"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.

He waited until he finally had her alone in their carriage and then took her into his arms and kissed her soundly.

"What was that for?" Caroline asked. Her voice trembled from the heat of the kiss, and that special weak feeling invaded her stomach.

"For being beautiful," Bradford told her.

Caroline sighed. "I'm glad you think I'm beautiful, Bradford. But what will happen when I grow old and wrinkled?" Her voice sounded fretful and she searched his face for her answer.

"I love you, sweet, but it isn't because of your appearance. It's what's inside you, and that won't ever change. Did you think I could be so shallow and tell you that I loved you because of your appearance only?"

Caroline shook her head, denying that truth, and Bradford kissed her again. He pushed her head down on his shoulder so she couldn't see the mischief in his eyes and added, "If that was the case, I would have left you when you cut your hair."

Caroline didn't take the bait. She laughed, delighted with his wit, and told him that the only reason she had married him was because of his money.

It was the last time that they teased each other during the following two days.

The men following Franklin reported that he was again on the move.

And on the morning of the twentieth, the Duke of Bradford's carriage set out for Bradford Hills.

Caroline was quite practical about the trap until it actually came time to see it through, and then she begged her husband to stay with her and let his men see to Franklin.

When she realized he wouldn't be swayed, she demanded that he take every precaution. "You don't need to leave so many guards with me," she argued.

"You'll stay in the bedroom until I get back," Bradford returned, ignoring her argument.

"Be sure to count the number of men before you go charging into the middle of an ambush," she warned.

"For God's sake, Caroline, have a little faith in your husband's ability!" Bradford yelled. He kissed her then, his way of letting her know that he hadn't really meant to yell at all.

Caroline followed him to the bedroom door, where Milford stood waiting, and whispered, "See to his back, Milford."

Bradford heard her and shook his head with exasperation. He gave her a quick hug and then shut the door behind him, leaving his wife to pace and pray until he returned.

Bradford had placed two men in charge of driving the empty carriage. He and Milford, with six good men, took another route, and when they reached the outskirts of London, they abandoned the road and took to the hills.

There were several ideal spots for an ambush in Bradford's estimation and it took two hours of hard riding before they spotted Franklin's men.

There were four men on each side of the incline, crouched against the dense underbrush, weapons drawn. Bradford saw that another man, separated from either group, watched from the highest point of the hill. He couldn't see the man's face, but he was certain it was Franklin.

He motioned to Milford, who turned and also spotted the lone figure.

"Franklin?"

"He's mine," Bradford stated, his voice harsh.

The men laying in wait never had a chance. The surprise attack was quickly done with. And then Bradford was racing toward his stallion, intent on getting to the lone man observing the scene from above.

Bradford was on his horse and after his prey before the man had crested the hill.

The forest was dense but the snow made easy work of tracking, and Bradford was upon his enemy before he had cleared the next rise. The pace was furious and when Bradford reached the man, he lunged at him. The two men fell to the ground. Bradford rolled and stood up. The other man lay face down, without moving, and from the unusual angle of his head, Bradford knew his neck had been broken in the fall. He was furious over the quickness of it, aching still with the need for revenge. The bastard's death had been too easy.

Bradford walked over to the prone figure and used his boot to turn him over. A woolen scarf hid the lower part of the dead man's face, but Bradford recognized him anyway. It was Franklin on the ground with his neck broken, just as Bradford knew it would be.

He didn't waste time mulling over what was to be done with the body. Franklin would be buried the way that he had lived. Without honor. His body belonged to the scavengers now.

It was finished. Loretta and Marie had been rounded up by Bradford's men. There wouldn't be a hearing on their guilt. Bradford had promised his wife that Loretta would leave the country with her life. He understood her reasoning. She was thinking of her Uncle Milo and what the truth would do to him.

The threat had passed and only the future concerned Bradford now. His future with the woman he loved.

Epilogue

The duke of Bradford concluded some necessary business dealings in London and eagerly returned home to Bradford Hills late one afternoon. He had only been away from his wife for three days' time but it felt like an eternity, and he was eager to hold her in his arms.

He was surprised when Henderson informed him that his wife was above stairs, entertaining two gentle man callers.

His frown mirrored his irritation. The house was already bursting at the seams with Caroline's guests. Over his arguments, his docile wife had already invited his mother to pay a visit, and only last week, Paul and Charity had arrived for a four-day retreat.

He sighed his exasperation and went upstairs, fully intending to tell Caroline that he was tired of being hospitable. The sound of laughter coming from his bedroom put him off guard and he hesitated before opening the door.

The sight he encountered did strain his patience. There were two men in his bedroom. One was sprawled out in his easy chair and the other was sitting on the side of the bed, draped over Caroline.

"If you don't quit twisting and turning, I won't be able to get your boots off," Caroline told the stranger.

Bradford raised an eyebrow over that remark, and then his wife glanced over and saw him. "I could certainly use your assistance," she called out to him.

He didn't argue, but walked over to the man clinging to his wife's shoulders and slowly pealed his arms away. "Now, what did you have in mind?" he asked, his tone quite mild.

The man fell back as soon as his anchor was lost. His eyes were closed and as soon as he hit the mattress, he began to snore.

"I think a kiss first," Caroline answered, smiling. "Welcome home," she whispered. She reached up on tiptoes and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek.