“I don’t see why I have to attend this meeting,” Caroline carried on objecting even as Ruby and Ivy walked her across the square to the meeting hall. I have no desire to see Captain Grafton or hear him speak.”
Ruby squeezed her arm. “He wanted you to come.”
“And you do his bidding now? Last week you were wishing him to perdition.”
“Jon wanted you to come as well.”
Caroline sighed as they approached the open doorway. The hall was almost full, and the atmosphere wasn’t pleasant. Why Captain Grafton continued to invite possible death by confronting his tenants, Caroline would never know.
She’d left her resignation letter on his desk, but he hadn’t been back to his office. She pictured him at the George sitting by the fire, reading, biding his time before he stood up in front of a completely hostile crowd…
“Jon saved us seats.” Ruby took her hand and led her firmly up the side of the hall. “Come on. It’s almost time to start.”
The workers committee, including Jon, and the Methodist minister were already established on the platform. There was no sign of Captain Grafton. Caroline spotted Jon’s mother in the crowd and received a small nod of recognition.
The minister opened the meeting with a prayer and a plea for tolerance that Caroline suspected wouldn’t count for much with the tenants of Three Coins. The door behind the dais opened, and Captain Grafton came out and mounted the steps to stand at the lectern. He wore a dark blue coat and his linen was a crisp white. He looked remarkably calm and was even faintly smiling.
“Good evening. I’m Captain Grafton.”
Caroline held her breath as he looked around the room like a king demanding obedience. Caroline was torn between admiring his bravery and lamenting his breathtaking arrogance.
“Most of you received eviction notices this past week. As you probably know, the area of Three Coins is being redeveloped to provide a locomotive station, a grand hotel, and a staging yard for the goods trains.”
“Because you bloody sold them the land,” someone shouted out.
“Yes I did.” Captain Grafton met the attack unflinchingly. “But with certain conditions.”
“That you clear out your tenants. We understand, Captain. You’re not the first landlord to turn out people who rent from him.”
There was a roar of agreement from the rest of the crowd.
“The eviction notices were sent out too early.” Captain Grafton easily raised his voice above the noise generations of privilege etched in his tone. “And not with my consent.”
Silence fell, and people started looking at each other in confusion.
“So, we don’t have to move?”
“In time, yes, but not until the land I was granted in exchange for Three Coins is properly developed.”
“Developed into what?” The same man asked.
“New housing.” Captain Grafton raised an eyebrow as if everyone around him was being stupid. “What else? As soon as the buildings are habitable, the original tenants of Three Coins will get first refusal on new lodgings.” He turned to the gentlemen sitting behind him. “The workers committee has all the details and will be assisting me and my agent Mr. O’Brien in this transfer.”
Another man stood up. “Where is this land?”
“It’s directly below the site of the new cotton mill Mr. Marsham is building, so less than half a mile from here.”
“And how high are you going to make the new rents?”
“If you take the same accommodation then your rent will remain the same for the first year.” Captain Grafton shrugged. “After that? Rents will rise in line with the local market.”
He briefly met Caroline’s startled gaze over the heads of the audience and then moved on. “Mr. O’Brien will also be aided by Mr. Ford in this matter. I assume you will trust him even if you do not trust me.”
He turned to the minister. “Perhaps you might lay the plans out on the dais so everyone can see for themselves?”
“I will, Captain Grafton.”
Caroline turned, and despite Ruby’s whispers, walked out of the hall into the dark night beyond. She was unlocking the back door of the dress shop when someone came up behind her.
“Why did you leave?”
She didn’t turn around as Captain Grafton followed her up the stairs.
“I heard what you had to say. It was most impressive.”
“And thus rather unlike me?”
“No.” She turned to look at him as she took off her bonnet and gloves. “It didn’t surprise me at all. You are rarely predictable.”
“What if I told you I did it for you?”
She went still and tried to read his face in the shadows of the corridor. “Why would you do that?”
“What if I wished to impress you?” He moved restlessly into his office and threw his hat and gloves onto the nearest chair.
“Choosing to stand up there in front of a roomful of aggrieved tenants was quite impressive,” she reluctantly allowed.
“The benefit of an English public school education—the ability to face down any baying mob of foreigners.” He half-smiled, all grace and lethal elegance. “I never thought it would come in handy in Millcastle of all places.”
He lit a candle from the embers of the fire and placed it on the corner of his desk before picking up the letter she’d left him and reading it through.
Caroline tensed as he looked up at her. “What if I don’t accept your resignation?”
“I’ll just leave anyway.”
“And go where?”
“Wherever I please.” She held his gaze. “You can hardly expect me to stay if you intend to live here yourself.”
“Why not?”
“Because you…” She tried to gather her thoughts and struggled mightily. “Because I—”
He came over to where she stood and looked down at her. “I don’t want you to leave.”
“I repaid my debt. You no longer have any right to tell me what to do.”
“But I want to.” He cupped her chin. “I want to be the only man in your life, the only one you smile at, and definitely the only one you fuck.”
“Then you are being unreasonable.” She tried to speak calmly, but it was hard when everything inside her wanted to yield to him and give him everything he demanded.
“I didn’t come back to sort out this mess with Three Coins. I came back for you.” His thumb grazed her mouth, and he wrapped an arm around her waist. “I tried to forget you in London, but no other woman felt right, and eventually I gave up even trying to pretend otherwise.”
Caroline stared into his amber eyes and whispered, “What exactly are you saying?”
A small frown appeared in his brow. “That I want you, dammit! I want all of it, all of you.”
“But I don’t want to be your mistress again.”
“Then what about being my wife?” He cleared his throat. “Good Lord, even hearing myself uttering those words makes me wonder if I’m right in the head.”
Caroline discovered a hysterical desire to laugh at the horror in his voice.
“Then please forget you said it. I promise I’ll never tell a soul.” She attempted to ease out of his arms. “I’m rather tired, actually, and I have a lot of packing to do, so I’ll wish you good night.”
“You are not going anywhere.” He tightened his grip. “Now that I’ve said the words, I realize I mean them. Will you consent to be my wife?”
“I’ll have to think about it.” This time she managed to push him away, but only because he yielded. She headed for the door, taking the candle with her and leaving him in the dark. “Good night.”
She was smiling when she reached her bedroom door, and not at all surprised when he doggedly followed her inside.
“Caroline…”
She let down her hair and eased out the kinks with her fingers before taking off the jacket that matched her skirt. Joy coalesced inside her and she barely managed to contain it as Captain Grafton stayed by the door, his gaze fixed on her in a most gratifying manner.
“Tell me what you want,” he said hoarsely.
She sashayed toward him and presented him with her back. “Could you possibly help me with my laces?”
“Of course, but—”
“Thank you.”
She let out her breath as the corset loosened, removed her petticoats, and stepped out of her drawers leaving her in just her shift. His breathing was ragged in the quietness of the room.
“You can leave now,” Caroline suggested demurely.
“You know damn well I’m not going anywhere.” He ripped off his cravat and started on the buttons of his waistcoat. “If I can’t be inside you very shortly, I fear I might die.”
She went over to the bed and sat on the edge watching him strip to reveal the body she’d been dreaming about in all its lean thoroughbred glory. She almost sighed with delight but was determined not to give him too much encouragement. Having him at her mercy was far too much fun.
He strode over to her, his cock already hard, and dropped to his knees, spreading her thighs with his shoulders.
The first touch of his tongue on her core almost made her gasp. She’d missed him. She’d missed this.
“God…” he breathed against her most tender flesh. “The taste of you.”
He continued licking and arousing her until her fingers tangled in his hair urging him on, holding him in place as she took her pleasure from his talented mouth.
With a muffled curse, he rose to his feet, climbed onto the bed, and lay on his back.
“Take me.”
Caroline looked down at him and considered her choices before crawling over and straddling his thighs. Her breasts swung gently just above his face, and he eased forward to suck and tease her nipples.
“Take me inside you.” He cupped his cock with one hand bringing it away from his stomach. “Ride me, own me.”
“Own you?” Caroline asked.
“If you marry me, I’ll be yours.” His golden eyes met hers unflinchingly. “I’m not a good man, you know that, but if you agree to be my wife, I promise never to look at another woman.”
“Look?” Caroline raised her eyebrows. “I can’t imagine you not looking, but touching? I’d probably kill you.”
“And I’d deserve it.” He hesitated. “Will you please fuck me? I can’t think properly when I’m half-crazed with lust.”
“But I don’t want to ‘fuck’,” Caroline said softly. “Surely there is more to what we do together than that?”
“You know there is.” He swallowed hard. “I’ve never felt like this before.”
She leaned down to kiss his mouth and raised her hips to allow him to slide deep inside her. They both groaned as Caroline came around his stiff shaft, and he wrapped his arm around her waist drawing her upright.
Being on top of him, owning him was rather thrilling, even if she did feel a little exposed. The worshipful expression on his face as he guided her to rise and fall around his cock was worth every hint of embarrassment and soon forgotten in the driving need to come as he played with her, teasing yet another climax out of her before she fell forward against his chest.
Even as she gasped his name he rolled her over and thrust into her so powerfully that the bedframe creaked in protest. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and held on, his anchor in the storm, her everything.
“God…” Francis came so hard he almost passed out, but he couldn’t stop pounding into her until he had nothing left to give. He eased away, and she followed like she was part of him until he drew her into his arms and held her close.
It took a while for his heartbeat to slow down and his breathing to return to normal. He stroked her now tangled hair, and she nuzzled his throat.
“So will you marry me?” She bit his neck, and he winced. “Good Lord, woman.”
“Don’t spoil it,” she murmured. “I need to sleep.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Only if you give me permission to wake you up later and make love to you again.”
She sighed against his skin. “Oh, that’s much nicer.”
“Making love?” He considered the words. “Well that is what we do in our own unique fashion, isn’t it?”
“When we’re not fighting.”
“Ah, but fighting leads to more lovemaking when we make up.” He closed his eyes as an unaccustomed sense of peace flooded through him. “And, by the way, seeing as you did not protect yourself, if you are now carrying my child, you will marry me because you have morals even if I don’t.”
“Francis…”
“Yes, Caroline?”
“You are a horrible man.”
He smiled into the darkness. “I know.”
He woke up much later when a patch of light stole through the curtains and landed right on his face. It took him a few puzzled moments to work out where he was, and then he smiled. He was in Caroline Harding’s bed, and everything was right with his world. His tenants would be rehoused, the building of the station would make him even richer, and soon he would have a wife.
He sat up noting the disorder of the bed and the scent of their lovemaking. True to his promise he had woken Caroline twice, and she’d been more than happy to accommodate his desires.
She still hadn’t agreed to marry him though…
He sat on the side of the bed, his gaze drawn to the dressing table that was normally covered with Caroline’s things and was now completely bare. With a curse, he stood up and went over to the chest of drawers. Opening a drawer at random, he realized it was empty. A quick survey of the rest of the chest and the cupboards indicated that all traces of Caroline’s belongings had been removed.
Had they been there last night? The place had been very quiet, but he’d had eyes only for her, and hadn’t noticed many piddling details.
He splashed water over his face and body, and quickly got dressed before striding down the hallway to the Harding’s kitchen. He knocked and went in to find nobody there, and the fire not lit.
Had the whole family vanished right under his nose? Francis checked the bedrooms, which were also, empty and cursed in a manner in which Caroline would not have approved.
“Where the devil is she?” He asked out loud, not expecting a reply. “What the bloody hell is going on?”
“Thank you, Mr. Melksham.” Caroline shook her solicitor’s hand and accompanied him back to the front door. “I appreciate everything you have done for me.”
“A pleasure, Mrs. Harding.” He bowed and put on his hat. “I look forward to serving you in the future for all your legal requirements.”
Caroline returned to the drawing room to gather up the tea tray. She took it through to the kitchen where her new cook was busy stocking her pantry while ordering the maid around.
“You didn’t need to do that ma’am.” Nelly the maid came rushing forward. “I would’ve come for it if you’d rung the bell.”
Caroline smiled kindly at the young orphan girl Jon had found to work for her. “I wanted to see how everything was in the kitchen, so it was no hardship.”
In truth, it would probably take them all a while to remember that they now had live-in staff to help them with the basics of life. Her mother would soon be ordering everyone around just like she had in India. Shy Ivy would probably find it more difficult and Ruby would probably insist on still doing everything herself.
The house sat on the opposite side of town to the mills and slums in a road populated by those engaged in professions or the higher levels of trade. Her neighbor was a physician and had three children who played outside in the extensive garden whenever the weather allowed. She’d been given the keys two weeks previously, well before Francis had arrived to disrupt her, and had gently persuaded and eventually nagged the other members of her family to move in.
If her mother wanted to remain at the dressmakers, she could easily walk there or use a hackney cab. Caroline suspected that Marie was quite eager to stay home and enjoy the luxury of being free from debt and the shame of being obliged to earn her own living.
After talking to Cook and making sure that despite the disruptions she would be able to offer them a cooked dinner, Caroline returned to the drawing room where Ruby and Ivy now awaited her.
Ruby was pacing the new rug by the fire, her arms folded over her chest. “I still don’t understand why you moved us here.”
“Because that was our plan,” Caroline said patiently. “Don’t you remember all the discussions we had? How we chose the furnishings of this house together and set up your bedrooms just as you wanted them?”
“But that was before Captain Grafton came back.” Ruby flung herself into a chair. “I thought—”
“You thought what?” Caroline inquired. “That his return would magically make everything different?”
“He came back to make things right!” Ruby glared at Caroline. “You know that! We also know you were with him last night in our old lodgings.”
Caroline blushed. “That has nothing to do with—”
Ruby threw up her hands. “For goodness sake, Caroline! You care for Captain Grafton, why not admit it?”
Ivy chuckled and they both looked at her. “Of course she cares for him, Ruby. That’s why she’s here.”
Caroline smiled at Ivy. “Well, that is part of it,” she acknowledged. “Captain Grafton has a tendency to order everyone around and expect to be instantly obeyed. He has no idea that my circumstances have changed so dramatically.”
“He doesn’t know?” Ruby asked slowly.
“I certainly didn’t mention anything to him,” Caroline said. “Did you?”
“No, I didn’t.” It was Ruby’s turn to smile at her sisters. “Well, perhaps I was wrong after all. I wonder how long it will take him to work things out?”
Francis walked in and glared at Daniel and Mr. Ford who were working together in Mrs. Harding’s old office. “Where are they?”
“Who?” Mr. Ford looked up.
“You know damn well who,” Francis snapped. “The entire Harding family.”
“Did they not inform you of their plans?”
“If they had, do you think I’d be standing here asking you?”
Mr. Ford smiled. “If they didn’t choose to tell you, I can hardly tell you myself now, can I?”
Ignoring Mr. Ford, Francis focused on his agent. “Do you know where they are?”
“I do not, Captain. Mrs. Harding gave notice on her lodgings a month ago, but didn’t offer a forwarding address.”
“A month ago, and you didn’t think to tell me about it?” Francis fumed. “Wonderful.”
“I did hear back from Mr. Fletcher, Captain,” Daniel said in a placatory tone. “He has agreed to abide by the original contract.”
“About damned time,” Francis muttered. “Good day, gentlemen.”
He collected his hat and went down the stairs to the dressmakers. There was no sign of Mrs. Delisle or either of Caroline’s sisters anywhere in the shop. Madame herself was unavailable to comment on the matter being engaged with clients. He went out into the square and made his way across to the bank where he was greeted effusively by the manager and taken into his office.
Within half an hour, he exited the bank feeling far more hopeful and went back to the George to have his horse saddled. Nancy came out of the kitchen to ask him what he was doing, but he didn’t tell her. He’d have enough of people laughing at him for one day.
As the major roads were still blocked with snow, he encountered few large vehicles as he made his way through a maze of country roads and pathways to his old home. Leaving his horse in the stables in the care of Mr. Potts, he went to his mother’s favorite sitting room and knocked on the door. Her start of surprise when she saw him made him feel like the intruder he was.
“Mother.” He bowed. “I do apologize. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
She rose from her desk and came toward him. “Is something wrong? Are you in trouble? How can I help you?”
He awkwardly patted her shoulder. “There’s nothing wrong. I just wanted to… talk to you about something.”
“Talk to me?” she repeated his words as if in a daze. “Oh! Of course! Please sit down, and I’ll order some tea.”
He waited until she settled in the chair opposite him and tried to think how to proceed. There was far too much he needed to straighten out with her, but he didn’t have the time to go through it all today.
“This is going to sound rude.” He cleared his throat. “But do you still have the betrothal ring my maternal grandmother left to the estate?”
His mother opened and closed her mouth several times before managing a reply. “Yes, I do still have it.” She paused again. “Do you… want it?”
“Yes.” He rubbed a hand over his unshaven jaw. “You will think me quite mad.”
“You intend to marry?”
“Yes,” Francis nodded.
“May I ask who?”
“You met her.”
“Mrs. Harding? She told me she worked as a bookkeeper for you, and that was all.”
“If that was all she was prepared to admit to, I can’t say I blame her.” Francis said. “She is a widow of a naval officer, and her father served with the army in India. She is perfectly respectable.”
“I met her, Francis. I already know that she is a lady.” His mother hastened to continue. “Not that it matters in the slightest because that decision is entirely up to you.”
“Mother, it does matter to you, but I can guarantee that, unlike me, she will not disgrace our family name.”
“As to that…” She sighed. “It was all a long time ago, but I wish I’d read your letters explaining what happened at the time rather than blindly accepting your father’s explanation as to why you should be banished from our family.”
“You didn’t read my letters?” Francis asked slowly, his attention momentarily distracted from his purpose “Why not?”
“You didn’t write directly to me.” She shrugged. “I only saw them after your father died, and by then it was too late to right any wrongs even though I tried.”
“Because I had decided not to communicate with you either.” Francis sighed. “I was glad when Father died, I won’t pretend otherwise.”
“He was a hard man,” His mother said. “And he was especially hard on you.”
Francis forced a smile. “Perhaps when things are more settled we can discuss this more.”
“Yes of course. I will fetch the ring for you, directly.” She stood up. “It won’t take a moment. If the tea arrives when I am gone, please help yourself.”
Francis let out his breath as she exited the room, amazed at his mother’s heroic restraint. Was she currently gnashing her teeth in rage or dancing a jig in celebration? It was impossible to tell. All he knew was that she was trying very hard not to alienate him, which made him feel slightly ashamed, seeing as he deserved everything he’d got. Coming back home had affected him in so many ways, not least in reminding him that everyone failed occasionally and that he certainly had. His mother had been brought up to obey the dictates of a society that was rapidly disappearing. She’d done what she thought was best at the time, and he no longer had the energy or desire to keep hating her for it.
“Here you are, darling.” She came back in just as he was pouring himself some more tea. “It is quite exquisite.” She glanced down at her left hand. “In truth, as the heir, you should really have the Grafton betrothal ring, but I fear it would have to be cut off my finger at this point.”
“Don’t worry about it, Mother. I always preferred this one.” Francis opened the velvet box and studied the diamond and ruby ring. “I hope to God Caroline likes it.”
“If it doesn’t fit, it can be resized by a jeweler.”
“Thank you.” He shut the box and slid it into his coat pocket. “I appreciate I your help, and now I have to go.”
Her face fell and then she returned to her seat. “Perhaps you might bring Mrs. Harding to dinner one night?”
“If you wish.” The thread of hope in her voice made him squirm. “She has two sisters and a mother.”
“Then, they can all come.” She smiled at him. “Have you set a date for the wedding?”
He finished his tea in one gulp and smiled at her. “Not yet. I have to convince her to marry me first She is proving remarkably resistant to the idea.” He went over and kissed her rose scented cheek. “Thank you for being so kind to me today. I don’t deserve it.”
She reached up and patted his shoulder. “Maybe it’s time for a new start, Francis, for both of us. Please come back soon.”
“I will.”
Francis walked back through the house, and for the first time ever imagined what it would be like to live there again, with Caroline at his side…
“Hmmph.” His snort echoed around the ancient medieval hall. Perhaps he should stop his fanciful dreaming and focus on recovering his reluctant bride.