Desiring Lady Caro (11 page)

Caro’s face tightened.

Huntley took one of her small hands in his and kept his voice low. “He won’t look in here. Remember my promise to you. Trust me. I’ll keep you safe.”

She stared down at his large hand and wondered why she did not have the urge to pull hers away as she always had before. She glanced up. “You do that well. Take care of me.”

He’d been watching the door to the main hall but turned briefly to her and smiled. “It is my pleasure, my lady.”

She jumped when a door slammed suddenly. A woman screamed and several deep voices were raised in anger, then the uproar moved to the outside.

At the sound of horses riding off, Caro remembered to breathe again. “Thank you.”

Huntley’s hand tightened on hers. He didn’t answer for a few moments, then his watchful expression cleared, and he nodded to someone she couldn’t see. “You don’t have to thank me. You’re my wife, and, as I’ve said before, I’m not going to allow anyone to hurt you.”

His jaw hardened in anger. She thought it was due to her doubting him, until he said through clenched teeth, “If I could dispatch di Venier without putting you in danger, I would.”

Thank the Lord for a reasonable man. “I am very glad you have decided not to fight him.”

His sharp glance pierced her.

“Not,” she added quickly, “that I think you would lose, but it would complicate our lives tremendously.”

He had still not released her. She wondered if his protection extended to the harm he could cause her if he wanted her to be his wife in truth, but then dismissed the thought as unworthy. They’d been together for six days now, four of them as a married couple, and he’d not once attempted to take what was his to demand. Perhaps he wasn’t interested in her. For some reason, that thought didn’t comfort her at all. Yet was that the explanation for why he didn’t care if she could never perform her intimate marital duties? No, she was forgetting the reputation he had among women. Then what could it be?

“A penny for your thoughts,” he said.

The touch of his warm breath caressed her ear.

“It was nothing.”

A line formed between his brows. He didn’t let go of her until their meal arrived.

Caro pushed back her hood but kept her cloak wrapped around her as she tucked into the savory slices of roasted pork covered with a light sauce and accompanied by round dumplings and red cabbage. Once again, Huntley had found something she would enjoy eating. Nugent and their other servants sat farther down the long table in a way that made certain no one else would join them.

After she’d finished her meal, Caro surveyed the room. This was the first time she’d been in a common room, and would probably be the last. She took the opportunity to study those who seemed to be locals. The men wore leather breeches held up by colorful suspenders with a strap across the front, thick woolen stockings, and heavy leather shoes. The women wore gowns of stuff or heavier wool, and aprons. Most of them spoke in a guttural language she recognized as a type of German, but it seemed to have Italian overtones.

Next to her, Huntley stretched out his legs and held a huge, heavy pottery stein from which he sipped. She took a sip of the excellent, hot, spiced red wine he’d ordered for her, which was served in a much smaller version of his mug.

Feeling his gaze on her, Caro turned to him. “I like it here. It’s fascinating. There are so many people from different stations of life.”

After taking another draught of the beer, he replied, “You’ve never been in a common room before, have you?”

“No, I wish we could always dine in this sort of place.”

He sat up, and a smile tugged at his lips. “It’s enjoyable now, but you wouldn’t like it in the evening. There are not many women, and the men frequently drink too much. Still, I understand the draw.” Huntley paused. “If you’d like, we’ll do it again.”

“Thank you. If you don’t see a problem, I would enjoy it.” He’d given her a wonderful adventure that she was willing to repeat. Ladies missed so much by not being able to experience a common room. Of course, some would not like it at all, considering it vulgar, but Caro loved watching different sorts of people. She’d miss Huntley when he left. He said that he wouldn’t, but no man could live celibate. She’d go back to the boring routine of a spinster.

“After what happened earlier,” he replied grimly, “we might be safer to avoid private parlors, at least during the day.” He seemed to study the room again before adding, “As long as I’m with you, there can be no impropriety. It wouldn’t do if we were in England, of course.”

“I understand.” One benefit of being a married lady was being allowed so many more freedoms. She glanced at him as he watched the others in the room and drank his beer. Somehow she’d have to find a way to repay him for his sacrifice.

Huntley took another sip of the ale, relishing the slightly bitter taste on his tongue. Caro’s eyes were wide and her face alight with curiosity as she continued to observe their fellow guests.

He still wasn’t quite sure what his feelings for her were. That he’d been attracted to her from the first was clear, and he didn’t mind at all being married to Caro, except for the lack of intimacy. Though, if he had any thought that their forced marriage would relieve him of courting her, he’d be mistaken.

If anything, given what she’d endured, a courtship was absolutely necessary to ensure a happy marriage. At least that part was progressing satisfactorily. His parents’ marriage had been arranged and turned out well. He had no doubt that once she got to know him better, they could make a go of it and have a happy life. The only question was how long it would take.

“My lord?”

He glanced up to see Dalle addressing him. “Yes.”

“If we want to get there before dark, we should be going soon.”

“How long before you’re ready?”

“Raphael and Collins are getting the horses hitched up now.”

“We’ll be right out.” After the groom left, Huntley addressed his wife. “Caro, if you need to do anything before we leave . . .”

He stood as she rose, and he nodded at Nugent to accompany her. He escorted Caro and her dresser to the hall, where the staircase to the first floor was located.

Glancing over her shoulder, Caro said, “I’ll meet you outside?”

Damned if he’d let her go outside accompanied only by her maid, with all the traffic in this inn. Smiling, he replied, “I’ll wait for you here.”

Nugent got the attention of one of the serving maids, who led Caro and her dresser up the stairs.

Maufe came looking for him. “Oh, there you are, my lord. Dalle asked me to tell you we’re ready.”

“I’ll be out as soon as her ladyship returns. Tell me what happened with our marchese.”

His valet’s eyes lit with amusement. “He pushed his way into all the private parlors and disturbed several people, including one of the high-ranking members of the Hapsburg family, a
Graf
from Bavaria and his wife. The Hapsburg gentleman threatened to inform the emperor and told our marchese to go back to Venice. Then the landlord had his lordship escorted out.”

Huntley chuckled. The Hapsburgs now owned all of Northern Italy, including Venice. “Which way did he go?”

“Back south. Dalle heard one of his riders say that he was crazy, and the general consensus was that they’d missed the lady somewhere along the way.”

Huntley only had to wait for a few minutes before Caro returned. “I think we’re ready.”

Maufe bowed before going to the inn’s yard and telling the others. Huntley took his lady’s arm and led her through the milling people and vehicles to their coaches, with Nugent following close behind.

He settled Caro in the coach, with more hot bricks loaded in the space below the floor to keep her warm.

“
Lord Huntley
.”

Damnation
. How the hell had the marchese found them?

Di Venier dismounted a black horse and was striding toward the coach.

Quickly sliding a sidelong glance into the carriage, Huntley saw Caro’s lovely face turn deathly white and knew he must find some way, short of killing di Venier, to get rid of him once and for all.

Huntley turned back to the other man. “What do you want?”

Di Venier’s obsidian eyes glittered with malice. “Your wife.”

“Not in this lifetime.” Huntley fingered the pistol in his greatcoat pocket. “Go find your own.”

He turned to step into the coach and di Venier grabbed Huntley’s shoulder.

“I want satisfaction, Lord Huntley.” The lines of the Venetian’s face had hardened. “Lady Caro was mine, and you stole her.”

Huntley shook off the marchese’s hand and stepped back, putting enough space between them that he wouldn’t be tempted to drive his fist into the other man’s face. His jaw clenched. If only he hadn’t vowed not to fight di Venier. Schooling his countenance into a polite mask, he said, “You are mad, and a gentleman does not meet a Bedlamite.”

The flash of steel glinted in the sun. Di Venier rushed toward him. Before the marchese got within arm’s reach, Huntley drew the gun from his pocket and shot di Venier in the shoulder.

The Venetian’s scream rent the air as he grabbed his arm and sank to the ground. His men surrounded him, and a mass of people rushed out from the inn.

A neatly dressed, middle-aged man cut through the milling crowd and asked in German, “What is going on here?”

Caro’s firm, self-possessed voice came from the carriage. “The Marchese di Venier threatened my husband and then tried to kill him.”

“My lady,” the man said in lightly accented English, and bowed. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Graf Rudolf of Bavaria, a member of the Hapsburg family and the emperor’s envoy to Venice.”

Caro inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment. “I trust you will be able to stop the marchese’s persecution of my husband and me and allow us to continue our journey.”

The Austrian glanced at di Venier and smiled coldly in his direction. “You again. I ordered you to leave once already.” He bowed to Caro. “My lady, it will be my great pleasure to escort the marchese to his grandfather and suggest he make immediate arrangements for the young man’s marriage. Perhaps then, the marchese will cease to chase married women.” The
Graf
nodded to Huntley. “You may be on your way, my lord. Please accept my apologies that this unfortunate incident occurred in my family’s territory.”

Huntley bowed to the Austrian. “Thank you, my lord.”

Caro glanced at the dirty and bleeding di Venier, her gaze piercing him with disdain. This was the first glimpse Huntley had had of the woman Caro was meant to be. Not one jumping at shadows and suffering from bad dreams, but strong and commanding. A perfect countess and future marchioness. “Come, my dear. Let us be on our way.”

Caro gathered her skirts as she took her seat in the coach. “Thank you, my lord. An excellent idea.”

Once she was settled, he closed the door and pounded on the roof of the coach. It started forward with a lurch. Raphael must be as eager to leave as Huntley was.

This had been a good day. Putting a ball in the marchese satisfied the part of Huntley that had been spoiling for a fight, and that he managed it without breaking his promise to Caro made it even better.

A sound between a hiccup and a cry escaped his wife’s lips.

“Caro, are you all right?”

She held her gloved hand to her lips. “
He almost killed you!
”

Huntley leaned forward, wanting to touch her. “No, my dear,” he said in a soothing tone. “Di Venier never had a chance to hurt me. The only reason I didn’t fire sooner was that I did not want to put a hole in my coat pocket. Besides, Dalle and Collins had their weapons pointed at di Venier.”

Caro gave him a strange look but didn’t respond.

He pulled out the hot chocolate from this morning. “Would you like a drink of the chocolate? It is no longer very warm.”

She glanced up and smiled at him. “Yes, thank you. That would be just the thing.”

He passed the flagon to her. After a while, the color returned to her cheeks and he asked, “Chess, my lady?”

“Certainly, my lord.”

He set up the board, and Caro and he played as they’d done for the past several days. With the problem of the marchese taken care of, Huntley was free to focus his efforts on her and their marriage. From her reaction, she must care for him at least a little. Keeping his mind on the game became more difficult as he thought about wooing her. Teasing her rosy lips with kisses, and running his hands through the long, silky curls of her hair, and over the creamy mounds of her breasts. Taking the hard pink bud in his mouth . . . His member stiffened, and he stifled a groan. Soon, it had to be soon.

 

S
everal days later, Antonio arrived back at his grandfather’s
palazzo
under an armed escort. He was ready to murder someone. The Austrian envoy had treated him like a common criminal. He hadn’t even been allowed to bathe and change his clothing while the Austrian talked with the duke.

Finally, he was summoned to his grandfather. Going down on one knee, he took the old man’s hand. “Nonno.”

“My grandson, I am greatly disturbed by some of the stories I’ve been hearing about you lately.”

The duke’s hand settled upon Antonio’s head and he knew he was in trouble. Never in his life had Antonio heard his grandfather raise his voice, but the softer his tone, the stronger the steel.

“But, Nonno, you told me to take what is mine.”

“
Sì, sì
, but the emissary said you created a great scene, which you know I cannot allow. We have the dignity of centuries to uphold. And that is not all. A rumor has reached the ears of my priest. Antonio, is it true you killed a novice?”

No, he’d done many things, but not that. “Someone is lying. She was a whore, pretending to be an innocent to get more money.”

“My priest has seen the headdress and the torn clothing, and he spoke with the Mother Superior.” His grandfather’s voice was soft but disapproving. “The girl’s mother is a prostitute, the girl was not. You will go to confession and make a large donation to the convent. That will put it right in the eyes of God.”

Antonio had no remorse. A holy woman had no business in a brothel. She would have made a bad nun. “Yes, Nonno. I will do it immediately. Then I must find Lady Caroline . . .”

“No. That is over. She is married.”

“What if it was a farce?” It did not matter one way or the other to Antonio, but he must convince his grandfather.

The old man’s lips tightened. “Yet another scene you made over this woman.”

Antonio couldn’t stop from flinching.

“How do you think I enjoyed being lectured to by an English bishop over your behavior? She and her husband come from influential families. Do I need to remind you that Austria is aligned with England? Your actions could harm us politically. I will arrange a match for you. It is past time for you to be married.”

His grandfather lifted his hand from Antonio’s head and he stood.

“You need a legitimate son to follow you.”

Antonio’s jaw clenched. “She must promise to treat Geno as her own.”

The duke shook his head. “I have received a messenger from the baron. He wants Geno back.”

This couldn’t be happening. Geno belonged to him, not the baron. No man should have to give up his son. “But he is my son. From my loins.”

His grandfather nodded. “He is your natural son. He is the baron’s legitimate one, and his only heir. Think of the boy. What is best for him?”

Antonio’s chest hurt as if his heart was being ripped out. “Her father should never have given her to him. She should have married me.”

His grandfather stood firm, but there was compassion in his gaze. “There was a contract. She could not disgrace her family. If she had survived childbirth, perhaps the baron would have had the marriage annulled, yet that was not her fate.”

Tears stung Antonio’s eyes. “The baron will mistreat Geno.”

“He will not. I will send servants with the child, who answer only to me. I know you love him, but you cannot deny the boy his birthright.”

There was no point arguing with Nonno when he used that tone. Antonio would do as he said, except for the part about Lady Caroline. He’d not give up everything. Though he must get her back before she was with the Englishman’s child.

The next day, he called his head groom to him. “Find someone to track the lady.”

“
Sì,
milord. Do you wish her to be kidnapped?”

“No. No other man will touch her. I must remain in Venice for a short while, but when I am ready, I want to know where she is.”

“I will see it done.” The groom bowed and left.

She wanted him, he knew it. He would have his heir with her.

 

By the time Huntley and Caro reached the town of Campo di Trens, he’d lost his racing stables to his wife. Always a good chess player, she’d improved remarkably over the course of the past week.

“Well, my lord.” She sat back with a smug smile. “I’m very happy you decided to allow me to keep my property when we married. Else you might have lost it all in some game of chance.”

He scowled. “You, my lady, are a Captain Sharp. I would think you’d feel some remorse for leading your innocent husband to ruin.”

Caro’s turquoise eyes sparkled as she let out a peal of laughter. He’d never seen her so happy, almost carefree.

She asked coyly, “Are you innocent, my lord?”

The coach pulled to a stop. He resisted the urge to tease and risk her pulling back from him. “Innocent enough. Come, let’s stretch our legs for a bit.”

The day had definitely cooled. After about five minutes, he took out his pocket watch. It confirmed what the sun hanging lower in the sky told him. “Collins.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Will we make it to Brennerbad before dark?”

“We believe so. Mr. Maufe’s gone ahead to procure lodging.”

Glancing around, Huntley realized the second coach wasn’t with them. “When did they leave?”

Collins made a noise suspiciously like a laugh, then turned it into a cough. “They’ve been ahead of us since luncheon, my lord.”

With his free hand, Huntley rubbed his chin. “I didn’t even notice.”

“No, my lord.” Collins ducked his head. “We’re ready to go when you are.”

As Caro climbed the steps to the carriage, she glanced back over her shoulder at Huntley. “It is strange, but I didn’t notice either.”

He hoped that meant she was enjoying his company. After they were back on the main road, he set up the game again. This time, he was determined not to let his wife fleece him. He played ruthlessly and, by the time they’d rolled into the outskirts of Brennerbad, Caro was down to the clothes on her back and her wedding ring.

Grinning wickedly, he moved his queen into place. “Checkmate, my lady.”

“I can’t believe I lost everything.” Caro looked at the game board with dismay before narrowing her eyes at him. “You haven’t been letting me win, have you?”

“Not at all,” he replied. “But I couldn’t allow you to think you’d married an incompetent gamester. I do have my pride.”

“You will see.” She raised her head haughtily. “I shall come about.”

He grinned. “That’s what all hardened gamblers say.”

Caro gasped. “I am not.”

He gave a bark of laughter at his wife’s outraged face. “Don’t eat me. I have no doubt the next time you’ll show me the way.”

The coach drove into the yard of the inn at the northern end of the town of Brennerbad and stopped. Thankful that he wouldn’t have to get back in it again until morning, Huntley jumped down and held out his hand to Caro. “Come, my lady.”

Maufe and the landlord met them at the arched entrance to the inn. “My lord,” Maufe said, “I have secured rooms for you and her ladyship.” He bowed to Caro. “Miss Nugent is awaiting you, my lady.”

A maid standing behind Maufe came forward to escort Caro to her chamber.

Huntley looked at his valet curiously.

“Ah, my lord.” Maufe bowed. “My I present Herr Kerschbaumer. His family has owned the inn since it was built.”

Huntley didn’t understand why his valet was making a special point of introducing him to the innkeeper, but he inclined his head.

The landlord smiled and nodded several times. “
Ach, gut.
I see the difference.
Grüsse
,
Herr Graf
.” And went about his business.

What the devil was that about? The landlord acted as if he was a display in some sort of raree-show. Huntley raised a brow. “Would you care to explain what just occurred?”

“Well, my lord, you see it’s . . . um . . .” Maufe stumbled over the words.

“He can’t even spit it out.” Collins snickered from behind Huntley. “Our Maufe here is so grand that the innkeeper thought he had himself a lord. And when he found out Maufe was a servant, it was nothin’ for it that the landlord had to see you.”

Grinning at Maufe’s flushed mien, Huntley chuckled. “I take it they don’t get a lot of Quality here?”

“No, my lord.” Maufe rushed to reassure him.“But everything is as it should be. I thought you’d want to be as close to the pass as possible and away from the main traffic. I understand the marchese has been taken care of, but just to be safe.”

“You made a good choice. Have you by any chance discovered if the chef has a particular chocolate recipe he’d like to serve us?”

His valet’s face fell. “No chocolate, my lord. There is a type of cake, made on a spit, which I’ve ordered. And the chef will serve hot chocolate in the morning.”

“Very well.” Huntley nodded. “If that is the best we can do, so be it. Show me to my chamber, and I’ll wash. I take it we shall dine within the hour?”

“Yes, my lord. You have time for a short walk, if you’d like.”

“I would certainly like it,” Caro said from the top of the landing on her way to her chamber.

Huntley glanced up and then bowed. “My lady, your wish is my command. I’ll wash after our stroll.”

When Caro came back down the stairs, she placed her hand on his arm, and they walked around the outside of the inn and down the street.

“My,” she said, staring up, “look how much larger the mountains appear from here, and the air is so fresh.”

“Indeed,” he replied, but rather than examine the mountains he gazed at her profile. The small lines of concern he’d seen lately in her countenance had disappeared, and her lips curved up.

Now that they were safe, he’d begin his slow seduction of her.

They had at least three weeks before they’d reach Nancy and his aunt. He promised himself by that time Caro would be sharing his bed.

She sighed. “It is all so beautiful.”

“Yes. It is.”

Caro dropped her gaze from the sight of the Alps and glanced at Huntley. His tone had been so warm.

When they’d started their journey, he had been little more than a stranger to her. Now she could almost sense when his moods changed, not that he was moody like so many gentlemen seemed to be. Indeed, he was amazingly even tempered, but she knew when he was planning something, or when he was on guard because of the marchese.

Despite Huntley’s attempts to entertain her in the coach, he appeared to truly relax only when they were safely ensconced in an out-of-the-way inn. He’d given up so much to protect her. Giving him an heir would be the one way she could repay him. Even if he wasn’t interested in her physically, she could offer. That way, she wouldn’t feel so bad when he turned her down. But what if he didn’t reject her? He was a man, after all, and they were known to take their pleasure with any woman.

She felt his gaze on her. “What is it? Do I have a smudge on my cheek?”

“No, I’m just pleased to see you so at ease, though I don’t know how long your mood will last. I regret to be the one to inform you, but there will be no chocolate at dinner this evening.”

She almost smiled but could not resist the urge to play along. Opening her eyes wide in dismay, she asked, “No chocolate? How could that be? Have you reprimanded the chef?”

His lips quirked up, and his humorous eyes seemed greener. “He has promised us a special cake for this dessert, and hot chocolate in the morning.”

Caro formed her lips in a
moue
, and she heaved a sigh. “Then I must be satisfied. I cannot abide people who will not be pleased.”

“Indeed, my lady, indeed.” The sparkle in his eyes belied his serious tone. “You would not wish to acquire that sort of reputation.”

A small chuckle escaped her. “Especially not in an out-of-the-way inn on a mountain, which we shall probably never have cause to visit again.”

He smiled. “Just so.”

She stumbled. Huntley tightened his grip on her arm as he stopped her from falling. A small shiver of delight ran through her from where his hand held her. She glanced quickly at him, but his face held only concern.

“Did you twist your ankle?”

“No, thank you. I’m fine. We should probably return now.”

The sun had sunk behind the Alps, and a church clock struck the hour.

“I believe you’re right,” he agreed. “We don’t want to worry the others.”

As Huntley guided them back, she thought again about their marriage. Caro had rarely known such fear as when that scoundrel had attacked Huntley. The thought of his being injured or killed made her realize how selfish she was being. He did need an heir and it was her job to provide him with one.

Her mother had taken her to see an old woman after she’d been attacked. Caro tried to remember what the woman had said, and counted the days since she’d last had her courses . . . It hadn’t been quite long enough, but perhaps she could let Huntley take her to bed once, and she would become pregnant. Many women had marital relations with husbands they didn’t even like very much, and he was being very nice to her.

Caro straightened her shoulders. Giving him an heir was the right thing to do, and the sooner she got the deed over with, the better.

Once they reached the inn, Huntley left her at the door to her chamber. Nugent had already laid out her clothes for the evening. Caro splashed her face and washed her hands before her dresser lifted the pale blue silk evening gown over her head. The color reminded her of blue ice she used to see when she was a child. The bodice was trimmed with lace and two flounces embroidered with flowers decorated the bottom. Twenty minutes later, Caro left her room to find Huntley waiting in the corridor.