Whirlwind Wedding

Chapter 28

Only two days had passed since Austin had departed for France, and already Robert knew that he didn't have a prayer of keeping up with his brother's correspondence. He sat behind Austin's massive mahogany desk and groaned at the ever-growing mountain of letters piled in the center. Trying to keep his head above water until Austin and Elizabeth returned from the Continent was going to prove a daunting task.

A knock sounded at the door. Relieved to have something to contemplate other than the correspond-dence, he called "Come in."

Miles entered. "You wished to see me?"

"Yes. There's something I need to discuss with you."

Miles settled himself in the chair opposite him. "I'm listening."

"This concerns Caroline, and I'll not mince words with you. My sister is in love with you." He sat back and regarded Miles through hooded eyes. "I'd like to know what you plan to do about it."

Miles grew very still. "Caroline told you she, er, cares for me?"

"No, she hasn't directly said so, but she was unable to deny it when I asked her point blank. Good God Miles, even a blind man can see she loves you. I think you'd make an admirable husband for my sister, provided of course, that you hold her in some affection."

Miles tapped his chin, clearly mulling over his words. "And if I don't wish to marry at this time?" he finally asked.

"In that case, I'm certain Austin will entertain other offers for her." He waved his hand over the letters covering the desk. "There's a note somewhere in this monstrous pile from Charles Blankenship. In it he strongly hints that he's considering offering for Caroline." Rising, he laid his hand on Miles's shoulder. "Think about it, my friend," he said then left the room.

The instant he was alone, Miles paced the length of the room, plunging shaking fingers through his hair. Caroline was in love with him! The thought brought his agitated pacing to an abrupt halt. He recalled her melting in his arms, her eager lips seeking his, and his pulse took off at a brisk gallop. A thin film of perspiration broke out on his forehead. Bloody hell!

He wasn't ready to get married! Married, for God's sake. A lifelong commitment. Hell no. Not me. Caroline was lovely, but there were many lovely women in the world. But none that makes me feel like she does.

He tried to shake off the bothersome inner murmurings that threatened his sacred bachelorhood, but the voice simply would not cease. Caroline would give me handsome and strong sons, and daughters as beautiful as their mother.

Sons? Daughters? Hang it, he was going mad.

He almost ran to the decanters. Pouring himself a generous amount of brandy, he swallowed the potent liquor in a single gulp. He immediately felt better.

Caroline wasn't really in love with him, she was merely infatuated. And he was attracted to her only because she was so unlike the other women he knew. Why, the only thing he needed was to leave this blasted house and engage in a good sexual romp. Slamming down his empty glass, he headed toward the door.

Just as he entered the foyer he heard Carters speaking to someone.

"I'm so sorry, Lord Blankenship, but his grace isn't in at the moment," Carters intoned in a deep monotone.

Miles skidded to a halt. Blankenship. He must be here to offer for Caroline. And Robert had said that Austin would entertain offers…

"I say, are you quite certain?" Lord Blankenship asked. "I sent a note around several days ago advising him of my arrival this afternoon. Surely he was expecting me."

"He was called away rather suddenly-"

"I'll handle this, Carters," Miles broke in, walking to the door. "His grace gave me a message to deliver to Lord Blankenship."

Carters bowed and left the two men alone. Miles turned to Lord Blankenship and gave him a frosty smile. "Blankenship."

"Always a pleasure to see you, Eddington."

Ten minutes later, Lord Blankenship no longer thought it was a pleasure to see Miles. With his handkerchief pressed to his bleeding nose, Lord Blankenship stalked angrily from the drawing room. He saw Caroline in the foyer and brushed past her without a word. Not waiting for Carters to open the door, he jerked it open himself and slammed it after him.

"Good heavens!" Caroline exclaimed to Miles, her eyes wide. "What on earth is wrong with Charles?"

"Charles? You call him Charles!"

"Yes, of course. Is he all right? It appeared as if his nose were bleeding." She looked out the window and watched Lord Blankenship's elegant coach pull away.

"His nose was bleeding," Miles confirmed with a great deal of satisfaction.

"How did that happen?"

"There was a bit of a collision, I'm afraid." Grabbing Caroline's arm, he led her down the corridor, all but dragging her along. She had to run to keep up with him.

"What sort of collision? And where are you taking me?"

Miles didn't answer. He just kept walking with grim determination, not pausing until they reached the privacy of Austin's study.

"My goodness, Miles!" she puffed when they finally stopped. Her eyes spit blue sparks at him and she jerked her arm from his grasp. "What on earth has come over you? You're pulling me around and-"

Her indignant words were cut off when his mouth crushed her lips into silence with a kiss.

Caroline wilted against him, her knees turning to water, her anger instantly forgotten as a flood of heat suffused her. She ran her hands up Miles's broad chest and over his shoulders until her fingers tangled in his hair. She didn't know why he was kissing her, but as long as he was, she didn't care about the reason.

"Caroline…" he whispered in an aching voice several minutes later. "Look at me."

Clinging to his shoulders for support, she dragged her eyelids open and stared at him, utterly dazed. "Why did you kiss me?" she asked in a shaky voice.

"Because I wanted to."

Her eyes narrowed with sudden suspicion. "You're acting very strangely. What happened to Charles? You mentioned a collision?"

"Yes. A most unfortunate collision occurred between his face and my fist." "You punched Charles?" He nodded.

"What would possess you to do such a thing?" she asked completely staggered.

"The bastard is lucky that is all he got," he said in a voice that resembled a growl. "I should have called him out."

"Called him out? What on earth did he do?"

"He lied about kissing you. Flat out denied ever having done it, in essence calling you a liar. As if that weren't bad enough, he then had the gall to interrupt me as I defended your honor and tell me that it was none of my business''

Caroline swallowed. "Actually, it is none of your business."

Smoke all but sizzled from him. "The hell it's not. Not only did he kiss you, then lie about it, but he had the audacity to come here today to offer for you. Yes, I definitely should have called him out. He should know better than to offer for another man's woman."

"Charles wanted to offer for me?" she asked in a weak voice. A frown pinched her brows. "What do you mean Charles should know better than to offer for another man's woman? I'm no one's woman."

"You're my woman. I think you always have been… I was just too blind to see it." To her astonishment, he lowered himself to one knee and took her hands. "Marry me, Caroline."

She was robbed of speech. Dear God, he's foxed.

Or… he was making a cruel jest at her expense. Jerking away from his hands, she turned her back on him. A choked sob escaped her. "How can you possibly joke about something like this?"

He stood and grabbed her shoulders. Turning her around, he gathered her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her hair. "Caroline, darling, this is no jest." He pushed her chin up with his fingers until her teary gaze met his. "I bloodied Blankenship's nose because he dared to touch you. The thought of you with him, or any man for that matter, is completely impossible. I simply cannot allow it. I want you too much for myself."

His solemn eyes regarded her steadily. "I love you, Caroline. I want you to be my wife. Say you'll marry me."

She stared up into his handsome, serious face. If he hadn't been holding on to her, she would have slithered into a boneless heap at his feet. "I'll marry you," she said softly.

"Thank God." He bent his head to kiss her lips, but she pulled back.

"Ummm, Miles?"

He kissed her neck instead. "Yes?"

"Now that you've asked for my hand and I've accepted you won't change your mind will you?"

"Never," he vowed against her neck. He suddenly stilled then raised his head and looked at her, a frown forming between his brows. "Why do you ask?"

She chewed on her lower lip. "Well…"

"Well what?"

She drew a deep breath, then blurted "Charles Blankenship never kissed me."

Miles stared at her for long moment. "He never kissed you?"

She shook her head. "No." "You mean you-"

"Made it up. To make you jealous." She stared up at him, waiting for his reaction. Please, God, don't make me sorry I told him the truth. I just don't want a lie between us.

He frowned. "It worked."

"It did? You were jealous?"

"I wanted to kill the bastard. Now I suppose I shall let him live-provided he never comes near you again."

"After that bloody nose you gave him, I'm sure he never will." She rested her palms against his chest. "Are you angry?"

He pulled her against him and cupped her face between his hands. "Angry? Hardly. You've accepted my proposal. Now, if you'd cease chattering long enough for me to kiss you, I'd be a very happy man indeed."

"I won't say another word."

"Excellent. But before you stop talking, you could tell me you love me."

"I love you," she whispered, rising up on tiptoes and pressing herself against him.

A groan rumbled in his throat. "I hope you don't want a long engagement."

Heaving a blissful sigh, Caroline wound her arms around his neck. "Not at all. In case you haven't noticed whirlwind weddings run in the family."