To Catch a Lady (15 page)

The pond was cool, but not as chilling as he'd hoped. In fact, the water brushing against his erection was a most pleasant sensation.

Frustrated, he stood up and let the water run off of him. Then, shaking himself like a wild beast, he moved to the edge of the pond and looked up at Caroline's window again.

Instinct told him that she was there. She was waiting for him, wanting him.

He sent her a wicked grin. Very well, he would give her a show.

Stepping out of the water, he stretched his arms up over his head, fully displaying his body for her to see. Turning from side to side, he posed as if he were a Greek god and not an insignificant man too deep in his cups.

Closing his eyes, Ash ran his hands slowly down his body. In his mind's eye, he saw Caroline. She was standing in front of him, naked, water dripping from her as well. He imagined that they'd just made love in the pond, but both were barely sated and ready for a second go-round.

Staggering, he went to the bench, and lying down he fantasized that she would be there beside him. In his dream, she would climb atop him, straddling him so that her sex would be poised just above his erection, ready and waiting to sink down upon it.

Ash drew in a deep breath and lifted hips upward. She would slide upon him then. Moving back and forth, rocking, rocking, rocking…

“Mmmm,” he moaned. She felt so good.

Caro was so close in his thoughts that he could swear he heard her moan. When he inhaled, her scent lingered on the breeze. Smiling, he continued, pleasantly imagining she was enjoying every bit of his arousal.

There in the moonlight, he made love to her, and she returned the favor.

With his already aroused state, it wasn't long before the orgasm washed over him. She gave him her all, her flesh sweet against his. He gasped at the sheer delight of their bodies joined in sweet unity.

“Dear heavens!”

Even her voice trembled with pleasure.

An incredible thought sliced through his fantasy. What if she were there, really watching him? The very idea of it sent shivers of delight down his body. What an intense feeling it would be.

But in the midst of his imaginings, reality slipped in. What if she were witness to his self-gratification?

It wasn't in his nature to be embarrassed, and yet, suddenly an uncomfortable feeling passed over him. He felt as if he were an errant child caught with his hand in the candy dish.

Ash's eyes snapped open. The morning sun was just cresting above the horizon. Daring to take a breath, he slowly turned his head.

“Good morning, husband.”

“Caroline?” he asked, his voice crackling. Suddenly he was on his feet, stumbling back and tilting awkwardly.

“Oh, God!” The sound of his voice brought her out of her shock. At last, her limbs answered her commands, and, clutching her robe tightly around her, she turned and ran for the house.

“Bloody hell.”

A loud splash sounded behind her. Spinning around, Caro saw only an empty space where he'd been a moment before. Seconds passed, and she dared to take a step forward. She took another, and another, until she hovered just above the edge of the pond.

Just when she was sure he was not going to resurface, he sprang up in the center of the pond, choking and sputtering, his arms and legs flailing about wildly.

“Oh!” Certain that he was in dire trouble, Caro pulled off her robe and, wearing only her chemise, ran into the water to rescue him, doing her best to grab at him and pull him to safety.

“Gotcha!” He grabbed her about the waist and took her in his arms.

Stunned that she'd been tricked, she tried to wiggle free. But her efforts were for naught, because he now held her in his embrace. Tilting her back and leaning over her, he gazed into her eyes.

Caro meant to say something. She wanted to shout and rail at him. But no sounds emerged from her. Without saying a word, he kissed her.

Caro gasped. It wasn't just a kiss, but a deep, sensual assault. His mouth was hot and wanting. She felt as if she had become the brandy and he was drinking her to the last drop.

Of course, she meant to pull away from him. Her mind commanded her to yell and beat at him, and do whatever it took to make him stop. But her traitorous body had other ideas.

Of their own volition, her legs went about his waist, her arms around his neck. Dear God, she was mounting him!

And he didn't help the matter, because his hands, his fine wide, strong hands, slid down her sides and grabbed her bottom and lifted her up, positioning her against him.

She was stunned to realize she was just a breath away from sheathing herself upon him.

“Well, lookie there!” a man called out.

Caro opened her eyes and saw the men from dinner standing beside the pond, fishing gear in hands, eyes wide open and gawking at her.

Panic and shame washed over her. Pushing away, she struggled out of her husband's grasp.

“Caroline, wait!” he started.

“Let go of me!”

Thankfully, he didn't have a good hold on her, and she slid from his grasp—but not before she saw the mixture of disapproval and disappointment cross his expression.

At the last moment he relaxed and let her go.

Just like that.

Not daring to look back, she stepped out of the pond and set off once again for the castle, and, after a moment's struggle with the heavy oak door, managed to slip inside at last.

Once inside, Caro leaned against the wall and tried to catch her breath. She was sure she would die of embarrassment.

“Your Grace?” It was Meggie, coming down the stairs with an armful of linen. Obviously, she was shocked at finding her mistress dripping wet and shivering in the foyer.

“Please. I need to get back to my room.”

Half an hour later she was dry, her hair combed and put up once again. She sat on her bed, wrapped in a quilt, and once again tried to figure a way that she could get out of the castle, out of her marriage, and out of her shame.

Unfortunately, no answer came to any of her questions.

It was late afternoon when Ash made his way downstairs. His head ached terribly, his stomach was queasy, and the raw edge of his temper was so sharp he was sure it could cut through stone.

Damn it, but the woman vexed him. There they were on the edge of complete bliss when they'd been interrupted, and she'd fled, leaving him alone in the water.

Of course, to her credit, she had been exposed to five strange men, men whom she'd only known a matter of hours. How horrifying it must have been to be seen like that, her lovely body wet and nearly naked, wrapped in a lover's embrace.

What could be worse than his abandonment in the heat of passion? Her facing shame and embarrassment in front of total strangers, that's what.

“I'm such a beast.”

“Beg pardon, Your Grace?” Chadwick said behind him.

“Sorry. I didn't realize you were there.”

“You had your mind on other things, Your Grace.”

“Yes, I did.” He sighed. Entering the dining room, he took his seat at the head of the table. The empty table.

Chadwick cleared his throat. “Cook has planned dinner for seven o'clock. It seems your guests have decided to camp for the weekend, sir. You and the duchess have the lodge to yourselves.”

“It's just as well. I daresay she'll not be able to face any of them anytime soon.”

“Indeed, sir.”

“Has the duchess been down for any meals today?”

“Mrs. Hardesty said that she'd sent her maid to the kitchen for a plate a few hours ago.”

A moment later the tea service arrived. The butler poured a cup for the duke and then placed several scones on a plate, with a heaping serving of strawberry preserves.

The last thing Ash wanted to do was eat, but his experience in the army had taught him that food was essential to survival. He was hoping that it would help settle the stomach, too. That and the healing effect of good strong tea.

“Extra cream, sir?”

Cream. Ugh. “Not today—just honey. Plenty of it.”

“As you wish, sir.”

After the servant left him, Ash had much to consider. His plans for wooing his wife had gone awry. Of course, he hadn't planned on being drunk while he did it. He'd be lucky if Caroline didn't stay locked in her room for a month.

Ash wouldn't blame her if she hated him now. He certainly didn't think much of his behavior the night before, either.

When he'd finished the last of his tea, Ash was about to rise from his chair when Duncan entered the dining room, smiling and carrying a journal in his hand. The younger man immediately went to the sideboard and heaped a plate full of ham and quail eggs.

He looked at Ash only after he'd settled himself at the table and shoveled in a mouthful of food.

“I didn't think you'd even attempt to get out of the bed today.”

“No choice. I've got a banger of a headache.”

“Hurt pretty bad, does it?”

“Like two anvils smashing together.”

“Well, if it's any consolation, the rest of us got precious little sleep last night, what with the two of you carrying on.”

“You heard that?”

Duncan laughed. “Not all of it, as your voice was fairly muffled. But you stomping down the stairs? I daresay they heard you in the next county.”

“You didn't go fishing with the others, then?”

He shook his head. “I had enough of that sport yesterday. I'm heading out after breakfast to join them at camp, though.”

“Well, then.” Ash poured another cup of now lukewarm tea. “I guess it didn't matter what anyone heard. What was seen, on the other hand…Let's just say I'll be lucky to ever get Caroline out of that damned bedroom and into mine.”

“If you're going to do that outside of the lodge, don't be offended to find you have an audience.”

“It matters little. In the pond or our bedroom, our guests think too little of our privacy. What in blazes am I to do?” He rubbed his head. “We were so close.”

“And how was it?”

Ash shot his friend a shocked expression. “A gentlemen doesn't talk about such things.”

“Yes, and we know how much of a gentleman you are,” Duncan said, laughing. “What I meant was, how did it feel? Is she going to suit?”

“I think once we get the chance to be together, it will be very enjoyable.”

“Then why are you moping about? Get up there and woo your bride, man.”

“And just how am I to do that?”

“Tell her about your life. Ask her about hers. You're an intelligent fellow. You'll know what to do.” Duncan took in another mouthful.

“You're right. Perhaps I'm looking at this all wrong.” With that, Ash left his friend to find his valet. He had much to do and precious little time to get it done. One way or another, he was going to have Caroline in his bed soon, come hell or high water.

Caro sat on the edge of her bed. Unable to sleep but a few hours here and there, she had little appetite and a terrible headache. She felt so alone and vulnerable. She wanted to go home, more than anything. Aching and tired and unsure of herself, she scooted up into the bed and let loose her emotions.

There seemed no way out of her predicament.

She didn't know how long she'd been like that, when she heard a gentle tapping at her door.

“Caroline.”

It was Ash. He'd come to offer her comfort, no doubt. Or to entice her into his bed. Perish the thought of that disaster happening again.

“Please, go away.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes.

“I'm not going anywhere.”

“I'm sorry I lied to you, about my courses. I was so awful to just abandon you like that. It's just that I need more time.”

“I know you do. I don't mean to pressure you, but since you can't bear to be near me, I thought we could just talk for a bit.”

“Talk?”

“That's right.”

She heard him sigh, and then it sounded as if he'd slid to the floor. She could see the shadow of his form at the bottom of the door frame.

“What would we talk about? We both know how we feel about our ‘situation.' And, other than our disastrous marriage, what else have we in common?”

“I don't know. We're both English, for one.”

“So are an awful lot of other people.”

“Yes, they are.” Silence. Then, the sound of his drawing a deep breath. “Well, we both have families, right?”

“Yes.”

“You've told me about yours. I know of the terrible accident your mother had, of your sister's broken heart, and your intentions of being a political force for change. But I've not yet told you all about mine.”

“No, you haven't.”

“Good. We'll start there.”

“If you must.” Rising from the bed, Caro padded to the door and sat cross-legged beside it. “I suppose there's no way I can stop you.” She heard him laugh.

“There's not much to tell, really. I was an only child, but not lonely. My parents were close to my aunt Amelia and my uncle the duke. Their son Stephen and I were close in age, so we were always together—getting into trouble, stealing apples from the orchard, terrorizing the house staff. That sort of thing.”

Caro couldn't help but smile. In her mind's eye she envisioned two lads together, running about the Summerton estate. “You must have been a pair.”

“Oh, we were, indeed.”

“Where are your parents, now? Have they gone abroad?”

A long silence fell between them, and Caro was sure she'd said something wrong.

“My parents are dead.”

Caro drew in a breath. “I'm so sorry.”

“No need to be. It was a long time ago, when I was a lad. Fortunately, my aunt and uncle took me in and raised me as their own. They sent me with my cousin to Eton when we were old enough. They were kind enough to buy me a commission when I wanted to go into the army. My cousin went to the House of Lords with my uncle. A very political sort, my cousin was. He traveled to Spain as part of a special envoy. When he returned to England, he was set upon by thieves. As a result, his carriage lost a wheel and rolled down a deep ravine. He didn't survive. My uncle was overcome by the news, suffered from apoplexy, and passed away soon after.”

“How terrible.”

“Yes, it was. Poor Amelia was devastated. It wasn't fair to lose them so. I expected to die—we were at war. But to die for no reason? It was unacceptable.”

“She was very fortunate to have you.”

“And I to have her. That's why I can deny her nothing.”

“I don't imagine you could.” So much tragedy.

“That's why I held the lottery.” He sighed. “I was called ‘Lord Fortune's Folly,' of all things. I was told I was the laughingstock of the ton.”

“You did it because your aunt wanted an heir? That was very kind of you.”

“I never had the inclination to marry, didn't want to go about it the regular way. After watching the agony my family went through, I thought it best to gird myself from such events. Amelia wasn't satisfied to spend the rest of her life remembering the past. It's her nature. She looks to the future, always.”

“And the chance to have children in her home once again?”

“Exactly. And, fool that I am, I mean to do my best to give them to her.”

“I don't blame you,” Caro said.

“I know I've treated you badly, and believe me when I say that that hasn't been my intention. I just don't want to get encumbered by the entanglements of sharing my life with another person. I'm afraid I'm the worst sort of husband.”

“I don't think I can be a very good wife, either.” It was the first time Caro had admitted that to anyone.

“We are a pair, then, aren't we?”

“I suppose we are.” She paused. “I know that you want to have this business done with, and so do I, but…”

“You don't need to explain. We have at least a month before I told our family we'd be back.”

Caro hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I know I haven't said it, but I do want to thank you. I am grateful for your saving my reputation. And to your aunt, for caring for my mother and sister.”

“It was my pleasure. No doubt, my aunt is having the time of her life with your family. She rambles around that estate day in and day out. At least helping your family will be giving some relief to the servants.”

Caro laughed. “Then I'm happy to oblige.”