Mistress By Marriage Part 21

The hack left her at the corner. She was on Jane Street. Again. It was the logical choice. The only choice, really. There was no Dorset cottage to run off to. There would be if Caroline could persuade Edward to buy one for her. If he didn't throttle her first when he found her, which he would. Eventually. Possibly even later today. She hoped he'd be reasonable. She simply couldn't have stayed at Bradlaw House while he made another list stating the terms of their separation. If he did come, she would tell him to let Will Maclean earn his keep and do the honors, then close the door in his face. She really couldn't afford to see Edward ever again.

Serena still had spare keys and was surprised and delighted to see Caroline, even in her extreme dishevelment. Although her neighbor was getting dressed for an outing with her protector Lord Buckley, she offered Caroline a quick cup of tea. Caroline demurred, anxious to get as settled as she could next door.

Her footsteps echoed through the half-empty house. She'd only been gone three days, but realized she'd been saying good-bye to the house for weeks. Despite the brilliant September suns.h.i.+ne slanting through the parlor windows, Caroline had an overwhelming desire to go to sleep. She set her hat on the windowsill and eyed the emerald-green sofa. No. She'd be better off upstairs in bed, sleeping the rest of the day and night away. She was too tired to be hungry. Tomorrow she'd shop for provisions, although there was probably something to eat below. She could cook perfectly well for herself. h.e.l.l, she might even manage another courtesans' tea on her own if she borrowed some dishes. She'd have to ask Maclean where Edward had taken all the boxes meant for her nonexistent new home.

Trudging up the stairs, she took note of the empty squares on the wall where her paintings had hung. She wouldn't try to get anything back. She hoped she wouldn't be there long enough to mind the lack of decoration.

The bed was stripped, just as she'd left it the other morning in order to make things easier for Lizzie and Mrs. Hazlett, curse them both. Not bothering to find sheets or even undress, she stretched out and her problems disappeared nearly at once.

Suddenly, she was jerked up, a hood pulled down over her face. If she hadn't been dead asleep, she might have fought back sooner. Turning her hands to fists, she punched through the air. "Not again. Edward, you've got to see reason!"

"Shut up." He squeezed both her hands together and tied them tight.

"Fine. I suppose you think I'm chattering like a magpie again. I haven't begun to chatter."

"Shut up, I said!" So he could still hear her, despite the m.u.f.fling of the fabric on her face. She could barely hear him, but Edward seemed very angry, an unusual show of choler from Cold Christie. She'd known he wouldn't like it when she ran away from Bradlaw House, but this rough handling was ridiculous. Did he think his absurd domination would make her change her mind? How many times did she have to tell him their marriage was over? Ended? Concluded? Finished? She couldn't think of any more words to describe it without her dictionary. Furious, she slipped from his grasp and rolled off the bed.

Silly man. He should have remembered from the last time to tie her feet up first. He grabbed her arm and she played possum long enough for him to draw her closer. Poor Edward. But he deserved it. He was not going to dragoon her twice and get away with it. She kneed him hard, reveling in his mumbled string of curses. He fell backward onto the floor with a thump. From the cracking sound before he landed, he might have hit his head on one of the naked nymphs on the bedpost.

Caroline tugged at the hood with her bound hands, finally shaking it off. She froze. The man on the floor wasn't tall or slender or elegant like Edward. The man on the floor wasn't Edward at all. He was a monster. Lord Randolph Pope. Randy p.o.o.p. A rather dead-looking Randy p.o.o.p.

Had she killed him? She was torn between horror and an odd sort of happiness. But then his chest rose, and horror won. She needed to get out of the house before he woke up and all of him rose to come after her. Whatever he planned was surely worse than anything Edward had done.

Of course Edward would not be so stupid to try to capture her heart again through control. It was she who was stupid, returning to an empty house. Edward had warned her about Pope but she hadn't paid any attention. Thanking Providence she'd slept in her clothes, she raced down the stairs. It took forever to unset the locks and turn the door k.n.o.b with both hands tied.

Caroline cried in frustration as her damp hands slipped on the bra.s.s handle. There were no guards at the end of Jane Street to run to yet. They didn't come on duty until darkness fell. If she got out, she'd go to Serena's and lock herself in.

Success! The door pulled open and she tumbled down the steps-straight into Edward. A strange mud-spattered horse was tied beyond him to the tree in front of Number Seven. It looked tired, but its rider did not. Caroline had never seen a more wonderful sight than her husband, full of towering rage, lips set in a thin grim line, road dust and dirt covering him from head to toe.

"What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here? You left me without a word! I had one last morning with you, or did you forget? Did you think I wouldn't follow?" He reached for her. Caroline darted away but not fast enough. He caught her face in his hands as though he was about to kiss her. And then he did.

The kiss was not friendly or polite. It was a kiss of possession, of anger, of white hot heat. Caroline sagged in his arms as he lanced her with his tongue, slicing through her defenses, making her witless. She could easily remain witless forever. Each fingertip along her jaw branded his intention to keep her at his mercy. Yes, this was exactly why she had fled. Why she had to stop his delicious a.s.sault, even beyond the danger upstairs in her house. She pushed feebly against Edward's chest.

"Unh."

Impossibly, the kiss deepened. He held her in a straitjacket embrace, crus.h.i.+ng her into his travel-stained coat, as though he wanted to absorb her into him. His hands splayed wide across her back. His tongue warred with hers, and she was no match for him. He swept in, conquered, mastered. She could do nothing but s.h.i.+ver. Even the idea of Pope coming up behind her to bash her head in didn't seem so terrible. At least she would die in Edward's arms.

He broke the kiss. "You're not wearing a cloak."

Caroline looked up at him stupidly, her lips still tingling. Why was he talking about what she was wearing? Unless he planned on getting her out of her clothes again. No.

"Come, you'll get chilled. Let's go back inside and we can-talk."

"No!"

"Look, I know I made a mistake-with the abduction. And the list. But I swear to you, Caro-"

"No, it's not that!" She raised her wrists. "I may not be wearing a cloak, but I am wearing this rope bracelet. Lord Pope is upstairs in my bedroom. We have to get away before he wakes up. He might be armed."

It was Edward's turn to be slack jawed. "What?"

"He-he attacked me while I was sleeping."

Edward's lips went white. "Oh, Jesu, Caro. I'll kill him."

"No, no, it's not what you think. He didn't touch me that way. B-but he put a hood over my head and tied my hands." She couldn't help but smile. "Like you, he forgot about my feet. I kicked him, really, really hard, and he fell."

"He was still after you. I was right then."

"Yes," Caroline said in annoyance. "Aren't you always? But we can't stand on my front steps kissing and talking. I was going to Serena's next door when I b.u.mped into you."

He shoved her aside and down a step. "A very good idea. I'll join you once I've taken care of Pope."

"No, Edward! What if he has a knife or a gun?" She grabbed his arm but he twisted away.

"Obey me just this once, Caro. I won't let him kill me, I promise."

Edward appeared unmovable above her, rather like a white knight come to the rescue. She had never loved him more than she did that moment.

She poked him in the chest with a shaky finger. "I won't ever forgive you if something happens to you. I will not be a merry widow."

"Go."

She wavered. "Should we send for a constable?"

He shook his dark head. "I don't think so. I'll talk some sense into him. I'll come as soon as I'm done."

Caroline bit her lip, playing for time. She couldn't let him go in there alone, could she? "Even after you spoke with him before, he didn't give up."

"He will this time. A kiss for good luck?" He was smiling at her as though he hadn't a care in the world.

"There isn't time for kissing."

He smiled down at her. "There's always time for kissing, Caro. A quick one." He bent and brushed her lips. It was an entirely different kind of kiss, and all the sweeter for his restraint. It was she who threw herself headlong into his embrace, losing control. She drank in his taste and his scent of lime and horse, drowning her senses with essence of Edward. He untangled her gently. "Go. I'll be fine."

Caroline watched him mount the steps. The door still hung open. He stepped inside, pausing on the threshold. "I absolutely forbid you to follow me," he said quietly. He shut the door, and she heard the resolute click of the new locks.

d.a.m.n! She couldn't sit around gossiping with Serena and do nothing. Serena had more keys to Number Seven even after giving her the front door keys. Caroline could go through the garden wall and enter by way of the kitchen or back door. But first she had to get the cords cut from her wrists. She hurried down the sidewalk, tripped up to Serena's door and lifted the lion's head knocker.

Serena had a butler, as did all the ladybirds lucky enough to find themselves safely off the stage or out of the alleys and onto Jane Street. Putney was no Hazlett, but proper just the same. He hadn't batted a rheumy brown eye when she turned up earlier looking like a drowned rat, locked out of her own house. He didn't react now, although he took in the rope with a quick flick of his ascertaining eyes. Caroline had no way of knowing how long she'd slept. The sun was still a vibrant orange ball in the sky, but surely her arrival twice on his doorstep in various states of distress in one day was unusual. Caroline confirmed it by her next words.

"Putney, lock every door and window. Fetch a knife to untie my hands. Do you have a gun as well?"

Putney took it upon himself to alter the order of the orders. He reached into his pocket, unsheathed a small knife and efficiently sawed through Caroline's bonds.

"Yes, Lady Christie. I believe there is a gun in the household."

"I need it."

"Do you plan on shooting someone, my lady, or would you like me to do it for you?"

Caroline swallowed her laughter. Putney was a gem. Rubbing her chafed wrists, she followed him and his jingling keys around the ground floor as he checked the locks.

"I'm not sure yet, but I don't think your involvement is necessary. My husband is next door."

Putney paused at a heavy red velvet drape, allowing himself the tiniest frown. "Lady Christie, if I may be so bold, I don't advise that you kill your husband. The murder of a peer is a very serious offense. I'm sure the legal separation will be adequate."

Everybody knew everything on Jane Street. "You misunderstand, Putney. I was attacked by Lord Randolph Pope. My husband plans to do something to him, I'm not sure what. I'd feel ever so much better if I helped him."

"Are you an expert with firearms, my lady?"

Caroline thought back to her unsupervised childhood. She and Nicky had shot their share of pickle jars and pots. "It will all come back to me, I'm sure. Really, I'm going quite mad with worry. Could you hurry?"

The butler drew himself up. "It is my responsibility to protect the lady of the house. As Miss Serena is off with her gentleman until tomorrow, it is my duty to protect you. I was once quite good with my fists, you know. I daresay it will all come back to me."

Caroline was skeptical. If Putney had ever fought, it was in the featherweight category about a thousand years ago. But his arms were folded across his narrow chest and he looked implacable. "Oh, very well. If Serena's not even here, we won't worry about locking up. Let's go."

"I am sure Lord Christie would not appreciate it if we interrupted him. I expect he told you to stay away and that he would come here when it was over."

"How did you-Wait, I just thought you said you'd help me. What was all that talk about being a fighter?"

"Indeed. If our security is breached, I shall ensure with my dying breath that you are safe. If you feel my fists are inadequate, I shall position myself at the front door with a truncheon. But you will not leave the premises, Lady Christie. Lord Christie would have my hide if I enabled you into danger."

"Oh, for heaven's sake! My husband could be lying in a pool of blood right this minute and that revolting viscount heading for France!"

"Doubtful. Lord Christie seems eminently qualified to deal with the task at hand. Would you care for a cup of tea, Lady Christie?"

"I don't want any b.l.o.o.d.y tea! I've already been Pope's prisoner once today. I won't be yours." Caroline raced to the front door. It was, as she requested, locked.

Putney came up silently behind her. "Perhaps a sherry then. Something to calm your nerves."

Caroline felt her heart go black. "Give me the keys, Putney. If you don't, I'll find that truncheon."

"Now, my lady. You'll thank me in the end. And don't get any ideas about going upstairs and climbing out the balcony window. Miss Serena told me all about that."

She had been too good for too long-except for the interlude with Edward, when objects came so easily to hand and were tossed with smas.h.i.+ng satisfaction at the walls. At him. Caroline picked up a particularly ugly vase. Serena would be grateful it was gone.

Putney looked at the fragments at his feet. "Tsk, tsk. Lord Buckley gave that to her, you know. There is plain white ironstone in the kitchen which has much less sentimental value. Shall we go belowstairs?"

Caroline admitted defeat. She was behaving like the spoiled child Edward accused her of being. But if she never heard him accuse her again, she'd simply die. She burst into tears.

Putney placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "There, there. It will be all right. We'll give Lord Christie a quarter of an hour, how's that? If we've no news by then, I'll go round personally and find out what's what."

"I-I'll go with you," Caroline sniveled.

"We'll see." Putney went to the drinks cupboard and poured her some sherry. "Oloroso. Excellent, as I understand."

Caroline took a small sip. She had never been much for drinking spirits-at least that was one fault she did not possess. Oh, a gla.s.s or two of champagne with Edward when she was nervous or love-flushed. A drop of brandy when she had a cold. But she'd seen firsthand what alcohol had done to those she loved, and would never follow them to their graves in that manner. She smoothed her wrinkled gray skirt, imagining she must look like she'd been run over by a dray cart. Love Lane, as she recalled. She'd once wished such a denouement for Edward, but now she prayed with every ragged breath that he would be safe.

So she could send him on his way again.

The bra.s.s clock on Serena's mantel ticked along. Putney puttered about the room, trying to appear is if he wasn't trapping her within. Just when she thought she'd go completely mad, the knocker sounded on the front door.

Caroline raced to it, leaving the elderly butler far behind.

"Don't open it yet!" he huffed. "Look out the sidelight to make sure it's Lord Christie."

Edward's tall form was visible through the wavery gla.s.s. Caroline threw open the door and screamed.

"Shh, Caro. It's not my blood. Everything is all right, I swear."

Caroline reached for Edward's ruined cravat, which was spattered with bright crimson droplets. His coat was torn, and he'd made an attempt to wipe more blood from his left cheek, streaking it from beneath one eye to his shadowed jaw. "D-did you kill him?"

"Just planted him a facer. Or several. I suppose I broke his nose, but he was no beauty to begin with anyway. Caro, come inside and sit down. I must talk to you."

She looked out to the empty street. A few leaves fluttered across the sidewalk. "Where is he?"

"You're safe. He's on his way home to pack, and then he's taking a little trip."

Caroline's panic reemerged. "You just let him go? What if he comes back?"

Edward took her by the elbow and drew her into the hall. "He won't. I promise. Let's go into the parlor."

Putney hovered, but one look from Edward sent him scurrying elsewhere.

Trembling, Caroline sat back on the ruby velvet sofa. "You've terrified Putney. He was very kind to me."

"I'll make it up to him later." Edward went to the drinks table, poured himself a brandy and downed it in one swallow. Caroline's sherry gla.s.s was still nearly full, but she had no desire for it. Her hands shook too much to hold it.

Edward had an odd smile on his face. "Pope and I had a little chat. It seems he blames you for his current predicament. Once you exposed him in that book of yours-what was its name?"

"The Vicious Viscount."

"Very apt. He has been unable to bed any woman successfully since its publication. His wife left him, you know. High cla.s.s courtesans will have nothing to do with him, and rightly so. They know his reputation after reading your book. Everyone in the ton does, it seems. No one wants to take a beating for Randolph Pope's pleasure no matter how large his purse. He was forced to resort to common streetwalkers, where he failed to perform despite repeated use of the rod on those poor souls. Not only that, he picked up a rather unpleasant affliction. You've made his life quite miserable, Caro."

"Good."

"Now who is the vicious one?"

She had no remorse. She had tended to Lizzie's back. "Wh-what was he planning to do to me?"

"Nothing half so sinister as we might have expected. He was going to hold you for ransom, a rather modest one when all is said and done. He wanted me to pay for his treatment at an Austrian spa for gentlemen he'd heard about. It seems he's spent what's left of his fortune on quack remedies for impotence. No doubt there are just as many quacks in Austria, but at least he'll be on the Continent and not in Mayfair. I've readily agreed to provide him with the blunt. With any luck, he'll fall off an alp and that will be the end of him."

"The Count's Courtesan."

"I beg your pardon?"