face and expressive eyes. The gauzy layers of her gown clung to the curves of her body, and Caro felt as if she were wrapped and floating in gossamer.

The weather was almost too perfect to be real in October, for the sun was shining in a dazzling blue sky and the air was mild and sweet.

Alec watched Caro's smiling face as she looked curiously around while they walked. He could see how the men were looking at her, and she would blush adorably whenever someone stared too boldly. She was so obviously enjoying herself that he didn't have the heart to cut their walk short, although all his instincts shouted for him to shield her from those daring eyes.

Meanwhile, Caro noted Alec's lack of concern over the attention she was attracting. She could hardly credit that he was the same man who had raged at her about Colonel Kosciuszko only two nights before. She thought again of what she had heard while in bed the night before, feeling sad at the realization that he simply didn't appear to care enough to get mad anymore. Wondering again who the girl in his room had been, the idea occurred to her that perhaps Alec was in love. If that were the case, it would account for his altered behavior, but this possible solution did nothing to lift her spirits.

* * *

Madame Vontaine was waiting in Caro's chamber when they arrived back at the inn. She had spread out over the bed three more new gowns, and beamed in anticipation of Alec's praise.

The first was a polonaise, fashioned of expensive pale-gold silk and trimmed with ivory. The second gown was more traditional, ankle-length with a long boned bodice, deeply scooped ruffled neckline, and a modest puff in back. It was white muslin with narrow yellow-and-pale-green stripes over a snowy lace-edged petticoat. The last gown took Caro's breath away. It was made of candlelight ivory overlaid with fragile layers of peach-colored gauze. The back of the skirt was softly drawn up in airy gauze, and the sleeves were long and transparent.

Caro could not conceal her delight as she held each gown up against her body, dancing around the room to stop in front of the oval looking glass in the corner. Alec and Colette Vontaine watched her with indulgent smiles, the latter pointing out the round boxes against the wall which contained matching reticules, chemises, shoes, hats, and stockings.

"I tried to bring one dress for every occasion—the stripe is for morning wear, the green and peach are for public daytime wear, and the gold is for evening. Of course, the gauze dresses would be perfectly acceptable for evening—particularly the peach. I chose it just for you,
cherie,
and it should make you look quite grown up!"

Caro looked over her shoulder with shining eyes. "Madame Vontaine, you are like a fairy godmother from a storybook! I can never thank you enough!"

"My dear," Alec commented drily, "you may rest assured that you will eventually possess many gowns as lovely as these. Your dressmaker in Philadelphia will have plenty of time to create a perfect wardrobe for you."

Madame Vontaine narrowed her green eyes at Alec. "Do you mean to suggest that my gowns are inferior? I'll have you know, Alexandre Beauvisage, that I would not do such a favor as this for any other man! Do you have any idea of the long hours I spent..."

With a winning smile, he put an arm around her shoulders and led her across the hall. As the door to his room closed behind them, Caro heard him say:

"Please, Colette, spare me your recriminations. I am duly grateful for your efforts, and I intend to prove it to you!"

Caro stood rooted to the spot, limply holding the gold silk gown, suddenly filled with uncertainty. However, less than five minutes later Alec's door opened again and they emerged, Colette Vontaine stuffing a wad of bills into her open reticule. Caro observed with pleasure that not a hair of Madame's elaborate white wig had been disturbed, and Alec's cravat was still securely tied. After seeing her to her carriage, he returned upstairs, carrying something over his arm.

"It appears that Colette was saving her biggest surprise for last."

It was impossible to disguise the twinkle in his eyes as he held up a beautiful pelisse for her inspection. It was ankle-length, with wide sleeves, in a warm shade of cinnamon. The cuffs and hood were trimmed in luxurious red fox, so beautiful that Caro was afraid to touch it.

"Colette tells me she designed this for herself," Alec smiled. "She had always had a flair for the unusual. When she saw you she said she knew you would be perfect for this cloak, so she has sacrificed it. Not without being properly reimbursed, of course!"

Caro took the pelisse in her arms, caressing the soft fur as Alec continued: "It is growing late, and I should leave you to dress for dinner. I had planned to dine at a friend's house tonight, but Pierre protested so loudly at the idea of leaving you alone again that I have decided to bring you along. There will be just three of us, which is not terribly proper, but Alexander is a respectable married man, so I expect that helps a little. Will an hour be enough time for you to dress?"

"Oh! Oh, yes!" Her face lit up. "I'll be ready, Alec!"

"Good. Wear the peach."

* * *

The evening air was chilly enough for Caro to wear her new pelisse in good conscience. The fur framed her face in a way that made her eyes look lovelier than ever, and the general effect was quite irresistible. It took a great effort on Alec's part to remain politely detached in his compliments as he escorted her to the carriage. He was unusually silent during the short ride to Wall Street, so Caro contented herself with looking out the window as they traveled.

Her face was profiled exquisitely in the darkness, haloed by its wreath of fur, and once she turned to find Alec staring at her in a way that made her flesh prickle deliciously. The hard lines of face were cast in shadow, his eyes piercing even in the darkness. Caro looked at him, certain that he could hear her thudding heart as she waited for him to speak. There was something electric in the air, and she felt that he was touching her even though he hadn't moved. Suddenly the carriage drew to a stop and Maurice was helping her down.

Alec took her elbow and led her up a few steps to a plain brick row house. Before he could pull the bell, the door opened to reveal a slender man with chestnut hair, fine features, and an air of graceful self-assurance. As he reached out to grip Alec's hand, it was apparent that the two men were old friends. When Caro was introduced, Alexander Hamilton welcomed her with easy charm.

Inside the house, Hamilton took her pelisse, and as he led them into a cozy drawing room he commented: "You must excuse the appearance of this house, Miss Bergman. I have just acquired it and have not yet established myself here. I am wary about living in New York while the British still occupy the city, and it is impossible to think of bringing my family here."

"Where is your wife now, Mr. Hamilton?"

"We have been residing in Albany with her parents, the Schuylers, since leaving Philadelphia during the summer."

"We shall miss you there, Alexander," said Alec. "I shall be hard put for a good political discussion!"

"That is one problem I won't have here!" Hamilton laughed. "There are already seven other lawyers that I know of who are locating nearby. Few of us share the same views, as you might guess! As a matter of fact, Aaron Burr is living around the corner."

Caro listened as the two men discussed their shared memories of the war, Alec's meeting with Kosciuszko, and the latest news of General Washington. She gathered from the conversation that Hamilton had been closely associated with Washington during the war years. Caro watched him as they talked, deciding that he must be around Alec's age; certainly no older. There was a similarity in their manner, for both were men of intelligence, confidence, and natural charm. Physically, however, they were opposites. Hamilton's Scots ancestry was borne out in his reddish hair and fair skin, and he was dressed all in light brown. Alec's black hair shone in the lamplight, and his tanned skin contrasted attractively with the white lace at his throat and his pewter-gray coat.