dance.
When Uncle Milo asked her in his blunt manner just when he could expect an addition to the family, Caroline laughed. 'We have not discussed it,' she admitted to him. 'When it happens,' she added. 'I don't even know how many children Bradford wants.'
'I would like to live long enough to hold your first child,' the marquis told her.
'I would like you to live forever,' Caroline whispered in return. Her remark pleased her uncle and he squeezed her hand with great affection.
Bradford stood with Milford across the room and couldn't keep his gaze off Caroline. Milford tried to lead his friend into several topics of conversation and finally, when he could get little response, let his exasperation show. 'The king is divorcing his wife and moving to France next week,' he commented.
Bradford nodded agreement and continued to stare at his wife. 'She's not going to vanish, Brad. For God's sake, man, get hold of yourself.' Milford started chuckling and whacked Bradford on the back, jarring him out of his preoccupation.
'She isn't wearing any jewels.'
Milford showed his confusion over the remark, turned to look at Caroline and then back to his friend. 'She's wearing your ring,' he remarked.
'She would never take it off.' The arrogant comment made Milford smile.
'Bradford, why are we discussing jewelry?' he asked.
Bradford shrugged and finally gave Milford his full attention. 'Have you learned anything else regarding my problem?' he asked. He was referring to the investigation concerning Caroline's enemy, but there were too many people close enough to overhear.
'Our problem and yes, I did find out something I think significant.'
Bradford gave a curt nod. 'We will discuss it later, after dinner.'
Across the room, Caroline assisted her uncle to his feet and handed him his cane. She had spent over an hour with him and he was now content. He kissed her good-bye, after she had promised three times to visit him the following afternoon, and then made his way to the foyer. Caroline walked beside him, nodding acknowledgments to those who called out to her.
'Will you be able to sleep with all this noise?' Caroline asked him.
'I sleep like a baby these days,' Uncle Milo stated. 'Go now and enjoy yourself, my dear. I'll be refreshed and eager for our visit tomorrow.'
Caroline stood with her hands folded and watched her uncle slowly make his way up the steps. When he was out of sight, she turned, thinking to find Bradford, but Rachel Tillman, with her fiance, Nigel Crestwall, intercepted her.
Rachel was quite aggressive about gaining Caroline's attention. She grabbed her by the arm in a grip that actually hurt. 'You must be terribly satisfied with yourself,' Rachel said, Caroline was so surprised by the vehemence in her voice and the painful lock on her arm that she could only look at the woman in astonishment.
'See how innocent she pretends,' Rachel said to Nigel. Her voice sneered the remark and Caroline was quite horrified by it.
'Rachel, what are you talking about?' Caroline demanded. She jerked her arm free, glancing around a little frantically for her husband.
Rachel misinterpreted her glance and said, 'Oh, don't worry. I'm not going to ruin your lovely party. And it was such an honor to be invited. I just wanted you to know that I'm not fooled by you. You've ruined everything. Everything!' Rachel grabbed hold of Caroline's arm again, digging her nails into the skin. 'You'll pay for it, bitch. Just you wait and see.'
'I have never beaten a woman before, have I, Milford?' Bradford made the casual remark from behind Rachel's back and so he couldn't see the look of outrage on her face. 'But if you don't remove your hand from my wife's arm immediately, Miss Tillman, I believe you will be the first.'
Rachel jerked her hand away with a vengeance that pushed Caroline back a step. She glared at Nigel, as if placing the blame on him for Bradford's unnoticed advance, and then turned and walked into the ballroom. Nigel had to run to keep up with her.
Caroline watched their retreat with building anger. Milford was the first to comment on her change in expressions. He took hold of Caroline's arm and began to rub the angry marks away. 'You're supposed to react during a confrontation, not after,' he said with a grin.
Caroline looked from the grinning Milford to her scowling husband. 'I am always slow to react,' she said. 'Bradford! Rachel hates me. She said that it was all my fault.'
'What is?' Milford inquired.
Caroline shrugged. She noticed that several people were staring at her and quickly removed the frown. 'I have no idea.'
'We're going home. Milford, see to her while I call for our carriage.'
'We are not going home,' Caroline stated. 'I'll not run from the likes of Rachel Tillman. And I have promised to meet-'
'You aren't going to meet anyone.' Bradford's voice was getting harsher and Caroline drew herself up, bristling inside.
She was not about to leave. Her father would be disappointed, as she hadn't spent any time with him, and she had promised to have a confidential talk with Charity after dinner. She didn't explain any of that to Bradford but only whispered, 'You haven't even danced with me yet.'
'That's true, Brad,' Milford interjected. He continued to smile, even when the duke and duchess both gave him disgruntled looks.
'Fine! We will dance and then take our leave.' Bradford took hold of Caroline's elbow and pulled her toward the ballroom.
Caroline smiled, realizing that she had just won a small victory. 'Thank you, husband,' she said, trying not to gloat.
'One dance,' Bradford insisted as they joined the set about to begin.
'Yes, Bradford.'
Her mild acceptance didn't fool him for a minute. As soon as the dance ended, Milford suddenly appeared and demanded the next set with Caroline as his partner.
Bradford reluctantly agreed. His mood improved when he saw that Rachel and Nigel were taking their leave. He didn't want another encounter tonight. Tomorrow would be soon enough. Then he would have a short discussion with the vile woman and get some answers.
Caroline danced with most of London and was quite exhausted by the time the midnight dinner was finished and the dancing resumed. Bradford was content to watch his wife. He even found himself smiling a time or two over the stir his beautiful wife was causing. She held herself with a dignity and confidence that pleased him. And twice, when he least expected it, she turned from her partner and smiled at him.
Bradford noticed that Terrence St. James was always hovering near his wife, and so was a buck named Stanton for that matter. He kept his patience and added them to his growing list of dandies he would have to have a short talk with.
'You're frowning again, Brad. Still thinking about Rachel?'
Bradford shook his head. 'Just watching the studs lusting after my wife,' he remarked. He sounded bored but Milford knew, from the look in his friend's eyes, that he was irritated. 'I will talk with some of them before the night is over.'
Milford shook his head. 'You'll have to speak to every man here,' he commented. 'Look, Caroline is following her father onto the dance floor. She'll be fine for a few minutes. Now would be a good time to have our discussion, don't you agree.'
Bradford nodded and followed Milford out of the room. He paused, long enough to put the fear of God in Stanton's eyes, and then continued. Milford was acting very nonchalant, but the fact that he had brought up the matter of his information twice now told Bradford it wasn't just another false lead. They found the marquis's study, stared the couple who had sought a moment's privacy out of the room without exchanging a single word, and then shut the door.
