Caroline (23 page)

He bowed slightly to Caro and Natalya, then he and the tiny blonde disappeared into the swirling snow.

Chapter 17

Caro's private life reached its inevitable climax one day during the first week in December. It began in a most ordinary manner, with Caro breakfasting in the sunny downstairs dining room with Natalya. There was still a thin layer of snow outside, but it was melting rapidly.

She had her first hint that the day was not going to be routine when the front door slammed and the head butler went scurrying down the brick entry hall. There was a general commotion, and Caro felt her heart begin to race at the sound of a deep, familiar voice. Moments later, Alec appeared in the doorway, clad all in tawny brown over a pale-gold waistcoat. His black hair glistened with droplets from the melting snow on the trees, and his color was high after the ride on horseback from Philadelphia.

"Good morning, fair blossoms of beauty. I believe I shall indulge in a cup of coffee and your company."

"Dear brother," Natalya said, "you have become a stranger in your own home! We should be honored by your presence."

Alec arched a black brow at the sarcasm in her voice, but made no reply. After shrugging off his coat, he seated himself across from Caro and smiled at her.

"How have you been,
cherie?
I must say that you are growing more beautiful each time I see you—if that is possible. Your active social life must be agreeing with you."

Natalya glanced at her brother suspiciously, then noted with alarm the rosy flush in Caro's cheeks. She was indeed looking especially lovely that day. Her hair was swept up in loose curls that shone in the bright sunlight. The topaz velvet of her gown complimented her coloring, and the bodice, edged in creamy French lace, artfully hugged her breasts. Natalya could see the way Caro melted under Alec's reckless gaze and knew that she had to do something. Before the other girl could answer Alec's compliment, Natalya spoke up:

"You would be very pleased by all the suitors Caro has acquired, Sacha! They are all fine young men—particularly Everett MacGowan. He is so handsome and sincere, and I strongly suspect that he has fallen in love with your ward!"

A serving girl appeared to set a cup of coffee down before Alec, and he sipped it thoughtfully. Contrary to Natalya's prediction, he did not look the least bit pleased at her news.

"In love, eh? I seem to recall meeting him last summer at the Willing Counting House. I suppose I'd better speak to him—that is if Caro returns his—ah—regard."

He was watching her with an alertness well concealed by his nonchalant facade. "What do you say, Caro? I've never seen you so silent!"

"Why—I don't know what to say! I scarcely know Mr. MacGowan. He's certainly very courteous and—"

"Respectful? That's a necessity, you know!"

His eyes had gone hard, and there was no mistaking the caustic note in his voice. Hearing it, Caro lifted her chin at him.

"Let me remind you, sir, that you were the one right from the first who set such store by that virtue! I have never been given any opportunity to decide for myself what qualities I desired in a man!"

"You foolish girl, I have only been acting with your best interests in mind! You know nothing of the world—"

"Please, you two," Natalya broke in frantically, "do stop quarreling! Have you come back from town today just to start an argument, Sacha?"

His square jaw was set as he scowled darkly at both girls. "No, as a matter of fact, I have some good news. Our parents are home."

"Home!" cried Natalya. "How can that be? They did not plan to return until March or April!"

"It seems that Dr. Franklin is suffering from gallstones. Maman had no wish to burden him with a long visit, so they decided to return before winter set in." His keen eyes were on Caro. "I have arranged for you to move into town tomorrow. Maman is anxious to meet you—and I imagine you will be pleased to be nearer MacGowan and your other admirers." He rose then, raking a hand through his hair. "I believe I'll go deliver these glad tidings to Grandmere. I bid you ladies good morning."

* * *

In the hours that followed, Caro was obsessed with Alec's news. Natalya told her frankly that it would be for the best to get out of his house, reminding her that she would be moving along with her. Caro was only conscious of the fact that she and Alec were growing farther and farther apart.

The girls and their maids spent two hours packing in their rooms before luncheon. Natalya waited until then to tell Caro they were having guests for the meal.

"Stanley begged me to allow him a visit, so I suggested that you might enjoy Everett's company. Both of them will be arriving shortly."

"Oh, Natalya," moaned Caro, "I am in no mood to make polite conversation with Everett MacGowan. Couldn't you make an excuse...?"

"Nonsense! This is exactly the sort of diversion you need right now. Now then, do freshen up before they arrive."

When Caro left her room a few minutes later, she found Everett and Stanley already waiting in the entry hall. The butler was taking their coats, while Natalya stood between them, chattering animatedly. Caro paused, unobserved, at the top of the stairs, to contemplate the red-headed young man below. He was of medium height, but well built. His features were even and unremarkable, but when he turned his hazel eyes on Caro, they burned with an emotion that transformed his entire face.

From their first meeting, Everett had been unable to stop staring at the winsome girl who seemed to be made of honey and cream. Caro sensed that beneath his unfailingly courteous manner there beat a heart filled with passion, and this knowledge made her feel extremely uneasy whenever they were together. Even now, she could not bring herself to take the first step down the stairway until Stanley turned and spotted her.

"Ah! Here is our golden dove! Do come down, Miss Bergman!"

Everett immediately turned shining eyes up to her. He was there at the bottom step to clasp her hand, startling Caro with the unnatural heat of his skin.

"Miss Bergman, permit me to compliment you once again on your great good looks. I have been eagerly anticipating our luncheon together!"

They went in to luncheon, but Caro found she had no appetite. Everett MacGowan seemed to be unusually nervous, for the color never left his face and he scarcely took his eyes from her during the entire meal. His manner made her feel uneasy, even ill, and she began thinking of excuses to retire to her room.

The plates had been cleared away and cups of warm maple custard were being served when Alec appeared. Caro, whose nerves were already worn thin, felt giddy at the sight of his dark, cynical face, and Natalya was suddenly animated. Alec had shed his waistcoat and was looking very cool in a muslin shirt and tawny breeches.

"Well, well," he drawled. "What a charming scene this is! Caro, you did not tell me you were expecting Mr.—ah—MacGowan, isn't it? An unfortunate oversight on your part! I'm certain you heard me say I wanted to speak to him." Alec strolled over behind Caro's chair and casually rested his brown hands on her bare shoulders. Feeling her stiffen, then quiver beneath his touch, he smiled almost maliciously. "My dear
,
you must not be nervous. I will not bite your young man!"

His eyes went to Everett's: mocking turquoise meeting nervous hazel.

"I understand that you have developed a deep regard for my ward, Mr. MacGowan. I certainly cannot blame you, for she is a lovely girl. We are very close—isn't that so, Caro?" Casually he lifted a hand to pat her cheek.

Alec looked at her with feigned concern. "You are feeling very warm! I do hope you are not ill."

"As a matter of fact, I do feel rather... unwell," she murmured in a strained voice. Before she could continue, Everett jumped to his feet and grasped her hand.

"Miss Bergman, I beg you for a moment of your time! Please do not refuse me, for I have something of the utmost import to say to you." He looked up at Alec then, his courage building. "Mr. Beauvisage, could I persuade you to allow me a private interview with your ward? I assure you that I shall behave with the greatest respect and propriety."

Alec lifted a lazy brow, but his eyes glittered dangerously at Everett's words. Caro felt his hands tighten on her shoulders as he replied:

"I am confident that you are a true gentleman, Mr. MacGowan. If Caro feels well enough, then far be it from me to place obstacles in the path of true love."

Everett appeared oblivious to the edge in Alec's voice. "That is exceedingly kind of you, sir. Miss Bergman, perhaps we might walk in the garden?"

Caro longed to refuse, but could see no graceful avenue of escape. As Everett helped her to her feet, she glanced back momentarily at Alec, and his penetrating gaze sent a tremor through her. A servant appeared with their wraps, and moments later they were out in the garden. Most of the snow had melted, and the sun was bright in the clear blue sky, but Caro could not appreciate the weather as they walked in silence over the wet footpaths. Everett's nervousness was a tangible thing, yet she had no desire to ease his discomfort with a friendly word. Finally he stopped short, gathering his courage, and declared hoarsely:

"Miss Bergman, I must tell you of my feelings for you or burst from the pain of keeping them inside of me. I realize fully that our acquaintance has been brief, but I believe that I fell in love with you the instant we met." Caro was regarding him with a mixture of amazement and panic. "You must not look at me so, my sweet! I cannot credit that my confession comes as a surprise to you. You are the most wonderful girl in the world—so gay and lovely! You always have a kind word for everyone. No man could help but love you, and I know that I am not alone even now. That is why I must declare myself before some other man can claim you!"

His face was blotched with color. Caro could feel his hands grow moist as they held hers, and a wave of dizziness swept over her. Everett saw the awful expression on her face and forged ahead.

"Do not reject me, I beseech you! I am humbly begging for your hand in marriage, Miss Bergman! I know that I do not deserve you, but my love knows no bounds. My position in life is very respectable and my future is bright. Someday I shall achieve the status of Robert Morris himself in the financial world! You will never regret marrying me, I promise you."

Caro's normally clear head had returned to her during Everett's impassioned speech. Her expression softened to one of compassion as she regarded the young man before her.

"Please, Mr. MacGowan, do not go on. I am deeply sensible of the honor you have done me in asking me to marry you. Any girl would be proud to be your wife and I am moved and flattered by your words of love. I must refuse, however."

"No! No! Please do not! I know that you cannot live here forever; Beauvisage is not your father, God knows, and you cannot feel any family attachment. Why do you refuse yourself—and me—marriage?"

"My reasons are personal. I wish that I could share them with you, but I cannot. You are right about my staying here at Belle Maison, however. It is not a... fair situation. Natalya's parents have just returned from France and we will both be moving to their home in Philadelphia tomorrow. Mr. MacGowan, I have seen very little of the world as yet, and I would not trust myself to make a decision regarding anything so important as marriage. Not at this time. I fear that I would make you very unhappy if we were to marry, for I am not the paragon you take me for. My faults are numerous, I assure you!"

She smiled up at him with bittersweet affection and saw that his eyes were shining with tears.

"I cannot accept that," he choked. "You are the loveliest, purest—"

"Indeed not," she returned firmly. "Please promise me that we may remain friends. And someday when you are married to a woman who deserves your love you will remember this day and be grateful for my frankness."

After he had left her alone, Caro sat down on one of the low garden benches and rested her head against the broad trunk of a nearby oak tree. A heavy feeling of melancholy closed around her as the wind came up and blew curls against her cheeks. Suddenly it seemed very cold to her, and she was conscious of a great fatigue. After a long time, Natalya came out of the house, treading so softly that Caro was not aware of her presence until she was sitting down beside her.