The Lady Gambles (19 page)

‘Having now assured myself as to your welfare, Caro, I believe I will also take my leave,’ Drew said smoothly.

But not smoothly enough that Caro was not aware of the hard edge beneath the blandness of his tone. ‘No doubt I will see you again at Ben’s funeral tomorrow.’

Brown raised surprised brows. ‘
You
will be attending?’

Caro looked at him coldly. ‘But of course I shall—’

‘It has yet to be decided.’ Dominic was the one to cut in as he stepped forwards to lift one of Caro’s hands and place it firmly in the crook of his arm so that the two of them now stood side by side as they faced Brown.

The gesture was so obviously one of possession that Caro could not help but be aware of it. Just as she was aware of the warning of Dominic’s fingers firmly gripping her own as he kept her hand anchored in the crook of his arm. ‘Dominic—’

‘It is time to say goodbye to Mr Brown and Drew now, Caro,’ he instructed her tautly.

Just as if she were a child who needed reminding of her manners! Or as if Dominic meant to silence her before she had the chance to do or say something that would totally strip away even this tense veneer of social politeness. Her mouth firmed determinedly. ‘Perhaps before he leaves, I might ask Mr Brown—’

‘I am sure, Caro, that whatever queries you might have for Mr Brown, they can surely wait until another day.’ Those long fingers again pressed down on Caro’s.

‘Perhaps tomorrow at Ben’s funeral?’ she persevered.

Silver eyes glittered down at her in warning. ‘Perhaps.’

Caro’s cheeks flushed in temper. ‘This is utterly ridiculous—’

‘Ah, Denby.’ Dominic turned to the butler as he quietly entered the room. ‘Mr Brown and Mr Butler are leaving.’

‘But—’

‘Say goodbye to our guests, Caro.’ The dangerous glitter in Dominic’s eyes dared her to do anything more than that.

Much as she longed to accuse Nicholas Brown, Caro had enough wisdom to know when Dominic had been pushed to the limit of his patience. And the hard tension of his body as he stood next to her informed her that he had reached that limit some time ago.

Her parting comments to the other two men were made distractedly, her agitation now such that she could barely restrain herself.

It was a lack of restraint that Dominic clearly echoed, as he waited only long enough for Denby to close the door firmly behind himself, his wife and their departing visitors, before releasing Caro’s hand and rounding on her furiously. ‘What did you think you were doing by calmly inviting Brown in here? No, do not tell me, I know exactly what your intentions were!’

‘Someone must confront Mr Brown—’

‘And someone will,’ Dominic assured her fiercely. ‘But not you, Caro.
Never
you! And if you dare—so much as
dare
,’ he grated, ‘accuse me of behaving in a cowardly manner by not confronting him myself
just now, then I must warn you, Caro, that I really will have no recourse but to administer the beating someone should have given you long ago!’

Her cheeks were pale. ‘I had no intention of accusing you of being cowardly!’

‘That is something, I suppose,’ Dominic muttered darkly.

Caro knew him well enough now to know that he could be every bit as dangerous as Nicholas Brown if he chose to be. Nor had she missed the lethal purpose in the gaze Dominic had directed at Brown when he entered the salon a few minutes ago.

The difference between the two men was, of course, that Dominic was undoubtedly a man of honour. Of integrity. A gentleman. A gentleman who had caused her to behave as less than the lady she was from the moment they had first met!

Which thought had absolutely no place in their present conversation! ‘That is not to say I understand why neither you nor Mr Butler did not challenge Mr Brown, both over the attack on Lord Thorne, and the setting of the fire that resulted in Ben’s death.’ A frown creased the creaminess of her brow.

‘Perhaps because we were both endeavouring to protect
you
?’

‘Me?’

Dominic gave a rueful shake of his head at the surprise in Caro’s expression. Despite the week she had spent singing in a gentlemen’s gambling club, and after all that had happened these past few days—including their lovemaking—she remained an innocent. She could not conceive, it seemed, that Nicholas Brown was more
than capable of killing her where she stood, and to hell with the consequences.

Yet Dominic now feared that Brown’s visit here today meant that he had decided, by implication, if not yet deed, to now turn the focus of his malevolent attentions upon Caro herself…

I
t was a threat Dominic intended taking very seriously indeed. ‘I have decided, now that Brown has made it so obvious he knows of your whereabouts, that for your own safety it would be a good idea if I were to remove you immediately from London and place you at my estate in Berkshire.’

Caro’s eyes widened, initially in shock, quickly followed by indignation. She had already spent a night at Blackstone House, followed by another in Brockle House, both properties owned by the Earl of Blackstone; for her to now be seen to move into his estate in Berkshire was unacceptable. Besides which, there was the added insult that Dominic had not even bothered to consult her before making this decision.

She gave a firm shake of her head. ‘No.’

He became very still, his eyes narrowed to silver slits.
‘No?’

Caro shrugged her slender shoulders. ‘No, Dominic. I must have a say in where I go and what I do—and
this makes me feel like an unwanted relative you must needs move from house to house in order to avoid their company.’

If Caro really were a relative of his then Dominic would have put her over his knee and spanked her pretty bottom days ago. For the sheer stupidity, her complete lack of caution, in coming alone to London at all, and therefore placing herself firmly in the midst of this highly volatile situation. As it was, Dominic was currently perceived—by Brown, if by no other—as being Caro’s protector. ‘When it comes to the subject of your safety, Caro, I feel you must do as I ask.’

‘No, Dominic, I must not.’ Her unblinking gaze challenged him, her chin raised in haughty disdain. ‘I have not had opportunity to tell you before this, but it is already my intention to leave London once I have attended Ben’s funeral tomorrow.’

‘To go where, may I ask?’ Dominic glowered down at her.

‘No, you may not ask—Dominic!’ She protested as he reached out and took a tight grip of her wrist. ‘You will not be able to force my compliance simply by the use of brute strength.’ She spoke calmly and clearly, her gaze reproachful as she looked up at him.

Dominic had no wish to force her compliance or hurt her in any way. But just the thought of the likes of a man like Brown ever being in a position to cause her harm caused a painful tightening in his chest.

As did the thought of Caro leaving London. Leaving
him
…

He also wondered, if not for their present heated conversation, whether she would have even bothered to
inform him of her intention to leave London, let alone confide where he might be able to find her if he wished to see her again.

If
he wished to see her again?

Dominic released his grip on Caro’s arm to step sharply away from her, a frown darkening his brow as he studied her between guarded lids. There was no doubting that she was a breathtakingly beautiful young woman. Or that just looking at her now in that green gown, and imagining the naked curves beneath, filled him with the need to once again make love to her. But surely that was all she was, or ever could be, to him? Just a beautiful young woman who—for the moment—he felt a need to protect? To imagine she might mean any more to him than that was unacceptable to a man who had long ago decided he did not want or need one particular woman in his life. Especially if that woman was one he might care for enough that her death would drive him to the same brink of madness his father had suffered after the death of Dominic’s mother.

He shook his head. ‘You know I cannot allow it, Caro.’

‘Why not?’ For Caro to dare to hope that he might feel some of her own regret at the thought of them parting would, she knew, be too much to ask.

He looked irritated now. ‘Because Brown is still a threat.’

‘To me?’

‘Caro, how do you imagine Brown even knew to visit you here at Brockle House?’

Her eyes slowly widened. ‘He had us followed yesterday?’

‘Exactly,’ Dominic bit out curtly. ‘And until he is…dealt with, I must insist, if you will not agree to go to my estate in Berkshire, that you at least agree to remain at Brockle House for now.’

Caro looked at him searchingly, noting the grim determination of his expression, the light of battle in his eyes. ‘You intend to deal with Mr Brown yourself, do you not?’

Dominic drew in a harsh breath, wishing not for the first time that Caro were not as astute as she was beautiful. Or so forward in voicing her shrewd opinions and observations. ‘It is for the law—’

‘Dominic, I have asked several times that you not treat me as a child or an imbecile!’

He sighed deeply at her obvious irritation. ‘Very well, then. Yes, if the law is not enough to bring Brown to justice, then I will feel no hesitation in dealing with him myself.’

‘How?’

‘I think it best if you do not know the details.’

‘Dominic.’

‘Caro!’ he exclaimed in exasperation. ‘Is it not enough to know that I respect you, admire you, even like you?’ he added ruefully. ‘And that it is because I feel all of those things for you that I do not wish to involve you any further in this mess than you already are.’

Caro knew from the implacability of his tone that Dominic really would tell her no more on that subject. Just as she knew that having his respect, admiration and liking, whilst being secretly cherished, could never be enough for her. She wanted him to feel so much more
than that. Needed him to love her in the same way she had realised she loved him. Completely. Irrevocably.

Who could have ever known that, in coming to London in this way, she would meet the man she was to fall so deeply in love with? Certainly not Caro. She had thought only to avoid being coerced into a marriage she did not want. Instead she had met the man whom she would love for the rest of her life and
he
didn’t want to marry
her
…

Caro stepped away from him, her trembling hands clasped tightly together in front of her, knowing that her pride would never allow her to let him see how deeply she had fallen in love with him. ‘I accept that for the moment it is best that I remain here. But I do wish to leave as soon as you feel it is safe for me to do so,’ she added firmly.

Dominic looked at her between narrowed lids. ‘With the intention of returning to your family?’

‘Yes. And please do not ask me where or who that family is,’ she said ruefully as she could see that was exactly what Dominic was about to do. ‘As with your own actions concerning Mr Brown, it serves no purpose for you to know the details of my destination.’

He straightened abruptly. ‘And if you need to talk to me at some point in the future?’

If she found herself with child, he meant… ‘Then I will know where to find you,’ Caro dismissed evenly.

Dominic sighed. ‘You know, Caro, I do not have so many people I consider friends that I can simply allow one of them to just up and leave London and for ever disappear.’

Dominic thought of them as being friends?

Knowing how and why, after hearing the sad tale of his parents’ deaths, Dominic shunned emotional attachments of any kind, she could not help but feel flattered that he should think of her as a friend. Unfortunately, she wanted to be so much more to him than just a friend!

‘I am sure that you have many more friends than Lord Thorne, Drew Butler and myself,’ she said lightly.

‘Perhaps,’ Dominic conceded drily. ‘Osbourne and I have just spent the past month in Venice with one of our oldest and closest friends.’

Venice?

Caro stiffened, barely daring to breathe as she looked searchingly at Dominic now. He had recently spent a month in Venice? Where Lord Gabriel Faulkner, Earl of Westbourne since the death of Caro’s father, and now the guardian of all three sisters—the very same man who had sent his lawyer with the offer of marriage to one of the three Copeland sisters, without so much as having met any of them—had resided for the past two years, at least?

Caro was well aware that Venice was a large city with an even larger population, Venetians as well as other people simply visiting. Nevertheless, she could not help her feelings of disquiet at the knowledge that Dominic had just spent a month there. Where he had no doubt met and socialised with both the Venetian aristocracy and those members of English society currently residing there. Possibly including Lord Faulkner?

‘Perhaps you will have the chance to meet him,’ Dominic continued. ‘Westbourne is due to arrive back in England himself in the next few days,’ he explained at Caro’s questioning glance.

Westbourne!

Caro’s fears had just been realised!

Not only did Dominic know Lord Faulkner, but the two of them had obviously been close friends for a number of years. Worst of all, Dominic was expecting Westbourne to arrive back in England any day! No doubt one of the first things he would do was pay a visit to his friend, Lord Vaughn—and Dominic had just told her that he would introduce the two of them!

Caro moved carefully over to a chair and sat down, knowing her legs were in danger of no longer supporting her. What was she to do? If, as Dominic said, he was expecting the Earl of Westbourne to arrive in England within days—possibly even today—then Caro could not afford to linger in London any longer if she wished to avoid detection, no matter what she might have assured Dominic earlier.

Not that Lord Faulkner would recognise her as anyone other than Caro Morton here in London. But she had never intended her absence from Shoreley Hall, and the separation from her beloved sisters, to be a permanent one, which meant that Westbourne must one day be introduced to his ward, Lady Caroline Copeland. If he had already been introduced to Caro Morton, the repercussions to all of them when that happened would be great indeed!

Caro had dearly wanted to attend Ben’s funeral before returning to Shoreley Hall, and the thought of leaving Dominic so soon was worse than painful, but the knowledge of her guardian’s imminent arrival in England meant that she had no choice but to leave immediately.

Caro Morton must cease to exist forthwith.

‘Caro?’

She straightened, schooling her features into the polite social mask recognisable as Lady Caroline Copeland as she looked up and saw the concern in Dominic’s expression. ‘Yes?’

‘Will you promise me not to leave the house unaccompanied until this matter is settled?’

She could not give such a promise and mean it. Not now. ‘I trust I am not so foolish as to even attempt it now that you have alerted me to the fact that Nicholas Brown is watching my every move,’ she answered.

Dominic nodded, apparently sensing none of the evasion in her reply. ‘I will be out for the rest of the day, but should hopefully be back in time for us to dine together this evening.’

‘I will look forward to it.’ They had become almost like strangers in these past few minutes, Caro recognised heavily, Dominic’s friendship with Lord Faulkner, and her knowledge of her own imminent departure from London, seeming to have severed the tenuous bonds of their own friendship.

Caro could feel the hot burn of tears in her eyes. ‘I believe I will go upstairs to rest.’ Dominic must be made to leave. Now. Before those threatening tears started to fall and he demanded an explanation as to the reason for them. She doubted he would appreciate hearing that it was because her heart was breaking at the very thought of being parted from him.

Now that the time had come, Dominic felt an uncharacteristic reluctance to part from Caro, even for a few hours.

Damn it, apart from the friendship he had long held
with Osbourne and Westbourne, he had never been a man who allowed himself to become entangled in emotional attachments. And yet he was aware he had formed a friendship of sorts these past few days with both Drew Butler and Ben Jackson.

And he had formed a friendship with Caro, too…

A friendship that Dominic knew had come into being because he had ultimately been unable to deny the respect and admiration he felt for the courage and determination she had shown him from their very first meeting. He would feel Caro’s loss all the more keenly once she was allowed to return to her home and family. But it was a friendship Dominic could not, would not, allow to control either his actions or his judgement.

He drew himself up stiffly. ‘Until this evening, then.’ He nodded to her before turning on his heel to stride determinedly from the room.

Caro waited only long enough to be sure that he had truly gone before she allowed the tears to fall. Hot and remorseless tears that almost brought her to her knees. At the thought of never seeing Dominic again. At the knowledge that she would never again know the warmth of being held in his arms. Kissed by him. Never again know the wonder, the beauty, of their lovemaking.

Caro cried until there were no more tears inside her to be shed. Until all that was left was the knowledge that she must leave this house immediately.

Must leave London.

And Dominic…

Once outside Dominic dismissed the carriage he and Butler had arrived in earlier, deciding that the walk to
Mrs Wilson’s to check on Osbourne one last time before his aunt whisked him off to the country to recover from his injuries would be far more beneficial in helping to clear his head of the disturbed thoughts that had been plaguing him ever since he had realised how deeply he would feel it when Caro left London for good.

Except Dominic’s thoughts remained distracted, for the duration of his walk, and whilst he chatted with the disgruntled but resigned Osbourne. And they continued to plague him after he had taken his leave and stood outside on the pavement outside Mrs Wilson’s home.

He had intended lunching at his club, before returning to Blackstone House for the afternoon to deal with estate business, leaving him free to once again spend the night at Brockle House.

Yet he did none of those things, as instead, his feet took him back in the direction of Brockle House. Back to Caro.

His behaviour was totally illogical. Totally unprecedented. He felt a longing to be with her that he knew he should strongly resist. But could not…

Just as he could not believe his own eyes as he neared Brockle House and saw Caro hurrying towards him. Alone. Dressed in her dark cloak and that unbecoming brown bonnet, which should have been consigned to the incinerator along with those unbecoming gowns, but somehow had not. And carrying the bag in which her few belongings had been packed to transport them to Brockle House.