Julie Garwood (15 page)

“What?” Charity took hold of Caroline’s hands and squeezed them with all her might. Although she was small in stature, Caroline thought her grip felt Herculean.

“The idea is to get Paul alone and convince him that you truly love him, correct?”

Charity nodded so vigorously that her hair came undone from the knot on top of her head.

“Bradford will gain us admittance,” Caroline announced, warming to her plan. “I’ll take care of that. The rest will be up to you, Charity. My plan requires that you play a difficult role. You can’t be nice! That would ruin everything.”

“I don’t understand,” Charity admitted, frowning now.

“Remember the morning I brought Benjamin into the house?”

“Yes. I was so frightened when I walked into the kitchen and found him sitting there with a knife in his hand.”

“But you didn’t show that you were afraid. And neither did your brothers. Remember how Caimen introduced himself and insisted on shaking Benjamin’s hand?”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with Paul?”

“Let me finish,” Caroline insisted. “Benjamin was so
distrustful of us but everyone just acted like it was the most common thing in the world to find him there. Then Mama came in, took one look at him, and immediately stated that she would take care of his cuts. Poor Ben never stood a chance. She had him bandaged and fed and in bed before he could say a word. If I remember correctly, he never did let go of the knife. I think he slept with it that first day.”

Caroline smiled, thinking how compassionate her aunt had been, and then continued. “Now then, if you let Paul know … I mean to say, if you show the least bit of compassion or pity, well, it just won’t do.” She continued with her explanation and, by the time she had finished, felt confident that it would really work out.

They talked for another hour and Caroline finally announced that they must get some rest.

“But we haven’t discussed your evening, Caroline. I have to tell you the compliments I heard about you! You did cause an uproar. Every lady there was filled with envy. And every man sought an introduction through your father, did you know that? Oh, there is so much to recount. Did you know that your Uncle Franklin was there and didn’t even come over to meet you? Yes, he was there,” Charity continued in a rush. “Your other uncle, the marquis, what a dear old man! Well, he pointed Franklin out to me and then he waved to get his brother’s attention, but Franklin just turned his back on the two of us and walked away.”

“Maybe he didn’t see you,” Caroline commented.

“Well, I wasn’t wearing my spectacles at the time, but I could see his scowl. He wasn’t that far away. It was most odd, but you have said on a number of occasions that the English are an odd lot, so I will use that explanation for the man’s rude behavior.”

“It is odd,” Caroline returned. “I didn’t meet him and you would think …”

“Did I tell you that I heard that Bradford never
attends any of the balls? I believe the only reason he was there tonight was because he knew that you would attend. Don’t shake your head at me,” Charity scolded. “I told you he would pursue you. Earlier you said that you would trust my instincts, remember? Now you must eat humble pie and admit that you are attracted to him. For heaven’s sake, Caroline, I found you kissing him on the balcony. Besides, I saw how you watched him when you didn’t think anyone was looking.”

“Was I that obvious?” Caroline asked, mortified.

“Only to me because I know you so well,” Charity replied.

“I am attracted to him,” Caroline admitted. “But he makes me so nervous.”

Charity smiled and patted Caroline’s hand in a motherly fashion.

“Charity, do you know that since I have arrived in England, my every conviction has been turned inside out? I feel like I am hanging upside down. I really believed that I would return to Boston—you remember how I boasted that I would—and now I meekly accept that I will live here. And when I met Bradford, I thought him arrogant and overbearing and now admit that I actually like the man! What is the matter with me?”

“I believe, Sister dear, that you are learning to bend. That is all. You never were one to compromise. I think it’s part of becoming a woman.”

Caroline gave her an exasperated look and Charity laughed. “I know I sound terribly wise but I believe that you are falling in love, Lynnie. I really do. Don’t look so horrified. It isn’t the end of the world.”

“That’s debatable,” Caroline announced. She stood up and stretched. “Sleep well, Charity.”

It was after three o’clock in the morning before Caroline finally settled in her own bed. Her mind was filled with questions, all concerning Bradford. Why was it such a miracle that he smiled? She must remember to
ask him about that. And then she fell asleep, a smile on her face.

Caroline awoke at the crack of dawn, her usual time, and was disgusted with herself. She had barely had four hours’ sleep and the circles under her eyes indicated as much.

She dressed in a beige walking dress with a scooped neck. Then she tied her hair behind her head and went downstairs in search of a hot cup of tea.

The dining room was empty and not a spot of tea to be found anywhere. Caroline followed the long hallway and finally located the kitchen. A woman Caroline assumed to be the cook sat in a chair next to the hearth.

Caroline announced herself and then looked around the large room. She was appalled by the dust and dirt clinging to the walls and layering the floor and found herself getting angry over the filth.

“My name’s Marie,” the cook told her. “My first week here. I can see you’re frowning over the mess but I ain’t had time to clean it yet.” She sounded belligerent.

Caroline gave her a sharp look and the cook’s attitude slowly changed.

“You might as well know my problem right off. I’ve ruined the meat again.” Caroline couldn’t detect any animosity in the woman’s voice now and she was upset over the matter.

“This place is filthy,” Caroline returned.

“The bread’s not fit to chew,” the cook answered. “I’ll be let go, and what am I to do then?” She started crying, using the edge of her dirty apron to wipe at her eyes, and Caroline wasn’t sure how to react. She was rather pathetic.

“Weren’t your duties explained to you before you accepted the position?” Caroline asked.

Her question seemed to cause additional distress, and the cook dissolved into loud sobs.

“Calm yourself!” Caroline’s voice had a sharp edge to it, and the cook immediately responded by taking several gasps.

“I lied and Toby helped me with the printing of my references,” she admitted. “’Twas dishonest to be sure, miss, but I was desperate for work and it was all I could think of to do. Toby’s earnings aren’t enough to see us through, you see, and I’ve got to make the extra shillings to feed little Kirby.”

“Who are Toby and Kirby?” Caroline asked. Her voice was softer now, laced with concern. Marie seemed an honest sort, owning up to her deceit, and Caroline felt sorry for her.

“My man and my boy,” Marie answered. “I cook for them and they barely make a complaint and I did think I could please the earl,” she continued. “Now he’ll let me go and I don’t know what will happen!”

Caroline took a moment to study Marie. She looked sturdy, though she was on the thin side, but Caroline decided that was because she probably couldn’t eat anything she prepared.

“You’ll be telling your father, miss?” Marie asked as she twisted her apron around her fingers.

“Perhaps we can come to some sort of agreement,” Caroline replied. “How much would you like to keep this position?”

“I’ll do anything, miss, anything,” Marie said in a rush. From the eager expression in her eyes, Caroline realized that the woman wasn’t much older than she was. Her skin was still unwrinkled. Only her eyes looked old, old and tired.

“You’ve met my friend Benjamin, haven’t you?” she asked.

Marie nodded. “I was told that he saw to your safety,” Marie answered.

Obviously Benjamin or her father had spoken of the relationship, and Caroline nodded. “Yes, that’s true,”
she said. “But he’s also quite efficient in the kitchen. I’ll ask him to prepare the meals and you’ll watch and learn.”

Marie nodded again and promised to do whatever Benjamin wanted.

Benjamin smiled when Caroline explained the situation to him, his only acknowledgment that he was pleased to help out. Caroline would never have suggested that he take over the duties on a temporary basis if she hadn’t known how much pleasure he found in creating special dishes.

By the time Marie and Benjamin had staked out their territory in the kitchen, the situation was well in hand. Marie was looking very humble and grateful, and Benjamin pretended that she wasn’t even there. Caroline left the pair and took a fresh cup of tea into the dining room to wait for her father.

The Earl of Braxton entered the dining room an hour later. Caroline sat with him while he ate what he called the most wonderful breakfast in his life. Then they went through the stack of notes that had arrived that morning. Caroline was swamped with flowers and pleas for an immediate audience.

“Did I mention that the Duke of Bradford will be calling on you at two this afternoon?” her father asked.

“Two o’clock!” Caroline gasped. She jumped up, patting her hair almost absentmindedly. “That is less than two hours away! I must change my gown at once.”

Her father nodded and called after her, “Tonight we attend a dinner party given by Viscount Claymere and his family.”

Caroline paused in the doorway. “Isn’t Claymere the awkward gentleman I met last night?”

When her father nodded, Caroline rolled her eyes heavenward. “Then I mustn’t wear the ivory gown tonight. He’s sure to spill something on it. Too bad black isn’t fashionable,” she called over her shoulder.

Bradford was fifteen minutes late. Caroline was pacing the confines of the main receiving area. She heard Deighton greet him as “your Grace,” and then the doors were opened and he was standing there.

He looked extremely fit and was dressed in riding apparel. The buckskin breeches were as snug as the last time she had seen him in them, and she found herself smiling over the handsome figure he cut. His coat was the color of deep chocolate, making his neckcloth look bright white. His Hessians were polished to perfection and Caroline imagined that if she leaned down, she would see her face in the shine.

He had obviously taken care with his dress, but then so had she, Caroline admitted. She wore a lavender gown with cap sleeves. The neckline was square and of a deeper blue color. Mary Margaret had curled her hair into a cluster at the back of her neck, with small curls framing the sides of her face.

Caroline realized that she was staring at Bradford and that he was staring at her. She lifted the hem of her skirt, displaying blue leather shoes, and gave a formal curtsy. “You are late, milord. What kept you?”

Her bluntness brought a smile. “And you are early. Don’t you know that a lady must keep her suitor waiting at least twenty minutes so that she will not give the appearance of being overly eager?”

“And are you my suitor?” Caroline asked as she walked toward him.

Bradford saw that her eyes fairly sparkled with mischief and found himself nodding. “And are you overly eager?” he returned.

“But of course,” Caroline answered. “I have learned that you are wealthy and respected so I am naturally eager. Isn’t that what you believe?” She laughed at his expression, thinking he looked terribly uncomfortable.

“I haven’t even greeted you properly and you bait me,” Bradford said with a heavy sigh.

“But we have just greeted each other,” Caroline contradicted. She began to lose her smile and her flirtatious mood when the Duke of Bradford started to advance upon her at an alarming pace. Caroline backed up and would have avoided his grasp had it not been for the settee blocking her retreat.

Bradford took hold of Caroline by the shoulders and slowly pulled her to him. His intent was most clear, and Caroline frantically tried to push him away as she looked beyond his shoulder. The doors were wide open and her father could walk in at any moment. She knew that Deighton had gone to tell him that Bradford had arrived. It certainly wouldn’t do to have him find her in such a compromising position.

“My father—” Caroline never finished her thought. Bradford claimed her mouth in a warm, intoxicating kiss that immediately melted her good intentions. She responded almost at once, cupping the sides of his face with her hands. The kiss drained any thought of rebellion and when Bradford pulled away, Caroline was disappointed. Her look must have told him so because he started to laugh.

“Why didn’t you kiss me the way you did last night?” Caroline asked. She realized she was still touching his face and dropped her hands.

“Because once I kiss you
that way,”
he said, mimicking her choice of words with a tender grin, “I don’t want to stop. I know my limits,” he continued.

“Are you suggesting that I could make you lose your control?” Caroline asked.

Bradford read the amusement lurking in her violet gaze and thought again what an innocent she was. She thought to tease him and didn’t have a clue that what she said was true. She could make him lose control.

“Since you do not answer me, I can only conclude that I could!” Caroline laughed, clasping her hands together, and strolled at a sassy pace to one of the wingback chairs flanking the marble fireplace. “That
makes me very powerful, milord, doesn’t it? And I am only half your size.”

Bradford sat down in the other wingback chair and stretched his long, muscular legs in front of him. One boot crossed over the other in a relaxed position as he considered how to answer Caroline. He regarded her for a full minute and Caroline thought he looked almost brooding.

“All right,” Caroline said with a sigh. “You aren’t in the mood for teasing and besides, I have something important to ask of you before my father arrives. I need a small favor, Bradford, and if you will only agree, I will forever be in your debt.” Caroline folded her hands in her lap and waited for Bradford’s reply.

“Forever?” Bradford asked, one eyebrow raised. “That is a long time to be in another’s debt.”