“You’re aware, aren’t you, that Caroline recently came out of deep mourning. I-I'm uncertain if it’s proper for her to consider marriage as yet.”
“Proper or not, it needs to be done, Hal.”
Antonio saw a frown crinkling his friend’s countenance. His blue eyes grew puzzled, less friendly. “I'm not sure I take your meaning. What exactly are you saying? You’d best explain, Tony. I don’t wish to misunderstand you.”
Antonio turned away and strolled toward the windows overlooking the rear garden. He’d heard the suspicious tone in Hal's voice. Looking out of the window, Antonio spotted Caroline wearing a large, floppy, straw hat to protect her complexion from the sun. She was digging industriously, almost hidden behind a large, leafy shrub.
While Hal waited for an answer, a tense silence reached across the elegant room.
Antonio took a deep breath and turned back to his puzzled friend.
“Caroline and I felt…a certain attraction,” he began, “almost from the beginning. At your welcoming dinner party.”
“You and my sister? That’s strange. She never let on…”
“Please,” Antonio interrupted Hal, holding up the hand wearing the Duke of Weston’s gold signet ring. “Let me finish. Perhaps then we can talk reasonably.”
Hal’s frown tightened, but he quieted, watching Antonio’s face with curious intensity.
“I had no idea Caro was untouched, Hal. I knew she was a widow. I just assumed…”
“Wh—at?” Hal blustered. “What the devil are you implying?” His jaw dropped open, eyes wide, taking in Antonio’s expression and the words he’d just finished saying.
In his mind Hal quickly reviewed Caroline’s behavior before his father and Richard’s deaths. A surprised exclamation caught in his throat, and he asked tersely, “Are you telling me that Caroline is still a virgin?” Hal’s eyebrows almost met his rusty hairline. Spinning on a leather boot heel, he paced around the room, looking thoroughly confused. When he halted, Hal said, “You’d best give it to me straight, Tony.”
“You didn’t know either?” Antonio asked.
“Of course, I assumed she and Richard…er…” Hal paused, slightly embarrassed. “Besides, Caro was married to him for almost four months. You mean to say they never…?”
“No, Hal, never. Caroline told me their marriage was never consummated.”
“Jesus! What then?”
Antonio remained silent until finally, Hal got the point. “You mean you—you debauched my sister, Weston?” Angry, blue eyes blazed when Hal spun to face Antonio, both fists clenching and opening at his sides.
“Easy, Hal,” Antonio said, taking a cautious step backward. “What I'm saying…is that Caroline is no longer…uh…untouched.” Quickly, he rushed on. “She may well be carrying my child…our child…at this moment.”
“Why…you…bloody…lecherous Spaniard!” Hal’s voice fumed with white-hot fury. “God dammit, you bastard, you seduced her…my sister! Took her like one of your London light skirts?”
Antonio cringed. Hal was a good friend. Antonio battled the expanding rift between them, using a conciliatory tone, keeping his voice calm and well under control. He felt no advantage over Hal, whether he was a duke or not. His consequence was of no help here; the flare-up was between friends.
Antonio had no alternative but to go on. “Hal, believe me, I didn’t know Caro was inexperienced. I’ve never been a despoiler of…of virgins. You know that.”
Hal's face mirrored his disbelief as well as his fierce anger. “Damn you, Weston. How could you?” Hal’s voice rose more than a notch in volume. “Caroline…”
“Wait a moment, Hal. Just listen to what I have to say.” Antonio stopped him with a raised palm. “There’s been something very powerful brewing between Caro and me, well before her birthday fiesta.” Antonio’s brown eyes reached deep into Hal’s blue ones, hoping his friend would listen and understand with a clear mind. “We both wanted to find out what was between us.”
“And so, you raped her.” Hal stated it flatly, uncompromisingly, his stance inflexible, his face flushed with insult and belligerence towards his good friend and neighbor. “My sister!”
“Under no circumstance,” Antonio protested, his voice escalating in return. “I thought you knew me better than that.”
Hal continued to glare at Antonio in disbelief. “I thought I did, but I was wrong!”
“Hal, I—I discovered only two days ago that she was a virgin,” Antonio went on. “She’s agreed to marry me. I came here today for your favorable approval.” Antonio hesitated. “But if you won’t, it makes no difference, because I’m going to marry Caroline with or without your consent,” Antonio stated firmly.
There, it was done.
“Then it would seem our conversation is over.”
Hal bristled like a wounded hedgehog, spine rigid, hackles erect, blows ready to let fly with a pair of explosive, lethal fists. Antonio knew his friend yearned to punch him.
If it were I, I would demand recompense, rather than simply agree. I did ruin his sister, after all.
Hal stiffened his stance. “I won’t stand in Caroline's way if that’s what she wishes,” Hal said, finally. “But dammit, I’ll hear it from her lips before I agree.”
“Do that, Hal. In the meantime, my man of affairs is seeking a special license,” Antonio advised. “As soon as it’s procured, I want us to marry. No less than a week from now if possible. Do you agree that the nuptials should be kept quiet?” Antonio’s expression was solemn. “Whatever meets with your approval, Hal, and hers. My thought was that it could take place in the chapel at Westhaven—mainly for Caroline's sake.”
“As you say, Weston.”
Turning and walking slowly to the sideboard, Hal’s hand quivered, but he poured two brandies and handed one to Antonio. He twirled the amber brandy in his glass while he calmed his anger. Then he downed the liquor in one huge swallow. “My solicitor will arrange with yours to draw up the contracts and whatever else paperwork needs to be done.”
“There’s no need, Hal. I want no part of Caroline's assets,” Antonio told him.
“Don’t shame her anymore than you’ve done already, Weston,” was Hal's curt warning. “My sister will come to you as she would to any legitimate suitor, with her dowry and other belongings, as is proper.”
Ready to placate his friend, Antonio nodded. “Whatever you say, Hal.”
Antonio sipped from his snifter now that the interview was near at an end. He accepted Hal's withdrawal of friendship and his anger without reciprocating it, because he fully understood it. Any man would feel the same way toward anyone who treated his sister so.
What Hal didn’t know, and what Antonio only recently realized, was that he loved Caroline. He would do everything in his power to make her love him back.
“I’ll ask Caroline to join us,” Hal said. “I believe she’s in the garden. In the meantime we can discuss some other matters.”
* * * *
Caroline knew Antonio had arrived and was closeted with Hal in the study. She couldn’t stay in her chambers waiting for the outcome, so instead elected to busy herself in the garden.
Hers had been a restless night. She concluded after much soul searching that she’d rather be with Antonio than without him. Whether he loved her or not, she loved him, and she couldn’t give him up. God help her soul if he weren’t true to her.
So when Ripley came to summon her to join Hal and the duke, she was firm in what she planned. She was going to marry Antonio, the sooner, the better.
“Please tell my brother and the duke I’ll join them in a few minutes. I need to freshen up first.” Ripley went off to do her bidding, and Caroline hurried to her bedchamber.
“Daisy, I’ll need to don a fresh gown. I’m to join Hal and the duke. Can you do something with my hair rather quickly?”
* * * *
Both men rose as Caroline entered the room, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Ant
onio thought she looked absolutely beautiful in her peach-colored, muslin morning gown, cut moderately low, but low enough to hint at the beautiful, lush bosom he was beginning to cherish. God, he wanted her. Even under these tense circumstances, his body reacted.
Antonio kissed her hand, and she curtsied very properly. “Caroline, you look lovely,” he told her.
“Thank you…Tonio.”
Hal studied the two of them, wondering how he could’ve missed what passed between them. He must have been blind. Either that or they had both been consummate actors. Even now, he couldn’t detect anything but the utmost propriety in their behavior.
“Caro,” Hal began slowly. “The duke has offered for your hand in marriage. He tells me you’ve agreed to accept him.” He paused. “I’d like to hear from your lips that it’s what you want. Do you wish to marry him?”
She glanced at Antonio who was studying her face with intense scrutiny. She read his questioning vulnerability, so she dipped her chin almost unnoticeably.
Turning back to her brother, seeing his concern, his stern, almost frowning expression, she understood a tiny inkling of what had passed between the two men before she entered the room. She spoke softly. “Yes, Hal, I wish to marry Antonio.”
She knew the discussion could not have been easy for either of them. They’d grown close during the months since Antonio had returned to England. She would hate to be the one who dissolved their friendship. She also wished she’d been privy to their conversation or been able to soften the blow to her brother’s sensitivities.
Caroline reached out and touched Hal's arm. “We’ve come to an agreement, Hal. It will be fine.”
Antonio mentioned that he planned to tell Hal the whole truth. Caroline wondered what exactly he had told her brother.
“You must know I’m thinking only of your happiness, Caro,” Hal responded. “If this is your wish, so be it.” Hal turned to Antonio. “Congratulations, Weston.” His voice held little warmth in it at this moment, but he reached a hand to the duke. Antonio gripped the hand extended to him and shook it strongly.
Caroline breathed a small sigh of relief. She had noticed the coolness between the two men but hoped in time Hal’s animosity would heal.
“Caro,” Antonio addressed her. “I’ve ordered a special license. We can marry within the next week if that’s agreeable. Where would you like to have the ceremony…here or at the Westhaven chapel? Hal and I agreed it should be as private as possible.”
She’d always dreamed of a long engagement with a series of gala parties to celebrate her betrothal, a fairytale marriage ceremony, and a lavish wedding breakfast with all her neighbors and friends attending to wish her happiness.
Her wedding to Richard had been a hurried, unspectacular family affair because of her father's ill health. It seemed as if her second wedding would be much the same, this time for less than decorous reasons. To Caroline, the men’s discussion had seemed very business-like and without emotion. Even her marriage to Richard had felt less arranged than this one.
“The chapel at Westhaven Hall is quite lovely, Tonio. I should like to be married there,” she replied. Antonio's dark gaze met hers. He smiled and nodded in agreement.
“Will you ride with me tomorrow, Caro?” Antonio asked in her brother's presence. “I plan for us to travel to Ireland. We have much to discuss.”
Caroline looked toward Hal. He nodded.
“At what time, Tonio?”
“I seem to recall that you’re an early riser.”
She acknowledged his knowing smile.
“I’ll be here at half after seven. We can enjoy our ride and our conversation during the cool part of the day.”
Was he still teasing her about her escape the day she’d challenged his Andalusian’s speed? Who knows? Perhaps, theirs might be an interesting ride after all.
“I’ll be ready,” Caroline answered ambiguously. “Until tomorrow.” She suddenly recalled he’d whispered the same words when they said good night after her birthday party.
His eyes let her know he’d remembered as well.
“Until tomorrow, Caro.”
Chapter 21
Westhaven Hall’s servants were agog with the news. The duke was to marry in a few days hence, and Lady Caroline was to be his duchess. Caroline had known James since childhood and came to know Lorena, too, when she married the duke. Caroline couldn’t believe she was to be the new Duchess of Weston.
Briella was ecstatic. Lady Elizabeth, who’d felt something brewing between Caroline and Antonio, was well pleased about the marriage, as was Aunt Mari. They all liked Caroline.
“But, Tatu,” Briella responded after Antonio announced the news. “You can’t marry so quickly. Mama and Papa and Grandpapa must come to the wedding.”
“No, chica, we can’t put it off that long. It has to be a quiet ceremony since Caroline is only a little past deep mourning. We’ll marry now. Later on, Caro and I will make a trip to Spain. Our parents will love her when they meet her.”
“Si, si, of course they will! Oh, I’m so happy for you, Tatu!” She jumped up and hugged Antonio around the neck, kissing him like the wild young girl who hid beneath polished Town manners. “To have Caroline for my sister-in-law es maravilloso! Very wonderful!”
* * * *
Caroline didn’t wait for Antonio to meet her at the manor the next morning. She greeted him as he cantered across the large open meadow. She was mounted on Demon. As always when she rode the big, black stallion, she rode astride in breeches and shirt. She smiled a greeting to Antonio and held up a cloth-wrapped bundle,
He assumed she brought food. His body stirred, remembering a prior picnic.
“Buenos dias, Caro. I applaud your promptness. So many ton ladies like nothing better than to keep a man waiting while they dawdle with their toilette.”
“You forget, Your Grace,” she teased. “I’m not really a ton lady and never have been.”
“For which I’m more than grateful, querida.” He smiled that lazy, half-smile that along with his words sent all kinds of messages quivering through her.
“Why did you meet me here, Caro? I thought we’d meet at Crestwood, quite properly. And, where is your groom? I brought none, thinking you would…”
Instead of answering, Caroline picked up her reins. She didn’t need a groom since the damage was done. Scandalous as their tryst was, her servants wouldn’t gossip. And she wanted to be alone with him.
“Never mind, Tonio. Are we ready to ride, or to talk?” Squeezing Demon’s sides, away she went, off across the field. He soon caught up with her, and both slowed their horses to a walk.
It was cool yet. Small wisps of mist rose from a small pond fed by the stream that meandered through the meadow. As they approached, the air was still, without a breeze. Grabbing their attention, a fish flopped back into the water after leaping high for an insect. The pair of lovers reined in, studying the tranquil scene.
Antonio broke the silence first.
“Querida?”
She turned to him. “What is it, Tonio?”
Out of the blue, he said, “I’m glad we’re to be married.” Searching his fiancée’s face with concerned eyes, trying for a hint of Caroline’s true feelings, he wished to make certain that he was what she wanted.
Por Dios, I never thought I’d worry about such a thing.
“You’ll be a marvilloso duchess, a beautiful duchess,” Antonio declared, plunging onward with more questions. “Are you as glad as I am, Caro? Are you happy you’ve chosen me as your husband?”
The questions he asked made him seem almost…boyish. As if he were anxious to be certain she cared for him. Would this have come to pass if she’d not been pure, and he not a gentleman, inured with the code of honor that demanded he marry her after taking her virtue? What if it were true? What if he really loved her?
No, that couldn’t be possible, Caroline thought, erasing such musings from her mind. Antonio Thorndyke was a rake and always had been. Didn’t
his actions in London prove that? His attachments were transient, not constant. But he had made her a promise, so she would give him a chance to keep it.
“I think we shall do quite well together, Tonio. And yes, I am pleased we’re to be wed,” she added softly, smiling.
His eyes glowed with warmth hearing her answer. It was what he wanted to hear. He vowed again silently that she would not regret her decision.
The riders retraced their direction from the pond and walked their horses along a well-defined path side-by-side, conversation turning to the previous day.
“I can understand Hal's anger, Caro,” Antonio began. “I would be furioso if someone did the same thing to Briella.”
“He knows then?” Caroline asked. “That Richard and I never…”
She paused, aiming a quick glance his way.
“But, you didn’t tell him that you and I…”
Antonio nodded.
Soon after the duke had left Hal’s study yesterday, her brother had excused himself. Watching him from a window, Caroline had seen him order his horse saddled. Digging spurs into to the animal’s sides, Hal had galloped off in a hurry. Caroline had retired to her room and stayed there all afternoon. She learned later that Hal hadn’t come in for supper.
“He knows, Caro. I told him…that you might be carrying our babe. He wasn’t happy.”
“No, I suppose not. If I know my brother, he was livid. And I think I may have hurt him, too. I haven’t seen him or spoken with him since you left yesterday. I expect he is still very angry—at both of us.” She turned to Antonio, burying her concerns. “However, what is done is done,” she sighed. “We can’t change it, can we? We can only make the best of it.”
She had glanced away from Antonio, or she would have noticed he was hurt by her nonchalance, until she pulled Demon to a sudden halt and swiveled her gaze back to meet Antonio’s. “I’ll try my best to make you a good wife, Tonio,” she said. “Only promise you’ll try to be a good husband.”
“I will,” he answered solemnly.
Standing beneath the thick, leafy branches of the huge oaks that arched over them like the apse of a giant cathedral, it almost felt as if they’d spoken their vows there on the bridle path, in the middle of the woods with no one to hear them but birds or other creatures.
The Reluctant Duke Page 20
