The American Bride - By Karla Darcy Page 0,13

into peaceful lines and tried not to wrinkle her nose with distaste at the child. Catching a glimmer of Belin's expression through her tangled hair, Cara's mouth widened into a grin.

"My stars, Belin. You must turn this entire household upside down," Cara chuckled with genuine amusement.

"Don't you laugh at me or I'll put a spell on you," the child snarled, looking as though she might bite in her angry frustration.

"I wouldn't waste your time, Belin. It wouldn't work on me anyway."

"Why not?" the girl asked.

"You see, I wasn't born in England. And I don't think any of your spells would work on someone from America." Cara leaned forward in unconcern and poured out three cups of chocolate. Richard accepted his cup with a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth that was returned by Cara. "Now, Belin, since it is my first night here, I will excuse a little dirt on your hands. But tomorrow if you wish chocolate or pastries I expect clean hands."

Then before the startled child could form a retort, Cara handed her a cup of chocolate and commenced to tell the two wide-eyed children about her ship's voyage to England. Perhaps the storms and adventures were more violent than had actually occurred but there was no one to contradict her. By the time the pot of chocolate was empty and the plate of cakes bore nothing but crumbs, Cara had given the children the idea that she had many more stories to tell. Sensing it was close to their bedtime, she handed them into the care of the servants. With a sigh of relief Cara sank to the carpet in front of the fireplace.

Staring into the dying flames, Cara realized she had only made a start with the children. The sullen Richard, at nine, was caught in the painful early stages of manhood. His breeding was evident in his perfect manners and intelligent, though stilted conversation. He did not appear to be shy but was bottled up with some unnamed tension. It was obvious that he was controlling his feelings under a layer of lassitude. Cara thought she would enjoy challenging Richard with new experiences until he released whatever emotions he had sealed away.

It was Belin who was the puzzle.

In her mind's eye Cara could recall the sad brown eyes in the dirty face. Something was tearing the six year old apart so that she lashed out in anger. Although her behavior appeared undisciplined there was a certain quality of intelligent planning that showed in her mannerisms. What catastrophe had befallen the child that she was in such a state of rebellion? Cara doubted that it was the death of the children’s' parents. From the servants' gossip the children had seldom been in their parents' company. Like most upper class children Belin and Richard had spent their time with governesses and others on the estate.

"How could Wilton have let this happen?" Cara fumed aloud.

The flames expanded to new life as a current of air circulated in the room from the opening door. Cara's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the shadowy figure framed in the doorway. For a moment she thought that she had merely conjured an image of her husband and she blinked her eyes to dispel the vision.

"Good evening, Miss Farraday."

Julian's deep voice sent a shiver along Cara's spine, breaking the almost magical spell that had held her in thrall. She scrambled to her feet, standing rigid with her back to the fire. As she stood tongue-tied, feeling graceless and childlike, anger suffused her at her inability to appear poised in the presence of her husband.

"G-good evening, Lord Wilton," she stammered out.

"I see that I have missed the children." Julian nodded toward the tray of dirty dishes. "Must have tarried too long over my brandy."

Warily Cara noted the snifter in Julian's hand and wondered just how much the man had

drunk. Although his movements as he approached the fire were well coordinated and his speech was not slurred, Cara straightened her back, preparing to deal with the man if, in fact, he were foxed.

"I'm sorry but the children have already retired, Lord Wilton. Perhaps another evening," Cara offered, hinting for the man to leave.

"The room looks well," Julian said, waving the snifter to indicate his approval. "I doubt if I've been up here since I was a babe."

"It's a beautiful room." Cara spoke warmly then blushed as Wilton's eyes swung around to her. She was infuriated at her own reaction to