Caroline (40 page)

Afterward, Caro lay exhausted in his arms, closing her eyes as he traced soft patterns over her face and hair with a lean finger. There was a closeness between them that defied words, and when Alec spoke at last, breaking the spell, his voice sounded regretful.

"Caro? Are you asleep?"

Her warm brown eyes opened slowly as she gave him a contented smile. "No. But I'm dreaming anyway."

"I hate to intrude then, but there's a matter I want to discuss with you. We'd better get some clothes on so I can clear my head!"

After pulling on his breeches and boots, he helped her into her things. He tied the stock on her blouse, then ruefully eyed the waistcoat and jacket, both of which were missing a few buttons.

"I may have to replace this habit," he remarked ironically. "It's a good thing I can afford it!"

"Perhaps if you were not so rich you might be forced to cultivate a little patience," Caro laughed.

"Believe me, money is the last thing on my mind when you are close to me! At any rate, it was worth it. Easily."

"My attire ought to cause a few raised eyebrows when we arrive back at Belle Maison. They'll all think I ran into some depraved creature in the woods..."

"You can tell them that you did," he replied drily, as they settled themselves against a tree. Alec put an arm around Caro and stretched out his long legs.

"I did a lot of thinking last night," he began. "I decided that you and I should get away from here for a short while. We never had a honeymoon and I think that the time alone would be beneficial. We've been through a lot since our marriage—and before, Lord knows. I'd like to get away from all outside influences for a while. What do you think?"

Caro was beaming. "I think it's the most splendid idea I've ever heard! Where will we go?"

"I have to make a trip back up to Connecticut to clear up the business with that farm, and I thought you could accompany me. Afterward, if you are so inclined, we might sail to France." His voice was deliberately casual. "As a matter of fact, I have been considering the idea of making the journey up the coast by boat. Would you like that?"

Cheeks flushed with excitement, she exclaimed, "Like it? I'd love it! What sort of a boat?"

"Well, I've been engaged in a little project with Father to outfit one of the small privateers as something of a luxury craft. We've put in the finest woodwork and furniture—every comfort of home. There are only two cabins with beds, so it lends itself to romance, and to swift travel." He stopped, rubbing his jaw. "The only drawback is the danger involved. Sea travel is not renowned for its safety—that's why hardly anyone sails. The risk is considerable, and there are numerous shipwrecks on the rocks along this coast."

"Oh, Alec, I would feel secure with you no matter where we were. I think you lead a charmed life."

"For your sake, let us hope that is the case." Then his tone grew more serious. "There is something else I want to talk to you about. It's a subject I've been meaning to raise for weeks now, but every day has seemed too happy to be shadowed by this-"

Her stomach tightened apprehensively as he looked down at her before continuing.

"It's about your past. No—I don't know anything yet, but it's not for lack of effort on my part. That's the reason we've stayed here all this time; I've been waiting for news."

"News from whom?"

"I have a few people working on this—up and down the coast. I'm about ready to call a halt for now, though. It seems that when the war ended, girls were running off by the dozens with men of every persuasion—colonials, redcoats, loyalists, Hessians—you name it. Until the smoke clears and more of them are located, I can't see that we'll be able to learn anything. In the meantime, perhaps you'll be able to make some discoveries on your own in Connecticut.... I'm sure the chances are slim that we'll be anywhere near your original home, but it's still a possibility."

"Alec—have you heard any more about Ezra Pilquebinder?" The image that continued to haunt her dreams flashed painfully in her mind.

"I know that he is nowhere near Philadelphia. In truth—I'd be half tempted to let this whole business of your past drop if it weren't for him. But I have to get to the bottom of this one way or another. We can't have Pilquebinder hanging over our lives forever, especially when we don't know what his part has been...." He was looking off into the distance, his jaw set thoughtfully.

"You know," Caro said wistfully, "I used to think that I was incomplete because I didn't know what my background was. I thought that was the reason that I felt so mixed up and that if I could remember everything, all my problems would clear up. But now I don't really care very much. Of course, I'd like to know—but if I never find out, it will be all right. I have learned that today is what counts. And, our life together has made me whole."

The concerned expression in Alec's eyes changed as he tipped her chin up and their lips met.

"Ah, sweetheart," he murmured warmly, breaking off at the sight of Ivan prancing out of the trees. He circled around restlessly, tossing his black head, and came to a stop in front of them. Alec eyed the horse in amusement. "God, you look pleased with yourself! Molly must be too shy to face her mistress right now, eh?"

Ivan neighed, stamping one hoof against the grass, then faced them and showed his large white teeth. Caro burst out laughing.

"Look at him—he's grinning at us! If I didn't know better, I'd swear you two were related! Taking advantage of innocent females—"

"Please!" Alec broke in. "We already feel guilty enough. The only point of consolation is the realization that you and Molly both love every moment."

Ivan threw back his head and whinnied in agreement.

Chapter 29

The same gentle rocking that hastened her sleep at night disturbed Caro's dreams in the morning, and now she came slowly awake. The privateer, which had been rechristened
Enfin Amour,
was the loveliest little boat Caro could imagine. Though considerably smaller, the cabin she and Alec shared was as comfortably appointed as their bedchamber at Belle Maison. Decorated mainly in a rich dark red, it boasted a cozy built-in bed large enough for two and the most beautiful Persian rug Caro had ever seen. There was a roomy wardrobe, two plush wing chairs nailed in place, and even a fixed kneehole desk.

Caro snuggled down into the feather tick, enjoying the softness of the sheets against her naked body. Instinctively, she reached out for her husband and came fully awake when she discovered his absence. Sitting up, she squinted in the sunlight. It was the first time he had been out of her sight since they had boarded the
Enfin Amour
two nights before, a circumstance she now determined to speedily correct.

Scrambling out of bed, Caro crossed naked to the wardrobe and extracted a thin satin wrapper. For a moment, she was swept by a feeling of giddy nausea, but after a few deep breaths it passed. It seemed that the illness had been chasing her for over two weeks, but so far she had eluded all but the most fleeting symptoms. Mind over matter, she thought proudly, heading for the door.

The only other passenger aboard the craft was Pierre, who charted their course by night and much of the day as well. Caro had quickly taken to the idea of the total privacy they enjoyed at sea, particularly delighting in the chance to wear little or no clothing. Now, she stepped out onto the deck in the sheer wrapper, which clung to her body like gossamer. The sun was like a globe of pale-yellow fire in the cloudless sky, but the breeze from the ocean was cool and refreshing.

Alec stood only a few feet from their cabin, adjusting one of the sails to catch the morning wind. He was shirtless, and an appreciative Caro watched the muscles ripple across his wide, brown back as he worked.

"I thought perhaps you had gone for a swim to cool off after last night," she greeted him.

Alec laughed, turning to meet her smile. His ruffled hair was shone in the sunlight and the eyes that sparkled in his tanned face were as turquoise as the sea that churned nearby.

"Ah, wench, that idea is tempting." He leaped lightly down to the deck beside her, taking in her appearance with a bold gaze that brought a rush of warm blood to her cheeks. Alec laughed again. "Well, you
should
blush after your conduct last night! Such abandon!"

"You do bring out the harlot in me."

"I see that you are dressing the part," he teased, sliding lean-muscled arms around her waist. "I gather that life at sea agrees with you?"

"Supremely."

As she spoke, Alec bent to cover her open mouth with his own, and Caro's arms encircled his sun-warmed shoulders and neck. They kissed lazily at first, then more intensely, and a hungry Caro pressed her body nearer. Her breasts swelled against the thin material that separated them from Alec's broad chest until his hand slipped around to her belly to open the wrapper. She could feel his own urgency against her loins and shivered when his head bent to caress her neck, then her breasts, with burning lips.

"I think it's time for breakfast," he whispered hoarsely. As though she were a child, he lifted her into his arms and carried her back to the still-warm bed.

* * *

"Heaven could not be more perfect than this," Caro murmured contentedly. Physically satiated, she lay in the shelter of Alec's arms, her face against his chest.

"I am inclined to agree," he replied, smiling. "In fact, I am tempted to take down the sails and drift for a few days... or weeks."

"Oh, let's... forever."

"I fear we would soon starve."

"We could catch fish!"

"That's an interesting thought. But there's the matter of water—"

"We could drink wine! There must be a lifetime supply aboard."

Alec chuckled. "I can see us now, spending the rest of our days here—constantly intoxicated."

"I am intoxicated as it is, without wine. Oh, Alec, I have never been so happy in my life!"

"Nor have I."

He felt something warm and wet drop on his chest. Propping himself on an elbow, he tipped Caro's face up and found her eyes brimming with tears.

"
Cherie,
why do you weep?" He moved down from the pillow to hold her more closely.

"I don't know," she sobbed, pressing her face against his neck. "I just suddenly felt overcome by it all."

Alec let her cry, thinking of the other impulsive bursts of tears that she had shed of late. More and more, he was convinced that she was with child, for he was also aware that there had been intermittent bouts of nausea which she had tried unsuccessfully to hide from him. Twice during the week before they sailed she had actually been physically sick before breakfast, though perfectly healthy in every other way. Was it possible, he wondered, that she did not suspect her condition?

Now, Caro laughed shakily and wiped her eyes on the embroidered edge of the sheet.

"You must imagine that I am becoming a silly female," she said with an embarrassed smile.

Alec grinned, running his brown hands over her silky thighs and hips.

"Female, yes, but never silly."

He slipped his fingers into her honey-colored hair to encircle her neck, drawing her near for a kiss that touched her with its warm intensity.

"Ah, Caro, how I love you."

* * *

The farm that Alec had won from Josef Bergman was located in a rather remote area north of New London. It took them nearly a full day to reach it in the heavy coach Alec had hired, and Caro was so tired by the time they arrived that most of her excitement had worn away.

Their night in New London had been less than enjoyable. Both of Alec's friends who lived there were away in Boston and they had been forced to lodge in a shabby inn. Caro almost wished that she had not insisted on sharing a room with her husband, for the bed they slept in was too narrow, its tick filled mostly with crunchy straw. Alec's feet went over the end, and he tossed restlessly most of the night, keeping her awake as well. To make matters worse, they had eaten some rather gamey meat pie in the taproom that evening, and Caro's stomach was in a worse turmoil than usual. All in all, it was a far cry from the idyllic life on board the
Enfin Amour.
As they jounced endlessly over the rutted road, Caro leaned her head against Alec's shoulder and mentally relived all the blissful hours they had spent making love and talking during the voyage. It still amazed her that they had been together constantly for days and never run out of conversation. It had been paradise, but the twenty-four hours that had passed since they reached land had rapidly returned her to reality.