The center drawer was the only one locked. Richard retrieved his knife from a narrow sheath in the waist of his trousers and used the blade to wiggle the latch, listening for the tell-tale click. He heard it, but the sound didn’t come from the drawer.
He quickly blew out the candle and rose to hide behind the drapes, hoping he hadn’t been discovered. The door opened and he held his breath. Silence filled the room, heavy and oppressive.
“Richard?” a feminine tone whispered.
That couldn’t be—
“Caroline?” He eased aside the drape but the glowing coals of the fire didn’t penetrate the inky blackness of the room. He couldn’t see anything. “What are you doing?”
“Me?” The shock in her voice was unmistakable. “Why are you in the viscount’s library? In the dark?” The way she said that last question made him think she thought that was the more outrageous of the two issues.
He retrieved his candle and moved to the fire to light it from the coals once again. He refused to have this conversation in the dark.
Caroline hurried forward, her brow creased with suspicion. “What are you doing in here?”
“I needed a moment away from the crowd.” He placed an arm around her to guide her toward the door.
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“How did you find me?”
She pursed her lips, her disapproval clearly visible. “You’ve been gone for quite some time. Your absence was noticed.”
“By who?” He had no doubt she was the only one who knew he’d left the ballroom or where he was. He didn’t know whether to be annoyed or flattered that she’d made the effort to look for him.
He’d nearly had her to the door when the knob rattled.
“Th—”
Richard placed a finger over her lips as he blew out the candle once again. He rushed her toward the long leather sofa as it was the closest place to hide.
Caroline seemed to understand his urgency as she joined him behind it, quiet as a mouse.
Voices broke the silence of the room as light spilled in from the open doorway.
“I’m surprised to see you here this evening.” Stafford’s voice was easily recognizable.
“You and I have some unfinished business.”
Richard didn’t recognize to whom the deep male voice belonged.
“Oh? And what would that be?” Stafford sounded displeased at the implication.
“That stallion you promised to sell me last month is still not in my stable.”
Richard dearly wanted to rise to identify the stranger. They might very well be speaking in code. If so, he needed to know who the other man was.
A tremor passed through Caroline. With the added light Stafford brought, Richard could just make out that her eyes squeezed shut as though that might help them from being seen. He nearly smiled at the evidence of her concern.
Why had she followed him? His cynical mind immediately jumped to the idea of her spying, but her fear in this moment suggested situations such as this were new to her. He squeezed her hand, wanting to reassure her all would be well.
When she opened her eyes to look at him, the trust in their depths was nearly his undoing. She reached for his other hand with her free one, her sweet gesture squeezing his heart.
He was stunned to suddenly realize that he would go to extraordinary lengths in order to protect her. The knowledge surprised him, filling him with dismay. Desire was one thing, but this was something else.
His lack of regard for his personal safety was tied to the fact that he didn’t truly care if he lived or died. Or rather, he didn’t care about his own fate once he’d claimed justice for Dumond. Maybe now he cared more than before.
As Caroline quivered against him, he knew how truly frightened she was. He drew her into the circle of his arms while the men continued their conversation about the horse. The sweet scent of her filled his senses, making it difficult to concentrate on the discussion. He mentally shook his head, forcing himself to focus on his work, not the woman in his arms.
The longer the two men spoke, the more convinced Richard became that the conversation was about nothing more than a prize stallion.
Stafford agreed to deliver the steed the next week, and the men drifted toward the door. After confirming the details, they left, and the door clicked shut behind them.
“Are they gone?” Caroline whispered in his ear, sending shivers along his back.
“Yes. We’ll give them another minute to be certain.”
They waited, Richard all too aware of Caroline pressed against him. Before the minute was up, Richard could stand it no more. Her proximity was going to cause him to do something he shouldn’t.
He stood and assisted her to her feet. “Quickly, before they decide to return.”
“Yes.” She hurried with him to the door. Her hand paused mid-air near the knob then she turned to look at him. “But you still didn’t say what were you doing in here.”
He raised a brow. “Do you think me a thief?”
“No,” she said without hesitation. “Nor do I think you needed time away from the crowd. So what brought you to the viscount’s library?”
The temptation to tell her the truth surprised him. But he disliked telling lies, and for some reason, he especially didn’t like telling them to Caroline.
Did he dare distract her with a kiss? Even as he bent his head, the rattle of the doorknob caught his breath in his throat.
Chapter Eight
Fear held Caroline in its grip at the sound of the door opening. She didn’t pretend to understand what Richard was doing in Viscount Stafford’s library. She wasn’t so naïve as to believe he had no purpose here. Neither did she think he intended to steal from the lord. Then why?
From the surprise on Richard’s expression, he clearly hadn’t expected to hide a second time.
The urge to protect him and help keep his secrets astounded her. He was a grown man and surely didn’t need her assistance. Yet the urge remained.
When had she realized he was more than a cynical rogue but a man with a hidden agenda? What happened to her resolve to keep some distance between them?
The moment she’d seen him this evening, all that resolve had fallen to the wayside along with her doubt.
Now panic threatened as the doorknob rattled before their very eyes. Caroline did the only thing she could think of.
She shoved Richard, sending him sprawling into the wingback chair directly behind him, then slid onto his lap.
His shocked expression would’ve been entertaining under other circumstances, but there was no time for that.
Caroline kissed Richard as if her life depended on it. For all she knew, it did. Richard was a deep well, guarding his secrets closely. Definitely not a thief. But what other explanation could he have for being in the library?
Her curiosity dropped away as the feel of his lips penetrated her fear. Firm yet gentle.
His surprise seemed to disappear as he returned her kiss, running his hands along her back. The warmth of his body seeped into hers, and she shifted on his lap. His tongue met hers, the sensation surpassing her memory of the last time they kissed.
“What—”
Caroline jerked back at Stafford’s voice, chest heaving. She scrambled to her feet, not having to pretend embarrassment.
Richard stood as well and placed a protective arm around her.
Stafford’s gaze flew from her to Richard and back again. Amusement crooked a smile on his face. “What do we have here?”
“Terribly sorry, Stafford,” Richard said as he glanced down at Caroline. “I fear Miss Gold and I took advantage of the privacy of your library.”
“Ah, the newly betrothed couple. Congratulations.”
Caroline felt her cheeks heat as Stafford studied them. “Thank you,” she managed.
“Miss Gold, I must say I’m surprised.” His eyes narrowed as he looked at Caroline. “Who knew your usual reserve hid such passion?”
&n
bsp; She closed her eyes briefly. Stafford wasn’t the only one astonished by that. Still, how rude of him to mention it. No wonder she’d never cared for him.
Yet Stafford didn’t appear to be completely convinced by the way he continued to stare.
Richard ignored the lord to raise her hand and press a kiss upon it. With a satisfied smile, he said, “We’ll be going now. My apologies for intruding.”
Stafford glanced around the room as though checking to see if anything was amiss.
Caroline hoped Richard hadn’t left any evidence to rouse the viscount’s suspicions.
“Were you in here earlier?” Stafford asked, his gaze swinging back to them.
Caroline felt compelled to do something—anything—to convince him they’d come to his library for a tête-á-tête. But what?
“Surely you’re not asking a lady to tell her secrets.” She smoothed the skirt of her gown then looked at Richard in her version of a flirtatious manner. She shifted closer to him, as though she couldn’t bear to not be nearer. “We should return to the ball before my mother starts searching for me.”
“Of course. We would be most appreciative if you’d keep this to yourself, Stafford,” Richard said, the steely look in his expression seeming to convince Stafford of the wisdom of doing so if the viscount’s quick nod was any indication.
Caroline kept a tight hold on Richard’s arm as they moved toward the door, bracing herself for Stafford to demand they halt. When they made it through and closed the door behind them, she drew a breath but kept walking to the stairs, noting Richard’s silence as well.
She waited until they made it down to the ballroom before saying anything more. “Please explain why you were in Stafford’s library.”
Richard frowned as he carefully glanced around. “No need to announce it.”
“I’m not.” She forced a smile in case anyone watched them before she continued quietly, “And stop avoiding my question.”
“I wanted to see his book collection. He has an impressive number of French volumes.”
She shook her head, well aware he lied. “Since I saved you, I think I deserve an answer.”
“Saved me? Nearly got me caught, you mean.”
“Ah-ha. So you admit you were up to no good.”
“No, I’m merely saying he wouldn’t have known I’d been in there if you hadn’t arrived.”
“My presence didn’t cause that. Admit it. He would’ve caught you.”
“Doing what?” Before she could answer, he added, “I’m parched. Shall we locate something to drink?”
He led her toward one of the footmen serving drinks before she could think of anything else to say. Pressing him further seemed pointless as he wasn’t budging.
“We shall see if Stafford decides to share what he saw,” Richard added. “Good thing we’re already betrothed.”
Caroline gave a tiny gasp as his meaning sank in. Good heavens. Her bold act this evening would make it all the more difficult for them to end their association. If Stafford told anyone, and she guessed he would, that put even more pressure on them to go through with the marriage.
She couldn’t very well tell Richard she’d been hoping they’d be able to call off the engagement eventually. Yet she had to wonder if he thought the same thing. They had yet to set a date or talk about any of the specifics, for that matter.
“I can see the wheels turning behind your eyes.”
She met his gaze as he handed her a glass. “Merely running through the possibilities of why you were in there,” she lied. If he refused to tell her the truth, she could do the same.
“I already told you the reason.” He shook his head. “One would think you didn’t trust me.”
“I trust you,” she admitted. “But I still want to know what you were doing.”
“What of you? Why did you follow me?”
She glanced away, uncertain she could explain the feeling that had come over her. She’d watched his progress across the room after they separated and realized he’d had a goal in mind. Wasn’t it natural that she wanted to know what he was doing?
But something more had propelled her forward—an uneasy feeling urging her to follow him. She couldn’t possibly explain that. “I should think you’d be thanking me, rather than questioning my motives.”
He opened his mouth to argue but seemed to think better of it. “I applaud your acting ability. That was quite the kiss.”
She closed her eyes as embarrassment again swept over her. She hadn’t expected him to comment on that. When she opened her eyes to berate him, the heat in his gaze stopped her. Her desire for him re-surfaced. The passion she felt for this man surprised her, just as Stafford had commented.
No matter how many times she told herself Richard was not the man for her, that marrying him wouldn’t save her family, something drew her to him.
Her mind recognized the logic of keeping her distance, but her body had other hopes. With a silent reprimand to herself, she lifted her chin. “I hardly want my betrothed caught in the host’s library, searching through his books.”
“Caroline, you should never put yourself in harm’s way on my behalf. You are far more valuable than a rogue like me.”
She studied him for a long moment, realizing he truly believed that. His disregard for his personal safety surprised her, as did her urge to make him understand he was wrong. “You matter more than you know.”
“It warms my heart to know you care.” The charm of his smile had her swallowing hard.
She glanced away, her heart twisting. What was she going to do about him?
~*~
“Do you have a dress in mind for your wedding?” Caroline’s mother asked at breakfast the next morning.
Caroline’s stomach dropped at the question. Deciding such details felt too real. Though she knew she either needed to find a way to end the engagement soon or start making plans, she found she could do neither.
“I haven’t decided,” she said at last, avoiding her mother’s gaze.
“I thought we’d have a small meal here after the ceremony.”
Caroline set down her fork, her appetite gone. She knew they didn’t have enough funds to provide such a meal, certainly not the elaborate breakfast a lady marrying an earl was expected to provide.
If she married Richard, the best chance of saving her family—her only chance—would be gone forever.
The idea of what might happen after the meal, that she’d leave her home at Richard’s side, set her heart pounding. Each time they kissed deepened her feelings for him. She loved the feel of his body pressed to hers. The way he’d responded to her kiss in the library had astounded her. She’d felt powerful, as though she had the ability to make him feel the same things she did. In truth, it had been lovely, and she would very much like to do it again.
That frightened her. Her attraction to Richard had to be stopped. She had to find a way to break it off so she could focus on finding a husband who’d make a difference to her family. Marrying a man only because she felt...something for him was a selfish, absurd reason.
“Mother, I’ve been thinking.” She glanced at Annabelle and Margaret to see how closely they listened with the hope she could convey her wish for them to support her. Their eyes were wide with interest.
“Oh?”
“I can’t help but wonder if the threat of scandal has passed. Several other interesting events have occurred in the past week. I don’t believe anyone even remembers what happened that night at the Southby ball. Not that anything happened. Because it didn’t. Such a ridiculous misunderstanding.” She waved her hand as if she could wipe the incident from their memories. If only it were that easy.
She hadn’t seen the Duke of Wayfair since the night he’d left her on the terrace. While she held little hope he would offer if she were free, he wasn’t the only man with a fortune.
Her mother set down her cup and folded her hands in her lap, holding Caroline’s gaze. “All of that might be true.”
<
br /> Hope rose in Caroline’s breast. At least, she thought it was hope. It couldn’t possibly be regret.
“Except for the fact that rumors are circulating of how Viscount Stafford discovered you on the earl’s lap in a chair in his library last evening.” Her mother leveled her a look that withered all hope.
How could she have forgotten that risk for even a moment? Yet she couldn’t contain her outrage. “Stafford gave his word he wouldn’t say anything.” No wonder she’d never liked the lord.
“So it’s true.”
“Well, yes, but only because—” She halted as she realized offering an explanation would cast a shadow on Richard and whatever he’d been doing in Stafford’s library. Besides, what could she possibly say?
Her mother gave a decisive nod. “I believe the time has come to move forward with the wedding plans.”
Caroline closed her eyes in despair.
“While the circumstances are less than ideal,” her mother continued, “we must make the best of them.”
Caroline’s eyes popped back open. How often had she said the same thing to her sisters? She didn’t care to have the phrase used on her.
“At this point, the most important thing you can do is make certain your actions don’t reflect poorly on your sisters. We wouldn’t want your behavior to reduce their hopes of making good matches, now would we?”
“Certainly not.” It had been a long while since her mother had spoken so sternly toward her. Caroline didn’t care for that either.
“I’m going to check on your father.” Her mother rose, leaving the room without a backward glance.
Caroline hadn’t seriously considered the ramifications of her actions last evening. Her only thought had been to save Richard.
“Truly?” Annabelle’s eyes couldn’t have gotten any wider. “You sat on the earl’s lap?”
Margaret frowned. “What on earth would cause you to do such a thing?”
“Don’t you dare put that in one of your stories,” Caroline warned Annabelle. “There were extenuating circumstances I cannot explain.”
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