My Darling Caroline Read Online Free PDF

remain inside. She also knew it had to be imported, and fairly old, for she could see markings where rugs had lain for a very long time.
    To each side of her were staircases leading to the second floor, rounding the hall and meeting at the top directly in front of her. She gingerly made her way forward, her husband following in silence as she peeked into each room on the first floor. She could picture a once laughter-filled home, like the one in which she was raised, with a morning room, library, drawing room, music room, dining room, and a big, elegant ballroom. Sadly, it was obvious that Miramont had once been a beautiful home. Now all that remained was the shell of a memory.
    “The only room I really spend much time in right now is my study,” her husband said at last as they stood once again in the entryway. He pointed to his left, then reached down and took hold of her hand.
    She flinched from the contact.
    “It’s all right, Caroline,” he soothed lightly. “I won’t bite.”
    Smiling hesitantly, she bravely clasped his fingers with her palm and walked by his side into the study.
    It was fairly large, depicting at least a feeling of life on the premises, being cozy and smelling faintly of tobacco. On opposing sides of a large oak desk sat two black leather chairs, and in front of the fireplace sat a new, dark-green velveteen settee. The desk was piled high with paperwork, and suddenly she found herself curious as to what her new husband did with his time.
    “Are there any servants, my lord?” she asked casually.
    “My name is Brent, Caroline,” he returned flatly, dropping her hand. “Since we’re now married, you may call me that.”
    She was silent for an uncomfortable moment, mystified as to how he wanted her to respond, then she replied just as blandly, “Of course, Brent.”
    He turned to face her fully. “The only servant I have right now is Nedda Albright, my housekeeper, who returned yesterday from staying with the Vicar Drakemond and his wife while I was away. She’s been working on the second floor, preparing it for you. There’s also Davis, my trainer, and three additional grooms who run what used to be my stables.” He glanced away from her to remove his topcoat, placing it over the back of the settee. “I’ll be leaving in a few days to attend to some personal business; then I’ll look for others or the ones who were here before.”
    She grinned. “You have four people running your stables and only one running your household?”
    He turned back to her, folding his arms across his chest. “As you can see, I have no household, and Davis and Nedda are horrible cooks. That means, I’m afraid, it will be bread, cheese, and fruit for both of us until I can find someone else to do it.”
    “Does Davis have a first name?”
    He smiled beautifully. “I’m sure he does, but for thirty years I’ve known him only as Davis as has everyone else. If you asked him, he’d tell you he’s forgotten his given name as well.”
    He walked to stand in front of her.
    “I’d stay away from him, though,” he added most mischievously. “Davis is cranky, loud, and, although he doesn’t meet many, calls all ladies by the respectful name of ‘filly.’”
    She laughed softly, grateful for the ease in tension. “I’ll remember that.”
    Her eyes melded with his, then her heart began to race as he leaned so close her senses could detect the faint traces of soap and something…musky. Masculine. For a second she was terrified he would kiss her.
    His voice deepened. “Can you ride, Caroline?”
    “Of course I can ride,” she admitted, surprised, “although I haven’t in some time.” She clasped her elbows with her palms, instinctively protecting herself from his unbearable closeness.
    “I don’t suppose you can cook, though, can you, little bride?” he almost whispered, slowly raising his hand to run his thumb across her exposed collarbone.
    The brazen action made her jump. “No.”
    “No?”