Desiring Lady Caro Read Online Free PDF Page A

accepted my answer the first time.”
    Before di Venier could respond, Huntley hit the marchese’s elbow, breaking the man’s hold on Caro’s arm. He glowered down on the marchese. “I think it’s time we had a talk, my lord.”
    Di Venier glared but followed Huntley out to the terrace, scowling. “This is none of your affair. You are no relation to her. You have no right to interfere with me.”
    The blood in Huntley’s veins heated to boiling and his muscles clenched, ready to do battle, but he tried to keep his temper under control. “Lady Caro resides with my aunt and is under her protection. That gives me the right.”
    Di Venier sneered and turned to go back inside. “I do not recognize your claim.”
    Huntley latched on to di Venier’s shoulder and growled. “I don’t care whether you recognize it or not. She is mine to protect. Don’t push me, di Venier. Leave Lady Caroline alone, or your life will become extremely unpleasant.”
    Shaking Huntley’s hand off, the man turned. “I will have her one way or another. Stay out of my business.” Di Venier’s lips curled. “You are nothing here, Englishman .”
    That was all the reason Huntley needed. He drove his fist into the marchese’s jaw. Di Venier fell back against the rail, then slumped to the floor.
    Huntley shook out his hand, entered the ballroom and glanced around, relieved to find Horatia and Caro gone.
    Almost immediately, Chuffy came up to him. “The man’s mad. I’m glad you planted him a facer.”
    Huntley smiled grimly. “He’s not going to give up, and even with the Austrians in charge, his family has too much wealth and power. There must be some way to find out what he’s planning.”
    Chuffy furrowed his brow. “Have you received a report yet?”
    “No. I’ll send a message that I need something immediately.”
    Slapping Huntley’s back, Chuffy nodded. “Good idea. Try to keep the ladies close to the palazzo for a few days if you can. Our marchese is not going to be happy about what happened to-night.”
    “I’ll do what I can.” It was mid-October, and he’d originally planned to leave for Florence in another week. Yet even if his interest hadn’t turned to Caro, his duty was clear. He could not leave his aunt and Lady Caro without his protection. “What a nuisance it is to have to guard a female who doesn’t appreciate it.”
    Yet that was a lie. He’d do anything to protect Caro, no matter her reaction.
    He left the ball and took a gondola directly to his aunt’s palazzo . He was in his chamber when voices from the balcony below floated up.
    “Oooh,” Caro ground out. “I should have punched him myself.”
    Horatia laughed. “I’m sure that would have made you feel much better.”
    “It would have caused a scandal,” Caro said in a rueful voice.
    “That too. Maybe it was better Huntley did it.”
    “It is not fair. Gentlemen have all the fun.”
    Caro moved to the balustrade, giving him a good view of her rosy lips pursed into a pout.
    His lips twitched as he held back a shout of laughter. “I know of at least one lady who would have planted him a facer.”
    She glanced up and crossed her arms across her chest, which had the effect of enhancing her already generous bosom. “Eavesdropping, Huntley?”
    He grinned. “I couldn’t help it.” He climbed over his rail and dropped down to the balcony below. “Do you wish me to show you how to knock him down?”
    Caro slid him a sidelong gaze. “Would you really?”
    “Only if you promise not to use your new-found knowledge on me.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “What if you do something that would cause me to hit you?”
    “In that case, you have my permission.” He studied Caro for a moment. Her eyes had a warlike sparkle he didn’t usually see. “I have one more stipulation.”
    Her chin rose. “And that is?”
    “You must promise to allow me to hit him if I’m present.”
    “ Men .” She hugged Horatia. “I’m for my bed.”
    Once Caro was