Bradford deliberately chose to misunderstand her meaning. He told her he was hungry, too, and kissed her quite thoroughly. And then he rolled her onto her back and began to make love to her. Caroline thought to explain that she was hungry for dinner, but the explanation got lost somewhere in the back of her mind. Dinner could wait a while longer. Besides, Caroline told herself, she was always an obedient wife.

Chapter Fourteen

Bradford's disposition changed overnight. His voice was curt, his manner brisk. Caroline understood that he was concentrating on his plan to trap Franklin and wasn't at all concerned.

Neither Bradford nor Milford excluded her from their discussions. Milford was certainly astonished when Caroline told him what had happened to her almost fifteen years ago, but he wasn't fully convinced that Franklin was using the information to get to Caroline. He cautioned his friend, stating that there could well be a relative out for revenge.

The three were seated in the drawing room, discussing the issue. Bradford patiently waited for Milford to finish with his theories, and then countered with his own arguments.

"I don't think that Franklin knew about Caroline's past when he pushed her down the stairs. I also think he arranged the carriage accident before his twisted mind formed the plan of revenge."

"But if that's true, then Uncle Milo would have had to tell Franklin," Caroline argued, shaking her head.

"Caroline, your Uncle Franklin wouldn't let up on trying to discredit you in his older brother's eyes. I believe that the marquis tried to defend you and told his brother what happened."

Bradford shrugged, concentrating on his theories, and continued, "Franklin didn't think you'd be killed falling down the steps, love, but he wanted to frighten you. He assumed that you'd tell your father. Most daughters would," he added. "When you didn't, he arranged the carriage mishap. He knew you were riding with Milford and me, remember?"

Caroline nodded. "Yes! I do remember. Uncle Milo told us that my father had decided who was to ride with… and that Franklin had disappeared," she added. "I was so angry with you, Bradford, that I didn't think anything of his sudden disappearance."

"Why were you angry with Brad?" Milford asked, trying to follow the conversation.

"Nigel Crestwall was all over her and I got a little carried away," Bradford admitted.

"A little carried away?" Caroline asked her husband.

Bradford shrugged, dismissing the subject. "I think that Franklin was certain one of us would report the mishap to your father. All he wanted then was for you to go back to Boston. His brother would be furious all over again, and write you out of the will. See how simple it all is?"

Milford nodded, seeing the logic of his friend's thinking. "You must have been another frustration for Franklin," he commented. "Everyone knew that you meant to have Caroline."

Bradford was about to answer his friend's remark when Caroline interrupted. "This is all speculation, but if it is true, then isn't Uncle Milo in jeopardy too?"

Bradford nodded. He had wondered how long it would take his wife to reach that conclusion and knew full well what her next thought would be.

"We must return to London," Caroline stated.

"It isn't safe," Milford countered, frowning. "Besides, if Brad is right, the marquis has to be kept alive until you're-" he broke off, realizing he wasn't being very delicate.

Caroline nodded. "Until I've been murdered?" She turned to her husband then and said, "You can think of a way for me to be safe in London."

She was surprised when her husband nodded agreement; "You'll be very safe," he announced. "We'll leave at dawn."

"Brad, use your head! There's just four days left now, and regardless of how you argue that Franklin is the guilty one, you're not absolutely sure."

"How do you know he isn't sure?" Caroline asked Milford.

"It's simple," Milford returned. "If he was certain, Franklin would be dead now."

Caroline looked shocked, following Milford's line of reasoning.

"Do you honestly believe that your husband would allow him to live?" Now Milford looked shocked.

"Don't worry her," Bradford interrupted. He took his wife into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "We have to go to London to set our trap."

As soon as Caroline was safely tucked inside their London townhouse, Bradford sent a note to her father, requesting an immediate interview.

Caroline was so exhausted from the long journey that she fell asleep on the settee, and Bradford carried her upstairs and put her to bed. She didn't learn what her father had told her husband until the following morning. Then he confirmed that her father had told the marquis the true reason for sending her to Boston.

"Can we go to see Uncle Milo?" Caroline asked.

"I insist on it," Bradford returned. He saw his wife's surprised look and smiled. "Franklin is cooped up with his mistress but Loretta's there. I'm going to mention that we're returning to Bradford Hills on the morning of the twentieth."

"How do you know that Franklin's with a mistress and Loretta-"

"Caroline, credit me with a little common sense," he returned. "I've had men trailing the two of them for a long time now."

"Are you certain that Loretta's in on it?" Caroline asked, getting decidedly nervous.

Bradford sighed and slowly nodded his head. "Go and get ready," he suggested.

Caroline rushed up the steps but Bradford halted her with his comment. "Sweetheart? Try not to look too surprised when you see your uncle's newest employee."

"And who might that be?" Caroline asked, puzzled by his statement.

"Your father's former cook."

"Marie? Are you serious?" Caroline grabbed hold of the banister rail, her eyes wide with the ramifications of what Bradford was suggesting. "Good Lord! She could have poisoned us all… why didn't she?"

"Probably would have if Franklin hadn't come up with his devious little plan. As it was, her duty was to keep tabs on you and report."

"She's the one who put that horrid letter on the table for me to find!"

Bradford nodded and was shocked when his wife repeated one of his favorite expletives.

He didn't think to criticize her for it. Caroline turned and hurried on to her room, muttering something about trusting Mary Margaret's instincts from now on.

Their departure to see the marquis was delayed when Charity and Paul arrived on their doorstep for a visit.

Caroline was so thrilled to see her cousin that Bradford kept his patience and listened to the idle chatter until his nerves had reached the breaking point. He wanted the visit over and done with, concerned that Franklin would return. He wasn't concerned that Caroline would be harmed, but that he might well strangle the man right in front of his brother. He had every intention of dealing with Franklin, but hoped Caroline wouldn't be forced to witness it.

His wife was so happy to learn that Charity and Paul weren't going to leave for Boston until the middle of the summer that she was in high spirits when they finally went to see the marquis.

Bradford had tutored his wife as to exactly what she should say and thought that she was proceeding quite well. She didn't bat an eye when she spotted Marie, but her voice sounded strained when she visited with Loretta.

The marquis was seated in front of a fire in the main salon, looking quite fit. Caroline sat beside him, holding his hand. She had already mentioned that they were going to return to Bradford Hills on the twentieth, using the excuse that her husband had duties to attend to and she didn't want to leave his side.

Her Uncle Milo teased her about being newly married and Caroline blushed quite prettily. Loretta finally took her leave, and Bradford stood up, his signal to his wife that it was time to depart.

"Uncle Milo, I've a favor to ask you," Caroline announced. She looked at her husband and motioned him to sit back down.

Bradford frowned, but Caroline ignored him and turned back to her uncle.

"You know I'd do anything for you, dear," Uncle Milo returned.

"I'm worried about my father," Caroline said. "He… he isn't feeling well and he's all alone and he won't come with us to Bradford Hills."

"Brax is ill?" he asked. His eyes showed his concern and he gripped Caroline's hand.

She hurried to soothe him. "The physician says that he's really fine." Caroline glanced over at her husband. He was staring at her with a look that suggested she had just lost her mind.

"It's in his head, you see. He's so lonely and alone. Well, I was wondering if you might consider moving in with him for a spell. Until he gets used to not having me around again."

Uncle Milo looked delighted by the suggestion. "A splendid idea," he announced. "Glad to help out."

"Bradford will help you transfer your things," Caroline volunteered. She smiled at her husband and then added, "I just won't stop worrying until you're with my father, Uncle Milo. Do you think you could move into his townhouse today?"

Bradford fell in with the plan, thinking it was an excellent method of seeing to her uncle's protection. He had also noticed the spark of eagerness in the man's eyes and realized then what a lonely man he must really be.

But his gentle wife had understood. He fought the urge to take her into his arms and kiss her, realizing again that he possessed the most beautiful of all women. And the beauty came from her heart.