Caroline stared at him. He did seem to be overdoing it a bit.
Lady Melbourne snapped her fan shut and teasingly hit his hand with it. “You are a handsome rogue and full of yourself, but I do think I am envious of your Caroline.” With that she sat back and motioned her driver to move on.
“Well done, Lady Caroline. We have convinced Lady Melbourne. She will tell others of our news. Our job is done. Would you like to return home?”
Caroline nodded. She needed to think. Damon confused her. He had an air of mystery about him. Never had she known anyone who could turn charm on so easily. She feared she herself might be susceptible.
Damon helped her down and walked her to the door. “I will see you tomorrow evening for the family dinner. And you will not go out without me tonight.”
“Already giving orders?”
His expression became a mask of stone. “You will learn it is best to follow my suggestions.” With that, he turned and left.
“Hah, suggestions,” Caroline mumbled to herself, going inside and up to her room. She had not planned to go out tonight but it wasn’t because he ordered her to stay home. Damon had best learn she would not always follow his commands. She took off her bonnet and unpinned her hair. To calm herself, she slid the brush through her natural waves.
Being with Damon kept her on her toes, never knowing what to expect next. She liked a calm atmosphere, no drama. But her world had changed topsy-turvy and she doubted it would ever be the same.
* * * *
Damon came in his barouche carriage to escort Caroline and her parents to his aunt and uncle’s townhouse. Hannah, he explained, had gone earlier to help her aunt.
Caroline had chosen a pale-blue silk gown with lace at the neckline and sleeves. Her hair was in a loose chignon with curls escaping around her neckline and face.
Damon took her dark-blue pelisse from the butler and placed it around her shoulders. His hands lingered momentarily, and he stood close to her. The warmth from his hands and all along his body seeped into her, making her heart race and her face flush.
“As usual, your taste is impeccable, my dear,” he whispered in her ear.
The tone of his words awaken a fiery sensation in the lower section of her body. She quickly stepped forward, putting space between them. Caroline glanced back and caught his knowing smile and the flicker of something else in his eyes. She was glad to get in the carriage with her parents close.
The Sommerplaces’ townhouse was large and grand. The lounge, where the butler escorted them, was decorated with gold wallpaper. A huge fireplace covered one wall and sent heat to the four corners of the room.
Chippendale furniture had been arranged in several separate groups, creating more than one sitting area and giving an illusion of privacy. It was a comfortable room, pleasant and inviting.
Lady Sommerplace patted a spot on the sofa beside her. “Please join me, Lady Caroline. We must get better acquainted.”
Caroline sat on the edge of the seat with her back rigid.
“My dear, please do relax. I am pleased my nephew, Damon, has chosen to marry you.”
“You are?”
“Yes. You will do well together. I heard of you and your endeavors and believe you are exactly the type of wife my nephew needs.”
Caroline glanced across at Damon talking to his uncle and her father. It seemed strange to see him being so polite to her father. But even Damon must follow the rules of proper behavior in his aunt and uncle’s home.
Turning back to Lady Sommerplace, Caroline said, “Lord Royston does not know of my work in the city. I’d rather he not be told.”
“Why ever not, my dear?”
“I’m not sure he’d approve. I’d prefer he not know to what extent I’m involved. He saw me helping a young climbing boy one day, but we have not talked about the incident.”
“I shall respect your privacy. I do believe you would be pleasantly surprised if you told Damon.”
“Dinner is served, madam.” Their tall, thin butler stood at the door and bowed to Lady Sommerplace.
She took the Earl of Halsford’s arm and led the way into the dining room. The Earl of Sommerplace escorted Caroline’s mother as Caroline and Hannah followed, each on Damon’s arms.
Conversation flowed easily as the many dishes were passed and wine flowed frequently into the wine glasses. Caroline had little appetite but drank more than her usual amount of wine. By the end of the meal, her head was spinning.
Lady Sommerplace stood. “Shall we adjourn to the smaller sitting room while our gentlemen enjoy a smoke and glass of port?”
“Aunt Elizabeth, would you and Uncle Christopher excuse Lady Caroline and me?” Damon asked. “I’d like to show her your rose gardens. There is a bright moon, and we shan’t be long.”
His aunt smiled. “If it is all right with her parents, we will not object.”
Caroline wondered what he was up to. Her parents did not object, and Hannah smiled brightly when Damon escorted Caroline to the side door.
He wrapped her pelisse around her and put her arm through his. “Fresh air will clear your head, my lady. You drank quite a large amount of wine and ate little.”
“I did not think you would notice.”
“When we are alone or with family, call me Damon. I notice everything about you, my dear.” His deep voice had an odd, gentle tone to it.
Caroline’s awareness of the hard muscle under her hand and against her side made her jittery, but the fresh air did seem to be clearing her head.
“I am not your dear. Please do not call me by that term.”
“Shall I call you Caroline?”
She glared up at him. “I’d rather you not call me anything.”
“Now you are acting childish. This behavior will get you nowhere and is not productive. We will be married in a few weeks. The banns were posted the day after you accepted my offer of marriage. I sent a rider to your village to take care of seeing they were done. It is time for you to gracefully accept our upcoming nuptials.
“Perhaps you need some coaxing.” Damon stopped and turned her to him. She stared at him questioningly.
Suddenly, he pulled her body against his hard frame. Then he grasped her chin firmly in his hand and lowered his lips. Her brain told her to move out of his embrace, but her body didn’t get the message. Damon lightly kissed her cheeks, forehead, and eyes. When she took a soft breath, he covered her mouth with his.
His tongue slid between her lips and caressed tenderly. While ravishing her mouth, he moved his hand slowly inside her pelisse and touched her throat where her heart pounded against his fingers. He leaned down and licked the spot. Fire raced through her veins, and an exhilaration she hadn’t expected shook her. “You like my touch,” he whispered against the top of her breast just above her low neckline. Then his hand moved inside her gown and cupped her breast. The edge of his thumb rubbed across the peak.
Caroline was hardly aware of the moaning sound she made or that her body melted into his. He’d brought her untried senses to life and she couldn’t deny the spark of desire flaring in her core. Nothing her mother could have said would have prepared her for this moment.
Damon pulled back slightly and put his hands on either side of her face. “This is why you will marry me, and why we shall deal well with each other.”
Caroline tore herself out of his grip. “I do not wish to marry you. I am doing it to save my parents further distress and ruin,” she stated emphatically.
“You lie.” His eyes bored into her, and his hands tightened around her face. “There is a connection between us even you can’t break. Someday you’ll admit it.”
“Let me go.”
“Never.” He released her head and stepped back. “Now, we will walk back inside. You look properly flushed. All the family will be sure we are suitably matched.”
“I hate you. Don’t you care?”
She heard his sardonic laugh. He took her arm and turned her toward the townhouse.
“No, my dear, I don’t.”
* * * *
Caroline busied herself with packing and visiting her friends, Sara and Joan. They’d been shocked with the suddenness of her wedding plans.
“Are you sure you want to wed so soon?” Joan asked as they sat drinking tea at her house. “I thought you had doubts about him?”
“I do, but I have to marry, and it might as well be him.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Joan said.
“At least he’s handsome and a gentleman,” Sara said. As usual she continued to see their marriage as romantic.
Caroline didn’t comment. She couldn’t tell even her closest friends the real reason for her marriage or talk about her true feelings regarding her future husband.
* * * *
The next few weeks went quickly. The evenings had been full of social obligations where she put on a fake smile as she stood beside Damon.
Their last evening out, he whispered in her ear, “Tomorrow, you leave for your parents’ home and soon afterwards we will wed and you will be mine.” His possessive tone sent shivers down her back.
Chapter Seven
Rain blew against the windowpane, waking Caroline from a restless sleep. It was a dismal, wet gray day. Her mood matched the weather. They’d returned to her family estate two days ago, and it had rained each day. She got up and walked to the fireplace. She picked up a poker and stirred the embers to help dispel the dampness in her bedroom.
This was her wedding day. A day usually looked forward to with much excitement and anticipation. Instead, Caroline shivered at the thought of what her future might hold. Her mother knocked on the door and came in carrying a tray.
“I’ve brought your breakfast.” She set the tray on a table beside Caroline’s favorite chair. “Come and sit. This gives us a chance to talk before you have to start dressing. Hopefully this dreadful weather will end soon. I don’t want to see you drenched and your lovely dress ruined while trying to get into the church.”
Caroline sank into her chair and took a sip of hot tea. She held the warm cup tight between her hands, trying to dispel the coldness deep inside her. It had been her constant companion for the past three weeks.
“What do you want to talk about, Mama?” Caroline asked, looking over the rim of her cup.
“Today you become a wife. Your husband will be the person you must go to for advice, funds, every aspect of concern in your life.” Her mother hesitated. “You have acted coldly toward Lord Royston at every fete you two have attended these past weeks, in spite of my encouraging you to use a warmer approach.”
“I refuse to pretend this mockery is the most wonderful time of my life,” Caroline reiterated.
“As you have said, and I think you’ve chosen most unwisely. Tonight your husband will expect his rights, and you must become his wife in all ways.”
Caroline put up her hand. “Please go no further, Mama. I have lived in the country all my life. I am not totally unaware of what you speak, and I do not want to discuss it.”
“Very well.” Her mother rose from her chair. “You will go on in your own way. I hope it does not lead to despair.”
With those final words, she left the room.
A tear escaped and ran down Caroline’s cheek. She rubbed it away and raised her head looking at the closed door. She regretted she’d been harsh. She must put aside the resentment she held toward her parents for her present situation.
She loved them, and wanted to remember happier times. Whatever her future held, it would be the result of her and Damon’s actions.
The morning passed quickly. Mary helped her into the pale cream-colored satin and lace gown. Then she brushed Caroline’s golden hair till it glowed, and arranged the long, thick mass into an elaborate twist of braids. The fragile lace covering Caroline’s hair did not hide its beauty.
A knock came at the door and Mary went to answer it. “Lord Royston has sent milady a wedding present,” the maid said. She handed the long narrow box to Mary. Mary took the gift to Caroline.
She stared at the box and her heart rate sped up. This seemed out of character for Damon, unless it was something to annoy or embarrass her. He’d not been pleased with her behavior on several occasions.
Reluctantly, she pulled the paper off and opened the box. A long strand of pearls and matching earrings lay against the satin lining.
“Oh, milady, they will be perfect with your gown. Shall I fasten them for you?”
“Please do.” She watched in the mirror as Mary placed the necklace around her neck. The shiny, white pearls glowed against her skin. They were the perfect complement to her gown. She reached into the box and put on the earrings.
“You are the most beautiful bride, milady.”
“Thank you, Mary. Please give me a few minutes alone.” Mary nodded and left. Caroline stared at her reflection in the mirror. In a few hours her world would change dramatically. She brushed her fingers across the pearls. For the first time in her life she didn’t know what to do or how to prepare herself for the future. She’d always been in control and now someone else would direct her.
I will not cave in and be a slave to his demands. She straightened her shoulders. He will have to accept me as I am. He wanted me for a wife. He very well may be surprised at what he gets.
Someone knocked on her door. She took a quick glance around at her room and walked out. Mary waited for her.
“It is time, milady.”
Numbness protected her as she found herself being handed into the carriage by her father for the short drive to the village church.
Her father squeezed her hand. “It will be all right. I really believe it will.” Her father tried to smile at her.
Caroline reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you and Mama. I am sure it will be fine.” She spoke reassuringly and was pleased to see some of the tenseness leave her father’s face.
It wasn’t raining, but the roads were muddy. The carriage stopped in front of the church. Caroline hesitated at the door of the carriage. If she stepped down, she would ruin her matching satin slippers. Her father started to lift her out.
“Excuse me, sir.” Damon’s voice brought Caroline’s head up. “I know it’s customary for the groom to wait at the altar, but I didn’t want Caroline to get mud on the hem of her beautiful gown or on her slippers.”
Damon put his arms around her and carried her effortlessly into the entrance of the church. He put her down while still holding her close.
“You are lovely.” Damon bowed and turned to walk down the aisle toward the altar.
Caroline’s mother helped straighten her skirts as the music began to play. Caroline turned to face her mother.
“I do love you, Mama.”
Tears glistened in her mother’s eyes. She hugged Caroline and said softly, “Go, it’s time.” Her hand gently pushed Caroline forward.
A swarm of faces turned to watch the bride. Caroline saw familiar ones and some she didn’t know, obviously some of Damon’s family and friends. The newspapers had written the news of their impending wedding as the social event of the season.
Caroline stared straight ahead at Damon. A light flared briefly in his eyes when they connected with hers, and then cooled to their usual icy-blue stare.
* * * *
Damon was burning with the desire to make Caroline his. She had taunted him for three weeks with her prim and proper behavior. Lady Icicle described precisely the conduct she had shown him throughout the parties and dinners they’d attended. Never once did she let him get close as she did the night of the family dinner. She had contrived to always have someone nearby.
When necessary, she had smiled politely and placed her hand on his arm. They had stood close, but she always kept her reserve intact. Others saw them as the perfect couple.
He had let her have the upper hand these last weeks before the wedding, since he would be in charge for the rest of their lives. His lip curled in a wry smi
le, and he noted the slight tremor she tried so desperately to cover up as he took her hand. Then they turned to the minister.
* * * *
The minister’s voice came to Caroline through a fog of apprehension. Later, she could barely remember the vows. Except for the part about obey. Damon’s hand had tightened on that phrase, as a warning? Too soon, he slid a wide gold ring on her finger, and they had turned to greet their guests.
Damon never left her side. He introduced her to some of his other family, an elderly great-aunt and his uncle’s brother. His hand rested at the small of her back, possessively.
“I think it’s time for you to change into something warmer. We should leave soon,” Damon whispered into her ear.
Caroline nodded. “I’ll ask Sara and Joan to help me change.” She hurried to her room with her friends.
“I can’t believe you’re finally married.” Sara beamed at her friend. “After this my parents will definitely be encouraging me to choose someone.”
Joan was unusually quiet. She helped Caroline pull off her wedding gown and put on her pink wool dress for traveling.
“What is the matter, Joan?” Caroline asked.
“Nothing. You had a beautiful ceremony. However, I still think I’m right. Give him a chance, Caroline. There was a moment today during the ceremony when his expression was unguarded.” Joan looked intently at Caroline. “He looked uncertain, sad, and then he looked at you and his eyes glowed.”
Sara and Caroline stared at Joan with both their mouths open. Joan flushed. “Don’t imply that I’m a romantic. It’s an observation and a suggestion,” she said firmly.
Caroline hugged Joan and smiled. “Thank you. I love you, too.” Joan blushed again and hurried out of the room.
Sara gave Caroline a hug. “Your mother’s at the door. I’ll see you downstairs.” Sara nodded at Caroline and Caroline’s mother as she left.
The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 9
