So he was once again in her life, she thought with a sigh. It was a mixed blessing, having him pursue her again. Her heart was glad for it but the logical, unemotional part of her knew that the problems continued to exist between them. Unless she could find a way to teach him how to love, how to trust her enough to give her his love, then the future looked bleak indeed. She believed that she was nothing but a pretty bit of goods to Bradford. How long would the attraction hold him? How long before he grew bored with her and turned to someone else? He had called it a game, and Caroline was beginning to believe that was all it was to him. She couldn't marry him yet. She wanted to share her life with a man who would love her when the beauty had faded, when wrinkles of time lined her face.

It wasn't an impossible dream. Her uncle Henry and aunt Mary loved each other more now, after years together. And Charity and Paul Bleachley loved the same way. Caroline remembered that Bradford had believed that Charity would turn her back on Paul because he was no longer handsome.

She didn't know if she could change his attitude. He had been raised in a superficial society where looks seemed to count above all else.

What kind of marriage would it be? Would she begin to fret over her appearance, worry about her figure, her clothing? Would all that she had always considered insignificant become uppermost in her mind? Dear God, would she change so much that she would start to giggle and swoon at the drop of a hat, like Lady Tillman?

Caroline shook her head, trying to stop the ridiculous notions rambling through her mind. She got into bed and tried to sleep. At least, she consoled herself, she had admitted that she couldn't marry him. "Until he is suitable," she whispered the promise into the darkness. And then she cried herself to sleep.

It was a beautiful wedding, at least that was what everyone kept telling Caroline as she stood in the reception line next to the man she had just exchanged vows with, the man she had just promised to love and cherish until death did one of them part.

Caroline was thankful that the ordeal was finally over. She had given up fighting the inevitable the day before, when she, Charity, and her father had traveled to Bradford Hills. It had been decided that the wedding would take place there so that tradition would continue. Bradford's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had all been married in the mansion.

Bradford had seen to all the arrangements while Charity and the earl had taken care of the announcements and invitations. Now, as she glanced around the beautiful ballroom, Caroline was amazed that it had all gone so well. Everyone looked immensely pleased. Everyone but Caroline. She was still having difficulty sorting it all out.

Bradford had placated her father the night of their encounter, and the next morning the earl had announced that he was thrilled with the match. Caroline tried to point out that there wasn't going to be any match but her father absolutely refused to listen to reason. She remembered that he had asked her if she loved Bradford and she had been foolishly honest enough to admit that she did, and from that moment on, he turned deaf to her arguments.

There wasn't anyone she could turn to for help. And Charity drove her to distraction. Caroline wasn't allowed out of the house and therefore couldn't escape her attention.

Madam Newcott and three jittery seamstresses worked night and day on her wedding gown, right there in the house, and Bradford had employed two burly-looking men to see to her protection. Caroline's father never commented on it and she wondered what he was thinking. She wasn't at all convinced that the guardians were there solely to see to her protection either. She wouldn't put it past Bradford to instruct them to keep her from running away. The thought had entered her mind, and she fantasized about returning to Boston more than once. Life had certainly been less complicated then.

Caroline hadn't met Bradford's mother until she was settled in the magnificent home called Bradford Hills. She was in the bedroom assigned to her, changing for dinner, when a dignified woman entered. She was taller than Caroline and elegantly dressed and walked with the bearing of royalty.

Caroline hastily pulled a robe from the closet, put it on, and then tried for a dignified curtsy while the duchess studied her.

"Are you carrying his child?" the duchess asked with such briskness in her voice that Caroline was jarred by it.

"No." Caroline didn't elaborate. If Bradford's mother was rude enough to ask such a question, then she would return the rudeness.

The two stared at each other for a long minute. Caroline noticed that the woman's eyes were the same color as Bradford's. She had deep wrinkles around the comers, telling Caroline that she was a woman who smiled often.

"Don't let him cower you," the duchess decreed. She sat down in one of the stuffed chairs and motioned for Caroline to take the other.

"I've never cowered in my life," Caroline remarked as she sat down across from her soon-to-be mother-in-law. "I'm not sure I even know how."

"He always was impatient. When he settles on something, he wants to see it through immediately."

Caroline nodded. The briskness in the woman's voice no longer offended her and she found herself smiling. "He's not only impatient," Caroline said, "but overbearing and arrogant as well. I think that you should know we're ill-suited for each other."

The duchess smiled, seemingly unaffected by Caroline's honesty. "You actually don't want to marry him?" she asked.

"He doesn't love me," Caroline acknowledged very matter-of-factly. "And he doesn't trust me. A sad start, wouldn't you agree? Perhaps, if you would speak to him, he might reconsider?"

"Nonsense, child. He obviously wants you or he wouldn't marry you. My son never does anything he doesn't want to do. It's up to you to make him love you, not that it is really necessary."

"To love isn't necessary?" Caroline asked, showing her confusion.

"It's a solid match, that's the important thing," the duchess returned.

She stood up then and walked over to the door. "I believe my son has chosen well." And with that pronouncement, she left the room.

"Caroline! Are you daydreaming on your wedding day?" Charity was pulling on her arm to gain her attention. "Only think of it, you are a duchess now."

Caroline wasn't aware that Bradford had turned from his conversation to hear Charity's enthusiastic remark. She shook her head and replied, "No, I'm Bradford's wife first. That is quite enough to deal with now."

Bradford smiled, pleased with her comment. Milford appeared, making a formal bow before Caroline, and took hold of her hand. The sapphire ring that Bradford had placed on her finger glittered in the candlelight, drawing Bradford's attention, and he felt a wave of satisfaction overtake him. The ring was proof that she belonged to him.

When Milford had finished with his congratulations, he said, "Will you forgive me for breaking my promise?"

Caroline shook her head. "I won't. It was a dastardly thing to do and look where I have ended up because of it."

Milford didn't appear the least remorseful. "Tell me, what did you find so amusing when you were reciting your marriage vows?" he asked.

"If you're referring to the fact that my wife laughed her way through them, I can assure you it was because she was overcome with joy." Bradford's statement forced a reluctant smile from Caroline.

"I've a cheerful disposition," Caroline told Milford. She turned to her husband and added, "Unless, of course, I'm forced into a situation I have no control over. Then I can become quite contrary."