Caroline (17 page)

"This is one of the things I adore about staying with Sacha," Natalya exclaimed. "He never tells me I mustn't drink more than one glass of wine!"

"I am beginning to regret my leniency," he said drily, watching Natalya and Caro giggle over some obscure joke. She appeared to be delighted by the bantering conversation going on around her, for the three Beauvisages were at their wittiest that evening. At one point they began to speak of card games, and Alec recalled to them the day that Caro had beaten him four times at piquet. His laughter was infectious and she chimed in, her eyes and cheeks glowing with pleasure at the shared memory.

Suddenly, Caro glanced over to find both Grandmere and Natalya watching them thoughtfully. She felt naked. They know, she thought, remembering the night at Wallingham's farm that she had tried so hard to block out of her mind. She realized that they could not know Alec had lain with her, and couldn't believe they would ever guess it.

After they had all retired to the parlor and Grandmere had taken up her needlework, Alec asked suddenly: "How long do my parents intend to stay in France? I hope there's no problem with the vineyards?

"Gracious, no!" exclaimed Natalya, still feeling the heady effects of the wine. "I'm certain that they will tour our vineyards while they are there, but the deciding factor in their journey was a letter from Dr. Franklin! He wrote to them from Passy, telling of the great passion for ballooning that currently exists. After telling them of an experiment next month in Paris that he was planning to view, he invited Maman, Papa, and Katya to join him. As you know, there is no joke too outrageous to appeal to Maman, and Papa is ever ready to embark on a new adventure. And, of course, the Jays are there, as well as the Adamses. So, off they went!"

Caro was listening in wide-eyed astonishment, but Alec merely lit a cheroot and smiled sardonically.

"Just when I needed them most!"

"
Tant mieux!"
retorted Grandmere. "You are a grown man and it is time that you commence to be responsible for someone other than yourself. We all know that Jean-Philippe and Antonia would love and welcome Caroline as a daughter. But, in truth, she belongs here,
n'est-ce pas?"

She looked unflinchingly over her spectacles into Alec's narrowed eyes. Caro squirmed uncomfortably. At that moment, the front door burst open and a loud voice proclaimed from the entry hall:

"Welcome, O prodigal brother! I have—"

A young man appeared on the parlor threshold, an elegant cape lined with red satin flung back over one shoulder. He stopped short, staring at Caro with disbelieving emerald-green eyes.

"Have I died? Am I in heaven?" he exclaimed at last, and Caro smiled slightly, remembering Kosciuszko's greeting on the night they met .

Alec got to his feet instantly, smiling with a tinge of cynicism. Crossing the room, he placed his cheroot between his teeth and grasped his brother's hand with both of his own.

"Nicholai, it is good to see you! It appears that the wild existence of a society bachelor has not done its worst to you yet!"

"You have taught me well, brother!" The younger man shook the proffered hand affectionately.

Caro was surprised to see that Nicholai Beauvisage had dark chestnut hair in contrast to Alec and Natalya's black locks. He was not quite powerfully built as his brother, but there was an undeniable grace in his movements. His features were clear-cut and handsome, and his eyes twinkled in constant good humor. Faced with a smile of such dazzling charm, Caro found it impossible not to like him.

Alec was eyeing his brother skeptically as he introduced Caro. "Nicky, I have the honor of presenting to you my ward, Miss Caroline Bergman. Caro, this is my brother—I believe you may have heard me speak of him."

"Of course, Alec! Mr. Beauvisage, it is a pleasure to meet you at last."

He bowed deeply, raising her hand to his lips in an improperly long kiss.

"Miss Bergman, I am humbled in the presence of such rare beauty." He gazed into her eyes. "I would deem it a great honor if you could call me Nicholai. I would not suggest it, but I noticed that you addressed my brother as Alec, and—"

"Why, of course—Nicholai! I should like it above all things to dispense with all unnecessary formality with everyone in Alec's family."

Alec cleared his throat loudly and Caro turned her head to see that he was scowling.

"I'm sure that you must be fatigued, my dear. The hour is late, and I don't doubt that Natalya has planned a full day for you in town on the morrow. So—"

"Wait, Sacha!" Natalya broke in. "Before you pack us off to bed, I am most anxious to ask you something."

"I'm listening," he replied warily.

"I am throwing myself on your mercy to beg for a ball on Caro's behalf! It would be just the thing now that the war is finally over! This would be a perfect way to establish Caro in all the right social circles. I beseech you—"

"Please do not—I have heard too much already." He turned to his grandmother. "What do you think of this scheme? I fear that I shall have to leave these social matters to your discretion."

She smiled impishly. "It sounds marvelous to me. Also, I believe it would be a fitting debut for such a remarkable young lady as our Caroline."

"I'll second that!" offered Nicholai cheerfully.

His brother frowned at him. "When I desire your opinion, I will ask for it. As for your plan, Natalya, I shall consider it overnight. I imagine that you have thought of the fact that there is no ballroom in this house?"

"Of course, Sacha! What sort of silly goose do you take me for? We can use Maman and Papa's drawing room. Besides, their home is much more conveniently located."

"Do not expect me to make daily excursions into Philadelphia while you are arranging this affair, little sister!"

"Are you saying that we can have the ball?"

"I said that I will consider it. Now, run along upstairs. I shall see Caro to her room." Alec turned to his brother, only to find that he was gazing at Caro in awe. "Nicky, kindly endeavor to moderate your worship of my ward. If you will wait in the library for me, I'll join you there in a few minutes and we can talk."

Natalya bid everyone goodnight and sped upstairs to her room. Taking Caro's arm, Alec led her out into the entry hall. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes glowing with contentment.

"I simply adore your family," she declared.

"That's all very well, but I did not notice such deep affection on your part before Nicky arrived."

Caro beamed up at Alec's scowling countenance. "That's not true! And I like Nicholai. He makes me feel special."

"I daresay that you are not the first object of his extravagant attentions," he muttered darkly.

Remembering the quarrel that they had had at Van Der Pat Manor, Caro decided not to provoke him further. She felt his arm encircle her waist as they mounted the stairs and knew he was not really angry with her.

"I have promised you not to be so high-handed, haven't I," he allowed.

"Yes, Alec," she said softly.

"Well, then, I suppose I had better get in practice for all those young swains who will be dancing attendance on you. I can't have you calling me a tiresome toad now that I am in my own home, can I?"

"I shan't!"

They were outside her bedroom door, and Caro decided to take advantage of mellow mood.

"May I speak with you alone for a moment?"

"Certainly." He followed her into the room, closing the door, then settled into a chair near the fire and stretched out his long legs. "Is there a problem?"

Caro was pacing near the bed, but at his words she turned and stopped next to his chair.

"I know you will think this is vastly foolish of me, but I simply must tell you what is on my mind."

"I would appreciate it—I think." He smiled tentatively. Suddenly Caro sank down beside him, clasping his large hand with both of hers.

"Could you—that is, would it be possible for you to try enjoy my company again? I may be mistaken, but I came to believe at one time that we were becoming friends." Alec's eyes were clearer and more sharply turquoise than she had ever seen them as he listened in astonishment. He would have spoken, but Caro rushed on, "What I mean is that in spite of all that occurred, I felt close to you and now I realize that it all meant more to me than I thought. When I've been with you... I've scarcely thought about the fact that my entire past is unknown to me. I felt safe and happy. Then, ever since those men, and the barn, and all—you have treated me so coldly. All I can think is that you no longer like me... nd I miss the way it used to be—and," her voice began to quaver, tears glistening on her long lashes. Alec reached over and gathered her onto his lap, letting her weep against his white shirtfront.

"I should never have come in here with you, I can see that." He sighed harshly. "And God knows I should have limited the wine you and Natalya consumed! Don't you realize that the things you have said to me would be better left unspoken?" His arms cradled her securely as he spoke. "But then, ours must be a special case, for which I take complete blame. If I had never bedded you that night, none of these complications would have arisen."

Caro stiffened in his arms, but he was not to be silenced.

"If it is the truth you crave, then I suppose it is best that you have it. My attitude toward you has nothing to do with my regard for you. I like you immensely. However, I also desire you, as a man desires a woman." His eyes blazed into and seared her heart. "I can't get free from longing for you, Caro, and that is why I must build barriers between us. I would not hurt you again—and it is not because of my gentlemanly ethics, for I have few. It is because I do—ah, care for you. In my own way." He paused, scowling into the fire. "I have always maintained that virgins are nothing but trouble!"

Caro's tears had ceased, and she was listening to him in horrified fascination. The words that came to her lips were involuntary: "Are you saying that what you feel for me is actually
lust?"

His jaw tightened and with one quick movement he grasped her arms, one hand carelessly grazing her breast, and set her on her feet.

"A very apt expression, my dear." Alec stood up. On his way out the door, he looked back over a broad shoulder and added, "I've been trying to forget that you understand the meaning of that word."

Chapter 13

Nicholai was waiting for his brother in the magnificent second-floor library that spanned the depth of the house. The walls were paneled in rich mahogany, the bookshelves filled with over two thousand volumes. There were window seats on all sides, so that a reader might choose the one with the best sunlight at any time of the day. All the furniture was finely carved Chippendale, and Alec's pigeonholed, fall-front desk dominated the room.

Nicholai poured brandy from a crystal decanter, helped himself to one of Alec's excellent cheroots, and sat down to wait. Finally, his brother strode into the room.

"Sacha, here you are at last!" he exclaimed with a cheerfully innocent grin. "I have been waiting most impatiently to ask for the hand of your lovely ward in marriage."

"Spare me, Nicky. I am in no mood for your jokes, particularly if they concern Caro. God, I need a drink!"

After pouring himself a generous amount of brandy, he sank into a chair and loosened his cravat.

Undaunted, Nicholai said, "I hate to say this, but you have been a trifle testy ever since I arrived tonight. I am beginning to believe that you have lost all filial affection for me!"

"I'll admit that you did put me off with that drama over Caro, but she is the real cause of my ill-temper. I haven't had a moment's peace since I got tangled up with the vixen, and I am sorely afraid that matters will not be improving soon. How could our parents leave the country at a time like this?"

"I daresay they would be overjoyed to hear that you have need of them after all these years! Maman is forever despairing of the fact that you are such a stranger in their house!" He laughed lightly, then endeavored to turn the conversation. "How did you fare on your trip to Connecticut? Are your new lands to your liking?"

"That is another sore subject. My life has been hopelessly complicated ever since I left Philadelphia last month. And I believed all my problems were ended with the war!"