William stood and went to the liquor cart to pour himself a brandy. He motioned to Caroline, but she lifted her hand in denial. She would be asleep on the couch if she had another drink.
“If you can trust him,” William said with a light shrug, though he did not sound as if he felt the same trust as Evan. “However, if Colborn hears word of what we are doing, he may run or worse, he may hurt you or your wife. No, we must get to him first; we cannot use someone else who may end up in the same danger as we currently are.”
“I understand,” Evan said. “Trust me, I want to stop him as much as you do. Yet, unless you can conjure a servant willing to be a prop, we have no other choice!”
As the men continued to argue, Caroline looked from one man to the other. Both held a determination she could not help but respect. William had been welcomed back into the family, and it would have been easy for him to simply pass the book on to his brother and go on with his own life. Yet, rather than allow someone else to see the problem removed, he took on a responsibility that was not his own.
She had no other choice, and she stood in order to catch their attention. “I am the servant you need.”
Both men gaped at her for several moments before William said, “Rubbish! I will not allow it.”
Evan, however, seemed to study her for a moment. “It’s a rather good idea.”
“I said no,” William said. Then he sighed. “Forgive me for yelling, but it cannot happen.”
“I am capable of doing this,” Caroline said firmly.
“No,” Evan replied with a sigh. “I agree with William. You are a lady who should not be put in harm’s way. Besides, you would have to dress and act the part of a servant. No one could ask such a thing of you.”
Caroline wanted to laugh, and she would have if she was not so angry. “I am a servant!” she said. “I once cleaned that fireplace and dusted those tables. You men may argue until the sun rises, but I am going with you.”
William rose and glared down at her. “I said no.” Then he turned to his brother. “We will discuss this tomorrow?”
“Indeed, we will,” Evan replied before turning to Caroline, a curious expression on his face. “Servant or no, your offer of help is appreciated, but I most adamantly agree with William in this.”
When Evan was gone, William returned his glare to Caroline. “This man has killed people! Has threated their families! I cannot have you put in harm’s way. Do you understand?”
“Oh, I understand better than you realize,” Caroline retorted. “However, we have worked together thus far. Have you already forgotten that fact? You need a woman to gain an audience. I am a woman.”
William shook his head and walked over to one of the windows. “I do not know.”
Frustration at his pomposity made her go to his side. “Do you believe you can be rid of me that easily?” she asked, placing a hand on his arm. When he turned to look at her again, she was taken aback by the sadness in his eyes.
“I would never want to be rid of you,” he said. “It is because I fear the path that lays before me. I suspect none of this will end well.”
“Surely…”
“If I bring this accusation to light,” he continued despite her attempt to speak, “not only will he seek to have me killed, but he will also kill the ones for whom I care. My brother, his wife…and you.”
Caroline’s heart skipped a beat and her throat went dry. “But…”
“If we are not believed, or if the plan fails in any way, you still have a wonderful life ahead of you. You must return to London, for your dreams of helping others is of the utmost importance.”
Caroline took a step back. No matter how much she pleaded with the man, he would not listen! He might not mean to do so, but she felt as if he was throwing her out of his home just as he had before.
“Very well. Do what you must. I will not beg to remain in your company. After all, it was you who stopped the highwaymen, was it not?” She allowed a small smile to play on her lips.
“That is…”
“The truth?” she demanded. “Perhaps you can tell the man the story of Butcher Mary.”
The man smiled at this, but Caroline would not allow his charm to win her over. “Do not push me away, William. Not now. This is my choice. I want to help those women. And you.”
He sighed as he took one of her hands in his. “You are right,” he whispered. He brushed back a strand of hair behind her ear. “You will come with us, and together, we can put a stop to this.”
“Yes,” she replied, wishing the man would kiss her. “Together.”
And, though he did not kiss her, she was content as they turned to gaze out the window, hand in hand. Neither spoke, but they were comfortable in the surrounding silence.
Later, as she lay in bed alone in one of the guest rooms, Caroline thought about her future. Whether they remained friends or decided to walk a more romantic road, she was certain William would be beside her.
***
The following morning, Caroline felt as though she had slept for years. Keeping her eyes closed, she gave a languid stretch, enjoying the comfortable feeling of the luxurious bed and the smoothness of the linen sheets. She had not felt this relaxed in a very long time, and her thoughts turned to William. They would leave for London the following day, and together she would see he found his redemption. In his own way, he had redeemed her, for she had given up on the thought of any notion of love. Now she could not stop thinking about it. Once they completed this task, she would confess her feelings for him, and she had a sneaking suspicion he would do the same.
Yawning, she opened her eyes and squinted at the rays of the sun that fell on the bed. She gasped. The sun was much too high for this early in the morning, was it not?
“No!” she shouted. It had to be close to noon! How could she have slept in so late?
She jumped from the bed and splashed cool water on her face from the porcelain basin. Rushing to the wardrobe where one of the servants had hung her dresses the night before, she grabbed one and threw it over her head. When she looked in the mirror at her hair, she groaned. She did not have time to do much, so she quickly pinned it back and covered it with a lace cap.
With one more glance in the mirror, and feeling as though she was at least presentable, Caroline left the room and hurried to the dining room. No one was there, so she made her way to the parlor, passing a maid along the way. Caroline offered her a smile, which the woman returned with a light curtsy. She could hear William’s voice from the hallway, and when she entered the parlor, William and Evan rose from their chairs.
“I must apologize for my tardiness,” Caroline said. “I had not expected to sleep so late.” She turned to Evan and curtsied. “My Lord.”
“Please, call me Evan. It is what dear friends and those who take care of my brother call me.”
Caroline sent William a confused look, and he laughed. “I told him everything. And do not worry; I told the truth.”
This time Evan laughed. “The highwaymen?” he said with a chuckle. “Not only were you keen on them following you, but my brother admitted freely that if you had not intervened, he would have died there on the road.”
The wide grin that accompanied William’s blush told Caroline that the words were spoken in jest.
Evan led her to the couch. “It does not matter if you sleep until noon every day. My home is yours as much as it is my brother’s.”
Caroline found his kindness overwhelming. This man had changed as much, if not more than, William had. “Thank you.”
“I’ll have some tea brought in,” William said.
Caroline nodded.
“I can see why my brother seeks your counsel,” Evan said. “You are strong, brave, and wise.”
“That is kind of you to say,” she said with a light chuckle, “but I do not believe I am those things.”
“To have lived or worked at this estate and then help my brother in the way you did shows you are unique. I can see w
hy he cherishes you.”
Caroline thought her cheeks could start a fire they burned so hot. He cherished her?
Evan grinned. “I speak before thinking, something of which Linda reminds me quite often.” He shifted in his seat. “Speaking of my wife, I would like to ask for some advice.”
“Of course. How may I help?”
“She is upset that I will be journeying to London tomorrow,” he explained. “I fear she should not know the details, but she is concerned, especially after the arrival of a missing brother and a mysterious woman.”
“I will speak to her,” Caroline said with a nod. “Where is she?”
“She is in the garden. Are you certain you do not mind?”
“Not at all.” Caroline rose from the couch. “This will be handled with care, I assure you. And do not worry; I will not reveal what we are doing.”
Evan sighed. “Thank you. I feel much better.”
Caroline made her way to the gardens. She had always found the gardens of Applefield Estates magnificent, and they had not lost their splendor despite the autumn weather. Sure, the flowers no longer bloomed and the leaves had changed colors, but the maze of hedges, trimmed into neat boxes, continued their regal bearing. She followed the stone path and came to a single tree at the end where Linda sat on a bench beneath it.
“Lady Lymington,” Caroline said as she approached, “I never had the chance to introduce myself properly.”
The woman smiled. “Linda, please. And I heard enough this morning from Evan,” she said with a laugh. “I do not mean to be rude, but I feel as though I know you already. Please, join me.”
Caroline thought the woman’s smile kind, and she took a seat beside her on the stone bench. “It is beautiful here,” Caroline said before taking a deep breath.
“Indeed,” Linda said. “Many times I come here. Evan does not understand how I can spend so much time outside.”
“Men understand little,” Caroline replied with a laugh. “At least he does not try to prevent you from enjoying your time here.”
“He does not. In fact, he encourages me in so many ways. I tell my friends about it, and they are envious.” The woman shook her head. “Though Evan was not always this way. In the past, he was much different.”
“I know,” Caroline said. “As was William. However, I have seen great changes in both men.”
Linda smiled. “Do you love William?”
The question caught Caroline off-guard. “I…”
“You must forgive me,” Linda said with a chuckle. “I always want to know as much as I can about my friends. We are friends, are we not?”
Caroline laughed. She hardly knew this woman, but she possessed a sweetness about her that Caroline found endearing. “I suppose we could say so. As to William, I will be honest. I do not know if I love him. I care for him, yes, but I’m afraid he may not feel the same for me.”
“It is difficult for men to admit such feelings,” Linda said with a sigh. “However, I see the way William looks at you.” She had a twinkle in her eye when she said this. Then she shook her head. “Last night, when he and Evan fought, I have never seen such rage.”
“Yes, but he fought due to his anger at his brother.”
“No,” Linda said with conviction. “He fought for you. You can see it in his eyes. Every time you speak, he listens. Men do not simply do that unless they have a reason.”
This made Caroline giggle. She was liking this woman even more. “That is true.”
“Well, I wish you luck in your love, and in your journey tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Caroline said. “If you would like, I will tell you something about the journey.”
“Yes, please do. I do not understand the need for secrecy. And why I am to be left out. Men seem to believe women are nothing more than ornaments to decorate their house.”
“I imagine the fact I am involved has increased your suspicions, as well?”
“It is not you…what I mean to say is that, yes, it is…no, I do not know how to say it without being rude.”
Caroline patted the woman’s hand. “Allow me to explain what I can. You see, your husband and my William…” She stopped. Her William? And did the woman have to grin so broadly at that? She cleared her throat. “My friend William. They are setting out to right a wrong. Though they will be safe, the complexity of the matter is one they cannot share. I am involved because of my insight into the situation. There is nothing more. I know Evan will tell you everything once their goal is accomplished, but I hope you understand that what they plan is very noble.”
It was silent for a few moments, and Caroline wondered if the woman did indeed understand.
Finally, Linda spoke. “Thank you. It makes a bit more sense now than before, but I must ask one favor.”
“Of course.”
“Do not tell Evan that I have given my blessing in this matter.” That twinkle in her eye had returned. “I may not enjoy seeing him worry, but he will end up buying me a new dress if he believes I am angry with him.”
Caroline laughed. “Your secret is safe with me.”
They stood and Linda embraced Caroline. “Thank you.”
Footsteps made them turn, and William walked up, a grin on his face. “I take it all is better now?”
“I need a new dress, too,” Caroline whispered in Linda’s ear. Then she turned to William. “A woman tries to laugh away her heart. Linda will speak to Evan later, once her anger has subsided.”
William raised his brows but then nodded. “That is good. I suppose.” He gave them a quizzical look and then turned to walk away.
“Oh, I believe we are going to be best of friends!” Linda said.
“I believe you are right,” Caroline replied before they headed back to the house.
Chapter Twenty-Five
London
Though it had been less than two weeks since Caroline had left, it felt much longer. From the merchants hawking their wares to every passerby to the ladies adorned with the most beautiful of dresses, all was familiar and somehow changed. The first time she had entered the city, it was to seek refuge. She had looked with awe at the busy streets and variety of people, so different from Forrest.
Now, however, she had returned to help others find refuge. Others who had come to the city seeking a new life, or those who had been there since birth who struggled because jobs were scarce. If it were up to her, no man, woman, or child would be forced to sleep in the park or in an alleyway.
Of course, it was not up to her. She had the funds to help a small percentage of those with the most need, and she had to be accepting of that. It did not make the sliver of regret leave her, but she was able to put that away in a nice box in the back of her mind. She was but one person with limited funds.
They had arrived earlier that morning; now they awaited word from Evan, who had gone to meet Lord Cooper. The man had connections, and, coupled with the ledger as proof, they would see the Duke revealed, not only for his heinous acts of taking women, but as the man responsible for the death of the prostitute.
“I do not like waiting,” William said as he paced the drawing room of the Lymington London townhouse. Though it was located in a prominent area, most of the surrounding houses were empty—minus a small contingency of servants to maintain them—leaving Caroline and the brothers with a great amount of relative privacy from prying eyes. “Every moment this man is free, another woman is in danger of being bought.”
Caroline rose from the red wingback chair on which she had been sitting. “You have made it thus far,” she said in a soothing tone. “You must hold out only a little longer.”
William sighed. “Once again, you have seen reason where I have not,” he said.
The door opened and a maid entered. She dropped a quick curtsy and said, “The dress you requested, my Lady.”
Caroline took the bundle and flicked out a dress of meager cloth. “Is this yours?”
“Yes,” the woman replied, her eyes cast d
own. She wrung her hands in front of her.
Caroline produced a coin and placed it in the woman’s hand. “For you,” she said quietly. “In exchange for giving up something of your own.”
The woman’s eyes grew wide. “Thank you, my Lady!” she said. Then she bobbed a quick curtsy and rushed from the room, closing the door behind her.
“It has been a while since you have worn a dress like that,” William said.
Caroline ran her hands over the rough material. “It has.”
“Does it bring back memories?”
She closed her eyes. “Yes. I had two dresses much like this one—drab, plain, only meant to cover my body and no other function.”
“And one small tear near the shoulder,” William said with a light chuckle.
Caroline raised a brow at him.
William held up a hand as if in defense. “You must understand, I found you…intriguing.” He cleared his throat. “I’m not sure why I remember that tear.”
A heaviness hung in the air, and Caroline decided to lighten it. “A hole in a dress. Certainly not proper for the home of a man like yourself,” she said with mock smugness. “Though, I must admit, I find it very odd.”
“Odd?” William asked. “What is it you find odd?”
“That a man who ignores his unruly hair would instead concentrate on a small tear.”
William’s jaw dropped, and Caroline could not stop the laughter that bubbled up inside her.
“Oh, William,” she said, still laughing, “it is so easy to tease you.” She placed the dress on a nearby table and walked over to brush back a wave of his hair from his brow. “I did not mean it. I like your hair the way it is.”
He chuckled. “You are quite the woman, Caroline Rumsbury.” His words made her feel lightheaded, and she struggled to keep her legs from trembling. “A woman has never impressed me as you do.”
His eyes twinkled as he spoke, and Caroline could not stop her mind from returning to what Evan’s wife had said. This man did care for her, but like most men, he was unable to share what he felt. Well, if he was not going to take the initiative, it was about time that she did.
Redeeming The Rake (Delicate Hearts Book 3) Page 16