Caroline (37 page)

"I want you to be independent," he told her firmly. "Stop looking as if you have been deserted, for that is not my wish or intention."

She gulped loudly and nodded. Relenting, Alec smiled and went to her, and Caro told him softly, "I like to be with you!"

"And I like to be with you, love
.
Do not worry—you shall never be neglected as long as you are my wife."

As he bent to kiss her, Caro found the buttons of his shirt and unfastened them with a newly acquired proficiency.

"You are incorrigible," he murmured as she pulled him back onto the bed.

* * *

Alec was firm in his conviction regarding their need for separate interests, and as spring approached Caro's horizons were rapidly expanding. She made many new friends and her new sense of self-worth enriched the quality of her marriage.

During February, she followed his suggestion, enlisting Molly Morris and Antonia to help her add her own touch to the decoration of Belle Maison. Her mother-in-law expounded with enthusiasm on the new wallpaper being stocked by William Poyntell in his recently expanded shop.

"Since we refurbished this house shortly before the war broke out, it is out of the question for me to indulge in such extravagances," she told Caro. "But, it will be almost as much fun to share your shopping trips. I am particularly anxious to visit Poyntell's, for he is blatantly advertising paper hangings 'of the most modern and tastey... patterns, suitable for every part of a house,' "

Caro found that most of these "modern and tastey patterns" reflected the new Chinese influence. Trade was opening up with the Orient, while Europe had already begun to produce interpretations of Chinese design in everything from furniture to pottery. The wallpaper patterns were uniquely appealing, and Caro decided to use two of them at Belle Maison. The upstairs sitting room in which she and Alec frequently had afternoon tea was done over with an arborescent design in varying shades of blue. It was a huge success, and Caro went ahead with confident enthusiasm to have one of the extra bedrooms papered with a delicate pattern of tree peonies and cherry blossoms against a pale-gray background.

To celebrate her good taste and accomplishment, Alec had a new desk delivered to Caro, along with all the proper quill pens, ink, ledgers, and other tools necessary for keeping household accounts. A room on the second floor adjoining the library was converted into a small study for her, and Caro was fully cognizant of the compliment intended. From that day on, she was in complete charge of the household, and Alec never questioned her judgment. She planned the meals, oversaw the help, inspected the housekeeping, and balanced the books. An unlimited supply of funds was at her disposal, but Caro was scrupulously careful not to abuse her husband's generosity and trust. In fact, it soon reached the point where he enlisted Caro's friends as informers to keep him posted on the things she dreamed idly about having. Then, when Caro thought he was making an inspection of a new ship, Alec would pay a visit to William Savery, the cabinetmaker, or the currently fashionable dressmaker. More than once, Caro looked up from her breakfast to see a new highboy or perhaps an elegant gown being brought up the front steps. Alec would lower his newspaper enough to raise one dark eyebrow in his reckless way, and Caro would fall in love all over again.

In early March they made a joint decision to redecorate the north and south parlors, and Alec took time out from his business life to accompany Caro on her shopping excursions. She was determined to have his taste incorporated into these two important rooms, and he found it impossible to say no to her pleading brown eyes. Besides, it gave him an excuse to spend extra time with her, and that was a luxury they both enjoyed to the fullest.

The two rooms ended up as eloquent expressions of the happy Beauvisage marriage. The north parlor was decorated in shades of green, with tapering damask-covered Chippendale furniture and an English rug patterned with flowers. The walls were painted a delicate pale green, a task which Caro decided she could easily execute herself. It took nearly a week, even with Grandmere, Pierre, Natalya, and Alec all assisting, and by the time it was done, Caro had abandoned any plans to paint the other rooms herself.

The day the furniture arrived, a surprise gift from Jean-Philippe was delivered—a fabulous glass and ormolu chandelier. Pictures and fresh flowers were added to complete the effect, and from then on, no one ever entered Belle Maison without effusively complimenting the room.

The south parlor was no less lovely when finished. Cream walls and furniture upholstered in a mellow shade of gold combined for a rich, relaxing effect. A beautiful Kuba rug woven in a pattern of ochre, gold, and sea blue added a bright touch, and when the afternoon sun poured into the room it was Caro's favorite spot in the house.

When the bills began to arrive, Caro went out to Alec's little office behind the greenhouse to show them to him. She was horrified at the amounts, but he merely laughed and pulled her down on his lap.

"I adore that concerned little frown of yours, sweetheart," he murmured while nuzzling the soft hollow at the base of her throat. With one careless gesture he removed the lawn modesty piece which Rose had placed inside the low-cut neckline of her gown.

"If you have any more of these, throw them away."

She laughed at the ironic humor in his tone, but then, as his lips found her breasts, Caro's heart began to beat with such force that she could scarcely think.

"Alec. Alec! You must not—"

"Indeed?" he replied coolly, arching an eyebrow. "I suppose that you propose to stop me?"

"I believe you must be mad..."

"Mad for you, m'lady." He smiled while unfastening the first three hooks on her bodice. "Ah, but your skin is sweet."

His lips burned the hidden places that were so tenderly susceptible to his touch. Somehow Caro found her voice:

"I meant that you must be mad to have allowed me to make such extravagant purchases! Have you seen these bills?"

With a supreme effort, she closed the top of her bodice and crossed her legs in an attempt to put out the fire that was smoldering there. Alec leaned back in his chair, his lips quivering faintly.

"Am I to take this as a rejection, my love? Have my kisses lost their appeal for you so soon?"

Caro thrust the pile of bills at him. "I did not come over here to be seduced in broad daylight where someone could walk in at any moment!"

"Pity." He looked sad, then brightened suddenly. "Would you like me to lock the door?"

"No!" Her face was flushed in a combination of vexation and embarrassment. "Stop laughing, Alexandre Beauvisage. I am trying to be serious!"

"I cry pardon, dear wife. Pray continue."

She fumbled with the fastenings on her gown and Alec grinned as he deftly came to her aid.

"I only wish to know if you realized how much you have spent on our redecoration of Belle Maison!" she cried at last in desperation.

"Am I to understand that you doubt my ability to meet these bills?" he asked in amusement.

"Well, not exactly, but these figures—"

"Yes, prices have become quite prohibitive these days. Just sign the bills, Caro, and do not worry so. Haven't you learned yet to trust me?"

"Of course, but—"

"Your penchant for contradiction grows tiresome. Have you not yet realized that we are wealthy?"

"We are?" she echoed, wide-eyed.

"Definitely. Actually, wealth and prosperity are running rampant in Philadelphia these days. I fear it's a natural reaction to that long war. The collapse will come before long, but you may rest assured that we will not be greatly affected."

"You are certain?"

"Trust me," he repeated, and Caro found that she did. Relaxing, she leaned against his chest and let him kiss her.

"Alec, how is it that you can be rich when you are so young? It is particularly difficult to understand since you were fighting in the war these last years."

He laughed, but his eyes were serious as he said, "My father has a favorite quotation by Edward Young that he emphasized to me early in life. It is: 'Youth is not rich in time: it may be poor. Part with it as with money, sparing—.' I never forgot that and it has always been my feeling that my youth was the best and most productive time of my life—I was determined not to waste it. So, I sought adventure, but I also made certain that I would never have to worry about a living. Money is not much on my mind, but that is because I know that I have an unlimited supply. I know how to make it with a minimum of effort, so you must never trouble yourself with the size of our bills. There will always be plenty of funds to cover them, my love."

Caro's eyes twinkled. "I am glad to hear that. And now that I have no more cause for worry..." Her voice trailed off as she snuggled against him, but Alec's mobile eyebrow flew up in mock horror.

"Madame, you cannot be suggesting that I seduce you here—in broad daylight—where someone could burst in at any moment!"

"Well," she allowed, "perhaps you ought to lock the door."

Chapter 27

Tulips and daffodils began to peek through the dark earth as spring brought its bright promise in late March. Alec and Caro were soon stopping on their way to the stables each morning to check the progress in the garden. Little by little it began to bloom, the end result more beautiful than Caro had ever imagined, and Alec was well pleased. Purple wisteria cascaded lusciously down the arbor wall, while bright pansies, bearded iris, azaleas, and Sweet William crowded the boxwood-edged beds in brilliant profusion. They both agreed that the garden was a bit wild and riotous as a result of its neglect during the war, further deciding that they liked it that way. Grandmere was delighted, and as the air grew fresh and sweet, she began to venture outside to paint each afternoon.

The meadows behind the estate where each day they rode Ivan and Molly grew lush and green, dotted with wild flowers. Alec began wearing his finely cut coats less and less, appearing most often in only a white muslin shirt, buckskin breeches, and knee boots. Caro's wardrobe was altered as well, at Alec's insistence. They went into Philadelphia in early April to visit the dressmaker, who fitted her for an array of new spring gowns. Most were of the finest soft muslin, in delicate sprig patterns or light stripes. The hemlines were at the ankle now, a fashion that Alec heartily endorsed. He also insisted on buying her pretty parasols to match her dresses. Caro pleaded for some chip straw bonnets which framed her face appealingly; each tied under her chin with a ribbon of a different color. Alec also arranged to have seven new riding habits made for her—one for each day of the week.

They stopped briefly at the house on Third Street before returning home, and found Eliza Powel there having tea with Antonia. It was she who hinted broadly that the newly married Beauvisage couple should consider the idea of giving a party. On the drive home, Alec told Caro why.

"Her motives are ridiculously transparent," he said cynically. "The run on the Bank of North America has brought a sudden halt to the gay social life here in Philadelphia. Did I tell you that sixty thousand pounds' worth of Robert Morris' bills have gone to protest? I would not be surprised if Eliza Powel should simply wither up and die without her customary rounds of parties!"

Behind his sardonic laughter, Caro could sense that he was thinking. He looked out across the woodlands as they drove along, and she watched him, noticing that his face was tanner than ever, his turquoise eyes even more startling in contrast.

"Well," he said at last, "I hate to accommodate Eliza, but perhaps her idea has some merit. You deserve a party to show off what you've done with Belle Maison and I should have realized it myself."

"Alec, I don't need a party! As long as I have you, my social life is busy enough."

"No. I really think it's a good idea. People have doubtless been wondering and gossiping about you and I shall enjoy setting them straight."

Caro wrinkled her nose with a mischievous smile as she said, "Now that you mention it, I wouldn't mind gloating at the jealous expressions on the faces of the former women in your life!"

* * *

In the end, they compromised with a small-scale garden party. Caro sent out handwritten invitations to a dozen of Alec's contemporaries and a dozen of the older, more established families. Everyone accepted eagerly, and as the date for the party approached, her own excitement increased surprisingly. Grandmere assured her that she was perfectly justified in her pride at being Alec's wife.