through, you see, and I've got to make the extra shillings to feed little Kirby.'
'Who are Toby and Kirby?' Caroline asked. Her voice was softer now, laced with concern. Marie seemed an honest sort, owning up to her deceit, and Caroline felt sorry for her.
'My man and my boy,' Marie answered. 'I cook for them and they barely make a complaint and I did think I could please the earl,' she continued. 'Now he'll let me go and I don't know what will happen!'
Caroline took a moment to study Marie. She looked sturdy, though she was on the thin side, but Caroline decided that was because she probably couldn't eat anything she prepared.
'You'll be telling your father, miss?' Marie asked as she twisted her apron around her fingers.
'Perhaps we can come to some sort of agreement,' Caroline replied. 'How much would you like to keep this position?'
'I'll do anything, miss, anything,' Marie said in a rush. From the eager expression in her eyes, Caroline realized that the woman wasn't much older than she was. Her skin was still unwrinkled. Only her eyes looked old, old and tired.
'You've met my friend Benjamin, haven't you?' she asked.
Marie nodded. 'I was told that he saw to your safety,' Marie answered.
Obviously Benjamin or her father had spoken of the relationship, and Caroline nodded. 'Yes, that's true,' she said. 'But he's also quite efficient in the kitchen. I'll ask him to prepare the meals and you'll watch and learn.' Marie nodded again and promised to do whatever Benjamin wanted.
Benjamin smiled when Caroline explained the situation to him, his only acknowledgment that he was pleased to help out. Caroline would never have suggested that he take over the duties on a temporary basis if she hadn't known how much pleasure he found in creating special dishes.
By the time Marie and Benjamin had staked out their territory in the kitchen, the situation was well in hand. Marie was looking very humble and grateful, and Benjamin pretended that she wasn't even there. Caroline left the pair and took a fresh cup of tea into the dining room to wait for her father.
The Earl of Braxton entered the dining room an hour later. Caroline sat with him while he ate what he called the most wonderful breakfast in his life. Then they went through the stack of notes that had arrived that morning. Caroline was swamped with flowers and pleas for an immediate audience.
'Did I mention that the Duke of Bradford will be calling on you at two this afternoon?' her father asked. 'Two o'clock!' Caroline gasped. She jumped up, patting her hair almost absentmindedly. 'That is less than two hours away! I must change my gown at once.'
Her father nodded and called after her, 'Tonight we attend a dinner party given by Viscount Claymere and his family.'
Caroline paused in the doorway. 'Isn't Claymere the awkward gentleman I met last night?'
When her father nodded, Caroline rolled her eyes heavenward. 'Then I mustn't wear the ivory gown tonight. He's sure to spill something on it. Too bad black isn't fashionable,' she called over her shoulder.
Bradford was fifteen minutes late. Caroline was pacing the confines of the main receiving area. She heard Deighton greet him as 'your Grace,' and then the doors were opened and he was standing there.
He looked extremely fit and was dressed in riding apparel. The buckskin breeches were as snug as the last time she had seen him in them, and she found herself smiling over the handsome figure he cut. His coat was the color of deep chocolate, making his neckcloth look bright white. His Hessians were polished to perfection and Caroline imagined that if she leaned down, she would see her face in the shine.
He had obviously taken care with his dress, but then so had she, Caroline admitted. She wore a lavender gown with cap sleeves. The neckline was square and of a deeper blue color. Mary Margaret had curled her hair into a cluster at the back of her neck, with small curls framing the sides of her face.
Caroline realized that she was staring at Bradford and that he was staring at her. She lifted the hem of her skirt, displaying blue leather shoes, and gave a formal curtsy. 'You are late, milord. What kept you?'
Her bluntness brought a smile. 'And you are early. Don't you know that a lady must keep her suitor waiting at least twenty minutes so that she will not give the appearance of being overly eager?'
'And are you my suitor?' Caroline asked as she walked toward him.
Bradford saw that her eyes fairly sparkled with mischief and found himself nodding. 'And are you overly eager?' he returned.
'But of course,' Caroline answered. 'I have learned that you are wealthy and respected so I am naturally eager. Isn't that what you believe?' She laughed at his expression, thinking he looked terribly uncomfortable.
'I haven't even greeted you properly and you bait me,' Bradford said with a heavy sigh.
'But we have just greeted each other,' Caroline contradicted. She began to lose her smile and her flirtatious mood when the Duke of Bradford started to advance upon her at an alarming pace. Caroline backed up and would have avoided his grasp had it not been for the settee blocking her retreat.
Bradford took hold of Caroline by the shoulders and slowly pulled her to him. His intent was most clear, and Caroline frantically tried to push him away as she looked beyond his shoulder. The doors were wide open and her father could walk in at any moment. She knew that Deighton had gone to tell him that Bradford had arrived. It certainly wouldn't do to have him find her in such a compromising position.
'My father-' Caroline never finished her thought. Bradford claimed her mouth in a warm, intoxicating kiss that immediately melted her good intentions. She responded almost at once, cupping the sides of his face with her hands. The kiss drained any thought of rebellion and when Bradford pulled away, Caroline was disappointed. Her look must have told him so because he started to laugh.
'Why didn't you kiss me the way you did last night?' Caroline asked. She realized she was still touching his face and dropped her hands.
'Because once I kiss you that way,' he said, mimicking her choice of words with a tender grin, 'I don't want to stop. I know my limits,' he continued.
'Are you suggesting that I could make you lose your control?' Caroline asked.
Bradford read the amusement lurking in her violet gaze and thought again what an innocent she was. She thought to tease him and didn't have a clue that what she said was true. She could make him lose control.
'Since you do not answer me, I can only conclude that I could!' Caroline laughed, clasping her hands together, and strolled at a sassy pace to one of the wingback chairs flanking the marble fireplace. 'That makes me very powerful, milord, doesn't it? And I am only half your size.'
Bradford sat down in the other wingback chair and stretched his long, muscular legs in front of him. One boot crossed over the other in a relaxed position as he considered how to answer Caroline. He regarded her for a full minute and Caroline thought he looked almost brooding.
'All right,' Caroline said with a sigh. 'You aren't in the mood for teasing and besides, I have something important to ask of you before my father arrives. I need a small favor, Bradford, and if you will only agree, I will forever be in your debt.' Caroline folded her hands in her lap and waited for Bradford's reply.
'Forever?' Bradford asked, one eyebrow raised. 'That is a long time to be in another's debt.'
'I exaggerated,' Caroline admitted. 'I would like you to escort Charity and me to Paul Bleachley's home and help us gain admittance.'
Bradford shook his head, sorry that he had to deny her. 'Paul would never agree.'
'No, you do not understand,' Caroline argued. She stood up and began to pace. 'In fact, it is quite imperative that Paul not know we are coming. Of course he would say no! My plan is to take him by surprise.' She stopped in front of Bradford and smiled. 'It's really very simple,' she said. When Bradford frowned anew, Caroline found herself growing frustrated. Her father would be there any minute and she wanted to get the arrangements completed before. She put her hands on her hips. 'My plan,' she explained. 'I am only thinking of my cousin… and Paul, too. I am doing what is best for both of them.'
That statement got a reaction. Bradford actually started laughing. 'And only you know what is best for them?' he asked when he had gained control of himself.
'You are always laughing at me,' Caroline muttered, despair sounding in her voice. She heard her father coming down the steps and rushed, 'Please agree. You must trust me, Bradford. I really do know what I'm doing. It would be a considerate thing to do!' Caroline realized that she sounded like she was begging. Her back straightened and she gave Bradford what she hoped was a firm look. 'I won't be swayed, only delayed,' she whispered. Those were Bradford's very words to her the night before, though the subject was of a different nature.
