Page 32 of Guardian Angel
âYou didnât kill them, did you?â she whispered.
She looked frightened.
âNo.â
Jade nodded, then turned to look at Lyon again. She noticed his exasperated expression but decided to ignore it. âHe didnât kill them,â she announced. âCaine doesnât do that sort of thing any longer. Heâs retired.â
She seemed to want Lyonâs agreement. He nodded, then knew his guess had been correct when she smiled at him.
âJade?â Colin asked, drawing her attention. âYou can stay with Christina and Lyon when you reach London. Caine will stay in his town house, of course . . .â
âNo,â Caine interrupted. âShe stays with me.â
âThink of the scandal,â Colin argued.
âItâs almost summer, Colin,â Caine countered. âMost of the ton is away from London now.â
âIt only takes one witness,â Colin muttered.
âIâve said no, Colin. She stays with me.â
His hard voice didnât suggest his brother continue the argument. Colin sighed, then reluctantly nodded agreement.
Jade wasnât certain she understood. âWhat did you mean by one witness?â
Colin explained. Jade looked appalled by the time heâd finished telling her the damage that could be done by one malicious gossiper. Sterns sat down next to Jade, patted her hand, and said, âDo look on the bright side, miâlady. Miâlord wonât have to post it in the dailies now.â
She turned to glare him into silence. Sterns couldnât be intimidated, though. He squeezed her hand. âDo not fret, dear lady. It has all been arranged.â
She didnât know what he was talking about but his grin suggested he was up to something. Sterns turned her attention, however, by arrogantly motioning to his empty tea cup. She immediately went to fetch a fresh urn.
As soon as sheâd left the room, Sterns turned to Caine. âYour guests should be arriving in half an hourâs time.â
âGuests? We canât be having any bloody guests,â Colin bellowed.
Nathan nodded. âDamned right we canât. Caine, are you out of your mind to invite . . .â
Caine was staring at Sterns. âI didnât invite anyone,â he said. A hint of a smile turned his expression. âWhy donât you tell us who these guests are, Sterns?â
Everyone was staring at the elderly man as though heâd just grown another head. âI have taken the liberty of inviting your parents, Jadeâs uncle and cohorts, and one additional guest.â
âWhat the hell for?â Nathan demanded.
Sterns turned to smile at him. âThe ceremony, of course.â
Everyone turned to look at Caine. His expression didnât tell them anything.
âThe license, Sterns?â Caine asked in a blasé tone of voice.
âSecured the day after you signed the request,â Sterns answered.
âIsnât this man your butler, Caine?â Sir Richards asked.
Caine wasnât given time to answer that question, for Nathan blurted out, âSheâll argue fierce.â
Colin agreed. âI donât think Jade has come to terms with her future just yet.â
âIâll persuade her,â Caine announced. He leaned back in his chair and smiled at his butler. âYouâve done well, Sterns. I commend you.â
âOf course Iâve done well,â Sterns agreed. âIâve seen to everything,â he boasted.
âOh?â Nathan asked. âThen tell us how Caineâs going to convince Jade?â
In answer to that question, Sterns removed the empty pistol heâd concealed in his waistband. He dropped the weapon in the center of the table.
Everyone stared at the pistol until Sterns broke the silence again. He addressed his remarks to Richards. âI believe I overheard you suggesting the pistol be aimed at Lady Jadeâs shoulders, or was I mistaken?â
The laughter was deafening. Jade stood at the door, the urn in her hands while she waited for the men to calm down.
She then poured Sterns his tea, put the urn on the sideboard, and returned to her seat. She noticed the pistol in the center of the table, but when she asked what it was doing there, she couldnât get a decent answer. The men had all started laughing again.
No one would explain. Jade guessed someone had told a bawdy jest and they were too embarrassed to share it with her.
Jade was ready to return to their plans. Caine surprised her by suggesting she return to her room.
âWhy?â she asked. âI thought we were going . . .â
âYou need to pack your things,â Caine said.
Jade nodded. âYou just want to tell more of your jests,â she announced before she took her leave.
They were all smiling at her like happy thieves looking over their booty. She didnât know what to make of that. The two guards were waiting for her in the foyer. They helped her carry the gowns Sterns had placed in Caineâs wardrobe down to her chambers, then waited outside in the hall while she packed.
When she was finished with her task, she sat down by the window and began reading the book sheâd only half finished two nights ago.
A short time later, there was a timid knock on the door. Jade closed her book and stood up just as Black Harry came into the room.
She was clearly astonished to see him. Her uncle was carrying a dozen long-stemmed white roses. âThese are for you, girl,â he announced as he shoved the bouquet into her arms.
âThank you, Uncle,â she replied. âBut what are you doing here? I thought you were going to wait for me at the cottage?â
Harry kissed her on the top of her head. âYou look fit, Pagan,â he muttered, completely ignoring her question. âCaine should be wearing my clothes this proud day.â
âWhy should Caine wear your clothes?â she asked, thoroughly confused now. Sheâd never seen her uncle act so nervous. He looked terribly worried, too.
âBecause my shirt is the very color of your pretty gown,â Harry explained.
âBut what does . . .â
âIâll be telling it in my own good time,â Harry blurted out. He hugged her close, squishing the flowers in the process, then stepped back. âCaine asked me if he could wed you, girl.â
Harry took another precautionary step back after making his announcement, fully expecting an explosion. He got a dainty shrug instead. He noticed, though, that she was gripping the flowers tightly. âWatch for thorns, girl,â he ordered.
âWhat did you tell him, Uncle?â she asked.
âHe asked me real proper,â Harry rushed out. âI could have had him down on one knee,â he added with a nod. âHe said he would, if it be needed to win my permission. He said it loud and clear right in front of me men, he did.â
âBut what did you tell him?â she asked again.
âI said yes.â
He took another hasty step back after telling her that. She shrugged again, then walked over to the side of the bed and sat down. She put the bouquet of roses on the coverlet beside her.
âWhy arenât you getting your temper up, girl?â Harry asked. He rubbed his jaw while he studied her. âCaine said you might be resistant to the notion. Ainât you angry?â
âNo.â
âThen what is it?â he demanded. He clasped his hands behind his back while he tried to guess her reasons. âYou care for this man, donât you?â
âI do.â
âWell then?â he prodded.
âIâm afraid, Uncle.â
Her voice had been a bare whisper. Harry heard her but was so astonished by her admission, he didnât know what to say. âYouâre not,â he stammered.
âI am.â
He shook his head. âYou ainât never been afraid of anything before.â His voice was gruff with affection. He went to the bed, sat down beside her on top of the flowers, and awkwardly put his arm around her shoulders. âWhatâs different now?â
Oh, yes, she wanted to shout, Iâve been afraid before . . . so many times, so many near mishaps, sheâd lost count. She couldnât tell him, of course, for if she
did, heâd think heâd failed her.
âItâs different because Iâll have to give up my work,â she said instead.
âYou know itâs time, what with me retiring and all,â he countered. âIâve hid it from me men, girl, but my eyes, well, I ainât seeing as proper as I used to. Theyâll balk at following a blind pirate.â
âThen who will they follow?â she asked.
âNathan.â
âNathan?â
âHe wants the Emerald. It belonged to his father, after all, and he has that little business to take care of. Heâll make a fine pirate, girl. Heâs learned how to be real mean.â
âYes, he would make a good pirate,â she admitted. âBut Uncle Harry, I canât be the kind of woman Caine wants.â
âYou are the woman he wants.â
âIâll make so many mistakes,â she whispered. She was on the verge of tears and was valiantly trying to keep her emotions controlled for Harryâs sake. âI donât know how to do all the things a proper wife should know how to do. Iâm no good with a needle, Harry.â
âAye, youâre not,â Harry admitted bleakly, remembering the time she tried to mend his sock and stitched it to her gown.
âI canât dance,â she added. She looked so forlorn when sheâd made that confession, Harry threw his arm around her shoulder and hugged her. âAll the fine ladies of the ton know how to dance,â she ended on a wail.
âYouâll learn,â Harry predicted. âIf you want to learn.â
âOh, yes,â she admitted in a rush. âIâve always wanted . . .â
Now she sounded wistful. Harry didnât know what was going on inside her mind. âWhat?â he asked. âWhat have you always wanted?â
âTo belong.â
The look on his face indicated he didnât understand what she was talking about.
âAre you wishing now Iâd given you to Lady Briars? She would have taken you, girl. Why, she fought me something fierce for you, too. Sheâs the reason we snuck off real quiet-like right after your fatherâs funeral. I guessed sheâd come back with the authorities and try and steal you away from me. I werenât your legal guardian, if youâll remember. Still, your papa wanted you to get away from England.â
âYou kept your word to my father,â she interjected. âYou were very honorable.â
âBut are you wishing now I wasnât so honorable back then?â
She shook her head. For the first time in all their days together, she was seeing Harryâs vulnerability. âI cannot imagine my life without you, Harry. I would never wish that things had been different. You loved me as though I were your very own daughter.â
Harryâs arm dropped to his side. He looked dejected. She put her arm around his shoulders, trying now to comfort him. âUncle, Lady Briars would have taught me all the rules, yes, but she couldnât have loved me the way you did. Besides, you taught me far more important rules. You taught me how to survive.â
Harry was quick to perk up. âI did,â he admitted with a grin. âYou had the makings though. Iâve never seen such a natural thief or a born liar in all my days. Iâm right proud of you, girl.â
âThank you, Uncle,â she replied, blushing over his praise. Harry wasnât one to give idle compliments and she knew he spoke from his heart.
His expression soured, however, when he returned to her initial remark. âYet you didnât think you belonged? You did say you wanted to belong, girl.â
âI meant to be a proper wife,â she lied. âThatâs what I meant by belonging now.â
âYou werenât speaking plain enough, girl,â Harry announced. He looked relieved. âAs for me, Iâve always wanted to be a grandpapa.â
She started to blush. âI donât know how to have babies either,â she wailed.
Harry had meant to lighten her mood. He realized heâd taken the wrong approach. âHell, no woman knows how until the time comes, girl. Tell me this. Do you love Caine? He says you do.â
She skirted his question. âWhat if he gets tired of me? Heâll leave me then, Harry,â she whispered. âI know he will.â
âHe wonât.â
âHe needs time to realize . . .â She paused in midsentence. âThatâs it, Harry. If the courtship is long enough, perhaps heâll realize heâs made a mistake.â She smiled then. âAnd during that time, in case he isnât making a mistake, I could try to learn all that would be required of me. Yes, Uncle, thatâs it. Caineâs being very honorable now, trying to do the right thing . . .â
âWell, now, girl,â Harry interrupted. âAbout this lengthy courtship plan . . .â
âOh, Harry, that is the only answer,â she interrupted. âIâll insist on a year. Iâll wager heâll agree right off.â
She was so pleased with her decision, she rushed out of the room. Harry adjusted his ill-fitting spectacles on the bridge of his nose, grabbed the bouquet and tucked it under his arm, and chased after her.
âWait up,â he bellowed.
âI must talk to Caine at once,â she called over her shoulder. âIâm certain heâs going to agree.â
âIâm just as certain he ainât going to agree,â Harry muttered. âGirl, hold fast. Thereâs still a bit of the telling I have to do.â
Sheâd already reached the foyer by the time Harry reached the landing above. âTheyâre in the drawing room,â her uncle shouted as he lumbered down the stairs.
Jade came to an abrupt stop when she opened the doors and saw the gathering. Harry caught up with her and forced her hand on his arm. âWeâre doing this proper, girl,â he whispered.
âWhy are all these people here?â she asked. She looked at the group, recognized everyone but the short, partially bald-headed man standing by the French doors. He held a book in his hand and was in deep conversation with the Duke and Duchess of Williamshire.
Caine was standing by the hearth, talking to Lyon. He must have sensed her presence, for he suddenly turned in midsentence and looked at her.
His expression was solemn.
He knew at once by her puzzled expression she didnât understand what was going on. Caine braced himself for the fireworks he was sure were about to erupt, then walked over to face Jade.
âI ainât had time to finish explaining,â Harry said.
âI can see you havenât,â Caine interjected. âJade, sweet, weâre going . . .â
âIâll be telling it,â Harry insisted.
He clasped Jadeâs hand flat on his arm so her nails wouldnât do injury, then said, âThere ainât going to be a yearâs courtship, girl.â
She continued to stare up at him with that innocent, angelic gaze. Harry tightened his hold on her hand. âBut thereâs going to be a wedding.â
She was beginning to understand, Harry guessed, when he noticed her eyes were turning the color of emeralds again.
She was trying to tug her hand away. Harry held tight. âWhen is this wedding?â she asked in a hoarse whisper.
Harry grimaced before answering. âNow.â
She opened her mouth to shout her denial, but Caine moved closer, blocking her view from the audience. âWe can do this the easy way, Jade, or the hard way. You call it.â
She shut her mouth and glared up at him. Caine could see how frightened she was. She was in a near panic. She was actually shaking. âThe easy way is for you to walk over to the minister and recite your vows.â
âAnd the hard way?â Jade asked.
âI drag you over there by your hair,â Caine told her. He made sure he looked as if he were up to that task, too. âEither way, I win. We are getting married.â
âCaine . . .â
The fear in her voice tore at his heart. âDecide,â he ordered, his voice hard. âEasy or hard?â
âI wonât let you leave me,â she whispered. âI wonât! Iâll leave you first.â
âWhat are you stammering about, girl?â Harry asked.
âJade? Which is it?â Caine demanded again, ignoring both her protest and Harryâs interference. Her shoulders sagged. âEasy.â
He nodded.
âIâll be walking her over to the preacher man,â Harry announced. âNathan,â he called out. âYou can trail behind.â
âIn just a minute,â Caine ordered.
While Jade stood there trembling with panic and Harry stood there giving the Duchess downright lecherous looks, Caine went over to the minister and spoke to him. When he was finished, he handed a piece of paper to the man.
All was finally ready. Colin stood up at his brotherâs side, supported by Caineâs arm. Jade stood beside Caine. Harry had to support her.
Jade repeated her vows first, a breach from tradition Caine had insisted upon. He stared at his bride while he repeated each of his vows. He let her keep her gaze downcast until he reached the end of the litany. Then he tilted her chin up and forced her to look at him.
She looked so scared, so vulnerable. Her eyes glistened with tears. He loved her so much. He wanted to give her the world. But first he had to gain her trust in him.
The minister closed his book, opened the sheet of paper in his hand, and began to read. âDo you promise to stay with your wife for as long as you shall live? Do you give your word before God and these witnesses that you will never leave her until death do you part?â
Her eyes had widened during the ministerâs questions. She turned and saw the paper he was holding.
âI do,â Caine whispered when Jade turned back to him. âAnd now the last,â Caine directed the minister.
âThis is highly irregular,â the minister whispered. He turned to address Jade. âAnd do you promise to tell your husband you love him before this day is out?â
Her smile was radiant. âI do,â she promised.
âYou may kiss the bride,â the minister announced.
Caine happily obliged. When he lifted his head, he said, âYouâre mine now.â
He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. âI never make the same mistake twice, sweetheart,â he whispered.
âI donât understand, Caine,â she replied. She was still on the verge of tears and was desperately trying to maintain her composure. âThen why didnât you have the minister make me promise not to leave you? Donât you believe Iâd honor my vows?â