She went into Charity's bedroom to say good night and found her cousin propped up in bed, weeping into one of the plump goose-feather pillows she clutched to her breasts.
'You were right all along,' Charity told Caroline between sobs. 'He wasn't honorable at all. I'm having the most unkind thoughts, Caroline. I do wish you'd go with me to find him and shoot him for me.'
Caroline smiled and sat down on the side of Charity's bed. 'That is an unkind thought,' she agreed. 'But I was the one mistaken about Bleachley, not you, Charity. From now on, I'll listen to you whenever men are involved. Your instincts were correct.'
'Are you teasing me?' She mopped her eyes on the pillow casing and sat up a little straighter. 'You know something, don't you? Tell me!'
'Bleachley was injured in the explosion in Boston. Do you remember that night, Charity? When the harbor was in flames and we could see the orange glow from our bedroom window?'
'Yes, of course I remember. Oh, God, tell me what happened to him.' Charity's agony made Caroline rush through the rest of her story.
'What shall I do?' Charity asked when Caroline had finished recounting the story. 'Bradford told you that he won't even see his friends. My poor Paul! The pain he must be suffering.' She started weeping again, and Caroline felt completely helpless.
For several minutes Charity continued to cry, until her pillow was soaked. Caroline listened until her heart couldn't take one more sob. She frantically tried to think of a plan, discarding one absurd idea after another. If only Charity wasn't so loud when she cried!
And then it all came together. She smiled at her cousin and said, 'If you have finished with your tears, I believe there is a way. It means that I'll have to ask a favor of Bradford, but there's no help for it.'
'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
