The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (10 page)

Damon smiled and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “The battle is not over, my love.”

“But the first skirmish goes to me. I wanted to speak with you tonight to ask if you’d meet me at the art museum tomorrow. Would two o’clock be a good time for you?” Caroline chuckled inwardly at his surprised expression.

In the distance, she heard the dance music. The leaves rustled in the slight breeze and the moonlight shone across the surface of the large fountain. It was a night made for romance, but not for her. Inside she felt cold, trapped, and scared.

He put his hand at her elbow. “I will escort you inside.”

Her body trembled. Reluctantly, she walked with him into the ballroom. Then she thanked him and quickly walked off.

When she glanced back, she saw him maneuvering his way around the room in the opposite direction. No one appeared to have noticed their reentry. She won this round. Nothing had changed though. She had to marry him. There hadn’t been any way out from the start.

“Caroline, are you all right?” Joan and Sara stepped in front of her.

“Yes,” she lied.

Her friends insisted she join them in the nearest empty room. After entering, they closed the door. Joan took her into her arms and held her close. Sara gently touched her hair. Caroline hadn’t even seen them approach.

“It will be all right.” Joan pulled away and looked at Caroline. “He came to us and asked us to see to you. There was something in his eyes. I believe, given time, you two will do well together.”

Sara and Caroline stared at Joan. Joan, the sensible one, was much more difficult to please than the other two.

“Now who is being the romantic?” Sara asked.

“Nonsense, he’s a very eligible catch. I can’t believe he is the monster we’ve been picturing. That’s all. Caroline has to marry someone. He’s rich, handsome, and from a good family.” Joan glared at them, defying Caroline or Sara to repeat her earlier remark.

“He hates my father and possibly me. He only wants revenge.”

“What nonsense, Caroline,” Joan spoke firmly. “You are upset and exaggerating the situation.”

“You are right. I’ll find Mama and ask her to take me home. My head is pounding.” Caroline knew she could not tell them the whole sordid story.

Caroline looked around as they left the room. She saw her mother walking toward them. Seeing Caroline’s pale face, she agreed to leave. Sara and Joan waited with her as her mother went to get their wraps.

She was startled to see Damon stood beside her father. She said good-bye to her friends, and then she and her mother joined them. Caroline refused to make eye contact with Damon.

“Papa, we are ready to go home,” Caroline said softly. Her father put his arm around her, and they left without another word to Damon.

* * * *

Caroline dressed carefully the next morning. Her hair was pulled tightly back into her braids and covered with a small blue bonnet. She chose a dark-gray wool gown with a high neckline. She pulled her gray shawl around her shoulders and sat in front of the fire in her bedroom.

She had been cold all night while she lay pondering a way to escape Damon’s clutches without marrying him. To refuse his proposal meant financial ruin for her parents. Breakfast didn’t even appeal to her at all. She’d wait until after her meeting with him. Perhaps afterward her appetite might return.

The hours passed slowly. Finally, it was time. She’d rehearsed in her head what she wanted to say. The demands she planned to make. He didn’t have to accept them. He held all the winning cards. He knew she’d never refuse and see her parents hurt.

Her mother had left earlier to visit a sick friend. The house was empty and quiet. Caroline had requested the carriage be out front at one fifteen. Arriving early gave her time to stroll around and hopefully get rid of some of her nerves.

Few people visited the museum this afternoon. Caroline and Mary walked slowly around the various rooms. Caroline tried to focus on the artwork and noted each artist’s name. She heard the sound of footsteps. She didn’t need to turn to know it was him. Her senses were attuned to him. And in some way she didn’t understand, she knew when he was near. It really was quite disturbing.

“Lady Caroline.” He said her name, and she reluctantly turned in his direction. “May I join you in your stroll through the museum?”

“Please do.” She put out her arm, and he stepped forward. Mary dropped several steps behind them. Caroline had already told Mary who she was meeting and asked her to stay far enough behind that she and the viscount might have a private discussion. But she warned her not to lose sight of them.

“You are looking especially lovely,” Damon said, a wry smile on his face. “In spite of the gray color of your attire. It just shows you are able to wear anything and still be beautiful.” He leaned closer. “Even in nothing your beauty would totally dazzle a man.”

She jerked her head around and glared at him, then moved her head back when she realized how close his sensuous lips were to hers. “You, my lord, are not acting as a polite gentleman.”

“Perhaps not. My only excuse is that I seem to lose my head around you.”

“What utter nonsense. Please be serious. I only have a short time before I must return home. I needed to speak with you about this matter of marriage between us. The other night I heard my mother and father discussing you and your nefarious plan.”

“Surely not an evil plan. Simply making your father pay back for what he did to my family.”

Caroline noted the stiffening of his posture and darkness in his blue eyes. His arm muscle under her hand hardened. Her mouth went dry.

Taking a breath and determined to have her say, she continued. “One of your demands is for me to marry you. My parents can’t force me to marry anyone.”

“True,” he said, agreeing. “Yet, can you stand by and see what happens to them and consequently to you, if you do not marry me?” He stopped and faced her. Then he glanced down the corridor. His hand came up and caressed the side of her face. “No matter how lovely you are, no one will offer for you without a good dowry. Oh, perhaps an older man or a widower with children. Is that what you wish for yourself?”

Her face heated where his hand touched. “And marrying you would be any better?”

He lowered his mouth to the side of her head and whispered in her ear. “I’m young and a very good lover.”

The words and his breath on her ear sent a strange hunger straight to the center of her body. “My lord, you are being quite disrespectful.” She backed away from him and started walking. Thank goodness no one was around but Mary, some distance away. He strode quickly to her side, still smiling, which only irritated her more.

“Tell me what you wanted to say when you asked me to meet you here,” he said.

Facing straight ahead, she started to speak. “I see there appears to be no choice but for me to marry you. Still, I refuse unless you agree to my terms.”

This time he laughed out loud. “Your terms? I don’t need to agree to anything. Time and seeing the despair of your parents will force you into my arms. But I am curious. What do you want?”

Hope and fear fluttered in her heart. She entered a nearby empty room and walked to a side bench and sat. He joined her. The heat from his body penetrated the cold that had enclosed her since last night. She had difficulty not moving closer to him.

“What are your plans for me? I will not spend my life with a man who would abuse me or our children.”

His expression hardened. “I have never abused anyone. Nor would I, and especially not a woman or child. No matter how provoking the woman might be,” he added.

“I thought you might take your revenge out on me.”

She lowered her head so he couldn’t see the fear in her eyes.

He reached out and tilted her chin. “My god, you are frightened of me.”

“I am not,” she protested, and tried to glare at him. “No man will ever control or frighten me.”

“I certainly don’t intend to frighten you, but you will do as I say, being my wife. I’ll expect loyalty and submissiveness.” His devilish smile sent shivers across her body. “The submissiveness might be torture for you. Still, I’ll not have my wife making scenes in the middle of town.”

“What can you do to stop me? Beat me, lock me up?”

“I will take you to our bedroom and make love to you, my lady, until you agree with me. It will be very pleasant for both of us.”

Her cheeks flamed, and her hand itched to slap him. She didn’t have the nerve. He was not the usual sort of gentleman. There was a ruggedness about him that both fascinated and cautioned her.

“What are your demands?” he asked in a softer tone.

“I want to control my personal finances. I do not want to have to ask you for every penny I need. I have an inheritance from my grandmother. I want you to let me keep it. You said you were rich, so you don’t need the money.”

He was silent. She began to feel uncomfortable. His face was impossible to read.

Finally, he spoke. “There will be nothing agreed upon at this point regarding finances. You will not make demands. I will take good care of you and any family we may have.” His tone was firm and final.

Caroline stared at him, and then she got up and walked briskly back to Mary, motioned to her, and continued out of the museum.

* * * *

Damon watched her go with her back ramrod straight and her lovely nose held up in the air. In spite of her rigid posture, her backside moved seductively under that horrible gown. His body ached to possess her. She was all fire and ice, softness and sweet-smelling perfume.

He’d not thought about frightening her. She appeared so strong and stubborn, but he’d seen the fear in her eyes even though she’d tried to hide it. He’d forgotten about her innocence. After seeing her in town that day, he’d only seen her strength.

* * * *

“Caroline.” Her mother stepped into her room. “Lord Royston is downstairs with your father. I’m sure they’ll be calling for you to join them. Let me help you change your gown.”

“No, Mama. I will not change. I chose this dress knowing he would come this morning.”

“Nonsense, you have many lovely gowns. You’ll only anger him if you appear in such drab garb.”

“We might as well start the way we intend to go. I intend to do nothing to please him. He is forcing this marriage on me. I will not go meekly.” Caroline frowned at her mother. “My marriage to him will protect you and father, but I will not pretend this was my choice.”

Her mother shook her head. “Always stubborn and determined to do things your way. When will you learn, you can be just as effective with a gentler touch?”

“You mean like the other females, act dumb, smile, giggle, and hang on to a man’s every word. I think not, Mama. If a man can’t accept me as I am, then so be it.”

“Someday you will rue your foolishness. It is obvious he is attracted to you. With a little cunning you can get anything you want from him.”

“But the only thing I want is for him to leave us alone. Nothing will make him do that,” Caroline pointed out.

“Milady.” The downstairs maid appeared in the doorway. “Lord Halsford requests you and Lady Caroline join him downstairs.” The maid curtsied and walked off.

“So be it, do it your own way, Caroline.” Her mother motioned for her to go ahead of her.

* * * *

Damon stood at the door of Lord Halsford’s study and watched the stairs for Caroline. He had to smile when he saw her attire.
So, still you fight me.
She had dressed drably, her face pale and composed, her eyes refusing to meet his. His desire for her burst into hot flames, even with her lovely body covered in dark plain wool and her gorgeous hair out of sight under her cap.

Damon stood aside to let her and her mother enter the study. Caroline went to her father’s side. She hugged him, and reached up to kiss his cheek.

Lord Halsford motioned to his wife and daughter to be seated. Damon stood behind and slightly to the side of Caroline. The better to watch her expressions.

Caroline stared straight ahead at her father. He cleared his throat and looked beseechingly back at her.

“Lord Royston has asked for your hand in marriage, Caroline. Your mother and I feel his offer is very generous.”

* * * *

Caroline listened to her father’s stilted words. She tried to hold back her anger at both her father and Damon. Her father had put her in this position, and she was angry Damon had arranged his devious revenge plot.

“How generous, father?” Caroline asked in a sharp tone.

Her father flushed. “You will have an exceptionally large allowance for personal items and a good sum of money will be settled on any children you have. Whether they are sons or daughters, they will be well taken care of, even in the case of Lord Royston’s demise.”

Finally Caroline turned to Damon and glared. “It is reassuring that I can wish for your demise without endangering our children’s fortune.”

Caroline frowned when Damon shouted with laughter. “You always manage to surprise me, my dear. How wonderfully we’ll deal with one another.”