The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (14 page)

Damon broke their contact by looking down to check on the covered dishes set in front of them. “Hearty soup, bread, cheese, and butter. A good warm meal to brace up your spirit.”

Caroline forced herself to control the brief flutter of unease that arose at his words. Tonight was finally here. She was his, and no one would come to her rescue, not even if she yelled out. She hated the helpless feelings her thoughts generated.

To cover the awkwardness of the moment, she busied herself with placing her napkin on her lap. Then when she raised her head, he smiled as though amused and continued to fill her bowl with stew, and place bread, cheese, and butter on a plate to her side.

“Eat up. You will need your strength.” Damon studied her face, especially her lips, and then his gaze lowered, lingering at the pale tops of her breasts.

Her hand shook slightly when she picked up her spoon and dipped it into the stew. Any other time she would have enjoyed the delicious fare, but tonight every bite seemed to stop in her throat. She took more and more frequent swallows of wine to flush it down.

Damon said little. He continued to watch her intently throughout the meal and filled her wine glass frequently. He ate the stew with relish and consumed several slices of bread and butter.

“Try the cheese, it’s sharp and tasty.” He encouraged her to eat more. When he finished, he sat back and waited for her.

She put her spoon down. Finally, she could stop pretending to eat. Her head felt dizzy from so much wine, and she was afraid she might be sick.

Damon stood up abruptly. “I’m going downstairs while you get ready for bed. I’ll have the innkeeper’s wife send up a tub of hot water for your bath.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“But of course it is. You’ll feel better after a warm bath. I will return shortly.”

The combination of too much wine, anxiety, and too little rest was rapidly catching up to her. Caroline slumped in the chair. She wasn’t sure she could stand on her own. There was a brisk knock on the door.

“’Tis only me, Hattie, milady.”

Caroline called out for her to enter.

The door banged open. “Here we are. A nice hot bath will have you refreshed in no time, luv.” Hattie smiled at Caroline. “’Tis my bet you’re a newlywed. Don’t worry, luv. Not everyone has such a fine-lookin’ man to show ’em a woman’s lot.” Hattie straightened from arranging the tub and setting out clean towels.

“Thank you. I think I have everything I need.” Caroline’s voice sounded weak, even to herself.

“Scared, are you?” Hattie went over to the teapot and poured a cup, adding a drop of a dark liquid from a vial she got out of her pocket.

“I thought you might have need of this, it’ll relax you. ’Tis my own mama’s recipe. It will help soothe your fears. It won’t hurt you.”

Caroline stood and reached out taking the cup. Hattie unfastened the back of her dress and her stays. She tried to smile as Hattie went out the door. Then she sat back down and sipped the brew. It was strong but soothing. She didn’t want Damon to know how frightened she was of him at this moment. She needed all the strength and calmness she could muster.

Walking to the tub, she put her hand into the water to check the warmth. She’d love a bath. If she hurried, she’d finish before Damon returned.

Throwing off her dress and underclothes, she stepped into the hip tub and sank gratefully into the clean, warm water. A piece of soap sat in a dish beside the tub. The bar had a pleasant fragrance of violets when she lathered it up and rubbed it on her skin.

She released her long hair and arranged it over the end of the tub. Finally, she relaxed and closed her eyes.

* * * *

“My lord,” Damon said softly, almost reverently, as he stood inside the doorway of his room. His new wife sat in the tub, her head against the back with her golden, wavy hair hanging out almost to the floor. Her eyes were closed. He thought he’d given her plenty of time to have her bath and be in bed.

He walked quietly to her side. Her porcelain skin glowed under the water. The rosy tips on her full breasts taunted him to reach down and taste them. Her breath softly escaped her partially open lips. Damon couldn’t resist brushing his lips across hers and running his fingers through the soft strands of her hair.

She barely stirred. “Caroline.” Damon shook her gently. Her eyes opened partway and she smiled.

“I’m so sleepy,” Caroline whispered. “So tired.”

The feeling of tenderness and protectiveness flooded his being again. He lifted her out of the tub and then placed her feet on the floor. Damon held her carefully while he wrapped the towel around her and carried her to bed.

“Ah, my beauty. It seems I must protect you even from me tonight, but be warned this is only a temporary reprieve.”

Reaching into her valise, he found her white virginal nightgown with high collar and long sleeves. He dried her and gently pulled it over her head and down. It took all his restraint to not stroke her tender skin.

He groaned, realizing he wouldn’t have her tonight. Another day to wait, his tender thoughts gave way to a feeling of frustration.

“Enjoy wearing this monstrosity of a nightgown tonight. Tomorrow it gets burned.”

After covering her with several blankets, he took a blanket and went out of the bedroom, shutting the door. He slipped into the tub and took a quick cold bath.
Just what I needed tonight.
When he finished, he curled up uncomfortably on the sofa in the sitting room.

Tomorrow night will be different, my lovely wife, he mumbled to himself as he twisted and turned, trying to get into a comfortable position. Then you will become my wife in deed, as well as in name. Finally finding a comfortable spot, he went to sleep.

* * * *

Caroline woke when she heard voices in the next room. She glanced down and was surprised to find herself in bed with her nightgown on.
The last thing I remember last night was leaning back in the warm water. How did I get to bed?

Her face flushed red. Surely Damon didn’t dress her and put her to bed. She turned her head to the door when she heard a brief knock.

“Good morning. I hope you slept well. Breakfast is waiting. We should get on our way as soon as possible.” Damon stood with his feet apart, watching her closely.

“I’ll dress quickly and join you.” Caroline held the sheet up to her chin.

“Just put on your robe and come eat or everything will be cold.” Damon smiled at her blush. “Too late for modesty my dear. I found you asleep in the tub last night and helped you to bed.”

Caroline groaned in embarrassment and turned her face away.

Quick steps brought Damon to her bedside. He sat on the side of the bed and turned her face back toward him. “Come and eat. It is perfectly acceptable for a husband to see his wife undressed, and I might add you were a very beautiful sight.”

He walked out, closing the door behind him. Caroline hurried to her valise and pulled out a cream-colored wool dress with red trim. She hurriedly dressed and left her hair down. Then she joined Damon for breakfast.

He didn’t comment but held her chair for her before filling her plate with some of everything on the table. The hot cup of coffee tasted good, and she managed to eat a few bites of egg and sausage.

“You’d better eat more. We aren’t stopping until we arrive at my estate,” Damon warned her.

“My stomach is not feeling well today. I really do not wish to eat any more at this time.” Caroline spoke softly but put her fork down defiantly.

Damon shrugged. “You’re going to get hungry.” He continued to finish his meal in silence.

He’d dressed casually in leather breeches and a white shirt open at the neck. Caroline had to admit he was just as handsome no matter what attire he wore.

She excused herself and went into the bedroom to braid her hair and put on her matching cream- and red-trim straw bonnet.

When she returned, he put her pelisse over her shoulders. “If we make good time, we’ll be home by early afternoon. I think you will like my estate.”

Caroline glanced over her shoulder at him. His cologne and the warmth of his body tempted her to lean against him. She shook off her thoughts and stepped briskly away.

“I’m sure I’ll like your estate. At one of the dinner parties we attended, Hannah described much of it to me.”

Damon helped her into the carriage. “I’m going to ride my horse. I’ll be near, if you need anything.”

With a deep sigh of relief, Caroline sank into her seat. She was so aware of Damon every second and never certain what to expect. Her cheeks flushed remembering he’d put her to bed last night, and touched her when she was unaware.

I’ll never let myself get into such a state again. I must be strong and aware at all times. Soon I’ll be living in the tiger’s lair, and I have no idea of what to expect.

Shortly after noon the carriage passed a lovely village built on the edge of a river. The locals came out of their shops and huts and cheered when they saw Damon. Caroline watched out the side window as he smiled and greeted the people.

One young boy ran up to his horse. Damon leaned down, picked him up, and placed him in front of him. The boy smiled, showing two front teeth missing.

Caroline couldn’t resist smiling and waving. At the edge of the village, Damon sat the young boy down in front of a small cottage. They continued to travel, passing another smaller village, and turned west.

A few miles beyond the last village, the carriage turned into a large drive that wound around several small hills. Caroline gazed intently to see the stately looking manor house as it came into view. It was set upon a higher hill and appeared sturdy, with many windows and several turrets. They stopped at the bottom of the staircase leading up to the front door.

Damon got off his horse and came to the carriage to assist Caroline. Reaching up, he lifted her out and onto the steps.

“Welcome to my home, Caroline.”

She looked out over the cut lawn at the rows of trees in the distance. A large rose garden was situated right in front of the house, and a maze could be seen to the far right.

“There is a large lake in the back,” Damon said.

Damon took hold of Caroline’s arm, and they started up the long flight of stairs to the heavy, wooden front doors. Buckley, the stern-faced butler, who Caroline remembered from her visit to Damon’s London townhouse, greeted her formally at the door.

Stepping inside the huge foyer, Caroline looked around at the shiny wood interior. A large curved staircase leading up to a balcony was straight in front of her.

“You know Buckley,” Damon spoke from her side. “And this is Mrs. Parker, my housekeeper.”

Mrs. Parker was a short, plump, older woman wearing a gray gown trimmed with black and a white lace cap. She smiled pleasantly at Caroline.

“Mrs. Parker, I’m sure I will need your help in many ways.” Caroline shook her hand.

There were several other maids and footmen to meet, and then the door behind them opened. “Sorry I wasn’t here to greet you.” The tall, dark-haired man shook hands with Damon.

“I am sure you were busy about the estate, Charles. There is certainly no reason to apologize. I’d like you to meet my wife, Lady Royston. My dear, this is Charles Royston, my cousin and the caretaker of my estates for many years.”

Caroline found herself startled when she raised her eyes to greet Mr. Royston. Although he smiled, his eyes were dark and hard, and yet for a second she thought she saw a flash of despair, if so he quickly covered it up. He bowed politely and turned to smile at Damon.

She did not like him. She’d never taken such an instant dislike of anyone. Caroline glanced around at the expressions on the faces of the staff gathered to greet them.

She had a sense that no one liked him. How could Damon be so unaware of his caretaker’s effect on others? Perhaps he saw a different side of him. They were cousins.
I need to try and keep an open mind.
But when Caroline looked at Buckley, she saw a flash of warning in his eyes.

I must be tired.
“Damon.” She touched his arm. “Would you mind if I excuse myself? Mrs. Parker could show me to my room.”

“Of course, Charles and I will go to my study. Mrs. Parker, please escort my lady to her bedroom. After she has freshened up and we have our afternoon tea, you may show her the rest of the house.”

“Yes, milord.” Mrs. Parker curtsied, and Caroline followed her up the curved staircase.

Mrs. Parker led her down the right upstairs hallway to the end and opened double doors, going into the master’s suite of rooms.

“Your room is on the right, milady. I’ll send one of the maids to unpack your clothes. Would you like to change your gown before tea?” Mrs. Parker asked as she opened the door to Caroline’s room.

Caroline gasped. It was one of the most beautiful rooms she’d ever seen. The walls were a greenish blue, her favorite color, with cream trim. The ceiling had been painted with clouds and angels. A large mahogany bed sat in the center of the room with cream-colored satin covers and trim that matched the walls.