'You forget honesty,' Bradford interjected with a grin. He was smiling inside, too, for Caroline, aware of it or not, had given him hope. She had acknowledged that she was afraid of him. Bradford interpreted that to mean that she was afraid of her reaction to him. He felt new confidence over that information.
'Of course, she must be honest,' Caroline agreed with a nod. 'Now then, for your perfect woman do you prefer a lady with blonde hair or brown? Blue eyes or hazel? Short of stature or tall? Only tell me and I will go inside and have a look around.'
'Black hair, with angry violet eyes,' Bradford stated. 'And her height should be somewhere between short and tall.'
'You have described me,' Caroline answered. 'I'm not perfect, milord. I do have faults.'
'I am aware of several,' Bradford told her. He couldn't resist her a second longer and quickly leaned down to kiss her.
Caroline didn't have time to resist, as the kiss was over before she could do more than blink. She pushed him away. 'You are aware of my faults?' she asked, pretending that the kiss had not happened.
'You dislike the Irish and the English, laugh at inopportune times, have quite a temper, and jump to conclusions that aren't always correct,' Bradford answered. 'Should I continue?'
'No, you should not,' Caroline returned. 'But you are incorrect in your list. I don't dislike all the Irish or all the English, only the rude ones. I do have a temper and I do laugh at inopportune times, but I am working on both these flaws. I rarely jump to conclusions that are not accurate. But you appear to be too arrogant to admit to any faults and are therefore in much sorrier shape.'
'Your honesty overwhelms me,' Bradford returned with a grin. 'And your humility almost brings me to my knees.' His chuckle was rich and totally unappreciated by his adversary. Bradford realized that if he continued to bait her he certainly wouldn't further his cause, yet he couldn't seem to help himself. He hadn't had this much fun in years.
'I don't believe anyone could bring you to your knees,' Caroline remarked. She smiled then and Bradford shook his head.
'You're enjoying the picture of it though, aren't you?' he asked.
'I am,' Caroline answered. 'We must get back inside before we are missed.'
Bradford let her believe that there was a possibility that they had not been observed leaving together. He knew the truth, that by now everyone inside was whispering speculations and spreading tales. Nothing of importance was missed by the hawk eyes of most of the ladies inside. And from past experience, the Duke of Bradford knew that anything he did caused gossip.
Caroline's reputation wouldn't be soiled because he was paying attention to her. Besides, if he educated her in this matter, she would insist on returning to her father's side. He wanted only a minute longer with her, he told himself, just one more minute alone.
'We shouldn't have kissed and we shouldn't have spoken with such familiarity to one another. We don't know each other well enough to confide such things,' Caroline stated. She was about to tell him that she hoped he would forget the entire conversation, but Bradford's next remark threw her off balance once again.
'I know all about you,' he boasted. 'You have lived with your aunt and uncle on a farm outside of Boston for the last fourteen years. Your uncle has embraced Boston as his home and has turned his back on England. Your cousin, Charity, is more like a sister to you. Though she is older, by six months, she follows your lead most of the time. Your father, the Earl of Braxton, is now considered eccentric and has lived as a recluse for many years. You are handy with pistols though at one time you used to get physically ill whenever you touched one. You considered that a flaw and worked until you overcame it. Is that enough for you? Are you convinced that I know all about you or should I continue?'
Caroline was amazed by Bradford's comments. 'How have you learned all this?'
'It isn't relevant,' Bradford returned.
'But why have you-'
'I am interested in you,' Bradford interrupted. The statement was spoken in a quiet voice. His expression turned serious and Caroline found herself becoming nervous all over again. 'Caroline, I always get what I want. When you get to know me better, you will accept.'
'I don't want to hear this!' Caroline made the protest in a fierce whisper. 'You sound like a child who has been overindulged.'
Bradford wasn't offended by her comment. He shrugged his massive shoulders and replied, 'You'll have to get used to me, I suppose. But in time, you will accept. I won't be defeated, Caroline, only delayed.'
'I have heard that many of the married ladies in England take lovers,' Caroline said. 'Is that why you suggested that I become your mistress?'
'I never suggested you become my mistress,' Bradford said. 'You are jumping to your own conclusions, Caroline. But yes, there are those who bed other men once they are married.'
'Then they are to be pitied,' Caroline remarked. Anger sounded in her voice. 'They not only betray their husbands, but also make a mockery of the vows they have taken.'
Her statement pleased Bradford but he didn't let her know it. He waited for her to continue. 'You say that you know me well, yet you insult me by believing I am like one of your English ladies. You are the one who has jumped to the wrong conclusions.'
Bradford had difficulty following her argument. His confusion showed and Caroline sighed with exasperation. 'I am waiting for an apology.'
For his answer, Bradford leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of her head. 'I warn you, Caroline. I won't be swayed. I will have you.'
Caroline started to argue with him and then realized how futile it would be. The man's mind was set and she knew she couldn't change it. 'You make it sound like a challenge.'
'It is a fact,' he replied, his voice leaving no room for doubt.
'And if it is a challenge,' Caroline said in a soft whisper, 'then you are my opponent. I warn you, milord, I don't play games I can't win.'
'I think, Caroline,' Bradford returned in a whisper that touched her heart, 'that we will both be winners.' He sealed his promise with a long, satisfying kiss.
'Lynnie, whatever are you doing!' Charity's voice penetrated the shared kiss between Bradford and Caroline. 'Oh, it is you, milord! I knew you would pursue my cousin, but you really mustn't be out here by yourselves. I don't believe it's at all proper.'
Charity smiled at Bradford when he pulled away from Caroline. 'Didn't I tell you, Caroline, that he was taken with you?'
Bradford grinned and Caroline groaned. She had just been caught in a most awkward position, and there wasn't any way she could convince Charity that she wasn't a willing participant. Good heavens, her arms had been clinging to Bradford's shoulders.
'Quit smiling and explain yourself to my cousin,' Caroline demanded as she nudged Bradford's arm.
'Certainly,' Bradford answered. 'But first, allow me to introduce myself,' Bradford stated with mock seriousness. Caroline, reading the vast amusement lurking in his eyes, decided to intervene.
'Charity, this is Bradford. He's a duke,' she added almost as an afterthought. 'And it was a good-bye forever kiss that we just shared, wasn't it, milord?'
'Good-bye until tomorrow,' Bradford returned. He ignored Caroline's more determined nudge and took hold of Charity's hand. 'It is a pleasure to meet you, Charity.'
Bradford and Charity exchanged pleasantries and then she asked, 'Do you happen to know a man by the name of Paul Bleachley?' She glanced over at Caroline for approval and her cousin nodded encouragement with a gentle smile. She knew how important the matter was to Charity and felt guilty that she wasn't helping more.
'I do.'
Bradford's quietly stated reply caused quite a stir. Caroline grabbed him by the arm and tried to turn him back to face her, but it was like trying to move a rather large elm tree. He was firmly rooted to the ground.
Charity also tried to gain his full attention, tugging with insistence on his other arm. 'Have you seen him recently?' she asked in a breathless voice.
Bradford took hold of Caroline's hand and pulled her into his side. Then he gave Charity his full attention. His thumb rubbed against the palm of Caroline's hand as he listened to Charity explain how she had met Paul
