Chapter 20

Antonio didn’t rely on Caroline to set up an appointment with Hal. That would only alert him that something was strange—or troublesome. He sent his card later that day, requesting a meeting two days hence without giving a reason. He needed time to get his thoughts together before speaking to his friend. Besides, he wasn’t certain what conventions were in place regarding Caroline’s widowhood. Not that it mattered. He’d make sure they married quickly.

What a fool he was, believing making love to her once would end it. He was ravenous to have her again. Never had he experienced such complete satisfaction with anyone. She did nothing but feed his desire. He wanted more and more of her—finally realizing why.

That sharp twinge of jealousy had alerted his senses when Brawley was so attentive to Caroline in London. A spurious wave of possessiveness sped through him at the Nashes’. He never before felt such an elemental sense of territory impinging on any of his possessions. He wouldn’t tolerate the thought of another man touching Caroline the way he had—or, nombre de Dios, plunging into her sweet body. No, she was his now and would remain his forever.

* * * *

Antonio was up and about with the sun the day after his rendezvous with Caroline. By eight o’clock, he’d dispatched a courier to his man of business, instructing Thurmond to obtain a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury. He also warned the man to keep the seeking of it under wraps or suffer the consequences.

When Briella and Aunt Mari entered the breakfast room, Antonio greeted his relatives succinctly, ate quickly, and left, closeting himself in his study.

Later that afternoon, he appeared in riding clothes. Declining tea, he requested a supper tray sent to his chambers, something very unusual for him. In the upstairs hallway Briella ran into him and asked, “Is everything all right, Tonio?”

“Fine,” he stated, explaining estate affairs had kept him busy most of the day. He gave no further reasons and nodded a curt goodnight to his sister.

The next morning Briella and Aunt Mari found him more talkative. “Buenos dias, Tia Mari…Briella,” he greeted them both with a warm smile.

“Buenos dias, Tonio,” they chorused.

“You feel better today, si?” Briella inquired.

Seemingly preoccupied when he came in from his ride yesterday, his sister was concerned. Now he seemed fine.

“I feel marvilloso, Briella. Never felt better.”

Briella and Mari exchanged quizzical glances, but neither dared pry. Except for the evening at Caroline’s surprise party, Antonio had behaved differently ever since London. The women were glad to see that his mood had changed for the better.

“I ride to Crestwood later this morning,” he told them.

“Muy bueno, Tonio. I shall ride with you to visit Caroline,” Briella began.

“No, chica, not today. I have business with Hal and prefer to go alone.”

That was strange, Briella thought. What did his business with Hal have to do with a visit between her and Caroline? Not wanting a return of his somber mood, his sister acquiesced. “I shall make my visit tomorrow, then,” she said and let the matter drop.

* * * *

At precisely half past eleven, Antonio rode up the white gravel drive of Crestwood Manor on Challenger, while admiring Caroline’s childhood home. The circular carriageway enclosed a massive fountain. It sprayed a misty fall of water almost fifteen feet into the air. A myriad of tiny, colorful rainbows formed when the July sun filtered through the spray. Drooping branches of flowering trees, covered with white blossoms, surrounded the fountain. Its perimeter was outlined by a well-clipped, privet hedge. A path of circular slates led from the drive and ended at the fountain. Colorful flowers bloomed in profusion bordering the path. A well-scythed lawn spread well beyond the front of the Manor.

Antonio had attended to the minute details of his appearance for his visit with Hal. He looked the epitome of an English nobleman outfitted in sartorial splendor by the best tailors in Bond Street.

He was also a tiny bit uneasy about the upcoming interview with his friend.

Ripley swung open the door as the duke reached the top step of the stone stairs. “Good morning, Your Grace. Welcome to Crestwood Manor,” he greeted Antonio and took his hat, gloves and riding crop from him. He led the duke down the hall to Hal’s study. Antonio remembered when he’d made that first solo call to Crestwood—the room where Caroline had received him so coldly.

Hal rose from behind the large desk as Ripley announced, “The Duke of Weston, my lord.”

“Come in, come in, Tony.” Hal greeted him warmly as they shook hands. “A brandy? Or would you prefer port?”

“A brandy will be fine, Hal. Thank you.”

Hal went to fill two glasses from the decanter standing ready on the sideboard. Casually, he inquired, “What can I do for you, Tony? Is something amiss at Westhaven?”

“No, no, Hal,” Antonio replied. “Nothing like that.”

Well, I had my opening. Best jump in and come out with it.

“This may come as a surprise, Hal,” he began, “but I came to offer for Caroline.”

Silence reigned for the longest moment.

A brandy snifter clinked against Waterford crystal, and Hal abruptly put down the full decanter.

“Wh-at?” The earl, indeed, looked flabbergasted. “You wish to marry Caroline?” Hal asked, spinning to face Antonio. “But why? I mean…when did this come about?”

For the moment, Hal forgot about offering refreshments. “I must say, Tony, you’ve taken me completely by surprise.”

“I was afraid so. But bear with me if you will.”

“You’re aware, aren’t you, that Caroline recently came out of deep mourning. I-I'm uncertain if it’s proper for her to consider marriage as yet.”

“Proper or not, it needs to be done, Hal.”

Antonio saw a frown crinkling his friend’s countenance. His blue eyes grew puzzled, less friendly. “I'm not sure I take your meaning. What exactly are you saying? You’d best explain, Tony. I don’t wish to misunderstand you.”

Antonio turned away and strolled toward the windows overlooking the rear garden. He’d heard the suspicious tone in Hal's voice. Looking out of the window, Antonio spotted Caroline wearing a large, floppy, straw hat to protect her complexion from the sun. She was digging industriously, almost hidden behind a large, leafy shrub.

While Hal waited for an answer, a tense silence reached across the elegant room.

Antonio took a deep breath and turned back to his puzzled friend.

“Caroline and I felt…a certain attraction,” he began, “almost from the beginning. At your welcoming dinner party.”

“You and my sister? That’s strange. She never let on…”

“Please,” Antonio interrupted Hal, holding up the hand wearing the Duke of Weston’s gold signet ring. “Let me finish. Perhaps then we can talk reasonably.”

Hal’s frown tightened, but he quieted, watching Antonio’s face with curious intensity.

“I had no idea Caro was untouched, Hal. I knew she was a widow. I just assumed…”

“Wh—at?” Hal blustered. “What the devil are you implying?” His jaw dropped open, eyes wide, taking in Antonio’s expression and the words he’d just finished saying.

In his mind Hal quickly reviewed Caroline’s behavior before his father and Richard’s deaths. A surprised exclamation caught in his throat, and he asked tersely, “Are you telling me that Caroline is still a virgin?” Hal’s eyebrows almost met his rusty hairline. Spinning on a leather boot heel, he paced around the room, looking thoroughly confused. When he halted, Hal said, “You’d best give it to me straight, Tony.”

“You didn’t know either?” Antonio asked.

“Of course, I assumed she and Richard…er…” Hal paused, slightly embarrassed. “Besides, Caro was married to him for almost four months. You mean to say they never…?”

“No, Hal, never. Caroline told me their marriage was never consummated.”

“Jesus! What then?”

Antonio remained silent until finally, Hal got the point. “You mean you—you debauched my sister, Weston?” Angry, blue eyes blazed when Hal spun to face Antonio, both fists clenching and opening at his sides.

“Easy, Hal,” Antonio said, taking a cautious step backward. “What I'm saying…is that Caroline is no longer…uh…untouched.” Quickly, he rushed on. “She may well be carrying my child…our child…at this moment.”

“Why…you…bloody…lecherous Spaniard!” Hal’s voice fumed with white-hot fury. “God dammit, you bastard, you seduced her…my sister! Took her like one of your London light skirts?”

Antonio cringed. Hal was a good friend. Antonio battled the expanding rift between them, using a conciliatory tone, keeping his voice calm and well under control. He felt no advantage over Hal, whether he was a duke or not. His consequence was of no help here; the flare-up was between friends.

Antonio had no alternative but to go on. “Hal, believe me, I didn’t know Caro was inexperienced. I’ve never been a despoiler of…of virgins. You know that.”

Hal's face mirrored his disbelief as well as his fierce anger. “Damn you, Weston. How could you?” Hal’s voice rose more than a notch in volume. “Caroline…”

“Wait a moment, Hal. Just listen to what I have to say.” Antonio stopped him with a raised palm. “There’s been something very powerful brewing between Caro and me, well before her birthday fiesta.” Antonio’s brown eyes reached deep into Hal’s blue ones, hoping his friend would listen and understand with a clear mind. “We both wanted to find out what was between us.”

“And so, you raped her.” Hal stated it flatly, uncompromisingly, his stance inflexible, his face flushed with insult and belligerence towards his good friend and neighbor. “My sister!”

“Under no circumstance,” Antonio protested, his voice escalating in return. “I thought you knew me better than that.”

Hal continued to glare at Antonio in disbelief. “I thought I did, but I was wrong!”

“Hal, I—I discovered only two days ago that she was a virgin,” Antonio went on. “She’s agreed to marry me. I came here today for your favorable approval.” Antonio hesitated. “But if you won’t, it makes no difference, because I’m going to marry Caroline with or without your consent,” Antonio stated firmly.

There, it was done.

“Then it would seem our conversation is over.”

Hal bristled like a wounded hedgehog, spine rigid, hackles erect, blows ready to let fly with a pair of explosive, lethal fists. Antonio knew his friend yearned to punch him.

If it were I, I would demand recompense, rather than simply agree. I did ruin his sister, after all.

Hal stiffened his stance. “I won’t stand in Caroline's way if that’s what she wishes,” Hal said, finally. “But dammit, I’ll hear it from her lips before I agree.”

“Do that, Hal. In the meantime, my man of affairs is seeking a special license,” Antonio advised. “As soon as it’s procured, I want us to marry. No less than a week from now if possible. Do you agree that the nuptials should be kept quiet?” Antonio’s expression was solemn. “Whatever meets with your approval, Hal, and hers. My thought was that it could take place in the chapel at Westhaven—mainly for Caroline's sake.”

“As you say, Weston.”

Turning and walking slowly to the sideboard, Hal’s hand quivered, but he poured two brandies and handed one to Antonio. He twirled the amber brandy in his glass while he calmed his anger. Then he downed the liquor in one huge swallow. “My solicitor will arrange with yours to draw up the contracts and whatever else paperwork needs to be done.”

“There’s no need, Hal. I want no part of Caroline's assets,” Antonio told him.

“Don’t shame her anymore than you’ve done already, Weston,” was Hal's curt warning. “My sister will come to you as she would to any legitimate suitor, with her dowry and other belongings, as is proper.”

Ready to placate his friend, Antonio nodded. “Whatever you say, Hal.”

Antonio sipped from his snifter now that the interview was near at an end. He accepted Hal's withdrawal of friendship and his anger without reciprocating it, because he fully understood it. Any man would feel the same way toward anyone who treated his sister so.

What Hal didn’t know, and what Antonio only recently realized, was that he loved Caroline. He would do everything in his power to make her love him back.

“I’ll ask Caroline to join us,” Hal said. “I believe she’s in the garden. In the meantime we can discuss some other matters.”

* * * *

Caroline knew Antonio had arrived and was closeted with Hal in the study. She couldn’t stay in her chambers waiting for the outcome, so instead elected to busy herself in the garden.

Hers had been a restless night. She concluded after much soul searching that she’d rather be with Antonio than without him. Whether he loved her or not, she loved him, and she couldn’t give him up. God help her soul if he weren’t true to her.

So when Ripley came to summon her to join Hal and the duke, she was firm in what she planned. She was going to marry Antonio, the sooner, the better.

“Please tell my brother and the duke I’ll join them in a few minutes. I need to freshen up first.” Ripley went off to do her bidding, and Caroline hurried to her bedchamber.

“Daisy, I’ll need to don a fresh gown. I’m to join Hal and the duke. Can you do something with my hair rather quickly?”

* * * *

Both men rose as Caroline entered the room, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Antonio thought she looked absolutely beautiful in her peach-colored, muslin morning gown, cut moderately low, but low enough to hint at the beautiful, lush bosom he was beginning to cherish. God, he wanted her. Even under these tense circumstances, his body reacted.

Antonio kissed her hand, and she curtsied very properly. “Caroline, you look lovely,” he told her.

“Thank you…Tonio.”

Hal studied the two of them, wondering how he could’ve missed what passed between them. He must have been blind. Either that or they had both been consummate actors. Even now, he couldn’t detect anything but the utmost propriety in their behavior.

“Caro,” Hal began slowly. “The duke has offered for your hand in marriage. He tells me you’ve agreed to accept him.” He paused. “I’d like to hear from your lips that it’s what you want. Do you wish to marry him?”

She glanced at Antonio who was studying her face with intense scrutiny. She read his questioning vulnerability, so she dipped her chin almost unnoticeably.

Turning back to her brother, seeing his concern, his stern, almost frowning expression, she understood a tiny inkling of what had passed between the two men before she entered the room. She spoke softly. “Yes, Hal, I wish to marry Antonio.”

She knew the discussion could not have been easy for either of them. They’d grown close during the months since Antonio had returned to England. She would hate to be the one who dissolved their friendship. She also wished she’d been privy to their conversation or been able to soften the blow to her brother’s sensitivities.

Caroline reached out and touched Hal's arm. “We’ve come to an agreement, Hal. It will be fine.”

Antonio mentioned that he planned to tell Hal the whole truth. Caroline wondered what exactly he had told her brother.

“You must know I’m thinking only of your happiness, Caro,” Hal responded. “If this is your wish, so be it.” Hal turned to Antonio. “Congratulations, Weston.” His voice held little warmth in it at this moment, but he reached a hand to the duke. Antonio gripped the hand extended to him and shook it strongly.

Caroline breathed a small sigh of relief. She had noticed the coolness between the two men but hoped in time Hal’s animosity would heal.

“Caro,” Antonio addressed her. “I’ve ordered a special license. We can marry within the next week if that’s agreeable. Where would you like to have the ceremony…here or at the Westhaven chapel? Hal and I agreed it should be as private as possible.”

She’d always dreamed of a long engagement with a series of gala parties to celebrate her betrothal, a fairytale marriage ceremony, and a lavish wedding breakfast with all her neighbors and friends attending to wish her happiness.

Her wedding to Richard had been a hurried, unspectacular family affair because of her father's ill health. It seemed as if her second wedding would be much the same, this time for less than decorous reasons. To Caroline, the men’s discussion had seemed very business-like and without emotion. Even her marriage to Richard had felt less arranged than this one.

“The chapel at Westhaven Hall is quite lovely, Tonio. I should like to be married there,” she replied. Antonio's dark gaze met hers. He smiled and nodded in agreement.

“Will you ride with me tomorrow, Caro?” Antonio asked in her brother's presence. “I plan for us to travel to Ireland. We have much to discuss.”

Caroline looked toward Hal. He nodded.

“At what time, Tonio?”

“I seem to recall that you’re an early riser.”

She acknowledged his knowing smile.

“I’ll be here at half after seven. We can enjoy our ride and our conversation during the cool part of the day.”

Was he still teasing her about her escape the day she’d challenged his Andalusian’s speed? Who knows? Perhaps, theirs might be an interesting ride after all.

“I’ll be ready,” Caroline answered ambiguously. “Until tomorrow.” She suddenly recalled he’d whispered the same words when they said good night after her birthday party.

His eyes let her know he’d remembered as well.

“Until tomorrow, Caro.”