The Viscount's Vendetta (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (13 page)

“It is time, milady.”

Numbness protected her as she found herself being handed into the carriage by her father for the short drive to the village church.

Her father squeezed her hand. “It will be all right. I really believe it will.” Her father tried to smile at her.

Caroline reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you and Mama. I am sure it will be fine.” She spoke reassuringly and was pleased to see some of the tenseness leave her father’s face.

It wasn’t raining, but the roads were muddy. The carriage stopped in front of the church. Caroline hesitated at the door of the carriage. If she stepped down, she would ruin her matching satin slippers. Her father started to lift her out.

“Excuse me, sir.” Damon’s voice brought Caroline’s head up. “I know it’s customary for the groom to wait at the altar, but I didn’t want Caroline to get mud on the hem of her beautiful gown or on her slippers.”

Damon put his arms around her and carried her effortlessly into the entrance of the church. He put her down while still holding her close.

“You are lovely.” Damon bowed and turned to walk down the aisle toward the altar.

Caroline’s mother helped straighten her skirts as the music began to play. Caroline turned to face her mother.

“I do love you, Mama.”

Tears glistened in her mother’s eyes. She hugged Caroline and said softly, “Go, it’s time.” Her hand gently pushed Caroline forward.

A swarm of faces turned to watch the bride. Caroline saw familiar ones and some she didn’t know, obviously some of Damon’s family and friends. The newspapers had written the news of their impending wedding as the social event of the season.

Caroline stared straight ahead at Damon. A light flared briefly in his eyes when they connected with hers, and then cooled to their usual icy-blue stare.

* * * *

Damon was burning with the desire to make Caroline his. She had taunted him for three weeks with her prim and proper behavior. Lady Icicle described precisely the conduct she had shown him throughout the parties and dinners they’d attended. Never once did she let him get close as she did the night of the family dinner. She had contrived to always have someone nearby.

When necessary, she had smiled politely and placed her hand on his arm. They had stood close, but she always kept her reserve intact. Others saw them as the perfect couple.

He had let her have the upper hand these last weeks before the wedding, since he would be in charge for the rest of their lives. His lip curled in a wry smile, and he noted the slight tremor she tried so desperately to cover up as he took her hand. Then they turned to the minister.

* * * *

The minister’s voice came to Caroline through a fog of apprehension. Later, she could barely remember the vows. Except for the part about obey. Damon’s hand had tightened on that phrase, as a warning? Too soon, he slid a wide gold ring on her finger, and they had turned to greet their guests.

Damon never left her side. He introduced her to some of his other family, an elderly great-aunt and his uncle’s brother. His hand rested at the small of her back, possessively.

“I think it’s time for you to change into something warmer. We should leave soon,” Damon whispered into her ear.

Caroline nodded. “I’ll ask Sara and Joan to help me change.” She hurried to her room with her friends.

“I can’t believe you’re finally married.” Sara beamed at her friend. “After this my parents will definitely be encouraging me to choose someone.”

Joan was unusually quiet. She helped Caroline pull off her wedding gown and put on her pink wool dress for traveling.

“What is the matter, Joan?” Caroline asked.

“Nothing. You had a beautiful ceremony. However, I still think I’m right. Give him a chance, Caroline. There was a moment today during the ceremony when his expression was unguarded.” Joan looked intently at Caroline. “He looked uncertain, sad, and then he looked at you and his eyes glowed.”

Sara and Caroline stared at Joan with both their mouths open. Joan flushed. “Don’t imply that I’m a romantic. It’s an observation and a suggestion,” she said firmly.

Caroline hugged Joan and smiled. “Thank you. I love you, too.” Joan blushed again and hurried out of the room.

Sara gave Caroline a hug. “Your mother’s at the door. I’ll see you downstairs.” Sara nodded at Caroline and Caroline’s mother as she left.

“Mama,” Caroline held out her arms.

“You look so beautiful today. I do hope you find some satisfaction in your marriage.”

“I hope we can deal well with each other,” Caroline said with more confidence then she was feeling.

“Your bridegroom is restlessly waiting downstairs. It’s best you not keep him waiting.”

* * * *

Damon stood at the stairs looking up and breathed a sigh of relief when Caroline came into view. The pink gown gave a glow to her otherwise pale cheeks. He smiled and held out his hand as she came to a stop beside him.

“I’m ready.” Her words were low and soft.

His hard hand enclosed her cold one. “You need gloves. Your hands are freezing.”

Caroline turned and took her pelisse and gloves that her mother held out. When they walked outside to the carriage, the guests followed. They waved good-bye as the carriage began to move forward.

“We’ll stop at the Robin Inn tonight. It’s a bit too far to make the trip in one day.” Damon sat close beside her. “Here, let me.” He untied the ribbons to her bonnet and took it off. “I can’t see you with the brim of your hat hiding your face.”

Caroline bit her lip to keep a snapping retort from coming out. She was aware he observed her every facial expression. She hid her hands in the folds of her pelisse and clenched them tightly.

“Relax, we have about a half day’s journey ahead of us,” Damon said. He reached around her and pulled her close against his hard body. A slight smile curved his firm mouth.

“This should be a good time to tell you about my estate and the surrounding countryside.”

Caroline held her body stiffly against his. “I know your estate is located somewhere in the Avon Valley,” she said.

“Yes, our estate is called Atelstone and is located not too far from Bredon. Bredon is situated alongside the Avon River and at the foot of Bredon Hill. You’ll see an impressive old Norman church there, with a graceful spire soaring 160 feet in the air. I’ll take you to visit someday.” He brushed a stray curl off her forehead.

Caroline held in the shiver his hand created, but when she breathed, there was a hitch in her breath. She attempted to sit straight, out of his arms. But he continued to talk and gently pulled her back, fitting her snugly along his side.

“What about Atelstone? Tell me something about your home and how it got that name.”

“Actually, we will live in my new house. It was completed shortly before I retired from the sea. Atelstone Hall is old, and I am considering having it torn down. One of my ancestors decided on the name for the estate. I’m not sure why or to what it refers, but it’s never been changed.”

“Is Atelstone Hall unsafe?” Caroline asked.

“No.”

“Then why would you not want to live where you have all your family history?”

“I don’t care to discuss it. I will decide later, but I am seriously considering having it demolished.”

Caroline shook her head, her face reflecting her confusion. “I have never heard of anyone not wanting to live in their ancestral home.”

“Enough, Caroline. We will not continue this conversation. Try to sleep. You probably had no rest last night.”

“Do I look as though I did not sleep last night?” Her eyes flared briefly.

“You look beautiful, but yes, I can see the faint darkness beneath your eyes,” Damon said softly.

Hah, I might as well be told to sleep while the tiger circles around me.

She sat straight and stiff, and as close to the window as she could. Damon grinned and moved to her side. Gradually the motion of the carriage and the warmth from his body relaxed her, and her head fell softly against his chest.

Damon enjoyed watching the scenery. When the resistance went out of her body, he looked down at her face. In sleep, her expression was soft and unguarded.

He pulled her across his lap, and cradled her head against his shoulder. She stirred briefly then settled back against him. His wife. She fit comfortably in his arms. The rush of tenderness and protectiveness that flowed through his body surprised him.

For a second, the last twelve years fell away. He was the Damon before the death of his parents, free of anger and hopeful about his future. His mother would have gotten along well with Caroline. She would have liked her spunk.

Damon shook his head to clear his thoughts. He mustn’t weaken. His plans for revenge were not completed. His desire for her body would not turn him away from the course he had set. And that was all it was, desire.

I refuse to let it become more.

* * * *

Caroline awoke and realized she was lying across Damon’s lap. She sat up abruptly, bumping Damon in the chin.

“Ouch,” Damon said and frowned at her. “You don’t have to make your dislike of me so evident. I was going to help you sit up.”

Caroline looked away in confusion. It wasn’t her dislike of him that had startled her, but her surprise about how good it felt to be held in his arms.

“We’re at the Robin’s Inn. I sent a rider ahead, so we should have a suite of rooms waiting for us,” Damon said.

The proprietor and his chubby-cheeked wife greeted them at the door. “Welcome, milord and lady. Everything is as you requested. This is my wife, Hattie. If you need anything, let us know. We’ll get it.”

“Thank you. My wife and I are weary from our travels. A warm meal and soft bed is all we will require.”

Damon noted Caroline’s cheeks blush.

“I have a good soup, milord. ’Tis full of good beef and vegetables, and I have made fresh bread.” Hattie smiled at the couple. “Follow me upstairs to your rooms.”

Damon’s warm hand stayed against the small of her back as they climbed the stairs, stopping at the end room. Hattie opened the door with a flourish, revealing a large sitting room with a good size bedroom to the right.

“This is my very best room, milord.”

Damon nodded. “This will do fine. Thank you, Mrs…”

“Hattie’s good enough, milord. I’ll bring your dinner tray up in about half an hour. If that is all right?”

“Yes, very good. Please also see my servants and horses are well cared for.” Damon spoke with authority.

“My husband and I will see to it, sir.” Hattie curtsied as she left the room.

“The footman will be up with our bags.” Damon wandered over to the bedroom and went inside.

Caroline stood rooted to the floor. The sitting room was pleasant. A sofa sat against the wall and two chairs were arranged around the fireplace. She made herself step further into the room, going over to look down at the courtyard.

“If you’re thinking of escaping out the window, I wouldn’t advise it. You’d have a nasty fall to the ground,” Damon said from where he stood in the doorway of the bedroom.

Caroline gazed across the room at his tall, handsome figure. His wedding attire of a dark-blue formal jacket and black knee breeches emphasized his well-proportioned body. Lace fell across the top of his hands from his shirt. A stray lock of his dark hair fell across his forehead.

She took a deep breath and saw his attention go to her bosom. The silence between them was broken by the knock on the door.

Their footman brought in the valises and placed them in the bedroom. Damon thanked the man and closed the door. Then he leaned against it and let his gaze roam from the top of her head to her feet.

Heat flushed her face and her heart jumped in her chest. She held her breath and didn’t move, uncertain whether she wanted him to come closer or not.

“You may want to freshen up. I will wait out here for our meal.”

Caroline let out a breath and walked into the bedroom on unsteady legs. Once she’d closed the door, she sank onto the soft bed. It wasn’t big, and she imagined Damon and her lying close together. Her hands trembled and a fluttery feeling arose in her abdomen at the thought. She took off her bonnet and pelisse before getting up to splash fresh water on her face. She shook out the skirt of her gown. It was wrinkled but would have to do for tonight. Finally, she stiffened her spine and went back into the sitting room. Their dinner was being brought in and placed on the table close to the window.

“My lady.” Damon bowed and pulled her chair back.

Caroline sat and watched him closely as he went to the other side of the table.

Damon poured the dark-red wine into her goblet and his, and then he raised his glass. “Our first meal together alone, as man and wife.” His slow, seductive tone curled around Caroline, bringing warmth surging through her body.

She picked up her glass and took a sip, her eyes never leaving his. A strange yearning swept over her. It was as though he’d reached across and touched her in some intimate manner.