Caroline Read online

  Caroline's eyes had been growing larger with each sentence Alec spoke, but with his last words her mouth dropped open.

  "Married! Me?"

  "It is entirely possible that you were running away from a husband."

  Alec had no doubt that she was old enough, for he had become quite familiar with the attractive curves beneath her smock during their ride on Ivan that day. There was no doubt in his mind that she was indeed a fully grown woman.

  Caro—how she liked Alec's version of her name!—sat quietly for a few minutes, her profile pensive in the firelight. Finally, he broke the silence.

  "You look like you're trying to remember something."

  "I am." She paused. "You know, I feel as if I know all about myself, but for the moment it all eludes me. It's as though it's there, in my head, but I cannot reach it."

  "Or perhaps you don't want to," he offered gently.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Only that whatever is in your past may be painful to you and you've blocked it out without even realizing it."

  Their eyes met, and though she did not speak, Alec knew that she understood what he was saying. Her face was so lovely, and in it he could see bewilderment and fear.

  The air was growing colder and Alec moved forward from the shadows to add more wood to the fire. Caro observed him with interest, uneasily aware of his nearness. He turned to look at her, reaching out to grasp one of her hands.

  "Are you warm enough? Here, put this on." He wrapped his own heavy blue wool coat around her shoulders. It was a handsome garment with a rich satin lining, wide lapels, and brass buttons. Then Caro found herself leaning back against the tree next to him, his arm around her, her cheek against his chest. A sudden feeling of well-being flooded her, and she began to ask him more questions. At length, as the conversation turned to his family, Alec grew animated.

  "My father was really a pirate—I was telling you the truth. He did a great deal of illegal trading with the colonies during the days when trade with England was so expensive and troublesome. Actually, it was all quite respectable then. Father tells wonderful stories about the rounds of entertainment from the merchants of New York when he would put into port with his cargo. He really led a wild, adventurous life, but I believe he met my mother just in time."

  "Where did they meet?"

  "Quite classic circumstances, I assure you! My father captured her ship."

  "Her ship!?"

  "Yes, she was on board one of the few quite luxurious passenger vessels of that time, bound from Russia for the colonies to visit her brother and his wife. Father confiscated all the valuables from her ship, foremost among which was my mother!"

  "Alec!" Caro exclaimed. He was chuckling in amusement.

  "Yes, I'm afraid the worst happened—for after all, he was no gentleman. Seems to be a family trait. At any rate, my mother appears to have enjoyed herself immensely, and soon my father had not only returned all the stolen goods, but also married my mother there at sea. She accompanied him on his pirate ship's last voyage to America and they settled down in Philadelphia to live happily ever after. I stand with my four brothers and sisters as proof of that."

  Caro looked up to see white teeth flash against his black beard.

  "Your father gave up his pirating?"

  "Oh, yes—the only voyages he makes now are with my mother to visit their respective families in Russia and France and to inspect some family vineyards they own in the Loire Valley. After my parents married, Father began ship-building, and as the business grew he branched out into several other interests. These days, when I am home, I am his partner in the ships."

  "When you are home?"

  "I have been quite occupied these last years in the war for independence."

  "Oh—of course!" Caro felt something click in her mind, but even though she squeezed her eyes closed, she could not catch it in time.

  "Do you remember anything about the war?" Alec queried, looking down at her face.

  "Yes, I seem to, though I hadn't thought of it until you said the words. Suddenly now, I can remember it all but rather indistinctly—the deaths, and women all alone, and living with hardships. But it's all a blur."

  They were silent for a moment, then Caro, eyes wide with frustration, blurted: "I don't even know where we are!"

  "That is easily enough answered. We are in Connecticut, nearing its western border and the Hudson River. We will follow that to New York town, and then journey on south to Philadelphia."

  "But, if you are a man of means, why are you here in the woods with only a horse? Isn't the war over now?"

  "Yes, it's over. And you mustn't let Ivan hear you speak of him as though he were of no consequence!" He had lowered his voice conspiratorially. "You see, he believes he is absolutely the finest horse ever born—the superior of any man." He paused. "Except me, of course."

  "Of course!" Caro laughed, and Ivan peered at them suspiciously from the other side of the fire. Alec squeezed her shoulder and continued:

  "To answer your question, I was inspecting a farm I recently acquired in northern Connecticut. It was left to me by one of my comrades who died at Yorktown. I am used these days to traveling light. It's been a pleasure to be responsible to only myself; to go at my own pace and to enjoy the woods in autumn before returning to city life. Also, I have friends in this area that I enjoy visiting. We'll be staying with them in the Hudson River Valley and I'm hoping to borrow a horse for you."

  "We will go on horseback all the way to Philadelphia?"

  "No, my coach will meet us in New York."

  "I have one more question. Who will you say I am?"

  Alec smiled. "Actually, it all fits together brilliantly. You are the poor orphaned daughter of my friend from the war. Much to my surprise, you came with the farm! You'll be my ward, and it will all be cozy and respectable."

  Caro felt her eyelids drooping and she smiled to herself contentedly, snuggling against Alec's broad chest.

  "Well," she murmured drowsily, "I suppose I shall have to trust you...."

  Chapter 2

  The morning was delightful, and to Caro every breath was redolent of autumn. As she and Alec rode astride the patient Ivan, she could not resist a smile as she remembered the events of the morning. Her mood had been so capricious that Alec seemed constantly to be watching her with one eyebrow cocked. He had smiled at her though, that charming half-smile that let her know it was all right. And, beneath the cynically raised brow, his eyes twinkled.

  It had begun before the sun was fully risen. Caro awoke feeling refreshed, her face against Alec's chest. There was a coarse, heavy blanket covering them both and she felt oddly stirred by the warmth of his powerful body. She could hear his heart beating steadily through his shirt; it was a comforting sound which made her feel instinctively safe and secure in the midst of so much uncertainty. Carefully, she slipped from under the blanket and sat up. Alec was sound asleep, his left arm thrown across the top of his head. In repose his face and the combination of tanned skin and tousled raven-dark hair were even more arresting than Caro remembered. She was surprised and somehow touched to notice how long his eyelashes were.

  Forcing her gaze from his face, she stood up. Ivan whinnied softly from across the clearing and tossed his mane. She went to him and stroked the proud black head as he nuzzled her neck. Feeling unreasonably happy, Caro beamed and put her arms around Ivan's neck to hug him. Suddenly, she longed for a bath. The air was unusually mild and she remembered the bar of soap inside her green bundle. Impulsively, she retrieved it, moving quietly, and also drew out clean underclothes and the fresh smock. With Ivan by her side, she scampered off toward the stream. Barely concealing herself behind a bush, Caro shed her clothes and plunged into the water, soap in hand. She only had to wade a short distance to find water deep enough to reach her shoulders. It was cold, but she felt deliciously invigorated as she began soaping herself briskly. Ivan watched from the bank and she laughed out loud at him.

  "Ivan,
do I shock you?"

  A deep, cynical voice answered her: "My dear, Ivan is doubtless enjoying the view!"

  Alec stepped out of the trees, looking sleepy and bemused. Under his bold scrutiny, Caro crossed her hands over her breasts, blushing, and gave him a reproving look.

  "Please," he admonished mockingly, "do not let me interrupt you! Actually, I am quite relieved to find you here. When I awoke to discover you and Ivan missing I feared you were both off for parts unknown! It is reassuring to know I did not misjudge you."

  He smiled at her and Caro relaxed. Before she knew what she was doing she had sent a splash of water at him.

  "So, sir, you thought me a thief?"

  "Your modesty is certainly short-lived!" His eyes seemed to penetrate the water, taking in every detail of her body. Caro surprised them both by smiling brightly.

  "I am feeling too wonderful today to be bothered with modesty! And now, if you don't mind, I would like to wash my hair. The water is growing chilly."

  Alec's eyebrow rose even higher. Tempted though he was to join her, he moved farther downstream. Then he pulled off his own shirt and leaned over the bank to splash his face and chest, and fill his canteen. As he returned to the woods, Caro was bent over, her back to him, scrubbing her sudsy head.

  Soon, as she was rinsing the last of the soap away, Ivan appeared on the bank holding a clean towel in his mouth. Caro took it gratefully, laughing to herself. After dressing, she wrapped the towel around her long hair and ran barefoot through the leaves back to their camp. As they breakfasted on berries, cornbread, and hot coffee, Caro brushed her hair, letting the long, soft curls dry in the sunlight. Leaning back on his forearm in the brittle leaves, Alec watched her over his coffee.

  "Do you have any idea how beautiful your hair is?"

  She looked up in surprise. "Is it?"

  "Yes, and you should be proud of its natural beauty. Do you know what women of style are doing to their hair? It's a crime against everything female. They wire it into tall nests and smother it in powder. Lord knows how many rodents and birds make their homes in women's coiffures these days." He sat up and leaned toward her, his black brows drawn together in a frown. "You must never ruin your hair that way. You may be out of fashion, but you will be the loveliest woman in Philadelphia."

  Something in his serious tone made her incline her head and smile. "I suppose, Mr. Beauvisage, that you intend to manage my life from now on?" Her eyes were sparkling with mischief as she jumped to her feet. Alec's eyebrow was raised again and he rose leisurely to stand before her. One side of his mouth curved up; Caro stared back at him boldly.

  "My dear," he said slowly, "Come here." Catching the hem of her shirt, he drew her near.

  And then she was enfolded in his arms and he tipped her chin up, his eyes piercing. "Yes, I'll manage your life for the foreseeable future. And I flatter myself that you shall enjoy it." His mouth was on hers then, firm, compelling, and searching. As his tongue parted her lips, Caro felt a shivering sensation that spread over her entire body. Her heart was pounding wildly and she was shocked to find herself kissing him back, her lips warm. Then his mouth was on her neck, his beard soft yet ticklish, and her skin burned beneath his lips. His face was in her hair as he inhaled its heady scent and he kissed the base of her neck and the soft, sweet, first curve of her breast. Gasping, Caro could not imagine what had happened to her body, for every nerve was on fire under his ardent touch.

  Alec reached to the neckline of her smock, longing to remove it. When his lips neared the fragrant valley between her breasts he felt the frantic thump of her heart.

  Suddenly he was aware of what he was doing and he felt his hardness and insistence subside along with the tide of his passion. Grasping her arms, he pushed himself away and looked into her face. In it, Alec saw open desire: yearning eyes, cheeks flushed deep rose, and soft lips looking well kissed. Yet, he also saw an innocence so obvious that it jolted him. Caro seemed to be discovering the sensuous feelings in her body for the first time. In that moment, Alec felt certain she was not married to anyone and had probably never even been kissed before now, let alone by an incorrigible rake.

  He stepped back, raked a hand through his hair, and let out a low whistle. Caro sat down hard in the leaves and pressed trembling fingers to her cheeks.

  "Oh dear," she murmured, and Alec was amazed to see her eyes pool with tears. Quickly he bent down next to her and touched her face.

  "Caro, forgive me. I told you I was no gentleman—you should have slapped me at once!" As her blush deepened, Alec realized how shocked she must have been by her own body's response. "Look," he smiled, "I promise to try to behave properly. I really am not in the habit of ravishing young maidens. Can we be friends again? Would you like to slap me now?"

  He saw the tension leave her face. She raised her chin, laughing in spite of herself, and slapped him right across the cheek as hard as she could. Ruefully, Alec arched a brow as he watched her stand up and begin gathering her things together. Ivan slowly walked over to nuzzle his nose against Alec's head.

  "Ivan," he murmured thoughtfully, "I have a feeling that life from now on will be extremely interesting. Do you agree?"

  The stallion threw back his head and whinnied happily, a gesture that reminded Caro of his master.

  Now, as they rode along in the October sunshine, she felt euphoric. She pondered only briefly their physical encounter, for the memory of it made her uncomfortable. She was a little bothered, too, about the changeableness of her feelings. All day she had fluctuated between embarrassed shyness and impulsive mischievousness. Somehow she sensed that Alec was to blame, but wasn't sure why or how. He had been quiet during the morning's ride, but was still congenial when he spoke. Caro decided that to a man of the world like Alec, one little kiss would mean nothing. She only wished she could dismiss it from her mind as easily.

  Fortunately, the October scenery offered temporary diversion. The mountains surrounding them were actually irregular, mounded hills which seemed to run on into infinity. Chestnut, red and white oak, rock maple, black cherry, ash, and yellow birch trees mingled closely, offering a beautiful variety of colors. Through the morning, Caro had glimpsed dozens of different animals and birds, including a moose, a mink, and a flock of heron. The pigeons overhead flew so close together that they virtually blocked out the sun that shone through the trees, and Alec laughingly assured her that there was always an ample supply of food available to them.

  Presently, Ivan trotted out of the woods into a sprawling open field covered with fall wild flowers and tall grasses. Immediately, Caro noticed the cream-colored, well-built horse, wearing a bridle and saddle, that stood grazing in the middle of the meadow. Alec whistled softly and murmured:

  "Am I to believe that God really does answer prayers?"

  Ivan let out a joyful whinny of greeting while closing the distance between them and the other horse. The mare looked up from her meal as they approached and neighed with pure delight. Her expressive brown eyes were full of recognition, and she nuzzled against Caro affectionately.

  "Alec, I am certain that I know this horse!"

  "Yes, and I am certain that this horse knows you, cherie," he affirmed ironically, swinging down from Ivan's back to check the other animal for injury. "She seems fine. Something must have spooked her at the time of your fall and she probably lost her way."

  Caro decided to call her Molly. Meanwhile, a smitten Ivan was openly attempting to woo the pretty mare. However she feigned disinterest and Alec and Caro could not resist laughing at the black stallion's antics.

  They ate lunch there in the meadow while the horses frolicked in the grass. Alec secured Caro's things to Molly's saddle, then helped her up.

  That afternoon they covered a good distance, but Caro missed Alec's arms around her. She missed his masculine scent and she missed watching the play of his strong hand on the reins. At the same time, being in control of her own horse made her more mischievous than ever. Every time they reached
a straight length of trail she gave Molly her head and the two of them would disappear from view. More than once, Caro circled Molly back through the trees to surprise him. At first, Alec was tolerant and amused by these antics, then he grew faintly irritated. But, by the end of the afternoon he found himself letting Ivan charge along with Molly. Caro's eyes would flash with excitement and her cheeks colored as they raced side by side.

  The sun was low behind the trees, shading the woods with rosy light, when Alec caught up to them and signaled for Caro to stop. She followed him into a clearing, watching as he dismounted.

  "What are you doing?"

  "I hate to put an end to your playtime but it's nearly dark and I am hungry. And I daresay your horse is the most tired of us all. I begin to understand her reasons for trying to elude you yesterday!"

  Caro hopped down beside him, her face burning. In her outrage, the teasing note in Alec's voice was lost on her.

  "That is an abominable thing to say! Just because I have been trying to have some fun you needn't scold me! All day long you have been raising that horrid eyebrow and giving me disapproving looks. Well, I truly resent your attitude, sir, and I am beginning to believe that you are nothing but an ill-tempered old man!"

  By this time, Caro was breathing hard. She had her hands clenched as if to strike him, and Alec offered helpfully:

  "Would you care to hit me again? I can take it, you know. I'm in excellent condition for a man my age."

  He smiled at her so winningly that Caro felt all her anger melt away. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them back furiously. Softening, Alec reached out and folded her into his arms. She wept for a moment against his warm chest and immediately felt better.