Trapped in Time: A Kindred Tales PLUS Novel: Brides of the Kindred Read online

  She sighed. “I will think on it. But now I must rest. I am so tired.”

  “I imagine you are. Good night then.” Leaning over, he pressed a quick kiss to her forehead and then left, closing the door softly behind him.

  Caroline looked up at him as they stood in the hall together. It all made sense now and she felt stupid for accusing him in the first place.

  “So…she’s your cousin.”

  Richard nodded wearily. “Come. We can speak of it more in the room I mentioned.”

  * * * * *

  As he led Caroline to the spare room which was usually kept for distinguished visitors—Lords who wished to visit Mother Griffith’s but did not care to spend the night in the brothel’s common rooms—Richard wondered why in the world his wife had come after him.

  He’d been coming here for months now—ever since Emmeline had resurfaced and found herself in a “delicate condition,” thanks to that blackguard, Jack Torrington. He had made no particular efforts to hide what he was doing or where he was going and Caroline had completely ignored his frequent disappearances. She knew the sad story of his cousin’s ruination—Hell, everyone in good society did. But she had never once spoken of it or alluded to it in any way. Like everyone else in their social circle, she tried to pretend nothing had happened and that Emmeline had never existed.

  So why had she followed him tonight? If it had nothing to do with Emmeline, could it have been that she was jealous? She’d never shown the slightest sign that she might care if he’d broken his vows before—not that he ever would have. Once given, a Kindred could not take his heart back—however much he might wish he could, Richard thought grimly.

  Could her strange behavior still have to do with the lightning strike? He had heard her telling Lord Harkens a lot of nonsense about coming from another universe or some such rot when he’d come to get her from Thrashings Hall only that afternoon. Could her wits be addled?

  But she seemed perfectly sane and lucid now—though she had been somewhat shaken by the attack in the alley.

  Richard frowned to himself. Had she really escaped unscathed? He must ask her again in a calmer setting and let her know that he would not think the worse of her if the unthinkable had happened.

  The very thought of that brute forcing himself on Caroline made Richard’s fangs grow long and sharp and his hands clench into fists. He had barely restrained himself from ripping the bastard’s throat out with his teeth. Only the knowledge that such an action would horrify the woman he loved had stopped him from doing it.

  I must examine her and make certain no harm has been done, he told himself. And I must be gentle and assure her that I will still love and cherish her no matter what has happened. Let her know that the attack was not her fault.

  He would not allow what had happened to his dear cousin to happen to Caroline. Though he was still unsure of her motivations, he knew his own heart. Try as he might to cut off his emotions for her, he still loved her.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Richard led Caroline down the hall to the room at the very end. When he opened it, she saw the welcome sight of a fire crackling in the hearth. There was also a four-poster brass bed covered in a blue and green patchwork quilt and a teapot with a long, curving spout hanging on the hob.

  A tall, folding screen stood in one corner and in front of the fire was a strange looking contraption which appeared to be made of porcelain. It had a round, deep bottom filled with about a foot of water and one high end that came up almost like the back of a chair. Caroline couldn’t guess what it was but she was just happy to be someplace safe and clean and warm.

  “Oh, this is lovely.” She cast an appreciative glance at the fire before going in to sit on the bed. For a minute she had trouble with the whalebone hoops under her dress, which nearly flipped up and showed her pantalets and stockings.

  Somehow, she caught them in time and rearranged herself with a muffled curse.

  “Damn it, I am so tired of these freaking things!”

  “I beg your pardon?” Richard looked surprised. Probably—no, definitely—she shouldn’t have cursed. Polite young ladies undoubtedly never said “damn” or any of the other things she was thinking at the moment.

  “Sorry!” she said quickly. “It’s just this stupid hoop skirt. I’ve been wearing it for hours and I’m so tired of it!”

  “Why don’t you take it off, then?” Richard asked. “You must if I am to examine you properly, anyway.”

  “Oh, you want me to…to take off my clothes?” Caroline felt her face flush and her heart was suddenly beating twice as fast as it had been only a moment before.

  “So that I may examine you, yes.” He nodded gravely. “You have been attacked—I must see to you.”

  “But…but nothing happened,” Caroline protested nervously. “I mean he, uh, tried to and he probably would have in another second if you hadn’t come along when you did—but you didn’t give him a chance. And how did you find me anyway?”

  He sighed. “By the time I got here, Emmeline had already delivered her child. I examined both of them, made certain they were resting comfortably, and came out for a breath of fresh air. Whereupon, Nick came and told me that ‘a pretty young lady of the quality’ had come to see me and was waiting downstairs. The moment I descended the steps, I caught your scent in the air but you had already gone.”

  “Wait—you could smell that I had been there?” Caroline shook her head. “I had no idea the Kindred sense of smell was that strong?”

  “You’re lucky it is, my dear,” he growled, frowning. “I was able to follow you down the street and into that black alley you’d gone into and stop your assailant—I hope in time.” He shook his head. “Why did you follow me down here, Caroline? Don’t you know how dangerous it is? You might have been killed!”

  “I followed you because I thought you were cheating on me,” she blurted. “And I know I don’t have any right to talk about cheating—not after you found me taking tea with Lord Harkens’ mother today. But you should know,” she continued quickly, “That I didn’t want to go! The other mother—I mean, Ma-ma—made me. She said it was either that or I had to go for a womb exam.” She shivered. “I decided tea was a better option.”

  “Yes, well…” Richard sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Whatever your reasoning, you should not have come.”

  “Well, I’m here now,” Caroline pointed out. “And you said…you told me you wanted me to take off my clothes.”

  She didn’t know why she was reminding him of this. Normally she would never want to get naked in front of anyone—especially a man. Her overfull hourglass shape made her extremely self-conscience about being plus sized. But Richard seemed to like her shape and what was more, she had seen other women shaped like her at the ball the other night. Maybe it was in fashion here and that was why she felt more willing to take her clothes off in front of him.

  Or maybe it’s just his scent working on you again. God, he smells good! whispered a little voice in her head. It was true—that warm, spicy, masculine scent that Richard seemed to carry with him everywhere he went made her feel almost dizzy with desire. Caroline didn’t know what it was, but it made her want to rub against him like a cat.

  “I did ask you to take your clothing off, yes. But only so that I might examine you—I have no other designs on you, I swear it, Caroline.” Richard came to kneel before her. Taking her hands in his, he looked earnestly into her eyes. “And I want you to know, my love, that no matter what has happened, you will retain your value to me. My feelings for you will not change a whit—that I swear to you.”

  “Well…thank you.” Caroline was touched by his gesture. Clearly during this time and in this world, if a woman was raped she immediately lost her value in the eyes of society and probably in the eyes of her husband as well. But Richard wanted to let her know that he would care for her no matter what had happened. “That’s very sweet of you,” she murmured.

  “I speak only the truth,” he