Caroline was amazed by Bradford's comments. "How have you learned all this?"

"It isn't relevant," Bradford returned.

"But why have you-"

"I am interested in you," Bradford interrupted. The statement was spoken in a quiet voice. His expression turned serious and Caroline found herself becoming nervous all over again. "Caroline, I always get what I want. When you get to know me better, you will accept."

"I don't want to hear this!" Caroline made the protest in a fierce whisper. "You sound like a child who has been overindulged."

Bradford wasn't offended by her comment. He shrugged his massive shoulders and replied, "You'll have to get used to me, I suppose. But in time, you will accept. I won't be defeated, Caroline, only delayed."

"I have heard that many of the married ladies in England take lovers," Caroline said. "Is that why you suggested that I become your mistress?"

"I never suggested you become my mistress," Bradford said. "You are jumping to your own conclusions, Caroline. But yes, there are those who bed other men once they are married."

"Then they are to be pitied," Caroline remarked. Anger sounded in her voice. "They not only betray their husbands, but also make a mockery of the vows they have taken."

Her statement pleased Bradford but he didn't let her know it. He waited for her to continue. "You say that you know me well, yet you insult me by believing I am like one of your English ladies. You are the one who has jumped to the wrong conclusions."

Bradford had difficulty following her argument. His confusion showed and Caroline sighed with exasperation. "I am waiting for an apology."

For his answer, Bradford leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I warn you, Caroline. I won't be swayed. I will have you."

Caroline started to argue with him and then realized how futile it would be. The man's mind was set and she knew she couldn't change it. "You make it sound like a challenge."

"It is a fact," he replied, his voice leaving no room for doubt.

"And if it is a challenge," Caroline said in a soft whisper, "then you are my opponent. I warn you, milord, I don't play games I can't win."

"I think, Caroline," Bradford returned in a whisper that touched her heart, "that we will both be winners." He sealed his promise with a long, satisfying kiss.

"Lynnie, whatever are you doing!" Charity's voice penetrated the shared kiss between Bradford and Caroline. "Oh, it is you, milord! I knew you would pursue my cousin, but you really mustn't be out here by yourselves. I don't believe it's at all proper."

Charity smiled at Bradford when he pulled away from Caroline. "Didn't I tell you, Caroline, that he was taken with you?"

Bradford grinned and Caroline groaned. She had just been caught in a most awkward position, and there wasn't any way she could convince Charity that she wasn't a willing participant. Good heavens, her arms had been clinging to Bradford's shoulders.

"Quit smiling and explain yourself to my cousin," Caroline demanded as she nudged Bradford's arm.

"Certainly," Bradford answered. "But first, allow me to introduce myself," Bradford stated with mock seriousness. Caroline, reading the vast amusement lurking in his eyes, decided to intervene.

"Charity, this is Bradford. He's a duke," she added almost as an afterthought. "And it was a good-bye forever kiss that we just shared, wasn't it, milord?"

"Good-bye until tomorrow," Bradford returned. He ignored Caroline's more determined nudge and took hold of Charity's hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Charity."

Bradford and Charity exchanged pleasantries and then she asked, "Do you happen to know a man by the name of Paul Bleachley?" She glanced over at Caroline for approval and her cousin nodded encouragement with a gentle smile. She knew how important the matter was to Charity and felt guilty that she wasn't helping more.

"I do."

Bradford's quietly stated reply caused quite a stir. Caroline grabbed him by the arm and tried to turn him back to face her, but it was like trying to move a rather large elm tree. He was firmly rooted to the ground.

Charity also tried to gain his full attention, tugging with insistence on his other arm. "Have you seen him recently?" she asked in a breathless voice.

Bradford took hold of Caroline's hand and pulled her into his side. Then he gave Charity his full attention. His thumb rubbed against the palm of Caroline's hand as he listened to Charity explain how she had met Paul Bleachley.

"Can you tell me if he is married?" Charity asked. "He left Boston so suddenly, and without a word of explanation."

"No," Bradford answered. "He isn't married. He returned from the Colonies several months ago and is now living in his home on the outskirts of London."

There was much more to tell, but Bradford was reluctant to go on. From Charity's reaction to the news that Bleachley was back in England, he realized that the two must have formed an attachment while Paul was in Boston. Her eyes filled with tears and Caroline tried to pull away from Bradford's hold to offer her comfort. Bradford wouldn't allow it. He pulled a linen handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Charity, and then suggested that she return to her uncle and that they would shortly follow.

Caroline smiled when she saw the handkerchief. There wasn't a bit of lace on it. It wasn't like Brummell's bit of fluff at all.

"Is she in love with Paul?"

Bradford's question demanded an answer. Caroline nodded. "He made promises he didn't keep," she replied. "He has broken her heart."

"Paul is also broken," Bradford said. "I imagine that he loved her or he wouldn't have made any promises. He is an honorable man."

"You're mistaken," Caroline argued. "Charity told me that he asked her to marry him and that she accepted. Then he disappeared."

Bradford continued to hold Caroline's hand as they strolled toward the doorway. "I will tell you what I know, but you must think long and hard over it before you decide if you will tell Charity. What I am about to say will only cause your cousin added pain, and I think that perhaps she should be spared the truth."

Caroline turned so that she faced Bradford and blocked their way. "Then tell me and let me decide," she demanded.

"Paul was injured while in Boston. There was an explosion and his ship was destroyed. He almost died and will carry the scars for the rest of his life. He lives like a hermit in a small cottage about an hour's ride from here and will not even allow his relatives to see him."

"Have you seen him?" Caroline asked. She was appalled by the story and ached with concern for her cousin and Paul Bleachley.

"Yes, shortly after he returned to London. He has lost the use of one arm, and his face has been disfigured."

Caroline closed her eyes and shook her head. "I believed the worst of him when he disappeared like that, but Charity never accepted that he willingly abandoned her." She took a deep breath and then said, "Describe his face to me. Don't think me ghoulish, Bradford. I need to know in order to tell Charity."

Bradford shook his head. "You aren't listening to me. Paul won't even let me see him anymore. And I have known him since we were children. One side of his face was burned and his left eye protrudes from the socket. He is no longer handsome."

"She never loved him because he was handsome," Caroline argued with conviction. "We Richmonds are not so shallow, Bradford. It's what I was trying to tell you earlier. Wanting someone because he or she is attractive is not important. Charity has more substance to her than you realize."

She took hold of Bradford's hand, unaware of the affectionate gesture she was making and his reaction to it. He knew that she wasn't conscious of what she was doing, understood that she was only concentrating on what he had just told her, but still felt a small victory over the touch. It was a beginning and he recognized it as such.