Julie Garwood by Rebellious Desire Read Free Book Online

laughed. “You do find him handsome. I tricked you. I knew his eyes weren’t blue,” she stated with a show of satisfaction. “But I did notice his hair,” she continued, ignoring Caroline’s irritated expression. “It’s in need of a trim and somewhat curly.”
    “Not overly,” Caroline stated with a shrug of indifference.
    “He frightened me a little,” Charity admitted. “He seemed so—”
    “Powerful?” Caroline interjected. Charity nodded and Caroline continued, “His name is Bradford and I don’t want to talk about him anymore. Did you find the missing glass for your spectacles?”
    “Yes, I gave it to Ben. He promises to fix it when we arrive at your father’s townhouse. Powerful is just the right word, I do believe. This Bradford fellow won’t be easily led,” Charity concluded with a knowing nod.
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Just that you won’t be able to lead him around the way you do Clarence.”
    “I don’t lead Clarence anywhere,” Caroline protested. “We are just friends.”
    “Clarence follows you like a puppy,” Charity stated. “He’s too weak for you. Even Caimen says so. You need someone strong or else you’ll run him into the ground.”
    “You’re talking nonsense,” Caroline answered. She was stung by Charity’s casual remarks about her character.
    “You just wait. I saw the way Mr. Bradford was looking at you. I do believe he’ll try to pursue you. Yes, I do,” she hurried on when Caroline opened her mouth to protest. “When you fall in love, someone strong, like Mr. Bradford, will win your heart, and then your attitude will change. You won’t want to be so independent then. Of course, it wouldn’t do for you to fall in love with an Englishman, since you’ve vowed to return to Boston.”
    Caroline absolutely refused to reply to her cousin’s absurd remarks. She had no intention of falling in love with anyone. Lack of sleep was catching up with her and Charity’s ridiculous comments were driving her to distraction.
    The trip from Boston to London’s port had seemed to take forever. Caroline had quickly acquired her sea legs, or so the captain of the vessel had complimented, but Charity and Benjamin hadn’t been as fortunate. Caroline had spent a good deal of time taking care of upset stomachs and soothing irritated tempers. It had proved to be an exhausting task.
    They had slept on board the vessel the night before and, in the morning, sent word to the Earl of Braxton of their arrival. A messenger returned, stating that the earl was currently in residence at his country estate, a three-hour ride from London. Caroline determined to settle into the townhouse and send a message to her father announcing her arrival, but Charity, impatient of nature, had insisted that they hire a carriage and proceed to his country home.
    “We are here at last!” Charity cried when they reached the townhouse. Her voice was filled with excitement and she didn’t look the least bit tired. That irritated Caroline almost as much as her cousin’s nervous chatter.
    Charity was leaning out the carriage window, squinting up at the house, and Caroline was forced to tug on her arm so that the door could be opened.
    “I knew it would be a beautiful home,” Charity exclaimed. “Your father is an earl, after all. Oh, Caroline, are you very nervous?”
    “Of course not. My father isn’t here,” she commented as she examined the fashionable brick town-house in front of her. She had to admit that it did look terribly impressive. There were several long, rectangular windows facing front and each was trimmed in ivory paint, providing a nice contrast against the red brick. Ivory-colored drapes scalloped the sides of each window, giving the house a dignified and regal appearance.
    The front door was three steps up from the walkway and was also painted ivory. There was an ornate black door knocker, with gold inlay, centered on the wood, but as Caroline reached up to touch it, the