Marrying the Major by Victoria Bylin

Author:Victoria Bylin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

“I’m sorry to be such trouble,” Louisa said to Caroline as she climbed into bed. “My lady’s maid can tend to my needs when she returns.”

The girl had gone downstairs to fetch tea and a bowl of broth. Caroline had sent her. “I don’t mind helping.”

Louisa sighed. “If I’d known I had chicken pox, I’d have never left Cheyenne. I hope you don’t come down with it.”

Caroline had no such worries. “I’ve had it and so has my sister.” Even more important, Tristan had had it as a child, though Caroline was still reeling from how she’d learned that small fact. He’d been close to this woman, even closer than she’d first thought. Had he loved her? Judging by how easily he’d taken Louisa’s hand, it seemed more than possible. It seemed likely.

Louisa pulled the covers over the nightgown Caroline had loaned her because her trunk hadn’t yet been delivered to her room. Bessie hadn’t returned, but Caroline expected her any minute. Until the nurse arrived, she felt duty-bound to stay with Louisa.

She dipped a cloth in cool water and squeezed it nearly dry. “This will fight the fever.”

Louisa slumped against the pillow. “I’ve been a terrible disruption to you.”

Caroline put the folded cloth over Louisa’s brow. “Don’t worry about the children. If they get sick, we’ll manage.”

“You’re too kind,” Louisa said gently. “I wasn’t apologizing for the chicken pox. I want you to know, I respect your marriage. In no way do I want to interfere—”

“It’s all right,” she said too quickly.

“No, it’s not.” Louisa removed the cloth from her brow. “How much has Tristan told you about his father?”

“Quite a bit.” It was Louisa he’d neglected to mention.

“Then you know he’s a conniver.” She averted her eyes. “He had…expectations for Tristan and me.”

“I wondered,” Caroline murmured.

“Tristan must have told you about us.”

He hadn’t, but Caroline was too embarrassed to admit her ignorance. She took the cloth and dampened it again. “You’re ill. We should speak later.”

“No,” Louisa insisted. “I have to get this off my chest. Would you give Tristan a message for me?”

Caroline stopped wringing the cloth. “What is it?”

“Tell him I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Everything…” Louisa closed her eyes. “You’re right. I’m too ill to think clearly. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry, Caroline…so sorry.” Tears leaked from her eyes.

Questions swarmed in Caroline’s mind, but she couldn’t quiz an ailing woman. It was Tristan who needed to explain, but what right did she have to confront him? He’d promised her nothing but respect. If he chose to keep secrets, he had that right. More troubled than she wanted to be, Caroline studied Louisa’s face. The woman was pretty, even beautiful with her delicate nose and wide eyes. Her dark hair made a cloud on the pillow, and her figure had womanly curves any man would desire. She had poise, grace, intelligence and honor. She’d make a fine duchess, a position Caroline had no ability to fulfill.

It wasn’t the first time she’d felt second-best to another woman, but it was the first time she’d felt that stab of inadequacy as Tristan’s wife.

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