The sound of his voice, low and deep, served to break the sensual spell he’d cast over her. “Caroline—”
“’Tis Mrs. MacQuaid.” she didn’t imagine the tightening of his jaw. “I’m Mrs. Robert MacQuaid now.”
Caroline thought she saw regret and something else in his eyes before he lowered his gaze. For a moment his long dark lashes shadowed his skin. But when he looked at her again his expression was unreadable.
“Listen to me, Caroline—”
“No!” Caroline twisted away when he tried to touch her again. “I won’t!” She felt tears building behind her eyes, hot, bitter tears, and she did her best to keep them at bay. “I’ve listened to you all I intend to. Just go away and leave me in peace.” She turned back then, her mask of angry indignation crumbling. “Haven’t you done enough?”
He knew it would not be easy, seeing her again. A part of him, the coward that tempts all men, urged him to go directly to his father with the news. But she deserved more than that... much more. Wolf took a step toward her and another when she didn’t move away. “This place is not safe.”
Her chin notched higher, and he saw anger flare like lightning in the depths of her blue eyes. “You brought me here.”
“At your insistence. Or am I wrong that you traveled from England to come here?” The heat of his words faded. “To make this marriage.”
She said nothing, only stared at him hard before turning away. Then, her voice strong she said, “Go away.”
“I cannot.” He resisted the urge to cup her soft shoulders, to feel again the warmth of her nape beneath his lips. “I am sorry for—”
“Don’t.” Her skirts billowed out as she whirled around to face him. “Don’t apologize for what you did. I can’t bear that.”
“I regret only the hurt I caused you.”
“That is good.” Caroline pushed by him to start back toward the house. “I hope your regrets last you a lifetime.”
He did touch her then, grabbing her arm and swinging her back to him. His face was inches from hers. “I don’t recall forcing you to do anything.” His words were cruel, forged by anger... and guilt. Guilt that had plagued him since he left her to the mercies of his father. A man with no mercy.
“You’re right, of course.” Caroline didn’t want to be so close to him she could smell his scent. To have that sense awaken so many memories.
“Nay.” Wolf’s forehead dropped till it touched the crown of her head. “It was not your doing, but mine.”
Caroline took a shattered breath. “Leave me... please.”
Instead of doing as she asked, he drew her closer. She could feel the imprint of his strong body and wanted to collapse against him. When he lifted her chin so he could look at her, she wanted his lips to come crushing down on hers. Hard and hungry. She wanted to feel the sweet oblivion of his kiss, his touch. She wanted to forget that he left her. That she was wed to another. That the other was his father.
But she couldn’t. Her hands came up between their bodies. Fingers fisted, she pushed at him. “Let go of me.”
“You will listen first.” Wolf held her tightly. The fog clouding his reasoning lifted. “You are in danger.”
“From you perhaps.” Curls escaped their pins as she struggled. But fighting him was useless, and when he gripped her shoulders and gave her a shake, she stopped.
“Hear me. There is talk among the Cherokee of righting past wrongs.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Despite her anger, and the sexual pull that to her shame blunted it, Caroline sensed he was sincere and very troubled by what he said.
“Revenge, Caroline. Against those who have wronged them. There is much talk of it among some of the warriors. They feel if the British want them to fight then they shall. But they will choose the enemy.”
“You’re talking in riddles.” Caroline twisted her head away, forcing herself to remember how she felt when she last saw him... riding away without a backward glance.
“This is not a word game... or a game of any kind. Most of the Headmen preach patience and compromise, but the young warriors are out for blood.”
Caroline stood, a prisoner of his gaze while her mind registered what he said. She broke his hold with a slight shiver. “You are wrong. You warned me of this before and things couldn’t be more peaceful. Why Sadayi and Walini come here every day. We are friends.”
“There are few the Cherokee dislike more than him.” Wolf motioned in the direction of the house.
“Robert?” She had heard as much from the women, but that did not mean she thought the Cherokee would do anything about it. Caroline took a deep breath. “I realize my... husband is not always easy to...” She wanted to say “live with” but didn’t want to bring this discussion to a personal level. “He may have done things to the Cherokee that he shouldn’t have, but—”
“You think that is it? That I came to lay my people’s grievances at your feet?”
“I don’t know why you came.” Caroline bit her bottom lip to keep it from quivering.
“I told you why, Caroline.” His strong hands gripped her elbows above the ruffle of her shift.
“Don’t call me that.” Her attempts to pull away were futile.
“If the Headmen lose control over the warriors, they will strike out. I have seen it happen before.” His eyes caught hers again. “And when they do, it will be to destroy those they feel have hurt them. I want you out of here, safe, when that happens.” The force of this last admission surprised Wolf. He told himself he came to Seven Pines as he would any place, to warn the inhabitants. He certainly felt no special duty toward his father, though he cared about his brother’s wife.
But now he had to admit, to himself anyway, it was Caroline who concerned him most.
Caroline’s mind reeled. What she told him was true. Since her arrival here, there had been little to indicate any trouble existed between the Cherokee and white settlers. Still, no Indian she’d met held her husband in anything other than contempt. But then neither did she.
But if Wolf was right... if there was fighting... what would happen to him? She had to know. “Where will you stand?”
“If there’s war?” He turned his head to stare out across the creek. “I do not know.” He looked back, his eyes catching hers. “There may still be hope,” he said. “I understand the ways of both nations. I am on my way to the Middle Towns to talk with the Headmen. To persuade them to travel to Charles Town and meet with Governor Lyttelton. In the meantime, I want you and Mary to go to Fort Prince George.”
“And what of your father?”
Wolf’s dark brows lowered. “If it is his wish.”
“He’s my husband.” Caroline’s gaze met his and held.
“I am aware of that.” Sadayi told him of the wedding. And though Wolf knew it would happen, the news was more difficult to accept than he’d expected.
“Has it been...?” Wolf faltered, at a loss for words. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” She turned out of his grasp, refusing to let him see her unhappiness. Her fingers fisted at her side, and she took a deep breath. “I think you should tell your... Robert and Mary what you told me.”
“The hell you say!” Robert spit the words toward his son as he sat in the parlor.
Wolf paced the length of the room and back, as he’d done since following Caroline into the old man’s presence. At her suggestion, he laid the facts, as he knew them, on the line. He wasn’t surprised when Robert scoffed at the notion of bloodshed.
“There will be no trouble with the Cherokee, and do you want to know why?” Robert didn’t wait for an answer. “Because they’re all a bunch of spineless women.”
Caroline standing near the curtained windows watched as Wolf’s back stiffened. He took a step toward Robert, but stopped.
“Oh, they talk big,” Robert continued. “Tal-tsuska and those who trail along behind him. But not one of them has the nerve to stand and fight. They’d rather complain about not ge
tting enough beads for their hides.”
“Few men of honor stand by quietly when they are cheated.”
The air between the two men seemed to crackle with animosity. Caroline watched a heated flush sweep up over her husband’s usually, pallid features. He gripped the chair arms but made no attempt to rise. Perhaps he knew, even standing, he was dwarfed by his tall, powerful son. “What are you saying, boy? Or are you like the rest of your kind, afraid to say what you really think?”
The only light in the room was a taper burning on the table beside Robert’s chair. Wolf moved forward till he stood near enough to the old man to see him clearly... and to be sure he was seen. “I am talking about using short weights. About trading inferior goods and knowing it.” Wolf’s eyes narrowed. “I am talking about the way you ran your business.”
His words were delivered in a low, emotionless tone, but to Caroline’s way of thinking that made them all the more damning. She never doubted what he said was true. But she did wonder what Robert would do now that the accusation was out in the open. When he threw back his head, his jowls shaking and laughed, she let out her pent-up breath.
“You’re always full of brass... not like the rest of those cowardly heathens.” Robert wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand. “But then I always thought that was because you had my blood running through your veins.”
“It is not something of which I am proud.”
The mirth left Robert’s face. “Well, you should be, boy. How many of your kind have what I gave you? Hell, I sent you to school in England. I spent money trying to make a gentleman of you, willing to overlook the Indian blood that taints you, and look at what you do. You could be wearing silk waistcoats, helping me run Seven Pines, but instead you live in that shack and dress like a savage.”
“I don’t think—” Caroline began.
“You stay out of this, girl.”
The words were Robert’s, but it was the look Wolf sent her that made Caroline step back into the shadows and give up any notion of interceding in their controversy. Besides, she told herself, it was not her problem. Neither man meant anything to her. Still it was Wolf she watched as he resumed pacing the room.
The younger man strode to the window and back, trying to regain control of his anger. Confrontations with Robert were useless. He learned that long ago. The man who’d sired him felt no remorse for the things he did, whether it be cheating people who relied on him, using then discarding a woman who loved him, or degrading a son. Caroline drew his attention and for a heartbeat their gazes met.
Dear God, what had he done, bringing her here?
Wolf turned to face his father. “I have told you what is happening... what is likely to happen. Within the hour I shall be leaving for Fort Prince George. Are you coming with me?”
“Hell boy.” Robert slapped at his leg. “I can’t go anyplace.”
“Then at least send the women to safety.”
“Well now. I just might—”`
Caroline stepped forward to explain that Mary was in no condition to travel, but a sharp look from her husband made her pause.
“But I can’t be deciding that before morning.” His pale green eyes shifted back to Caroline. “Hadn’t you best see about those lazy women getting us something to eat?”
“I will stay the night, but I am not interested in eating with you.”
The insult seemed to fall short of its mark for again Robert laughed. A very evil laugh in Caroline’s opinion. “Nonsense,” he finally said. “You wouldn’t wish to deprive my beautiful wife of your charming company, would you?”
Damn the old man to hell. Wolf sat across the polished mahogany table from Caroline wishing he hadn’t given in to Robert’s taunt. He knew at the time it was a mistake to prolong the meeting, but he couldn’t make himself sacrifice seeing Caroline. And he had the uncomfortable notion the old man knew it.
“Tell me Caroline,” Robert questioned now. “You’ve never said. How did you get on with Raff on your journey here?”
Caroline forced herself to continue slicing a piece of beef, not allowing her eyes to stray toward Wolf. She swallowed. “He was... we got along fine.”
“You didn’t have a problem with him being a savage?”
“No!” Caroline choked out the word, and this time her gaze did flash toward Wolf. He sat, tall and straight, his handsome face a study in contempt. “He was a gentleman,” Caroline said, feeling compelled to defend the man who betrayed her.
“That’s good.” Robert took a hefty swig of Madeira. “I wouldn’t want to think he didn’t treat you with all respect due the daughter of an earl.”
He said the last with his usual contempt. But that wasn’t what bothered Caroline. She’d become immune to his degrading sarcasm. No, it was the way her husband looked at her, then at Wolf... as if he knew.
Caroline took a quick drink, choking on the amber liquid.
“What’s wrong with you, girl?”
“Nothing.” Caroline coughed into her napkin. Robert was watching her, that same grim satisfied expression on his face, and Caroline couldn’t bear it anymore. She wondered briefly if Wolf told him about the night they spent together. Was that the real reason he’d come? But she didn’t believe that. Wolf’s animosity toward his father ran too deep for shared confidences.
No, Robert’s apparent suspicions must be something she’d done. The tone of her voice when she spoke to Wolf... or the way she couldn’t seem to stop looking at him. For as much as she should hate him... did hate him, Caroline found it difficult to fight her attraction to him. And she was worried it was obvious to everyone.
“Would you please excuse me?” Caroline had to get out of his presence. She pushed her chair out and rose before Wolf could help her.
“Where do you think you’re going, girl?” Robert twisted in his seat. His broken leg was propped on the chair beside him.
“I...” The magnetism of Wolf’s eyes drew hers, but she pulled her gaze away quickly, then concentrated on her husband. “I should check on Mary.” Before either man could say a word, she turned and rushed from the room.
“She’s a beauty.” Robert turned his head from the door to meet Wolf’s eye. “Don’t you agree?”
Wolf kept his expression blank. “I suppose so.”
“You suppose so? Are you blind boy? Or are you so used to those dark-skinned savages you can’t appreciate a fine looking white woman?”
Wolf ignored the question, asking one of his own to hopefully change the subject. He didn’t wish to discuss Caroline with her husband. But he also knew better than to rush off after Caroline’s hasty exit. “How is Mary? I was surprised she didn’t join us for dinner.”
Robert brushed the concern aside. “She’s fine. Gets tired easy because of the baby.” He took another drink of wine. “I guess I should thank you for what you did for Caroline.”
Wolf said nothing.
“I appreciate your bringing her to me.” Robert’s smile was lascivious. He made a crude sound with his tongue. “She sure can make me forget about this broken leg.”
Wolf laid his fork across the plate.
“How she learned some of the things she does, I’ll never know. Guess their nursemaids must teach these ladies how to please a man.”
Wolf’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. What had he expected? He brought her here. Hell, he’d taken Caroline’s virginity just so the old man would suspect that his wife was Wolf’s leavings. But the way he was talking, the lack of a maidenhead hadn’t meant a thing to him.
“You ever had yourself one of them ladies, boy? Don’t be shy now. You aren’t a bad looking boy when you aren’t dressed like a savage. I’ll bet you had your pick of blue-blooded women when you were in England.”
Robert seemed not to notice Wolf’s lack of response.
“Well, I can’t swear that they’re all like that one.” Robert motioned toward the door Caroline passed through minutes ago. “But she’s a real animal. Tires me out, she does. Wan
ts it every night. Sometimes more.” He groped at the flap of his stained breeches. “She’s keeping this thing busy.” Robert licked his lips as he fondled himself. “Where you going, boy?”
Wolf strode across the dining room, pausing at the door. He almost said nothing, fearing if he opened his mouth, he’d say something he’d regret. Something that Robert might take as proof that he cared about Caroline. And if he knew that... Wolf knew the old man pretty well. Too well. Anything or anybody Wolf cared about was fair game for Robert. He knew what to say or do to cause the most pain. Wolf had seen it with talk about his mother, and about the people he called his own.
These comments about Caroline must be the result of some real or imagined attraction Robert noticed between his wife and son. And if somehow Robert failed to note that his wife had come to him less than an innocent, Wolf wasn’t going to do anything now to bring Robert’s wrath upon Caroline.
And who knew for certain. Perhaps for once, Robert spoke only the truth. Wolf couldn’t argue that Caroline was an extremely beautiful and sensual woman. The texture of her pale skin, the silkiness of her hair were things he could not forget. And her taste, no amount of wine could purge it from his mouth. He dreamed of her nightly and woke hard and aching.
But that agony was nothing compared to thoughts of her doing with Robert the things they’d done together. It made him sick. It made him want to plow his fist into something.
But as he left the room, Wolf couldn’t deny that he deserved to feel as he did. After all, he had used her, then left her here. And he’d known what would happen when he did.
It was a reality he could not change. One he must learn to accept no matter how difficult. Except... one question still lingered.
“What? What did you ask me?” Caroline shrank back, clutching a shawl tightly about her shoulders as he pushed into her room. She wore only the simple linen shift that served as her night rail, and the lack of proper dress seemed to add to her vulnerability.
My Savage Heart (The MacQuaid Brothers) Page 11
