you're-' he broke off, realizing he wasn't being very delicate.
Caroline nodded. 'Until I've been murdered?' She turned to her husband then and said, 'You can think of a way for me to be safe in London.'
She was surprised when her husband nodded agreement; 'You'll be very safe,' he announced. 'We'll leave at dawn.'
'Brad, use your head! There's just four days left now, and regardless of how you argue that Franklin is the guilty one, you're not absolutely sure.'
'How do you know he isn't sure?' Caroline asked Milford.
'It's simple,' Milford returned. 'If he was certain, Franklin would be dead now.'
Caroline looked shocked, following Milford's line of reasoning.
'Do you honestly believe that your husband would allow him to live?' Now Milford looked shocked.
'Don't worry her,' Bradford interrupted. He took his wife into his arms and kissed the top of her head. 'We have to go to London to set our trap.'
As soon as Caroline was safely tucked inside their London townhouse, Bradford sent a note to her father, requesting an immediate interview.
Caroline was so exhausted from the long journey that she fell asleep on the settee, and Bradford carried her upstairs and put her to bed. She didn't learn what her father had told her husband until the following morning. Then he confirmed that her father had told the marquis the true reason for sending her to Boston.
'Can we go to see Uncle Milo?' Caroline asked.
'I insist on it,' Bradford returned. He saw his wife's surprised look and smiled. 'Franklin is cooped up with his mistress but Loretta's there. I'm going to mention that we're returning to Bradford Hills on the morning of the twentieth.'
'How do you know that Franklin's with a mistress and Loretta-'
'Caroline, credit me with a little common sense,' he returned. 'I've had men trailing the two of them for a long time now.'
'Are you certain that Loretta's in on it?' Caroline asked, getting decidedly nervous.
Bradford sighed and slowly nodded his head. 'Go and get ready,' he suggested.
Caroline rushed up the steps but Bradford halted her with his comment. 'Sweetheart? Try not to look too surprised when you see your uncle's newest employee.'
'And who might that be?' Caroline asked, puzzled by his statement.
'Your father's former cook.'
'Marie? Are you serious?' Caroline grabbed hold of the banister rail, her eyes wide with the ramifications of what Bradford was suggesting. 'Good Lord! She could have poisoned us all… why didn't she?'
'Probably would have if Franklin hadn't come up with his devious little plan. As it was, her duty was to keep tabs on you and report.'
'She's the one who put that horrid letter on the table for me to find!'
Bradford nodded and was shocked when his wife repeated one of his favorite expletives.
He didn't think to criticize her for it. Caroline turned and hurried on to her room, muttering something about trusting Mary Margaret's instincts from now on.
Their departure to see the marquis was delayed when Charity and Paul arrived on their doorstep for a visit.
Caroline was so thrilled to see her cousin that Bradford kept his patience and listened to the idle chatter until his nerves had reached the breaking point. He wanted the visit over and done with, concerned that Franklin would return. He wasn't concerned that Caroline would be harmed, but that he might well strangle the man right in front of his brother. He had every intention of dealing with Franklin, but hoped Caroline wouldn't be forced to witness it.
His wife was so happy to learn that Charity and Paul weren't going to leave for Boston until the middle of the summer that she was in high spirits when they finally went to see the marquis.
Bradford had tutored his wife as to exactly what she should say and thought that she was proceeding quite well. She didn't bat an eye when she spotted Marie, but her voice sounded strained when she visited with Loretta.
The marquis was seated in front of a fire in the main salon, looking quite fit. Caroline sat beside him, holding his hand. She had already mentioned that they were going to return to Bradford Hills on the twentieth, using the excuse that her husband had duties to attend to and she didn't want to leave his side.
Her Uncle Milo teased her about being newly married and Caroline blushed quite prettily. Loretta finally took her leave, and Bradford stood up, his signal to his wife that it was time to depart.
'Uncle Milo, I've a favor to ask you,' Caroline announced. She looked at her husband and motioned him to sit back down.
Bradford frowned, but Caroline ignored him and turned back to her uncle.
'You know I'd do anything for you, dear,' Uncle Milo returned.
'I'm worried about my father,' Caroline said. 'He… he isn't feeling well and he's all alone and he won't come with us to Bradford Hills.'
'Brax is ill?' he asked. His eyes showed his concern and he gripped Caroline's hand.
She hurried to soothe him. 'The physician says that he's really fine.' Caroline glanced over at her husband. He was staring at her with a look that suggested she had just lost her mind.
'It's in his head, you see. He's so lonely and alone. Well, I was wondering if you might consider moving in with him for a spell. Until he gets used to not having me around again.'
Uncle Milo looked delighted by the suggestion. 'A splendid idea,' he announced. 'Glad to help out.'
'Bradford will help you transfer your things,' Caroline volunteered. She smiled at her husband and then added, 'I just won't stop worrying until you're with my father, Uncle Milo. Do you think you could move into his townhouse today?'
Bradford fell in with the plan, thinking it was an excellent method of seeing to her uncle's protection. He had also noticed the spark of eagerness in the man's eyes and realized then what a lonely man he must really be.
But his gentle wife had understood. He fought the urge to take her into his arms and kiss her, realizing again that he possessed the most beautiful of all women. And the beauty came from her heart.
He waited until he finally had her alone in their carriage and then took her into his arms and kissed her soundly.
'What was that for?' Caroline asked. Her voice trembled from the heat of the kiss, and that special weak feeling invaded her stomach.
'For being beautiful,' Bradford told her.
Caroline sighed. 'I'm glad you think I'm beautiful, Bradford. But what will happen when I grow old and wrinkled?' Her voice sounded fretful and she searched his face for her answer.
'I love you, sweet, but it isn't because of your appearance. It's what's inside you, and that won't ever change. Did you think I could be so shallow and tell you that I loved you because of your appearance only?'
Caroline shook her head, denying that truth, and Bradford kissed her again. He pushed her head down on his shoulder so she couldn't see the mischief in his eyes and added, 'If that was the case, I would have left you when you cut your hair.'
Caroline didn't take the bait. She laughed, delighted with his wit, and told him that the only reason she had married him was because of his money.
It was the last time that they teased each other during the following two days.
The men following Franklin reported that he was again on the move.
And on the morning of the twentieth, the Duke of Bradford's carriage set out for Bradford Hills.
Caroline was quite practical about the trap until it actually came time to see it through, and then she begged her husband to stay with her and let his men see to Franklin.
When she realized he wouldn't be swayed, she demanded that he take every precaution. 'You don't need to leave so many guards with me,' she argued.
'You'll stay in the bedroom until I get back,' Bradford returned, ignoring her argument.
'Be sure to count the number of men before you go charging into the middle of an ambush,' she warned.
