Romancing the Rogue (166 page)

Relief coursed though John and all the constricting tension drained from his body. To swiftly be replaced by two arms wrapping around his neck and pulling him close.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Carolina cried, scattering kisses on his cheeks. Only a few short weeks ago, he'd have cringed at her unbelievably bold behavior, but now he welcomed it. Partially, because it drowned out Mrs. Ellis’ shrill protests about freeing Bethel; but mostly, because he'd come to love this woman more than anyone, and her happiness was what he valued above all else.

From the corner of his eye, John caught sight of Edward whose eyes were shimmering with amusement and shoulders shaking with mirth. John shook his head. Edward had once predicted he'd marry a woman as spirited as Carolina
—
and like it. There was no use in denying it, that's exactly what he'd done, but he didn't like it. He loved it.

“Don't be thanking him yet,” her mother said. “He hasn't actually married you yet, and until he does, Bethel will continue her duties.”

“Of course,” Carolina agreed automatically, taking her time about releasing John.

“Very well, I think we could host the wedding four weeks from this Saturday,” Mrs. Ellis continued, turning to Edward and Regina. “Will that be all right with you?”

“It won't be all right with me,” John said through clenched teeth.

“And why not? You do want it to be proper, do you not? She does only get one chance at a wedding, you know.”

“She may very well be carrying my child already. I won't allow speculation about why she's giving birth not even eight months after we're married.” Not to mention, he didn't think he'd survive four more days without having her again, let alone four more weeks.

“He's right,” Edward agreed, picking up his fork and stabbing at his eggs. He brought his fork up close to his mouth and looked straight at John and Carolina. “Better to have it believed they married so they could start a family, not married because they'd already started one.”

John grinned at his brother. He could say whatever he wanted. Carolina was not one to be scandalized. “As Edward so eloquently put it, I wouldn't like Carolina's virtue to be speculated on.”

“Well, it's not like it's untrue,” her mother argued.

John reached for Carolina’s hand under the table. “Carolina, what do you want?”

“You're right, someone will surmise—”

“Forget I said anything about that. Nobody but us will know the truth unless you tell them when we married,” he cut in, chastising himself for being so careless in what he said and how it might make her feel. “When do
you
wish to marry?”

“I—I don't know. As soon as we can?”

“Is that what you want or are you saying that because you think it's what I want to hear?”

“What do you think?”

He chuckled. “Will this Saturday be soon enough?”

“This Saturday?” Mrs. Ellis shrieked. “That's in four days! That's not enough time to plan a proper wedding and replace Bethel.”

“It had better be,” John said, eliciting a wide grin from Carolina.

“But
—
but
—
but—” Mrs. Ellis started.

“Stop your protesting, woman,” Mr. Ellis said with a scowl. “It's not as if we have a lot of guests to invite.”

Mrs. Ellis moved to protest again, but John had no intention of listening and motioned for Carolina to join him outside.

“Thank you again, John,” she said, as soon as they were outside; tears filling her eyes.

He wrapped her in a hug. “I told you I'd find a way to help Bethel.”

“I know and I never doubted you.”

That made one of them at least. “I need to leave for Charleston now.”

“To post your letter?”

“And find a job.”

“Do you have an idea of where you'll find one?”

He poked his bottom lip out in an overdone frown and nodded. “I think so, yes. I plan to ask Mr. Morrison for my old job back.”

“You want to work for him again? I thought Gabriel said he cheated you?”

“He did,” John acknowledged, pushing a lock of her silky hair from her eyes. “But I think he did it so I'd be forced to come back to see him, and he could try to talk me into taking a job from him again.”

“Do you really think that was his reason?”

John thought back to the day when Mr. Morrison had stuffed his wages into his pocket. “I think so. He'd asked me to stay on, no less than four times, and had never cheated me before. It had to have been on purpose.”

“That, or fate,” Carolina added, smoothing his lapels. “The Lord does work in mysterious ways, does he not?”

He dropped a kiss on her forehead. He'd been so wrong in his original assessment of her. She'd make a great vicar's wife. If only he was certain he'd be a vicar. He pulled back. “If I don't come back tonight, then I'll be back by Saturday.”

She blinked her eyes rapidly and the gesture tore at his heart.

Pulling her close to him, he whispered. “It'll be all right. Gabriel will be here to make sure nothing happens to her while I'm away. He loves her as much as you do. He'll keep her safe. Now, give me a kiss. I'll be back by Saturday.”

~~~~

“That boy won't be back, and you're about to lose your only chance at a somewhat respectable future,” Mother said, for what had to be the hundredth time since John had left on Tuesday.

Carolina ignored her and pulled her white lace stocking up. John might not always use the most respectable tactics for accomplishing his goals, but he wasn't the kind who'd make bad on a promise. He'd promised her he'd come back, and he would. She knew he would.

“You do realize your wedding is to start in an hour, and nobody has heard a word from your groom since he left?” Mother asked, likely just to be annoying.

Praise the Lord that after today, Carolina wouldn't have to spend another moment alone with her mother. A pang of guilt settled in her chest at how cruel that sounded. But that guilt was quickly extinguished when her mother spoke again.

“Charlie is already downstairs waiting. I'll go speak to his mother to see if he can stand in as the groom.”

Carolina whipped around to face this heartless creature she had to claim as her mother. “You have got to be the most selfish, faithless person I've ever met.”

“No. I am rational. A characteristic you seem to be sorely lacking.”

Carolina recoiled at her mother's words. “Don't,” she hissed. “I might not be the meek, demure miss you wanted your daughter to become, but I am not the imbecile you believe me to be, either.”

“Are you sure? It would seem the man to whom you've pledged your love has given me no choice but to believe he won't be coming back for you. Even that lofty lord of a brother of his disappeared with his wife and child, after claiming to have to go on some sort of an adventure.” She twisted her lips in disgust as she said the words. “I had believed that at least he being a baron would mean there was some honor in the family. But frankly, I'm not sure those weren't paid actors.”

Carolina shook her head as a red haze clouded her vision. Her mother's stupidity didn't even deserve an answer. John would not abandon her. She slid her feet into her slippers and grabbed her parasol, then walked from the room, her mother trailing right behind her.

“Lina, I am just trying to protect you. I won't have it spread around the countryside that my daughter was abandoned at the altar by some English bounder.”

“After everything that's happened, you're still trying to push me to marry Charlie,” she said in disbelief.

“He's a nice boy,” Mother argued.

Carolina stopped on the stairs and turned to face her mother, then in a low voice said, “Yes, he is exactly that: a boy. I know you and Mrs. Fields would rather live your lives denying it, and I hate to be so cruel as to be the one to point it out, but it's the truth.”

Mother pinched her lips together. “A boy he may be, but he might be your only choice. So I'd suggest you start speaking better of him.”

“And I'd suggest you start speaking better of John.”

“Yes, love?” said the object of her affection as he rounded the corner. “Did you want me for something?”

“Only to make me your wife,” she said, grinning.

He returned her grin and extended his hand toward where she was standing on the stairs. “I think I can manage that.”

John couldn't contain the grin splitting his face. But no matter how besotted he must appear, he had no intention of hiding the joy he felt at seeing his bride walk down the aisle toward him, clad in a dark blue, white lace-trimmed gown with tears shining in her eyes.

He was rewarded most sweetly when a grin took her lips and stayed there throughout their vows.

“'Lations, Lina,” Charlie said, coming up to them as they made their way to where a long buffet table of food had been set out for the guests.

Carolina released John's hand and gave Charlie a hug. “Thank you, Charlie.”

“Congratulations, Lina, Mr. Banks,” Charlie's mother said with a surprisingly congenial smile.

“Thank you, Mrs. Fields,” Carolina said uneasily, her gloved fingers making idle movements on the handle of her parasol. “I thought to come see you. I just couldn't think of what to say.” Was it just John, or did she seem slightly uncomfortable? She had no reason to be.

He was about to come to Carolina's defense and explain, as nicely as he could, why Carolina couldn't possibly have made a good wife to Charlie, but was spared when Mrs. Fields spoke again.

“I know.” She sighed. “It's best this way, I think. It might have pleased Charlie to no end to spend each day in your company, but I doubt that would have been quite as enjoyable for you.”

Carolina swallowed. “I'm sorry,” she said quietly. “I don't think I'm who he needs.”

“No, you're not,” she agreed, not unkindly. “Perhaps he'll find her one day. But it's most clear the two of you belong together.”

“Isn't it though?” Mrs. Ellis intoned. “I knew these two would make a match of it all along.”

John and Carolina shared a secret smile and then walked away without bothering to respond.

“May I have this dance?” he asked as the musicians strummed the first note of what would be the first song they'd dance to as a married couple.

“You remembered,” she marveled as the first song they'd danced to in Charleston began to play.

He squeezed her hand. “Of course I did. How could I possibly forget? A man always remembers what's going on around him during those life-altering moments.”

“Like when he realizes he's just fallen in love,” she teased as he spun her around to the music.

He cocked his head to the side. “I don't believe so, no.” He remembered music was involved when he first realized he was in love, but it certainly wasn't this song.

She swatted at his shoulder. “Say what you want, but you were in love long before the melody.”

“Let me guess; my eyes told you this in that stuffy Charleston ballroom.”

“Of course they did. When I could see them, anyway,” she amended. “Your long hair kept falling in your eyes, blocking my view.”

He shook his head. No matter what he said, he'd never get her to give up on her belief, nor would he want her to. That was just another thing about her that made her unique.

After the first song, a few of the neighbors joined them on the yard. “Who's that?” he whispered, spinning Carolina enough so she could see the young lady dressed in a faded purple dress, standing on the far end of the lawn.

She smiled. “Oh, that's my friend, Marjorie. She's the one who suggested I bring you lemon water for your sunburn.”

“I'll have to be sure to thank her,” John said.

“If you'd like, I can introduce you so that you can.”

The eagerness in her voice caught him unaware. “I'd be honored.”

Because she was Carolina and did not have a worry in the world of what others would think, she stopped dancing mid-step and tugged him by the hand toward the young lady in question. “John, I'd like you to meet my friend, Marjorie Reynolds.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you, and I must thank you for the brilliant advice you gave Carolina. I appreciated it very much.”

The young lady's eyes went wide and her cheeks turned crimson.

He turned toward Carolina who was on the verge of laughter. “Is something amusing?”

“He's not thanking you for
that
suggestion,” Carolina said, waving her hand through the air. “Although he should be; he enjoyed being sewn up in a bundling bag just as much as the lemon water. He'd just never admit it.”

John looked at the girl in amusement. Carolina was right, he'd never admit to enjoying the bundling bag—mainly while she was sewing it and right after it came off. But he had enjoyed it.

“I must be getting back before they notice I'm gone,” Marjorie said.

Carolina reached for her hand. “Thank you for coming. It means a lot to me that you came, even if it was just for a few minutes.”

Tears welled up in the girl's gray eyes. “I wouldn't have missed saying my goodbyes for anything.”

“Goodbye, Marjorie,” Caroline said, hugging her friend for what might very well be the last time.

“Goodbye, Carolina.” She wiped her eyes and turned toward John. “It was nice to meet you, John, and I wish you both the best of luck.”

John stood frozen as the young girl ran off. “Why is she in such a hurry?”

“Mother terrifies her.”

“Lina's not jesting, either,” Gabriel said from behind them.

John and Carolina turned around. “Do you lack the manners to know not to creep up on someone like that?” John asked, scowling.

“No,” Gabriel said without hesitation, an unusually blank expression on his face. “Mother asked me to come and collect you two. For some reason, all the neighbors gathered here today to see the two of you.”

“Mother doesn't like Marjorie, and I daresay the feeling is reciprocated,” Carolina confided as they made their way back to the small crowd of thirty neighbors who'd come out to witness their wedding.

“John,” Edward said, walking up to John and Carolina after they'd rejoined the crowd and were surrounded by their little group of guests. “We need to be leaving soon if we're to get a good night's rest before our ship leaves tomorrow.”

John nearly laughed at Edward's blatant lie. When they'd come by John's lodgings last night, he'd said they planned to stay in Charleston another week, at the least, while Mr. Rivet stuffed an opossum they’d trapped while exploring the lowlands. Another trophy to adorn their awkwardly decorated townhouse to symbolize their love and remember their adventures together, he supposed. Likely Edward's excuse was because he was ready to be away from Carolina's mother. He understood that.

“As I was saying, where would you like Regina to put it?” Edward asked, jerking John from his wandering thoughts.

“I can take it,” Carolina offered, extending her hand toward a very quiet Regina.

Edward stood back and gave a pointed look to Regina, who blushed a little, then handed Carolina a little parcel wrapped with brown paper and white twine.

“You might wish to read the note before you open it,” Regina said quietly.

Carolina plucked the note off the top and held the parcel in one hand as she lifted the note closer to her eyes with the other. Color rose in her cheeks. How unusual. He glanced to a seemingly disinterested Regina and Edward and then leaned over her shoulder to read what they could have possibly written to make Carolina's face grow redder by the second.

Dearest Carolina,

He'd recognize Regina's writing, full of soft swoops and gentle curves, anywhere, and his body relaxed considerably. She was one of the most respectable ladies he'd ever met, but that still didn't explain Carolina's reaction, so he continued.

Having not known you very long, we weren't sure what we should get you for a wedding present. But having been a new, inexperienced bride myself, I realized what I needed most wasn't dishes or silver, but some
instruction
when it came to certain matters...
such as that of the duties of a wife.

Now, I know you're entering into this marriage a little better prepared than I was when I married Edward; however, a lady can never have too much knowledge when it comes to certain aspects of her marriage. So yesterday, when I was at a bookshop in Charleston and found a copy
of the very book I found so…
shall we say
…
enlightening
that Edward keeps a copy in his study and I keep a copy by my bedside, I knew exactly what a blushing bride, such as you, needed more than anything else.

I hope you enjoy the book and the wonders it will do for a certain aspect of your marriage.

Regina

John had barely reached the end, when Carolina's startled cry rent the air. John snapped his head up and caught a glimpse of his brother's broad grin just before narrowly missing the opportunity to take hold of his wife as she darted toward four-year-old Alex who had managed to take the book from Carolina's grasp and was now running through the yard, ripping the paper off and hollering, “A present! A present!”