Desiring Lady Caro Read Online Free PDF

gone, he poured a glass of wine. “Is Caro all right?”
    “Caro is shaken but determined to hide it. It is a pity di Venier has fixed his attention on her. I wish we’d gone to Lake Garda after all.”
    Huntley took a swig of the chilled, dry white wine. His jaw clenched. “He’s up to something. I’ve no proof, but I can feel it in my bones.”
    He finished the glass and poured another. What he wanted was brandy. He’d have to send Maufe out to find some. “I have a man investigating him. I should hear from him soon.”
    Horatia sipped her wine quietly for a few moments. “I shall do so as well. This is a small and normally safe city. If he plans something nefarious, surely word will leak out.”
    “But will we discover it in time?”
    His aunt sighed and shook her head. “Perhaps we’ll stay home for a few nights.”
    “I think that would be best.”
     
    Early the next morning, Huntley finally received the information he had been waiting for. He stared down at the documents, almost unable to credit the report. Di Venier had murdered a girl ready to take her vows as a nun. Damn. This was worse than any of them could have guessed. The man had no honor at all.
    “Maufe, please tell Lady Horatia I need to speak with her immediately.”
    Ten minutes later, as he sat on the balcony drinking coffee, she joined him. “Have you heard anything?”
    “Yes.” He handed her the report.
    After reading it, her lips formed a thin line. “That poor woman. I wish I could say I’m surprised. Some men hold the lives of those beneath them cheaply. Particularly a woman’s life. It says here, di Venier thought she was a prostitute. He’d have seen her as the dirt under his feet. I’ve received news as well. There has been some chatter concerning the marchese leaving Venice.” His aunt’s brows drew together. “That to me is very strange, and I do not believe it. I think we shall go to my villa at Lake Garda for a few weeks. Perhaps by the time we return, his attention will be diverted to a more suitable lady.”
    Huntley leaned against a support column, sipped his coffee, and watched the gondolas plying their trade along the side of the canal. The water sparkled blue and fresh in the morning sun. Women never seemed to understand men. Di Venier was not only determined but obsessed. Removing to a location within two days of Venice wouldn’t help. In fact, the more rural area might even help the scoundrel. “He’ll follow.”
    Sighing, Horatia set her cup on the table. “If you are sure . . . Bother. We will have to come up with something. Oh, why did the dratted man have to return to Venice? We all went on perfectly well without him.”
    Huntley turned from the view and leaned back against the balustrade. “There must be someplace we can take her . . .”
    “I’ll not leave Venice.” Caro stood in the doorway to the balcony. One hand held a cup, and the other curled into a tight fist. “This is my home. I’ll not run away again.”
    Her face was militant, and Huntley admired her spirit. Venice had been Caro’s refuge for five years, and she loved the city. Of course she wouldn’t want to leave, but this place was no longer safe for her. Hell, the country wasn’t safe. “A few weeks ago, di Venier killed a thirteen-year-old girl because she wouldn’t service him. A novice who was ready to take her vows. He may be planning to abduct you.”
    Her eyes few wide. “Oh God, no.” China tinkled as the cup and saucer in her hand shook. “How could anyone do such a thing? We’ll tell the local authorities.”
    Huntley shook his head slowly. “You’re a foreigner, and his family is extremely powerful.”
    She placed the thin china cup down on a table. When she spoke, the faintest thread of fear could be heard through her defiance. “But the Austrians, surely they will do something. The man cannot go around accosting ladies and there not be consequences.”
    Huntley started to rise to go to her, then sat back