The Rake's Rebellious Lady (25 page)

‘Well, I am not perfectly certain of that,’ Freddie said, a flicker of a smile in his eyes. ‘I may be in his bad books again soon, and in your mama’s—but Nicolas will fill you in, I am sure.’

He turned to Caroline, seeing that she had her velvet evening cape about her shoulders, smiling at her as she came up to them. ‘Ah, there you are, my love. Are you ready to leave?’

‘Yes, thank you,’ she said, and took a step forwards, standing on her toes to kiss Tom’s cheek. ‘I shall not see you for some weeks, perhaps months, dearest. You will promise me to take care of yourself while you are away?’

‘Yes, as best I can,’ Tom told her and gave her a one-armed hug, his other arm still in a sling, but no longer painful.
‘Freddie sent me someone I might trust—an old soldier. He swears worse than Cousin Amelia’s parrot, but I shall walk safer with him at my back.’ He nodded to her. ‘Go with Freddie now, Caroline. You will be married when I next see you, and I shall leave a gift for you with Mama.’

‘Thank you,’ Caroline said, ‘but my best gift will be to see you safely home again, Tom.’

She became aware of Freddie waiting for her, and went to him, tucking her arm through his and looking up at him. ‘I am quite ready now.’

‘Then we must be off,’ Freddie said. ‘My curricle is waiting, I believe.’

‘Your curricle?’ Caroline asked curiously, for she knew that he more usually drove his phaeton in town. ‘I thought you walked here this evening?’

‘Yes, that is true, but my groom has his instructions.’ Freddie offered her his arm. ‘Are you tired at all, my love?’

‘No, not at all,’ she said. ‘It was a very pleasant evening, but I do not feel like going to bed.’

‘What would you like to do?’ Freddie asked with a flicker of a smile.

‘Oh…walk with you under the stars perhaps,’ Caroline said and laughed. ‘Yes, I know I am being foolish. It is just that…it becomes harder and harder to part every night.’

‘Does it, Caroline?’ Freddie took her hand, helping her into his curricle. His groom was driving that evening and he climbed in after her, sitting next to her and taking her hand in his. ‘Why do we not take the long way home?’

‘Oh, may we?’ Caroline was pleased, for though she had enjoyed her evening, she did not wish to say goodnight to him yet. ‘That would be lovely, Freddie.’

He kept her hand in his, stroking it idly with his thumb so that she felt her blood rush wildly through her veins and turned to him as he drew her towards him, his lips brushing hers in the softest of kisses.

‘You do know that I love you and that I would never do anything to harm you?’

‘Yes, of course,’ she said and gazed up into his eyes. ‘I love you, too, Freddie.’

He touched her cheek, his fingers shaping the contours of her face and then going behind her head as he pulled her to him for a kiss that was deeper and more hungry than any she had yet had from him. Caroline melted into him, her body aching for the release of something she hardly understood, but knew would come from being one with him.

‘Oh, Freddie…’ she whispered. ‘When you kiss me like that, Christmas seems a very long way away.’

‘Yes, it does,’ he agreed. ‘But we are leaving for my godmother’s home this evening, and that means we shall be together constantly until we are married.’

‘What do you mean?’ Caroline looked at him. She was suddenly aware that they were leaving Bath. ‘Freddie, this isn’t the way home. What are you doing?’

‘We are leaving Bath, my love,’ he said and gave her a wicked smile. ‘My godmother travelled home this morning and will be waiting for us.’

‘No, Freddie, we must not,’ Caroline said, startled and anxious. ‘Mama will be so worried—and there is her wedding… No, we must not do this.’

‘She will know of my intentions by now,’ Freddie reassured her. ‘Do not distress yourself on Mrs Holbrook’s account, Caroline. Nicolas has promised to talk to her and explain
why I have taken this desperate step. It is to protect you, my dearest one. I told you that I could not allow the situation to continue any longer. You were not safe in Bath, but you will be safe with me at my godmother’s, I promise you. In the meanwhile I shall try to mend fences with your mama—and possibly your grandfather, if he will see us.’

‘Oh…but Mama will be so upset,’ Caroline said. ‘Poor Mama…you really should not have done this, Freddie.’

‘I am sorry if it distresses you, Caroline—and I would not have done it had I not believed it was the only way. I took precautions to protect you at Bollingbrook Place, but even though I was with you in Bath you were still attacked. I shall feel safer in the country for your sake—just until this thing is settled.’

‘Yes, I see,’ Caroline said. She was silent for a few moments, absorbing what he had told her, and then, ‘Do you not think Mama might have agreed to our marriage sooner had you told her the truth?’

‘She might,’ Freddie said. ‘She knew that you were to stay with Lady Stroud, though she did not know that I intended to leave Bath this evening. I did so for reasons of secrecy, of course.’

‘You took a great deal on yourself,’ Caroline said, for she was too disturbed to give in immediately. ‘I am a little cross with you for not telling me what you planned.’ She looked at him anxiously. ‘Of course I do not mind—as long as Mama is not worrying about me.’

‘I believe Nicolas may bring her about,’ Freddie said and smiled at her. ‘It will not be so very bad, my love. Your mama may tell everyone you have gone to visit friends. And then we shall invite them all to our wedding when your mama returns from her honeymoon trip.’ He touched her hand
briefly. ‘Have I your forgiveness, my love? You do know that I have done this for your sake?’

‘Yes, I know,’ Caroline said and turned to face him. She leaned forward to kiss him softly on the lips. ‘I still wish that we might be married sooner…’

‘You are a temptress, my love,’ Freddie said ruefully and eased her away from him. ‘I may have spirited you away, my dearest, but I am not going to seduce you. We shall wait until my wedding ring is on your finger.’

‘Shall we really, Freddie?’ Caroline said and reached up to touch his face. She traced the line of his mouth with her forefinger, bringing a groan from him. ‘I do not truly see why we should. We are so soon to be married…’

‘And then I shall put you across my knee and give you the spanking that your mother obviously did not,’ Freddie growled. ‘I have no intention of giving in to you, minx, no matter how you try to tempt me.’

‘Oh, dear,’ Caroline said and gurgled delightfully. ‘What a sad disappointment you are, Freddie dearest. I had not thought you were such a flat…’

‘A flat?’ Freddie looked at her incredulously. ‘No, no, Caroline, I shall not have that.’

‘Well, a slow-coach then,’ Caroline said and pouted at him. ‘I am not perfectly sure what the right word may be, but—’ She gasped as he pulled her into his arms, kissing her so ruthlessly and with such determination that she could do nothing but melt into his arms. ‘Oh, Freddie…’ she breathed, well pleased with the result her teasing had brought. ‘I do love you.’

‘And I love you, my darling,’ he said, grinning at her. ‘I am not sure that I shall ever say no to you again, but this time I am determined on it.’

‘Oh…’ Caroline smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. ‘In that case, I think I may as well go to sleep for a while.’

Freddie smiled as she lay against him. He slid his arm about her, holding her more comfortably as the curricle drove on through the night. She did not fool him for one moment, and he was very much aware of an uncomfortable tightness in his breeches. It was exquisite torture to have her near like this, to know that she was ready to surrender her sweetness to him, and yet refrain from taking all that he so desperately wanted of her.

And yet he was determined that he would wait for their wedding night. Caroline was such a lovely innocent, and he would not give the gossips more fodder than he needed. Though if Mrs Holbrook played her part, there was no need for anyone to know where Caroline had gone…

‘N
icolas!’ Mrs Holbrook stared at her son in shock and horror. ‘Do not tell me that you were a party to this terrible deceit? I cannot believe that you would treat me so hardly…’ She held a scrap of lace kerchief to her eyes. ‘It is quite, quite shocking that Caroline should run off with him at the dead of night…’

‘It was not Caroline’s fault,’ Nicolas said loyally. ‘Sir Freddie and I planned it together. It was the only way to keep her safe, Mama. Caroline has been attacked three times. There was the balloon accident and then she was shot at when riding at Grandfather’s estate—and this latest incident. Freddie said that he must remove her from danger and the best way to do that was to leave Bath at once and secretly.’

‘Why didn’t any of you tell me?’ Mrs Holbrook demanded. ‘If I had known…’ She smothered a sob. ‘I think it is most unkind of you all to keep this from me.’

‘We didn’t want to upset you,’ Tom said, coming into the parlour at that moment. ‘Stop crying, Mama. Caroline will be all right with Sir Frederick.’

‘This means I must cancel my wedding,’ Mrs Holbrook said dramatically. ‘It cannot go on as planned…’

‘That is nonsense, Mama,’ Tom said. ‘You will be married at the appointed time. Nicolas must return to his regiment, of course, but I shall put off my journey for a few days to see you wed.’

‘Oh, Tom dearest…’ Mrs Holbrook threw herself on his shoulder, weeping into his coat. ‘You alone of my children even attempt to consider my feelings.’

Tom patted her shoulder, nodding at his brother over her head. ‘You had best get to bed, Nicolas. You have to leave early in the morning. Leave Mama to me.’ He smiled at his mother, putting her from him. ‘Tell me, Mama—would you have Caroline safe at Lady Stroud’s home or fatally harmed?’

Marianne gave a little shriek, her face turning pale. ‘Was it truly the only way to keep her safe, Tom? Not just one of her mad pranks?’

‘I am convinced that Caroline did not even know of it,’ Tom said. ‘Indeed, I think only Nicolas and Freddie knew what was happening. I am perfectly sure that George Bellingham did not, for he caught up with me when I was walking home. Apparently, he had just received some information that he thought Freddie should know.’

‘Oh, dear,’ Marianne said, looking at her son. ‘Do you think it is more bad news?’

‘I have no idea, but I intend to speak to Bellingham as soon as possible myself. He will be wondering what has happened, and if this concerns Caroline in any way, then I want to know about it.’

‘This is all Bollingbrook’s fault,’ Mrs Holbrook declared,
a wrathful look in her eye. ‘And the next time I see him I shall certainly tell him so!’

On that note she departed to her bedchamber, leaving the brothers together. Nicolas looked thoughtful, because he sensed that Tom was anxious about something.

‘I wish I could help you out, Tom—but if I am not back on time I shall be declared absent without leave, and that will not do.’

‘No, no, you must get off right and tight. My journey may wait a few days. I must keep my promise to Mama, and, if Caroline is in some fresh danger, then I must warn Freddie of it.’

‘Yes, of course,’ Nicolas said, frowning. ‘Has it occurred to you that this business may be nothing to do with Grandfather’s will?’

‘Well, I have wondered lately,’ Tom said and looked thoughtful. ‘It may be that Sir Frederick has an enemy himself. I am damned if I can puzzle it out.’

‘Sir Freddie has some idea, I believe,’ Nicolas said thoughtfully. ‘However, when you speak to Bellingham in the morning, you may learn something new. You will write and let me know what comes out of all this, Tom?’

‘Yes, of course,’ his brother assured him. ‘Try not to worry about it, Nicolas. There is nothing you can do—and you may be certain that Sir Frederick knows what he is about. I dare say there is nothing for either of us to worry about at all.’

* * *

‘Thank you for coming,’ George said the next day when Tom called on him. ‘I was worried when I found that Freddie was not at his lodgings last night. However, now I under
stand—and you may be sure that I shall not say a word to anyone.’

‘Thank you. You may imagine that Mrs Holbrook is very distressed about all this, but she has accepted it because she believes, as my brother and Sir Frederick do, that it was the only way to keep Caroline safe.’

‘That was undoubtedly his reason for carrying your sister off in such a high-handed way,’ George said and looked anxious. ‘The devil of it is that I think it is exactly what he ought not to have done.’

Tom felt a coldness at the nape of his neck. ‘What do you mean, sir? Surely she will be safe enough at Lady Stroud’s home?’

‘Perhaps,’ George said. ‘Sir Frederick has an enemy—a man who is determined to bring him to his knees if he can. And, though I believe it would please him to see Freddie dead, I think he wants to punish him first.’

‘By taking away the person who is most precious to him?’ Tom nodded. ‘Yes, that makes sense to me. All the attacks have been on Caroline of late. Indeed, since I took Sir Frederick’s place at the balloon ascension at the last minute, he may have been the intended victim. A hired assassin would not know of a last-minute change of plans…’

‘Yes, quite possibly. We have all been chasing our tails, thinking that you and Nicolas were targets as well as Caroline, but I am fairly certain that we were wrong. As I left Milbank’s party last evening I met a man who had been working for Freddie. He had important information, which I persuaded him to give to me…and it transpires that I was right after all. I mentioned my fears to Freddie a day or so ago, but he shrugged it off as unimportant.’

‘You know who has been threatening Caroline?’ Tom asked.

‘Yes, I believe so,’ George said. ‘It was a matter of money, but not of Bollingbrook’s will. Freddie won a considerable sum from someone a short time ago. He thought he had settled the affair, for he took far less than was owed, merely warning the gentleman concerned that if he saw him gambling again he would make public that he was virtually bankrupt. The fellow is desperate, and may imagine that he is ruined, though if he had kept faith with Freddie he might have come out of it better than he has. Freddie would certainly not have done anything to harm him, but he may not have realised that the affair was over.’

‘Good grief!’ Tom was shocked. ‘Then this is a personal vendetta against Freddie. I know that Nicolas discussed it with him, but they were not certain…’ He frowned. ‘This could mean that Caroline is even more at risk with him than she was before.’

‘Yes, I fear that may be so,’ George agreed. ‘We have to warn him.’

‘I shall set out at once,’ Tom said and frowned. ‘At least, as soon as I have told my mother that I shall not be able to attend her wedding…’

‘Please do not disappoint Mrs Holbrook. It would only distress her more. I shall leave Bath in the morning. It is probable that Farringdon does not know they have left Bath, and that they are safe enough for the moment—but I think Freddie should be warned. Farringdon is the kind of petty individual who will do anything for spite—and at the moment he is like a wounded beast.’

Tom nodded his agreement and they parted, for there was little more to be done for the moment. They could only hope
that Freddie was aware of his enemy and would take the proper steps to protect both Caroline and himself.

As he left George’s house, Tom had come to a decision. He had been intending to wait until he returned from Jamaica to speak to Julia, but these attacks on Caroline had made Tom realise how precarious life could be. He would visit Mrs Fairchild in the morning and ask her permission to speak to her daughter. His visit to Jamaica could be put off for a few days longer, and, if Julia cared for him, as he hoped she did, they might be engaged before he left.

Caroline looked out of the upper window of Lady Stroud’s country house. It was a very pretty establishment, and her hostess had made her welcome the previous evening. She had slept very well in a comfortable bed and was feeling happy and relaxed as she came downstairs that morning.

‘Good morning, Miss Holbrook.’ A woman that Caroline knew to be her hostess’s housekeeper came to greet her as she entered the breakfast parlour, where food had been prepared and awaited her under silver covers. ‘I trust you found your room comfortable?’

‘Yes, thank you,’ Caroline said and smiled at her. ‘And thank you for the roses on the dressing table; they smelled lovely.’

‘Lady Stroud wanted everything to be nice for you, miss,’ the housekeeper said. ‘She asks if you will attend her in her bedchamber—in about half an hour perhaps, when you have eaten your breakfast.’

‘Yes, of course,’ Caroline replied.

The housekeeper smiled and went away, leaving Caroline to help herself to the selection of tasty dishes on the sideboard.
She selected a little scrambled egg and bacon, and poured herself a cup of hot chocolate before sitting down to enjoy her meal. She had almost finished when the ring of boots on polished wood alerted her and she looked up with a smile as Freddie walked in.

He came to her, dropping a kiss on her cheek as she turned to greet him. ‘I thought you would still be upstairs,’ he said. ‘I went for a ride as I usually do, but another morning we might ride together if you care for it?’

‘Yes, I should like that very much,’ Caroline said, sparkling up at him. ‘But I should like to drive your horses even more, Freddie. Now that we are here at Lady Stroud’s estate, do you think you might teach me?’

‘Minx!’ Freddie said and went to examine the contents of the silver chafing-dishes. ‘I dare say I might be persuaded since you ask so nicely, my love. It will do no harm on the estate—and perhaps we may find you something of your own in good time.’

‘Oh, Freddie,’ Caroline said and got up to go to him. ‘I think you mean to spoil me—do you?’

‘Perhaps,’ he said, giving her an enigmatic look. ‘You are a temptress, Caroline, and you look beautiful this morning. Our wedding seems a very long time off at this moment.’

She gave a gurgle of laughter, reaching up to kiss him briefly on the lips. ‘I think I shall enjoy being your wife very much, sir,’ she said and drew back before he could prevent her. ‘And now I have promised to visit your godmother. I must not keep her waiting.’

‘Wicked one!’ Freddie threw at her as she blew him a kiss and walked away. ‘Have I met my match at last, I wonder?’ He smiled at the thought, for he was feeling pleased with himself and the world that morning.

Caroline was feeling equally pleased with life as she went upstairs to Lady Stroud’s private apartments. She knocked and a few moments later was invited to enter. Her hostess was sitting in bed, a pink shawl over her shoulders and a frilly cap on her head. She smiled and held out her hand, inviting Caroline to sit on the edge of her bed.

‘You are up early, Caroline. I wake early myself, though I do not venture downstairs before noon these days.’

‘I have always been used to rising early,’ Caroline told her. ‘I used to ride with my brother Nicolas when he was at home, and sometimes with Tom. If I did not ride, I went for long walks. Even in the winter I like to be outdoors as much as I can.’

‘I approve of a girl with healthy habits,’ Lady Stroud said. ‘The moment I set eyes on you, I was sure you would make my godson a good wife. He has an old and valued name, you know, and he will inherit his uncle’s estate in good time. Mine too when I am gone. It is right and proper that he should marry and marry well. We do not want any ramshackle filly in the family. No, you will make Freddie a good wife and give him several strapping sons, I have no doubt.’

‘Yes…’ Caroline stared at her a little uncertainly. ‘I know it is important to provide sons for the family name to continue.’

‘I believe in the family,’ Lady Stroud said, her eyes narrowing as she saw Caroline’s expression. ‘Not frightened of that side of things, are you? Nothing to worry about, believe me. Freddie will look after you. He may have had his fling, but he won’t let you down, child.’

‘No, I did not think he would,’ Caroline said, realising that she had almost betrayed herself. ‘He is everything I could wish for in a husband.’

‘And so I should think,’ Lady Stroud said with a little frown. ‘Get off and find yourself something to do then, girl. No sense in sitting here all day!’

‘I shall see you later, ma’am. It is very good of you to have me here as your guest.’

‘Stuff and nonsense! It was the most sensible thing in the circumstances—though why your mama would not permit your wedding immediately I do not know!’

Caroline smiled, but said nothing. She was thoughtful as she went downstairs. Freddie had assured her that she was more important to him than an heir, but she was sure Lady Stroud would be disappointed if Caroline did not produce the sons she expected.

‘Ah, there you are.’ Freddie came out of the parlour as he reached the bottom of the stairs. He looked at her for a moment. ‘Is something wrong, Caroline? Did my godmother say anything to distress you?’

‘No, of course not,’ Caroline said and gave him a radiant smile. ‘Lady Stroud has been everything that is kind and generous. I was merely thoughtful.’

‘I have asked for the greys to be brought round,’ Freddie said. ‘Go up and change into something suitable, Caroline—and we shall begin your lessons at once.’

* * *

‘You have done very well for a first lesson,’ Freddie said as she brought the curricle to a halt in front of the house. ‘You have good, natural hands, Caroline. I think we shall make a whip of you yet. I do not know that you will outshine Letty Lade at her best, but you will rival her once I have finished with you.’

‘Freddie…’ Caroline laughed up at him as he helped her
down. They stood for a moment in the sunshine, his hands about her waist, smiling at each other, both aware of a strong pull of sensuality. ‘You are such a tease—but you do mean it? You really think that I shall be good enough to drive myself one day?’

‘Yes, of course—’ He broke off as a curricle came up the drive at a spanking pace. ‘Now what the devil does George want here?’

Caroline turned in surprise as George Bellingham got down and came towards them. She was conscious of Freddie’s hands about her waist, and moved away, a little flush in her cheeks to be seen in such an open embrace.