Love's Peril (Lord Trent Series) (43 page)

“I’m just very worried about Hedley. Have you heard from him?”

“No.”

“And you’ve had no recent word from Sarah as to her plans?”

“None that I would share with you.”

“I feel awful about everything. Miss Dubois told us her tales about Mr. Sinclair, and we believed her. We shouldn’t have, but we were taken in by her smooth lies.”

“Yes, you were.”

“I’m very sorry for the trouble we caused Sarah.”

“That’s kind of you.”

“And I’m aghast over Archie and how he treated you. When I sent for him, I truly thought I was acting in your best interest. I’m aghast over how you were imperiled.”

“I appreciate your concern.”

Mildred gazed woefully, hoping to exhibit remorse and regret, but not sure if she’d achieved her goal. “It’s grown a tad awkward at Sheldon’s”—she chuckled, forcing levity—“and I’ve been there so long. I am afraid he’s tired of me, and I really need to get out of his hair.”

“He’s been a bachelor for decades. I imagine he’s chafing at having extended company.”

“He is, he is,”Mildred enthusiastically agreed. “I’m so relieved that you understand my situation. May I please come in?”

Mildred smiled, and Caroline smiled, too. For a moment, they visually bonded, remembering all that had been between them. Yes, there had been rough patches, but they were family, weren’t they?

Yet suddenly, Caroline scowled and said, “Come in? No, you may not.”

She slammed the door and spun the key in the lock.

Mildred stood there, fuming, thinking she should shout and pound on the wood, that she should bellow for the servants to help her. But she was a hard taskmaster, and the servants had never liked her. They wouldn’t obey her over Caroline, and Mildred wouldn’t embarrass herself by scrambling around the property like a beggar.

She trudged to her carriage and ordered the driver to take her to Sheldon’s. Then she clambered in, refusing to glance up to see if he was irked by her command.

He clicked the reins, and they rumbled away, and as they rolled past the house, she stared longingly, confused over how she’d lost it and anxious to get it back.

Sarah couldn’t stay away forever, and while Caroline might have been callous and cruel, Sarah was malleable and foolish and too respectful for her own good. She’d always been kind to Mildred, and eventually, Mildred would presume on her compassionate nature.

Of that fact, Mildred had no doubt.

* * * *

“Don’t move.”

Caroline’s eyes flew open with alarm. She was asleep in her bed, and without her being aware, a man had crept in. His large body crushed her into the mattress, a palm clasped over her mouth.

“I’m going to pull my hand away,”he whispered. “Promise you won’t scream.”

Clouds had been covering the moon, and they drifted away, moonlight abruptly flooding the room so she could identify her assailant.

“You oaf! You rat! What are you doing? You scared the life out of me.”

“Hello, Caroline.” Raven grinned like a halfwit. “How have you been?”

“How have I been? How have I been?”

She wiggled out from under him and jumped to the floor. She was wearing her nightgown, and she grabbed her robe and crammed her arms into the sleeves. She marched to the fireplace and seized the poker, brandishing it like a weapon.

“You have exactly ten seconds to tell me why you’d dare to barge in without being asked.”

“Maybe because I knew I’d be welcome?”

“Ha! You might have been welcome before you vanished without a word.”

“I’m back now.”

“For how long? An hour? A day? A week?”

“I might be here an entire month.”

“Ooh, aren’t I lucky.”

“Yes, you are very, very lucky. You can have me for your very own.”

“As if I’d want you, you wretch!”

“Why, Caroline,”he murmured, “you seem a bit angry.”

“You haven’t begun to see angry. Keep talking, keep saying stupid things, and you’ll see angry.” She waved the poker. “If I whack you with this a few times, I’m sure I’ll feel much better.”

“I thought you detested violence.”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

He patted the mattress. “Come and lie down.”

“Not until you tell me where you’ve been.”

He shrugged. “Here and there.”

“Doing what?”

“This and that.”

“Is that an answer? Should I be calmed by it? Should I be reassured?”

“Why are you
not
calm?”

“Because I’ve been waiting for you! Because I’ve been worried sick.”

“About what?”

“About you, you miserable snake in the grass.”

“Why would you worry about me? I’m too smart to get myself in a jam and too tough to die.”

“Spoken like a clueless idiot who will fall off a cliff when he’s not looking.”

“Come here,”he said again.

The poker was heavy, but she couldn’t bring herself to drop it. She felt stronger with it, as if she was making a point, when she couldn’t figure out what her point was supposed to be.

She was so glad he was back. She was so relieved.

“Your husband is dead,”he stated, “and I’m not sorry. Are you?”

She scoffed. “Are you joking? No, I’m not sorry.”

“You’re a widow.”

“I am.”

“So you’re free to marry again. Or to engage in a wild, illicit affair.” His eyes twinkled with merriment, his slow, sexy smile melting her spurt of temper.

“What are you asking? Are you asking me to marry you? Or are you asking me to engage in an illicit affair?”

“How about the illicit affair until we’re shackled good and proper?”

“You want to marry me? Really?”

“Of course I want to marry you. I was just wondering if
you
wanted to marry me. Would you consider it?”

“Would I consider it?”she repeated like a dunce.

“Life is too short, Caro. I can’t keep thinking I don’t deserve things. I have to grab for what I want.”

“What things don’t you feel you deserve?”

“You. I’m so unworthy of a woman like you, but I thought I’d take a chance. Will you have me?”

He sat up, his legs dangling over the edge of the bed. For the first time in their acquaintance, he appeared flustered and lost, and it occurred to her that he’d been extremely courageous in tendering his brisk proposal.

He didn’t think he deserved her? He didn’t think he was worthy? Was he mad?

“Raven, I’m an orphan.”

“I know. So am I.”

“I don’t have any dowry or prospects.”

“I’m rich, though, so I don’t care about any of that. We’d be all right.”

“My only possession was my house with Archie, but his family swooped in and claimed it. I don’t even have any clothes.”

“I can retrieve your stinking house for you—if that’s what you want.”

“I don’t want it. I mention it merely because you should understand that I’m not quite the marvelous catch you imagine me to be.”

“I disagree, Caro. From where I’m sitting, you’re pretty damn fine.”

“I’m a ninny who’s scared of her own shadow.”

“Well, I’ve never been afraid of anything. You’ll always be safe with me, and your silliness doesn’t bother me. I kind of like it.”

“What sort of life would we have together?”

“The same as all couples, I guess. Jean Pierre would have to be my top priority, though. You’d have to recognize that. I might have to travel occasionally or be away for extended periods.”

“Could I travel with you?”

“No, but I swear I’d always come back.”

“Where would we live?”

“Wherever you like. Here at Bramble Bay. Or France. Or China if that would make you happy.”

“It would have to be forever, Raven.”

“It better be. I don’t go around proposing everyday.”

“No, you’re definitely not the type.”

“Is that a
yes
? Are we getting hitched or what?”

She paused, letting the moment last just another few seconds, wanting to be certain she never forgot a single detail.

“Can we proceed immediately?”she asked.

“Sure, but you Brits have some fussy rules that might delay us. I figured we could ride to Dover, pay some ship’s captain to take us out on the water. He could marry us in a snap.”

“We’d wed on a ship?”

“Why not? A ship’s captain is authorized to perform the ceremony. We wouldn’t have to apply for a license or any of that foolishness.”

“Could Mr. Sinclair do it for us?”

“I don’t know his plans. I don’t know if he’ll be back this way.”

“What about Sarah? She’s not leaving with him again, is she?”

“No, she’s not leaving.”

Caroline frowned, flummoxed by his comment. Sarah was in London with Mr. Sinclair, meeting his family and obtaining a Special License so they could wed right away, too. They weren’t marrying? What had happened?

“Has Mr. Sinclair broken her heart?”she inquired.

“Not yet.”

“But he might?”

“With Jean Pierre and his women, I wouldn’t try to predict what will occur.”

“But it’s
Sarah
.”

“Yes, it is, but I wouldn’t expect he’d rush to the altar. He wouldn’t view himself as a good candidate for matrimony. He’d probably figure Sarah was better off without him.”

“Did he tell you that?”

“No.”

She studied him, wishing she could read his mind. She was positive Mr. Sinclair would have confided in Raven, but where the two men were concerned, Caroline would always be on the outside of their relationship.

She wondered if she’d ever grow weary of it, but as long as they didn’t drink to excess or carouse with loose doxies, she supposed she could put up with anything.

“I’d like the wedding to be here,”she said, “at the chapel in the village, after Sarah is home so she can attend.”

“Then Bramble Bay church it is, Mrs. Patterson.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“What should I call you?”

“How about Mrs. Raven Hook, who is madly and passionately in love with her husband?”

She tossed the poker on the floor, raced over, and leapt into his arms.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“Will you take me back to your castle someday?”

“If you wish.”

“It was a real place, wasn’t it? I didn’t dream it?”

“No, you didn’t dream it.”

Sarah smiled across the table at Jean Pierre.

They were heading to Bramble Bay and had stopped at a coaching inn for the night. Shortly, they’d reach the coast, would turn north and complete their journey. Before riding out, they were enjoying a leisurely breakfast in the dining room.

She sighed with contentment. She was so happy!

“Why are you smiling?”he asked.

“Because you’re with me, and we’re on our way to Bramble Bay.”

“It doesn’t take much to gladden you.”

“No, it doesn’t. I’m a simple woman with simple tastes. Bramble Bay is my home, and you are my one true love. I’m lucky to have you both.”

She knew him well enough now to understand that he wouldn’t voice a similar statement of heightened affection, but still, she waited for it. She was such a romantic person and wouldn’t believe he didn’t love her. He just didn’t realize it yet and would probably never be able to tell her.

“I like your family,”she said.

“You would.”

“You liked them, too. Don’t be surly. Admit it.”

“They were all right.”

“Who was your favorite?”

“Must I pick a favorite?”

“Yes. I liked Harriet. How about you?”

“I liked Harriet.”

“What did you two talk about when you were out on Phillip’s verandah?”

“She told me how awful I was.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “She did not.”

“She wanted to know if I was sorry for how I behaved toward her and her husband. I said I wasn’t.”

“Oh, you are the most exasperating man. You
are
sorry. Why must you deny it?”

He grinned a self-deprecating grin. “I suppose I might be sorry, but it happened such a long time ago. It doesn’t seem as if I was actually the culprit.”

“Trust me: You were,”Sarah scolded. “Now tell me the truth. What did you discuss?”

“She demanded that I stop pirating.”

“Of course you’ll stop. Your life of crime is over.”

“And she wants me to meet Tristan and James.”

“Will you?”

“I haven’t decided. She claims I owe her and my meeting them was the boon she requested so we’d be even. But you’re aware of how stubborn I am.”

“You’ll likely refuse just on general principles.”

“It’s entirely possible.”

Sarah didn’t think he and Harriet would ever be even, but she didn’t say so. She was delighted to imagine he would eventually meet his Harcourt brothers.

“Perhaps we should invite them to our wedding,”she suggested merely to needle him. He was so horrified that she laughed and laughed.

They had obtained a Special License so they could marry immediately. The ceremony would be held at the church in Bramble Bay village where she’d always attended services. Once they were home, she would spend a few days making arrangements, then they’d proceed.

He was the consummate bachelor and still chafing at the notion of being shackled, and she received incredible amusement from watching him squirm and fret.

“James and Tristan Harcourt?”he practically gasped. “At my wedding?”

“You’d survive it.”

His scowl was ferocious. “No, we’re not inviting them.”

She laughed again. “I doubt Harriet realizes the obstacle she’s created with her demand. You’ll be a hundred years old before you’ve calmed enough to speak civilly with them.”

“I might be a hundred and fifty.”

“You might be two-hundred and fifty.”

“I might.”

She abandoned all manners and placed an elbow on the table, her chin resting in her hand. She never grew tired of looking at him and wondered if she ever would. He was studying her too, as if committing her features to memory.

Ever since the party with his siblings, he’d been observing her intently. She sensed that he was extremely distressed, as if he was dying to confide a secret, but couldn’t spit it out.

The past few months had been very difficult for him, even though he pretended he wasn’t affected. He’d been in prison, certain to be executed. But then, he hadn’t been. That sort of experience could definitely warp a person. How did a man come out the other side with any equilibrium? She suspected it would be a long while before he was completely recovered from his ordeal.