study. He’d been her legal guardian since she was fifteen, but it had been several years since he’d seen her last. She lived full-time with his mother at his country estate in Dorset, and in truth, he hadn’t been there in far too long. He’d simply allowed his mother to oversee anything that needed doing.
Caroline had come to London when she’d turned eighteen, and his mother had introduced her to polite Society. At the time, Roe had not expected it to take her long to attract several suitors and marriage proposals. But she hadn’t even stayed the entire Season.
The night before they’d come to London Caroline had offered herself to him—proposed marriage, if a woman could do such a thing. By then she’d grown into a beauty, tall, lithe, and every bit woman. She’d said she wanted only him, that she’d make him a good wife.
He’d been so surprised, so entranced by her words and the heartfelt expression in her eyes, he’d been tempted, but not tempted to marry her. He’d been so close to saying yes simply so he could scandalize her in every way imaginable. Then the irony of it all had hit him. She spoke of tenderness, and he thought only of the carnal things he could do to her. The disparity of her innocence and his lust stopped the words in his throat.
He’d told her he couldn’t, that it was because he was her guardian. And that was the truth. Her brother had entrusted him to care for Caroline, to see that she had the best in the world. Roe knew that he was not the best the world could offer, so he’d sent her away.
The carriage jolted to a stop in front of his aunt’s townhome. He escorted Caroline into the blue parlor where he knew his aunt would be. It was her favorite room and when he had occasion to visit her, usually the third Sunday of the month, he always found her there. As he and Caroline stepped into the room, her hat removed, hair unbound, it was no doubt quite evident what had happened.
“Oh dear,” Aggie said.
His mother stood and glided over to him, always the picture of composure and grace. “Monroe, love, it’s so good to see you.” She embraced him.
It was good to see her, too, but damnation, he was furious at the moment. “I’m angry with you, Mother,” he said, though he allowed her to hug him.
“Yes, that sort of thing happens time and again,” she said, seemingly not bothered by his anger. She patted his cheek and smiled warmly at him. “Caroline, why don’t you go change your clothes?”
Relief washed over Caroline’s features and she quickly fled the room.
“Aunt Aggie, you’re looking well.” Roe gave her a slight bow. “Mother, do we need to go to another room to speak privately?”
The duchess rolled her eyes heavenward. “Aggie, be a dear and see if Caroline needs any assistance.”
His aunt stood. She stopped by Roe, put her hand on his arm. “I told them it was a bad idea.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.” He waited until they were alone, then turned to face his mother. She was still such a pretty woman, poised and unflappable, and she faced him head on, her green eyes set, that stubborn chin of hers tilted ever so much.
“Say what you must,” she said.
“What the devil were you thinking? She could have been attacked, beaten, or raped.” He shook his head. He made an effort to soften his tone. He refused to speak to her the way his father had, since she’d dealt with enough of that when the man had been alive, and she didn’t need it from her son, too. “Did none of that occur to either of you when you concocted this foolish plan?”
“Don’t be daft, boy. I’m not an idiot.” Her brow furrowed and her lips pursed. “Of course we considered all of those things. She was not in Rodale’s alone.” She walked back to where she’d been sitting and resumed her seat.
“Does Justin know?” The thought occurred to Roe quickly, and at once, he was furious with his brother.
“Of course not. I doubt Justin would have allowed such a thing.”
Roe paced the length of the room twice before sitting across from his mother. He leaned forward, bracing his arms on his knees.
“I meant only that we were prepared.” She crossed her legs at the ankles. “Please realize I would never have put her in danger. Caroline was not in