Chapter Thirty-Two
Julian genuinely surprised himself. He managed to get both Caroline and Harry back to the castle without murdering Harry in the process. He was sorely tempted to do him great harm, but it quickly became apparent that Caroline was in need of his support. He would have to wait to exact revenge on the man who had laid his hands on her.
Francis was not so gracious.
As Caroline went to sit with Lady Margaret, the men gathered in the drawing room, Harry on one side, faced down by the others.
“Harry, for the love of our friendship, tell me this is something of a foolish and badly timed jest. Tell me what Caroline has accused you of doing is all some terrible misunderstanding,” said Francis.
“I assure you that I am completely earnest in my resolve to marry your sister. You should be congratulating me, not taking me to task. Her reputation will be salvaged by her becoming my wife,” replied Harry.
“But not her health from the way you assaulted her,” snapped Julian.
The memory of the fear he had seen in Caroline’s eyes burned bright in his mind. Harry shook his head, but his gaze remained fixed on Francis. Caroline’s brother was the one man in the room who had any real power over her future.
“Now, Francis, if I could just talk to Caroline alone, I am certain we could get the matter of our betrothal settled. She just needs to learn to do as she is told,” Harry implored.
Julian puffed out his cheeks. He knew it was his imagination, but he was certain that somewhere he could hear a small voice telling him that Harry was in desperate need of a solid punch to the head.
Make that two.
Francis raked his fingers through his hair. Julian felt sorry for him. No matter what was resolved from the current crisis, the long-standing friendship was likely beyond repair. With his sister’s reputation at risk, Francis was now in the unenviable situation of having to take sides.
“What Caroline needs is for her family to support and protect her, which is exactly what I am going to do. You attacked my sister and now have the gall to try and force her into marrying you. Have you run mad?” he said.
A determined Harry held his ground. “I am not mad. In fact, I am seeing more clearly now than I have ever done. I made certain to set things in motion. So, whether you like it or not, Caroline now has to marry me.”
All six-foot-four of Francis stepped forward and towered over Harry. Julian and James exchanged a concerned look. This moment could very well end in bloodshed.
“You will not speak to Caroline. You will go to your room and pack your things. You and I shall leave for London before the day is out,” said Francis.
“What?” replied Harry.
Julian had heard enough. He was not going to stand idly by while Harry questioned the whys and wherefores of what was to happen. Especially not after what he had done to Caroline.
“Menzies, this is my home. I shall be the judge of what happens under my roof. As of this moment, you are no longer welcome as a guest at Newhall Castle. Until you leave later today, you will remain in your room. I shall have a footman bring you food and drink,” he said.
“But—”
“But nothing,” replied Julian.
“Don’t think for one minute that this is over and done with, Newhall. That betrothal notice will carry a great deal of weight in forcing Caroline to accept my suit,” sneered Harry.
Julian held back on his reply, and opened the door. He slammed it shut with great force after Francis and James had led Harry away. They accompanied Harry to his room, returning a short time later.
Francis handed Julian a key. “He continued to demand to see Caroline, so I thought it best to lock him in. Mostly for the sake of his own safety.”
Julian nodded his agreement. It was a wise course of action. He had retrieved his pistol from his room upon returning to the castle. It was now loaded and sitting in his jacket pocket. It may have been overkill on his part, but after having seen how shaken Caroline was after her encounter with Harry Menzies, he was not willing to take any chances.
The Caroline of old would have taken her brother to task for not having dealt with the Harry situation earlier. But she now held her tongue as Francis closed the sitting room door behind him. No one could have foreseen the events that had transpired earlier that morning, least of all Francis.
“Thank you for sitting with my sister,” said Francis, as Lady Margaret gathered up her shawl and left the room.
His face was drawn and held an expression of dark resolve. Caroline knew he was doing his utmost to keep his temper in check. Francis was one of those people who could tolerate a thousand insults, but once he received one too many, pity help the man on the receiving end of his wild Viking temper.
Caroline rose from her seat and they met in the middle of the room. He held out his arms. “I am so sorry, Caro. I had no idea. Thank god Newhall arrived when he did,” he said.
It was with a great sense of relief that she stepped into Francis’s embrace. Long arms wrapped around her and pulled her close to him. She hugged him as best as she could, taking care not to disturb her injured left hand. Her tall, white-haired warrior from the north would do all he could to keep her safe.
