“When it comes to the cat, I would very much appreciate that.” He sighed and stretched out his arms, stifling a yawn. “Are you certain I cannot get you anything else? Are you feeling warmer, at least?”
Caroline nodded. “I am feeling much warmer, but I think I would just like to rest now. It has been a long enough night for all of us, and if we stay like this, it will be dawn before we know it.”
“Of course.” He got to his feet and as he stood there for a moment, just looking at her, she doubted she had ever seen him more breathtaking.
His hair was still damp from the rain, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, his sleeves rolled up to the elbow, his eyes gleaming with the reflection of the firelight. He did not look real, and if it had not been for the cold in her bones, she might have thought she was still in the tree hollow, suffering from delirium.
“Well then,” he said, bowing his head. “Goodnight, Caro. Rest well. And if you should begin to feel poorly, do not hesitate to wake me.”
He began to move toward the door, but the impulsivity that Caroline had promised to rein in suddenly broke free of its bridle. “Stay,” she whispered. “Please, stay with me.”
Max halted. “Stayherewith you?”
“I do not like the sound of the storm,” she told him. “Just… stay until it has properly passed. Please.”
He heaved out an unsteady breath and walked back to her, offering his hand. She took it without hesitation, emerging from her cocoon of blankets and allowing herself to be led to the bed.
There, he pulled back the coverlets and she climbed in, peering up at him shyly as he tucked her in and proceeded to pile at least six blankets on top of her for additional warmth.
“I will be by the fireplace if you need me,” he said with a half-smile.
But Caroline shook her head and patted the empty space beside her. “I remember Matilda telling me once that it is easier to keep a person warm by being close to them.” She hesitated. “If it would not be too uncomfortable for you, do you think you might sleep beside me?”
“If Matilda deems it to be appropriate, I cannot argue,” he said, though his voice carried a nervous edge to it.
Nevertheless, he grabbed a blanket and lay down beside Caroline, on top of her pile of coverlets so there could be no accusations of improper conduct.
She turned into him as he pulled the blanket over himself, and though he froze for a moment, she allowed herself a smile as she felt his arm slip under her, holding her closer to his side. Nor did he protest when she rested her head on his chest and draped her arm over his stomach, absorbing as much of his heat as she could.
And as they lay like that, his breaths fading to a sleepy whisper, she stopped shivering, knowing she was safe in the arms of a man who had risked his own life to save hers. A man who had, in truth, saved her twice.
Closing her eyes, she sent up a silent message to fate.
If he kisses me again, then I will know what my heart wants. If he kisses me again, I will know that we are destined.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
In the days that followed their adventure northward to Cedar House and their return to London, Max and Caroline both took pains to behave as if they were back at Harewood Court.
Caroline had lessened her overtly loving antics, choosing to be herself in his company instead of the brash and suffocating version of herself that she had thought he wanted. They teased one another, they sought one another out, they shared meals, they did not attend any and every gathering they were invited to; they took time to be alone where needed, and the new ease between them was obvious for everyone to see.
“Max!” Caroline called, noticing as he passed her bedchamber door.
He walked backward, poking his head into the room. “Yes, dear Caro?”
“What do you think of this?” She held up the gown she had been considering: a beautiful creation of coral silk that was not normally in her color palette of choice. “I cannot decide if I adore it, or I hate it.”
Lila, who was helping her mistress prepare for Phoebe and Daniel’s ball, turned her gaze away, though she could not hide the delighted smile that appeared on her face. All week, the staff had been the same way, blushing and grinning as iftheywere the ones who were discovering a new layer to their marriage. Mrs. Whitlock had been the most incorrigible of all.
Max tilted his head from side to side, observing the gown. “I am no great expert in fashion, as evidenced by my own clothes, but… I like it. There is some gold in it, or so it appears—it brings out the same hue in your eyes. And anything reddish looks beautiful with your hair. Well, actually, anything looks beautiful on you. You could cut holes in a potato sack and society would marvel at you.”
“Can you imagine the scandal?” Caroline laughed.
“I do not want us to court any further scandals at all, but I cannot deny it would be worth seeing what they would write about you,” Max replied, leaning against the doorjamb, looking unfairly handsome as always.
Caroline wafted her hand. “That is all I needed. You may leave and let the transformation commence.”
“I cannot see it with my own eyes?”
