Elizabeth's heart squeezed. Melted. It was time, she knew, to put aside her own fears. No matter the outcome, love was worth the risk.






22


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Caleb strode down the long marble corridor toward the marquess's study. Lamplight flickered on the walls, casting his length in shadow. Supper was over and Lee had retired upstairs to her room, but the marquess had asked to see him and he was on his way there now.

For the past three days, Caleb had remained with Lee at Kinleigh. The marquess had spent each day with her and the bond between them seemed to have deepened to a surprising degree. It was amazing how much they had in common: Kinleigh's love of music and Lee's gifted playing of the harp; the marquess's stable of beautiful, blooded horses and Lee's love of racing; they both loved children and animals; even their laughter at times sounded the same.

With Bronson in London and Aaron away at boarding school, the past was the only obstacle between them. Though Caleb had missed having Lee in his bed, he was happy for her. He had taken something precious when he had taken her innocence. In finding her father, he had tried to give something back.

Still, it was time he returned to London. He had promised to visit his own father at Selhurst and the days were slipping away. He had to return and though he wouldn't take Lee to Selhurst, wouldn't subject her to his father's scrutiny, he wanted her with him as much as possible these last few precious days.

Caleb knocked on the door of the study, turned the silver handle at the sound of the marquess's voice bidding him enter, and walked into the room.

"Caleb. Thank you for coming." Like the rest of the house, it was a pleasant room, paneled in walnut and lined with books, in a bit more disarray, perhaps, with several days' newspapers strewn over a rosewood table and a stack of ledgers perched on a corner of the desk. The marquess walked past it, over to the sideboard. "Brandy?"

"Thank you. I believe I will." There was something in the older man's manner that warned him he might need it. Caleb accepted the crystal snifter, then followed the marquess to a deep red leather sofa and chairs grouped around the hearth.

A small fire crackled in the grate. A summer storm had blown in, cooling the early July night, and outside the window, a layer of clouds crept over the valley.

"First, Caleb, I want to thank you. In bringing my daughter here, you have given me the greatest gift any man has ever bestowed upon me."

Caleb smiled. "I'm glad things have worked out as they have."

"Actually, things have worked out even better than you know." He leaned back in his chair. "You see, Lee has agreed to stay with me here at Kinleigh."

He was more than a little surprised—at the marquess for offering and Lee for accepting. "Won't that create a problem for you? Considering that Lee is a Durant?"

"It might. Even if it does, it will be worth it. But in truth, I hope to head off any problems that might arise before they occur. You see, I plan to adopt Lee as my daughter."

Caleb's brandy glass paused halfway to his lips.

"As soon as matters can be legally arranged," the marquess went on, "Lee Durant will become Lee Montague. There is no way to deny that she was born out of wedlock, but even should her mother's name be discovered, it will scarcely matter, once I have claimed her as my own flesh and blood."

It just might work, Caleb thought. Lee looked little like the Vermillion he had first met, the sophisticated courtesan who was the darling of Parklands. She dressed more simply now and no longer wore face paint. In truth, her entire demeanor had changed. The marquess's interest went far beyond what he had imagined, but it just might work.

"I'm a powerful man, Caleb. Even should people speculate, they would never dare offend her."

Caleb swirled the brandy in his glass. "That's extremely generous, Lord Kinleigh."

"Generous? It is nothing less than she deserves. Had I been more of a man all those years ago and married her mother as I wished, she would already carry my name and with it her legitimate birthright."

It was true, Caleb thought. And if Kinleigh claimed her, her future would be completely secure.

"As for you, Captain, and your relationship with my daughter—we both know you will soon be leaving the country."

"That's right, sir. In just a few more days." Caleb set his brandy glass down on the side table and sat up a little straighter. "As I said, I would gladly marry—"

"I'm afraid I've changed my mind in that regard." The marquess's eyes fixed on Caleb's face. "When you came to me, you asked me to see to my daughter's welfare. As her father, that is exactly what I intend to do. You're an officer in His Majesty's Army. You'll be leaving for Spain and there is no way to know when you will return." Or if you will return, were the words that went unsaid. "Unless there are… consequences to your association with Lee, I don't believe a marriage between the two of you would be in either of your best interests."

He was right. Most certainly he was. So why did he feel this crushing weight on his chest?

"I know how much my daughter cares for you. In the brief time she has been here, she has certainly spoken your name often enough. But as you say, I want her to be happy. Both of us do. I intend to make that happen."

The marquess rose from his chair and Caleb stood up as well. He felt cold though the room was becoming overly warm. His heart was beating and yet it felt as if the blood had slowed to a crawl through his veins.

"You said at supper the two of you are planning to return to London on the morrow."

"That's correct. Even if Lee has decided to stay, she'll want to pick up her things and inform her aunt of her plans before returning on a permanent basis."

"I'm sure that is her plan. However, I am going to call on your honor, Caleb. As the gentleman I know you are, I am asking that you do the honorable thing where my daughter is concerned. I want you to travel at first light. I want you to leave Lee at Kinleigh. I don't want her hurt any more than she already has been."

He understood. In a way, he had expected this to happen. Lee was an unmarried woman and he was her lover. If she were his daughter, he would probably shoot the man who had stolen her innocence. But God, he didn't want to leave her. Not like this.

"I suppose it would be in Lee's best interest," he said, hoping the marquess didn't notice the rusty note in his voice.

"We both know it is. I'll make your farewells for you after you've gone. I'll tell her the truth—that I thought it would be less painful for you both." And lessen the chances of his fathering a child. The marquess didn't have to speak the words.

Caleb forced himself to nod.

"Then I have your word, Captain, as an officer and a gentleman? You'll agree to stay away from Lee until you leave for Spain?"

He couldn't breathe. He needed to escape the room, needed to escape the powerful emotions he hadn't expected to feel. Didn't want to feel.

"You have my word, Lord Kinleigh." He wouldn't make love to her again, wouldn't risk her future any more than he already had.

The older man relaxed. He walked beside Caleb to the door. "Do you still plan to visit your father?"

"Yes, sir. As soon as I leave here." He had planned to spend a couple of days with his father, no more. He didn't want to be away from Lee that long. Now it wouldn't matter.

"Take care of yourself over there, Caleb. And as I said, give my regards to Lord Selhurst."

He simply nodded, unable to manage any more words. Turning away from the marquess, he left the study. He didn't intend to wait till morning to return to London. He couldn't bear to stay in the house a moment more.

He wanted to go to Lee, wanted to say a final farewell, but he had given his word and he would abide by it.

It was going to be the hardest thing he had ever done.


Standing in the shadows outside the study, Lee pressed a hand against her mouth to still her trembling lips. Caleb was leaving. Her father had convinced him to go away without a word of farewell. She had been afraid something like this might result from the summons Caleb had received to join the marquess later in his study.

The thought had unsettled her so much she had slipped out of her room in only her night rail and wrapper. She had crept into the garden and sneaked up to the study window to hear what her father had to say.

Now, as she watched Caleb walk out the study door and disappear, anger poured through her. Her father was forcing Caleb to leave. She was furious with him! She hardly knew him and already he was trying to run her life!

But she had also seen the worry on his face, seen the protective look in his eyes when he spoke to Caleb about her future. He had asked her to come and live with him, told Caleb he planned to give her his name. It was beyond anything she could have imagined.

He was trying to protect her, behaving exactly the way a father who cared for his daughter ought to behave, and as hard as she tried, she could not fault him for it.

In truth, she felt deeply moved.

And she knew he was right.

Caleb was returning to duty. Any offer of marriage he had made had come out of duty, not love. He was leaving her behind and she had to get over him. A tearful good-bye would only make losing him more painful. It was better if she never saw Caleb Tanner again.

She repeated the words in her head. Let him go. Let him go. Let him go. And as she moved along the path toward the door leading back inside the house, she tried to convince herself.

Then a lamp went on in one of the rooms upstairs and she paused, guessing the room must be Caleb's. If she went upstairs and knocked on his door, would he let her in? He might, but he had given his word that he would stay away from her, and Caleb was a man of honor.