The Unwilling Bride

by Candy-Ann Little

  “You’re welcome, my dear.” His smile physically seemed to touch her. “I do have one other item of business.”

  “What is that, my lord?”

  He lost his train of thought at those words and felt his heart lurch to a screeching halt. She’d never uttered my lord except sarcastically. He wasn’t sure she even realized what she’d said. “Umm…” He shook his head trying to concentrate. “The only room I ask you to not touch is my study.”

  “I think we can manage that.” His generosity astounded her. This was his house but he’d given her freedom to do as she wanted.

  “I hope you understand how much it means having you work on the house. If the burden is too great, I will hire someone else. I have left Regal Hall in your hands because I have complete faith in you. I only hope to one day win the same kind of trust from you.”

  “We shall see, my lord.”

  “With that thought to warm my heart, I will bid you goodnight.”

  She smiled coyly. “The useless utterances of your tongue never cease, do they?”

  “Not when I’m after a prize so great.”

  “You’re a scoundrel,” she teasingly scolded.

  “And I shall always be so.” His departing laughter drifted through the air.

  * * *

  “Good morning, my dear.” Dillon held up the ceramic pot. “Would you care for a cup of tea?”

  “Aye.” She took the cup and saucer. “Thank you.”

  “What are your plans for the day?”

  “Same as everyday for the past week. Working on the house.”

  “I thought perhaps we could go for a ride.”

  “I truly have too much work.”

  “Mr. Barclay is more than capable of handling things by himself for a few hours.” She found an excuse every time he wanted to do something. He’d never win her heart if he couldn’t get her alone. “Besides, I thought we could do some shopping in town.” He’d sweeten the pot a little.

  “I cannot think of anything I need.” Once she set her mind on a task that’s all she thought about until it was finished.

  Dillon held up a piece of paper. “We have been invited to a dinner party at Thomas Jefferson’s.”

  Her fork clanged against the plate. “Thomas Jefferson? The Vice President?”

  “The one and only.” Dillon smiled. “I have met him a few times. I’m helping with his campaign. This is really more of a political function but wives are welcome. I think you would have fun.”

  Caitlin couldn’t have been more astonished if the President himself had invited her to dinner. Her husband had more connections than she realized. A man as timid and mild as he didn’t seem the type to have such powerful contacts. Of course, she was finding out that beneath the placid façade was a powerful force that no one should underestimate. “I guess if I am going to meet Mr. Jefferson, then I could use a shopping trip.”

  A few hours later Caitlin and Lucy were admiring the new selection of hats while Dillon priced some supplies for the shop, after a long discussion with Mr. Johnson Dillon joined the women. “I like that one.”

  Caitlin tied the red ribbon and cocked her head in the mirror. “’Tis a bit too bright, don’t you think?”

  “Perhaps it is a little overpowering, but red is my favorite color.”

  Untying the bow she set the hat back on the rack. “Did you order the supplies you needed?”

  “Most of them, but I have to run over to the shop and get some measurements. Will you two be all right for a few minutes?”

  “We will be fine.” Caitlin waved him away. “Hurry back. I am hungry.”

  “All right.” Dillon started for the front door when a group of women bustled into the store. Henrietta’s hazel eyes lit up when she noticed him. “Why Dillon Cade, fancy running into you.”

  “Henrietta.”

  His reply was short and she didn’t like that at all. Casting a glance around the store she noticed Caitlin. He was more inclined to flirt when his wife wasn’t around. As it stood she’d have to be bolder to capture his attention. She was now glad she’d taken extra time in preparing herself, having wetted her slip so that it clung snugly to her legs. Although the cold weather made wet petticoats miserable to wear, she liked how the look revealed not only her long legs but her womanly curves as well. “I was just talking about how I never saw my article in your paper.” Talking about the shop was the only way she could ever engage him into conversation.

  “As I told you earlier, your work just doesn’t fit with this type of news,” he sighed. When would she realize that she wasn’t cut out to be a writer?

  “Oh. I thought perhaps you could take a risk and publish it anyway. Maybe just to see how people react to it.” Batting her lashes she laid a hand on his arm. “Couldn’t you do it as a personal favor to me?”

  “The newspaper business does not work that way.” He folded his arms behind his back, causing her hand to slip away.

  Although miffed at his reaction to her touch she wasn’t about to give up. “Well, then, maybe I’ll stop by the shop later and drop off another article I’ve been working on. I believe this one is more in line with what you want.”

  Silently groaning to himself he politely answered, “I will be happy to take a look. I will not be in the shop today, so just leave it with Johnny.”

  “Oh. Is something wrong at home?” This man practically lived at the newspaper shop. She’d often wondered how much work it took to put out a weekly paper. Certainly it didn’t require someone to put in the hours he did. But she could always count on finding him whenever she wanted. The idea of him not being as accessible made her heart twist a little.

  “Everything is fine. We are remodeling and I’m needed at home.”

  “I see.” The twist turned into a full-fledged flop. She hated the idea of Caitlin living in that huge house with the man she loved, even if it was an arranged marriage. She should be living there not that Irish trash! “I’m glad to hear nothing is wrong.” Her tone was tight. Pasting a smile on her face she leaned in and whispered, “Let me know if I can ever be of any assistance to you.”

  “Caitlin is handling the project just fine. But thanks for the offer.”

  Henrietta smiled seductively and brushed her chest against him. “I think you’ll find that I’m better at a lot of things.”

  “Darling, there you are.” Caitlin smiled sweetly, slipping in between the two. “I thought you were going to hurry back so we could get something to eat. You know how all this shopping just plumb tuckers me out. But what am I to do? I have to find a new hat for Mr. Jefferson’s dinner party.”

  “Sorry I got held up.”

  Turning her green eyes to Henrietta she smiled tautly. “How nice to see you, Henrietta. I hope you won’t think me rude, but my husband and I are in a bit of a rush.”

  “Not at all,” she lied. “Dillon and I were just going over some business matters. I’m sorry to detain him.”

  “No harm done, but you better hurry, dear.” Caitlin slowly, purposefully laid her hand on Dillon’s chest.

  Henrietta’s hazel eyes darkened when she saw the flash from Caitlin’s large diamond. The bitterness only grew after noticing how possessively Dillon slipped his arm around Caitlin’s waist. The little twit wasn’t stopping with getting Dillon to wed her. She’d have him bedded soon also. I’ll have to put my plan in motion before that happens.

  Chapter 10

  “Where is Lucy?” Dillon asked after they’d been seated at the tavern.

  “She met some friends. I told her she could spend a few hours with them.”

  “This is more of what I had in mind. I wanted some time alone with you.”

  “Really? I expect Henrietta to join us any minute.” Although she’d played the part of a loving wife for her rival’s sake, she wasn’t putting on any airs now.

  “Jealousy does not become you.” Dillon took a drink of cider from his wooden mug.

  “I am not jealous.” Her small nose elevated
a few degrees. “I would have to have feelings for you in the first place in order to be jealous.”

  Her defensiveness told him he was right, but pride wouldn’t allow her to admit it. “I see. Perhaps you are merely shallow and superficial.”

  “How dare you.”

  “Why are you getting upset?” Leaning back in his chair he casually stretched out his legs, crossing his ankles. “I am only trying to find excuses for your rude behavior.”

  “’Tis nothing wrong with my behavior. Yours, on the other hand, could use some lessons.”

  “I do not recall being rude.”

  “Insensitive is more like it.” Crossing her arms defiantly she hardened her heart against the sharp pains stabbing it. Why did the thought of him being in someone else’s arms bother her so?

  “I do not know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Dillon.” Caitlin kept her tone level, but hurt flashed in her eyes. “If you want to keep a light skirt like that you’re welcome to her. However, you could have the decency to control yourself in public.”

  “There is nothing between me and Henrietta.”

  “’Tis not what it looked like in the store.” She sat back, crossing her arms. “Do you allow every trollop to rub against you like so?”

  “I do not allow anyone rub against me.” Cocking one dark brow he added, “Of course, I’d make an exception for you.”

  “’Twould be a cold day in Hades before I’d ever rub against you, especially after someone like her has touched you.” Bitterness laced her husky voice.

  “I have no interest in Henrietta. We were just talking, that’s all.”

  “Oh, that’s right. You two were discussing business, was it not?” Her cynical smile said volumes. “Exactly what type of business are you two involved in?”

  “We are not in business.” Dillon leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. “She was trying to convince me to publish an article she wrote.”

  “She seemed to be doing a lot of convincing,” Caitlin quipped. “No wonder you spend so much time at the shop.” She’d never said anything but his staying away for an entire week still played upon her mind. Had he been with Henrietta the whole time?

  “I work late because it takes a lot of time putting out a weekly paper. Do you know it takes twenty-five hours just to set the type? Since Adam moved I have only Johnny to help and he’s an apprentice.”

  “I suppose your little girlfriend is not much help around the shop?”

  “Henrietta cannot even write let alone run a press.”

  “She has never struck me as the scholarly type.”

  “Trust me she’s not. I wish she would give up the notion of being a writer.”

  If Henrietta was his girlfriend he should have some kind of feelings for her. At the very least be supportive. Although the thought of being a better writer caused a small thrill to run through her, at the same time she was distressed. “So, you think I’m a good writer, just a bad wife.”

  “Caitlin, you are a terrific wife.”

  “You do not have to lie Dillon.” She’d been unfairly pressured into this marriage, and had been anything but kind. She couldn’t even blame him for turning to someone else. “We may have a name only commitment, but I would like to have honesty between us.” Anger had died leaving behind truth. “I realize that men have well certain needs. Since I’m unable to fulfill that part of our marriage I can see why you would turn elsewhere.”

  Dillon’s heart tugged forcibly at the disappointment he saw on her face. “You have not failed in any part of this marriage.” Reaching across the table he took her slender hand. “I know how hard this situation is for you. I am not some neanderthal that cannot live without woman companionship. I am willing to wait until you are ready.”

  She wasn’t sure if it was his touch or his words, but something melted her heart. She wanted to believe him. “What if I am never ready?”

  “There is more to marriage than physical contact. I have enjoyed our time together just as it is.” A quirky smile touched his lips. “Well, maybe I could do without so much fighting.” Placing a kiss on the back of her hand he added, “Milling with you is not very romantic.”

  Caitlin surveyed her surroundings. Although daylight streamed into the large room through the windows it didn’t brighten the drab, dingy feeling. Servants bustled around, placing dishes of food and tankards of ale on the wooden tables that were crammed with the lunch crowd. Smells of roasted pork, lamb, and beef floated in from the kitchen, while the active buzz of conversation sounded like a nest full of bees. “’Tis a little crowded to be romantic.”

  “I know. It’s not the gentry tavern but the food is good.” Though he came from wealth Dillon seemed more comfortable with common folk then the upper class. “Besides, I get more business in here.”

  A small smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “You really love your work, don’t you?”

  He paused a moment before answering. “I do love printing the news, but I do not wish to make it the only thing in my life. I want to have time with you. And, perhaps, someday even have children. I will never put my job above my family the way my father did.”

  “What happened to having a celibate life?”

  “I said perhaps, someday,” he clarified. “Having a family has never been high on my list or I’d have married years ago. But, now ‘tis something I have been considering. ‘Twould be nice to have someone to pass the business unto.”

  “I must make it clear that I do not ever intend to have a family. I fear our goals for this marriage are traveling down two different paths.”

  “I am not going to pressure you into anything. I am just saying that things change with time. God can change hearts. His plan for marriage is that two hearts become one. Perhaps our thoughts and ideas will merge onto one path sometime in the future.” Looking deep into her eyes he asked, “promise me you will not reject the idea out of spite.”

  “Contrary to what you have witnessed, I am not a spiteful person.”

  “Then you will seriously consider my proposal?”

  “I will. But do not put too much hope into the idea.” She looked down at her folded hands. “I do not think I will ever trust anyone enough to open myself up completely and have a physical relationship.”

  He digested that a moment before answering. “Caitlin, as I have stated previously I will not force you into anything. You are young, and it is only natural to have insecurities about intimate situations. I believe as you mature, your outlook will be different. I shall be waiting when that day arrives.”

  “You sound positive about that.”

  “I am. You wouldn’t have been so jealous if you did not care, even just a little.” He winked.

  “You, Mr. Cade are full of yourself.”

  His deep chuckle lit up his brown eyes. “I like the shape of your mouth when you pout.”

  Her astonished gasp made him laugh even harder.

  * * *

  Caitlin watched the bare trees stretch their empty arms toward the gray, cloudy sky. The vibrant colors of autumn now lay on the ground in shades of brown, disintegrating, rotting, and being trampled by horse hooves and carriage wheels.

  The lap robes and warming pan didn’t seem to fight off the chill with much success, although she surmised it would be even colder without them. Perhaps her discomfort was because she wasn’t used to traveling such long distances. They were now on day two of their journey.

  “Are we almost there?” Lucy didn’t want to complain, but she was cold, tired, and stiff. She knew her mistress felt the same way, yet, somehow Caitlin managed to handle the trip with dignity and grace.

  “We’ll reach the Inn in a few more hours. ‘Twill be one more day before we reach Mr. Jefferson’s.” Dillon smiled at the boisterous sigh. “Would you like to stop for a while?” The question was directed at Lucy however his attention was on Caitlin.

  “Yes.” Lucy quickly answered.

  “I wou
ld not mind stretching my legs also.” Caitlin demurely smiled under Dillon’s intense stare.

  Lucy watched the exchange of tenderness pass between them. She didn’t care what the town, or staff said about them. She was certain their marriage was more than name only. Quiet, affectionate moments like this one spoke louder than all the gossip.

  Dillon pounded the carriage wall three times, and the wooden wheels began to squeak as they ground to a halt. A cold breeze whirled in when the door opened. The occupants wonder if stretching their stiff muscles was worth venturing out.

  Dillon got out first and offered assistance to Lucy. Caitlin wrapped the fur robe tighter around her shoulders and accepted Dillon’s hand. As she started to descend the horses impatiently pranced, causing the carriage to sway. Caitlin stumbled on the step. Grabbing the hem of her gown to keep it from tearing left her no hands to steady herself. A rush of cold air stung the delicate skin of her face as she propelled forward.

  Dillon grabbed her around the waist, pulling her close and blocking the fall. She slid down the length of his body until her feet touched the ground.

  “Are you all right?” Worry lines creased his eyes.

  Shaken from the fall, and the sensual movement, Caitlin didn’t answer, but nodded her head slightly. Leaning against Dillon not only for support, but for warmth, she reveled in the security of his arms. Their bodies merged into one. They forgot everyone and everything, including Lucy, who had started to rush to her mistress’ aid, but stopped short, feeling like an intruded on an intimate moment.

  Lucy decided to head over to the second carriage to talk with Johnny. Spending time alone with the handsome apprentice was the only bright spot in this whole trip.