It was true that he could force a reaction from her. She had responded to his kiss, but he had had to initiate it. The touch was somehow symbolic to him. Bradford found himself smiling inside.

"The family has given Charity a nickname. They call her Butterfly," Caroline said. "She does seem to flutter about like one, and she is as pretty as a butterfly," Caroline continued. "But she's also strong. She loves Paul Bleachley and I don't believe that his injuries will change her heart."

"Then you plan on telling her?" Bradford sounded worried. "Paul's my friend and I won't be a party to causing him more pain. The man's been through enough."

Caroline nodded. She understood his concern and admitted that if the situation were reversed, she would probably be as protective as Bradford. "You will have to trust me in this matter," she told him.

It would have been easier if she had asked him to hand over his fortune, or his right arm for that matter. Trust! It wasn't possible. Bradford's face returned to its hard, cynical expression. Caroline noticed the abrupt change and the firm set of his jaw and mouth. But having been kissed by that same mouth, having touched the softness beneath the rough facade, Caroline knew the look of granite was just a way of blocking what he was truly feeling. "I assume, from the way you are looking at me, that my statement doesn't please you," Caroline stated. "You don't wish to trust me?"

He didn't answer her, and Caroline frowned with puzzlement. She decided to let the matter drop and let go of his hand. "Thank you for telling me about Bleachley," she said. Before he could stop her, she hurried toward the open doorway. She paused at the entrance and turned back to look at him. "And thank you for apologizing. I know it was difficult for you."

Bradford was at first irritated by being so casually dismissed and then saw the humor in the situation. He was the Duke of Bradford and he realized that Caroline Richmond wasn't the least impressed. He caught up with her and grabbed hold of her elbow. "I did not apologize."

Caroline glanced up with a smile. "But you would have, if I had given you more time." She turned back to look at the crowd then, dismissing him once again.

Bradford started laughing. He hadn't smiled or laughed in such a long time, and he knew that she was correct. If given enough time, he probably would have apologized. She was right about that and she was also correct about his thoughts of an arrangement. He might have made her his mistress, regardless of the consequences, if she had been willing. He had been rash, assuming that she was like most of the other women he had known, and now he found that he would have to reevaluate his position and his course of action.

Caroline Richmond confused him and he didn't like admitting that at all. She spurned his title and his money, and he almost believed her. Didn't she know what he could offer her? He couldn't accept that material offerings were not important to her. She was a woman, after all. But she was more clever in her game than most. And more obstinate. Well, he wouldn't be deterred. No matter how difficult the challenge, he would conquer. He wondered if she realized what she was up against. Obviously not, he decided. He realized that he was frowning now and quickly changed his expression to show none of the emotions warring inside.

Caroline had stated that she wanted someone considerate! In all of his years, Bradford knew he had never been thought of as such. Brutal and ruthless were easy descriptions he had heard whispered about him in the past. But considerate? He didn't even know exactly what that meant. He would find out, of course. If she demanded consideration, then by God that's what she would get.

"There you are, Daughter." Caroline's father's voice interrupted Bradford's thoughts. She had just reached the entrance to the ballroom when she was intercepted by the earl. "It really isn't the thing, darling, to take off like that."

"I'm sorry, Father," Caroline answered, looking contrite. She placed a quick kiss on his cheek. "I was carried away," she added, glancing back toward Bradford.

"Yes, of course," her father agreed. "Understandable your first night out. Are you having a good time?" he inquired with a smile of expectation.

Caroline knew what was expected of her and immediately replied, "It is all quite wonderful, and I have met so many interesting people."

The affection was obvious in her tender gaze as she smiled at her father, and Bradford found himself envying the special relationship that existed between the two as he joined them. He thought it remarkable, too, since he had learned that Braxton had sent his daughter to the Colonies and had not seen her in fourteen years. That course of action obviously hadn't strained her love for him, and Bradford thought that unusual.

"I knew you would enjoy yourself. And you, Bradford?" her father continued, beaming. "Are you enjoying the evening?"

Before Bradford could answer, Braxton continued, "You have caused quite a commotion tonight. You don't usually attend these functions, do you?"

"I have been remiss in my duties," Bradford replied. "But I plan to change my ways. Tonight has proven to be quite stimulating," he continued as he glanced at Caroline. "I am enjoying myself immensely."

"Ah! Here come the marquis and Charity." The earl waited until both his niece and his brother-in-law had joined the group and then said to Bradford, "You remember the Marquis of Aimsmond?" Caroline noticed that her father's voice now sounded most formal. She heard the tone of deference and decided that Bradford must be the most significant of the title gentlemen here. She found that amusing, since he was so much younger than her father or her uncle.

Bradford nodded that he did, indeed, remember the marquis. It was the curt nod of a duke, an acknowledgment of a man used to his position. He certainly did know how to be correct! Caroline smiled and couldn't explain why. His correctness pleased her, added a new dimension to his character. "It is good to see you again, Aimsmond."

"And you also, Bradford," the marquis returned with a smile. He turned to Caroline's father then and said, "Our host has requested a word with us."

"Of course," the earl answered. "I will be right back, Caroline."

"With your permission," Bradford interjected, "I would like to introduce Caroline to the Earl of Milfordhurst and then return her to your side." Caroline's father smiled and nodded his approval.

He took hold of Charity's arm and followed behind the marquis.

Bradford led Caroline off in the opposite direction, toward the far side of the ballroom.

Milford saw Bradford approaching with the beautiful woman at his side and immediately excused himself from the group he was engaged in conversation with. He moved to meet the twosome halfway.

"Caroline, may I present my friend, William Summers, Earl of Milfordhurst," Bradford announced. "Milford, this is Lady Caroline Mary Richmond, the Earl of Braxton's daughter."

"I am pleased to meet you," Caroline said. She made a small curtsy while she sized up the handsome man taking hold of her hand. He appeared to be very much of a rascal from his grin to the sparkle in his green eyes.

"The pleasure is all mine," Milford announced with a formal bow. "So this is the lady from the Colonies," he commented to Bradford. "And is that a new gown you're wearing?" he asked Caroline.

She was surprised by his question but nodded her head. "Yes, it's a design of Madam Newcott's," she added.

Milford shot Bradford a knowing look and chuckled.

Caroline wasn't sure what was going on between the two but didn't have time to dwell on it. Charity joined the group, her full skirt swinging as she came to an abrupt stop. She smiled at Bradford and then at his friend.