'I have been remiss in my duties,' Bradford replied. 'But I plan to change my ways. Tonight has proven to be quite stimulating,' he continued as he glanced at Caroline. 'I am enjoying myself immensely.'
'Ah! Here come the marquis and Charity.' The earl waited until both his niece and his brother-in-law had joined the group and then said to Bradford, 'You remember the Marquis of Aimsmond?' Caroline noticed that her father's voice now sounded most formal. She heard the tone of deference and decided that Bradford must be the most significant of the title gentlemen here. She found that amusing, since he was so much younger than her father or her uncle.
Bradford nodded that he did, indeed, remember the marquis. It was the curt nod of a duke, an acknowledgment of a man used to his position. He certainly did know how to be correct! Caroline smiled and couldn't explain why. His correctness pleased her, added a new dimension to his character. 'It is good to see you again, Aimsmond.'
'And you also, Bradford,' the marquis returned with a smile. He turned to Caroline's father then and said, 'Our host has requested a word with us.'
'Of course,' the earl answered. 'I will be right back, Caroline.'
'With your permission,' Bradford interjected, 'I would like to introduce Caroline to the Earl of Milfordhurst and then return her to your side.' Caroline's father smiled and nodded his approval.
He took hold of Charity's arm and followed behind the marquis.
Bradford led Caroline off in the opposite direction, toward the far side of the ballroom.
Milford saw Bradford approaching with the beautiful woman at his side and immediately excused himself from the group he was engaged in conversation with. He moved to meet the twosome halfway.
'Caroline, may I present my friend, William Summers, Earl of Milfordhurst,' Bradford announced. 'Milford, this is Lady Caroline Mary Richmond, the Earl of Braxton's daughter.'
'I am pleased to meet you,' Caroline said. She made a small curtsy while she sized up the handsome man taking hold of her hand. He appeared to be very much of a rascal from his grin to the sparkle in his green eyes.
'The pleasure is all mine,' Milford announced with a formal bow. 'So this is the lady from the Colonies,' he commented to Bradford. 'And is that a new gown you're wearing?' he asked Caroline.
She was surprised by his question but nodded her head. 'Yes, it's a design of Madam Newcott's,' she added.
Milford shot Bradford a knowing look and chuckled.
Caroline wasn't sure what was going on between the two but didn't have time to dwell on it. Charity joined the group, her full skirt swinging as she came to an abrupt stop. She smiled at Bradford and then at his friend.
Bradford immediately introduced her to Milford. While Charity confided her thoughts about the evening, Braxton arrived and Bradford, ignoring his friend's widening grin, immediately requested a private meeting.
As soon as Bradford and the earl had moved off to an alcove, Milford saw to refreshments for Charity and Caroline.
Charity continued to control the conversation, and Caroline smiled patiently as she listened to her cousin's excited comments. She decided, by the way Milford gave Charity his complete attention, that he was a nice man, and easy to like. He seemed to have a gentle nature.
'How long have you known Bradford?' Caroline inquired when Charity paused in her remarks.
'Since we were small boys,' Milford replied. 'We are like brothers.'
'And we are like sisters,' Charity interjected. 'Oh, dear, is that our host signaling me? I do believe that I have promised this set to him. He certainly is spry for a man of his advanced years! If you will excuse me?' She sighed as she lifted her skirt and whispered to Caroline, 'Pray that my feet hold out.' And then she was off in a flurry of pink silk.
'I owe you a debt,' Milford announced when he and Caroline stood alone.
Caroline gave Milford a puzzled look and waited for him to explain. 'Brad had forgotten how to smile. You have helped him remember.'
Caroline smiled. 'He is not of an easy disposition, is he?'
Milford chuckled, nodding his head. 'An astute observation,' he commented. 'I knew that I would like you.'
Caroline's eyes widened. Tonight was full of surprises. First Bradford calmly recited her history, and now his friend indicated that he also knew of her. Was she a stranger to anyone?
'I have heard several comments concerning Bradford,' Caroline said. 'Why is it such an event for him to smile?'
Milford shrugged. 'There hasn't been much to make him smile.' His answer was too general to satisfy Caroline's curiosity.
'I think that you are a nice man ' Caroline stated.
'He is nice but I'm not?' Bradford's voice came from behind Caroline and she turned, both startled and pleased.
'Exactly,' Caroline answered. 'You could take a few lessons from your friend.'
Bradford scowled and Milford, observing the two, realized that Caroline wasn't the least put off by his friend.
Caroline remembered telling Bradford that she wished to marry someone considerate and that he didn't qualify. She recognized his irritation and smiled over it.
Dinner was announced and Caroline was sorry for it, as she would have liked to continue baiting her frowning adversary. Both Bradford and Milford offered her their arms but Caroline declined their invitations, stating that she must join her father and her uncle at their table. She glanced around and spotted her father surrounded by a large number of young men. Bradford followed her look and frowned even more.
'They think to gain your attention through your father,' Bradford announced. He sounded disgusted, and Caroline turned back to look at him.
'You plan to stay at Caroline's side the rest of the evening?' Milford asked, grinning.
'No,' Bradford answered. He knew his friend jested but his irritation continued. 'I will, however, have a short discussion with some of the more eager gentlemen before the evening is over.'
Milford chuckled, bowed to Caroline, and took his leave. Bradford took hold of Caroline's arm, in what could only be interpreted as a sign of possession, and slowly led her toward the dining area.
'Isn't that the Earl of Stanton talking with Charity?' Caroline asked. She remembered the young man when he was introduced to her at the beginning of the evening.
'No,' Bradford replied. 'He is Earl of Stanton.'
Caroline looked up at Bradford to see if he was teasing her, but his expression was guarded and she couldn't read his thoughts. 'Haven't I just said that he was?' she asked.
Bradford realized that Caroline hadn't understood his comment and smiled. It was a tender smile and Caroline wondered over it. 'There is a distinction when using'the,'' he explained. 'If I tell you that he is the Earl of Stanton, then you know that he is the highest titled in his family. However, if I say that he is Earl of Stanton, then you know that there is another in his line with a higher title.'
'Thank you for instructing me,' Caroline said. Her voice was filled with appreciation. 'You're called the Duke of Bradford and so I am to conclude that you are the highest titled in your family?'
'Yes,' Bradford admitted. 'But I'm also Earl of Whelburne, the Earl of Canton, Marquis of Summertonham, and Viscount Benton.'
Bradford smiled over Caroline's astonished reaction to his titles. 'And are you a knight also?' she asked, shaking her head.
'Not yet,' he answered. 'The honor of becoming a knight must be bestowed by the king and isn't inherited.'
'I understand,' Caroline said. 'I realize that you must think my education is sadly lacking. But I've lived in Boston, where titles are not significant. Besides that fact, my Uncle Henry didn't believe that I would ever return to England. And he didn't hold much store in titles either. He believed that a man was only as good as what he had accomplished, not what his fathers had done before him. For that reason, I wasn't schooled properly I suppose,' Caroline said with a sigh. 'Uncle and I just didn't think it necessary or important.'
The Earl of Braxton joined them and Bradford was forced to take his leave. 'We will continue with our discussion tomorrow,' he stated before parting. He reluctantly let go of her arm, missing the feel of her
