Caroline Read Free Page A

astonishment.
    "Marry me! Whatever for?"
    "Why, to make an honest woman out of you, my dear. Moral codes these days don't have clauses allowing men and gently-bred women to spend the night together without a chaperone—no matter how innocent the circumstances may be. And in our case, I have a feeling we'll be alone together several nights." He was smiling at her as if the prospect intrigued him, and Caroline shifted uneasily. "However, no one needs to know what our circumstances have been before we arrived in Philadelphia. I will solve this problem by explaining that I am your guardian..." He grinned again, looking to Caroline like a scoundrel. "I am not a particularly honorable man, especially in my dealings with women. Take that as my warning, cherie! Also, I have no intention of ruining both our lives with a marriage neither of us wants, just for the sake of propriety. You are young and very beautiful, Caro, and I'm certain that there will be scores of young swains in Philadelphia who will be eager to win your affections. Besides, we must make sure that you are not already married!"
    Caroline's eyes had been growing larger with each sentence Alec spoke, but with his last words her mouth dropped open.
    "Married! Me?"
    "It is entirely possible that you were running away from a husband."
    Alec had no doubt that she was old enough, for he had become quite familiar with the attractive curves beneath her smock during their ride on Ivan that day. There was no doubt in his mind that she was indeed a fully grown woman.
    Caro—how she liked Alec's version of her name!—sat quietly for a few minutes, her profile pensive in the firelight. Finally, he broke the silence.
    "You look like you're trying to remember something ."
    "I am." She paused. "You know, I feel as if I know all about myself, but for the moment it all eludes me. It's as though it's there, in my head, but I cannot reach it."
    "Or perhaps you don't want to," he offered gently.
    "What do you mean?"
    "Only that whatever is in your past may be painful to you and you've blocked it out without even realizing it."
    Their eyes met, and though she did not speak, Alec knew that she understood what he was saying. Her face was so lovely, and in it he could see bewilderment and fear.
    The air was growing colder and Alec moved forward from the shadows to add more wood to the fire. Caro observed him with interest, uneasily aware of his nearness. He turned to look at her, reaching out to grasp one of her hands.
    "Are you warm enough? Here, put this on." He wrapped his own heavy blue wool coat around her shoulders. It was a handsome garment with a rich satin lining, wide lapels, and brass buttons. Then Caro found herself leaning back against the tree next to him, his arm around her, her cheek against his chest. A sudden feeling of well-being flooded her, and she began to ask him more questions. At length, as the conversation turned to his family, Alec grew animated.
    "My father was really a pirate—I was telling you the truth. He did a great deal of illegal trading with the colonies during the days when trade with England was so expensive and troublesome. Actually, it was all quite respectable then. Father tells wonderful stories about the rounds of entertainment from the merchants of New York when he would put into port with his cargo. He really led a wild, adventurous life, but I believe he met my mother just in time."
    "Where did they meet?"
    "Quite classic circumstances, I assure you! My father captured her ship."
    "Her ship!?"
    "Yes, she was on board one of the few quite luxurious passenger vessels of that time, bound from Russia for the colonies to visit her brother and his wife. Father confiscated all the valuables from her ship, foremost among which was my mother!"
    "Alec!" Caro exclaimed. He was chuckling in amusement.
    "Yes, I'm afraid the worst happened—for after all, he was no gentleman. Seems to be a family trait. At any rate, my mother appears to have enjoyed herself