by Anne Herries
Arriving back at the stables at a fierce canter, she flung herself down and left the horse standing for the groom, while she ran up to the house. Her brother Nicolas was coming from the front door and he frowned as he saw her.
‘Why didn’t you ask me to accompany you if you meant to ride?’ he asked, and then, seeing her white face, ‘What happened, Caroline?’
‘Someone took a shot at me as I passed the Home Woods. I caught a glimpse of him in the trees and ducked forwards over my horse.’
‘Go into the house and stay there!’ Nicolas commanded, his face like thunder. ‘This thing wants sorting once and for all.’
Caroline did not stay to argue. She found Tom in the back parlour he favoured. He was reading a news sheet delivered from the Receiving Office with some letters. She related her story to him breathlessly. Tom shot up from his chair immediately, his expression a mirror image of his brother’s.
‘Where are you going?’ she asked. ‘You are still recovering from that damage to your arm, Tom.’
‘I can walk and I can shoot if need be. I am going to help Nicolas look for this rogue,’ her brother said. ‘We’ll take some of the men with us. It is time this fellow was stopped or we shall none of us be safe.’
‘Oh, Tom…’ she said but there was nothing she could do to stop him for he was clearly determined.
After he had gone, she tried to find something to occupy herself, but ended by pacing up and down in an agitated manner, until one of the maids came in to announce a visitor.
‘Sir Frederick Rathbone to see you, Miss Holbrook.’
‘Sir Freddie!’ Caroline ran to him, her hands outstretched. She was so relieved to see him and it showed in her expressive face. He took her hands, his strong fingers closing round hers in a way that instantly calmed her. ‘I am so glad you have come! My brothers have gone to look for a rogue who fired on me as I rode past the Home Woods, and I am afraid that something will happen to them.’
‘Someone fired at you?’ Freddie’s expression darkened, becoming one of outrage.
‘Yes, when I was out riding this morning.’
‘You were alone?’ Freddie swore beneath his breath. He had thought her brothers had more sense than to allow it, and yet he knew her well enough to be sure that if she wished to ride alone nothing would stop her. ‘This becomes serious, Caroline. I think I shall go in search of your brothers and see if they have had any luck in finding this rogue.’
‘Oh, please take care,’ she said. ‘Must you go? I dare say it was merely a poacher misfiring.’
‘If we discover that it was so, I shall be relieved. I think there must be a more sinister reason behind these attempts and I must ask you to remain in the house for the moment. Please excuse me, Caroline. I came here for another purpose entirely, but that must wait for the moment. I shall return with your brothers…’ He gave her a rueful smile and left.
Caroline stared after him as he walked from the room. It was almost more than she could bear to be cooped up in the house when everyone else was out searching for the rogue who had fired at her, but she knew that she must obey her brothers and Sir Freddie. They were risking their lives for her sake and she could not make things more difficult for them by flouting their wishes.
After a while, a maid came to ask if she would step up to visit her grandfather for a few minutes. She did so, finding him looking much refreshed after his valet had finished ministering to him.
‘What is this I hear, miss?’ he asked, frowning. ‘Jenkins has it that someone fired at you from the Home Woods—is that true?’
‘Yes, sir, though I wish he had not told you. The doctor said that you were not to be upset.’
‘I should be more upset if I were not told something like that,’ Bollingbrook said. ‘I trust you were not hurt, girl?’
‘Only frightened for a moment,’ Caroline said. ‘But it is odd that this has started happening now, is it not? It seems that someone wishes me ill, though I do not know why.’
‘I dare say it is a matter of money,’ her grandfather told her, looking angry. ‘I have recently changed my will. You and your brothers will benefit substantially when I die, Caroline—and you are to have something when you marry.’
‘But surely…’ She looked thoughtful. ‘Who would know that you had changed your will, sir?’
‘No one ought to know anything,’ he growled, ‘and I shall have something to say to my lawyer if it turns out that this is at the bottom of it. Someone in his office must have spoken of it—and I shall want to know to whom he betrayed what should have remained secret!’
‘But who would want us dead? Not my uncles or cousins?’
‘I do not think it for the estate is entailed and they must have expected I might leave you something from my private fortune—but I have not always lived as I ought, Caroline. There is another: a child I fathered on a trip to Jamaica before I met my Angelica. I went there to see the property left me by my second wife, and had what most would call a shameful affair. Later, when I returned home, I learned there was a child, a son—but I was married to Angelica by then and I told my overseer to take care of it. I believe a good family adopted the child, and I know little more.’
‘I see…’ Caroline bit her lip. She had always known there were secrets in her grandfather’s past, though she was shocked at this revelation. ‘It is unpleasant, sir. To think that someone wishes to kill us for the sake of money—but, of course, we cannot be sure of anything.’
The Marquis looked thoughtful. ‘A man makes mistakes in his life and there may be others with a grudge against me. Well, we must just hope that the rogue is found, whoever it is, and an end made to this affair.’
‘Yes, Grandfather.’ Caroline sighed. ‘I must own I do not find it comfortable to be the target of someone’s malice.’
The Marquis gave a shout of harsh laughter. ‘I dare say you do not, girl. If I were younger I should be out there looking for the rogue now, but I imagine I may leave it to your brothers.’
‘And Sir Freddie,’ Caroline said. ‘He has gone to help them.’
‘Who the devil is he?’
‘Someone I like very well, sir.’
‘Ah, the wind is in that quarter, is it? Send him up to see me when he returns to the house.’ The Marquis frowned. ‘Do not forget what I told you, Caroline. He will have to be a certain kind of man to accept that you should not have a child.’
‘You do not know that for sure, sir.’ Caroline wrinkled her brow in thought. ‘He wished to speak to you yesterday, sir—but was prevented by your discomposure.’
‘Well, I am much recovered now, girl. I shall see him at his convenience. Give him my compliments and ask him to step up and see me if he will when he returns.’
‘Yes, Grandfather, I shall do so—though I am not sure when that will be.’
His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. ‘Caroline, Caroline, you are so like your grandmother. You have her reckless spirit, her certainty…’ His eyes shadowed with doubt.
‘I am glad to be like my grandmother in so many ways,’ Caroline told him. ‘But please do not worry for my sake, sir.’ She smiled at him as she prepared to take her leave. ‘Is there anything I may do for you?’
‘No, I am well cared for. Jenkins is a good man and I rely on him completely—but you will come and see me again before you leave?’
‘Yes, of course.’ She hesitated, and then, ‘I had thought perhaps you might wish me to stay until you are on your feet again?’
‘No, though I thank you for the kind thought. You must go to your mother, Caroline. I shall speak to Tom about this incident. I think he should put off his visit to Jamaica until this business is settled.’
‘You must do as you think best, sir.’
‘Yes, yes, I think I shall rest now. You may leave me, for I am sure you have plenty to do.’
Caroline left her grandfather to go downstairs again, and it was not long before she heard voices in the hall and then her brothers and Sir Freddie
came into the parlour where she was sitting. She got to her feet, looking at their faces, sensing that they were pleased about something.
‘Did you catch him?’
‘Not quite,’ Nicolas said, ‘but Sir Freddie winged him as he went by on his horse. One of the grooms had spotted him in the woods and we went after him. We thought we had him cornered, but he got away after firing a shot in our direction—though I think he will not be bothering any of us for a while.’
‘I merely clipped him in the arm,’ Freddie said. ‘But it may be enough to quieten him for a while—and in the meantime we must take what precautions we can to prevent something like this happening again.’
‘But how can you do that?’ Caroline asked.
‘In London, I had you followed for the last few days you were there. I had made no similar arrangements for your grandfather’s estate, but with his permission I shall do so—and in Bath something similar will be put in place.’
‘You had me watched in London?’ Caroline stared at him for a moment, and then laughed. ‘Yes, I see…I thought that someone was watching me that night in the gardens. Do you remember, Nicolas? When I was speaking to George Bellingham and you came out to look for me? I thought then that someone was there, spying on us.’
Nicolas nodded. ‘I went to search for her, because Tom and I had decided that she might be in some danger if she wandered off alone, but she was safe enough with George Bellingham. We thought all this bother might be down to the business in Jamaica…for the inheritance, you know.’
‘You mean the son Grandfather had whilst in Jamaica,’ Caroline said. ‘He told me that you knew about that, Tom. I dare say it might cause a scandal if it came out—but that is nothing compared to what is happening now. If this person is trying to kill me…you and Nicolas may not be safe from his spite.’
‘Good grief,’ Nicolas said. ‘Heaven knows what more scandals the old man has up his sleeve.’
Freddie smiled, lifting his brows. ‘I dare say there are skeletons in the closets of a good many families, some of the very highest distinction. However, I agree that we must see that this remains a family secret.’
‘A family…ah, I see,’ Nicolas said and grinned. ‘I think I will go up and have a word with Grandfather before supper. The old reprobate has plenty to answer for, though I shall not make a fuss for he is not up to it. Tom, will you come with me? I have something particular to say to you.’
‘Oh, very well,’ Tom said. ‘I shall speak to you later, sir. You will stay to dine with us, I hope?’
‘Certainly, I should be very happy to do so.’
Freddie smiled and inclined his head as Nicolas steered his brother from the room. It was obvious that the younger brother had realised what was going on and would no doubt explain to Tom as they went upstairs.
Caroline had taken a seat by the window. She sat resolutely looking out into the garden, her cheeks a little pink, her hands clasped in her lap until she sensed that Freddie was beside her. As she turned her head to look at him, he went down on one knee.
‘Oh, no, you must not,’ she said, a little flustered. ‘At least, there is no need… I am sure that the last thing you truly wish is to make me an offer, sir. Only think of the scandal it might bring to your family if this Jamaican connection were to come out.’
Freddie rose and fetched a chair so that he might sit next to her. He reached out and took her hand, looking into her eyes as she gazed at him, clearly anxious. ‘What is this foolishness, Caroline? You must know that I care for you—that it has been my intention to ask you to marry me for a little while now?’
‘I have thought perhaps…’ She stopped and blushed. ‘I had hoped you might…but this must alter things. I feel that you have been caught up in something that is not of your making, sir. If you felt obliged to make me an offer, this must set you free.’
‘If I wished to be free.’
‘Do you not?’ she asked, looking at him uncertainly. ‘Only think of the scandal, sir.’
‘Was it so wicked, Caroline?’ He raised his brows. ‘Your grandfather is not the first gentleman to get himself a bastard son.’
‘There is more…’ Caroline hung her head. ‘Grandfather told me last night.’
‘Another skeleton in his closet?’ Freddie smiled oddly.
‘This one concerned his third wife—my grandmother…’ Caroline hesitated, suddenly knowing that she could not bear to tell him and see the light fade from his eyes. ‘It is something that I believe you should hear from him. I do not regard it myself, but it must be for you to make up your own mind.’
‘Is it so very terrible?’
‘No, perhaps not—but only consider, I have been reckless.’ Caroline hung her head. ‘I teased you into taking me to that prize fight and I would have gone up in the balloon if the rope had not snapped. And I fully intend to be with you when you race Nicolas tomorrow…’ Her eyes were dark with emotion. ‘Do you think that—considering what you now know of my family—I should make the right kind of wife for you, sir? What would your uncle say?’
‘If I told him, he would probably say that it was a deuced coil but all for the best, Caroline. He told me that he and your grandfather had quarrelled years ago, but that he was prepared to make it up if Bollingbrook would agree.’
‘Was that why you hesitated to speak?’ Caroline asked, her eyes intent on his face.
‘No, it was not. If I seemed reserved with you at any time, it was because I was not perfectly sure I wished to marry. I had become accustomed to living in my own way and knew that if I married I must make changes.’
‘And are you sure that you wish to marry now? You must not think yourself obliged in any way, sir. I know why you came to Almack’s that evening, but it cannot signify. I need never go back to London unless I wish, and in the country no one will bother about what I did there.’
He smiled at her. ‘Believe me, I should not allow the gossips to drive me into making an offer I did not choose to make, Caroline. I do truly wish to marry you.’
Caroline felt a weight lift from her shoulders, but persisted. ‘You must speak to Grandfather, listen to what he has to tell you about my grandmother and then ask me again if you still wish it.’
‘Nothing he or anyone else could say would change my mind.’
‘But—’
Before she could finish, she felt Freddie’s hands on her shoulders. He turned her round to face him, and she trembled as she saw the look in his eyes. The next moment, he bent his head, taking her lips with a kiss that was soft and gentle at the start, but became more intense, hungry, as he felt her response. Swept away on a tide of feeling she had never experienced before, Caroline melted into his body, wanting this wonderful feeling to go on and on. It seemed to her that the kiss was endless, but when at last he withdrew, she felt herself sway and might have fallen had he not held her.
‘Oh…’ she said in a bewildered tone. ‘I did not expect to feel like that…’
‘No?’ Freddie laughed huskily. ‘You are a sweet innocent, my dear one, and I adore you for it—but I must admit I have not felt quite this way before.’ His eyes quizzed her. ‘So what are we to do, Caroline, my love? You are reluctant to marry me because your family may become the centre of a scandal—and yet we clearly have an uncontrollable passion for one another. Will it suit you better to become my mistress?’
‘Sir! You are outrageous,’ she said, stung by the suggestion. As she saw the laughter in his eyes, she realised that he had merely been teasing her. ‘Oh, Freddie, I do love you. I think I should die if anything came between us…but is it really fair to you?’
‘What is this foolishness, my love?’ He questioned with his eyes.
‘You must speak to Grandfather. I am not sure it would be right if I accepted your very generous offer. I wish you to think very carefully about what he has to say to you—and then ask me again.’
‘This is very mysterious. Do you think I care for a little scandal? I have not been exactly witho
ut blame in my life, Caroline. Some would think that you were the one who had cause for complaint, not I.’
‘It is not just the Jamaican business…though there is that, too.’
‘Surely it cannot be so very terrible?’
‘Oh, Freddie, it might be worse than you imagine,’ she said, her mouth soft with love. She longed to accept his offer, but her sense of fairness held her back.
He took her hand, caressing the palm with his finger. The stroking movement was delicate but it brought her close to swooning with what she knew must be desire. She melted against him as he put his arms about her, gazing up at him longingly. ‘I feel so strange and not at all as I ought. I think if you do not marry me, I might end by taking up your very disobliging offer to become your mistress…’
‘Well, it must be one or the other,’ he told her as he stroked her cheek with the tips of his fingers, making her shiver with excitement. ‘I confess that I cannot live without you, my darling. If you refuse me, I may very well—’
They were interrupted by a knock at the door, which opened as they moved apart, to allow Jenkins to enter. ‘Excuse me, Miss Holbrook—Sir Frederick. My master requests that you visit him for a moment or two before dinner, sir.’
‘Very well, I shall come in one moment,’ Freddie said, and as the door closed behind him, ‘You know that I adore you, Caroline. What is your answer, before I speak to Lord Bollingbrook?’
‘You know that it must be yes—if you feel the same,’ she said, swept away on a tide of recklessness. ‘I would marry you even if I had to elope with you, Freddie. My hesitation was for your sake, not mine—I shall be happy to be your wife.’
‘Very well, that is settled,’ Freddie said and there was laughter in his eyes as he looked down at her. ‘We shall marry against all opposition and be damned to the tabbies!’
‘Oh, Freddie!’ Caroline cried, laughing as he dropped a light kiss on her forehead. ‘I am so glad that we met.’