She nodded, quickly said her farewells, and went upstairs to change. Sterns carried her satchel
downstairs to give to the stablemaster so he could secure it on the back of her horse.
Caine was just putting his jacket on when she walked into his room. He'd already changed into snug-fitting fawn-colored britches and dark brown Hessian boots. He wore the same white shirt but
had removed the cravat.
"I'm ready," she called out from the doorway to get his attention.
"It's a hell of a way to begin our marriage," Caine muttered.
"We could have waited," she replied.
He shook his head. "No, we couldn't have waited."
"Caine? Why couldn't we have taken the carriage?"
"We're taking the back way, through the woods, starting out in the opposite direction, of course, and
then circling. We're going to sneak up on London, sweet."
She smiled. "Just like McKindry," she announced.
Caine slipped the long knife into one boot, his attention turned to his task, and asked, "Who's McKindry?"
"The man who used the whip on me," Jade answered. "Don't forget your pistol, Caine."
"I won't," he answered. He turned to look at her. "McKindry's the bastard who marked you?" he demanded.
"Don't look so angry, Caine, it was a long time ago."
"How long ago?"
"Oh, I was eight, perhaps nine years old at the time. Harry took care of McKindry. And it was a very good lesson for me," she added when his expression turned murderous.
"What lesson?"
"McKindry sneaked up behind me," she explained. "After that, every time Harry left me, his very last words were, always, remember McKindry. It was a reminder, you see, that I must always be on my guard."
What the hell kind of a childhood was that? he asked himself. Caine kept his anger hidden. "And how often did Harry leave you?" he asked, his tone mild. He even turned toward the wardrobe so she
wouldn't see his expression.
"Oh, all the time," she answered. "Until I was old enough to help, of course. Then I went with him. Caine, you'd really better hurry. Sir Richards will be pacing. I'll go downstairs…"
"Come here, Jade."
His voice was a hoarse whisper, his expression solemn. Jade was thoroughly confused by his behavior. She walked over to stand in front of him.
"Yes, Caine?" she asked.
"I want you to remember something else besides McKindry," he said.
"What?"
"I love you."
"I could never forget you love me." She reached up and gently brushed her fingertips down his cheek.
She tried to kiss him then, but he shook his head. "I also want you to remember something else," he whispered. "Remember your promise to me that you're never, ever going on the ocean again."
Her eyes widened. "But I didn't promise you…"
"Promise me now, then," he ordered.
"I promise."
She was looking quite stunned. Caine was satisfied by that reaction. "I'll tell Harry he'll have to come to England if he wants to see you. We won't be going to him. I'll also tell him I made you promise me. He won't argue over that."
"How long have you known, Caine?" she asked.
"That you're afraid of the water?"
She timidly nodded. "Since the first nightmare," he explained. He took her back into his arms. "You've been worried, haven't you?"
"A little," she whispered. Then she shook her head. "No, Caine, I wasn't just a little worried. I was terrified. Harry wouldn't understand."
A long ponderous moment passed before she whispered, "Caine, do you think me a coward for being afraid of the water?"
"Do you have to ask me that question?" he replied. "Don't you already know the answer, Jade?"
She smiled then. "No, you don't believe I'm a coward. I'm sorry for insulting you by asking. I'm just not use to admitting…"
"Sweetheart, Poseidon wouldn't go back in the water if he'd been through your terror."
She started to laugh and cry at the same time. She was so relieved he'd just taken her burden away, she felt positively light-headed. "Nathan's stronger than 1 am," she said then. "He's going on the waters again."
"Nathan isn't human, love, so he doesn't count," Caine replied.
"Oh, he's human, all right. If I tell you a secret, will you keep it? You won't torment my brother with…"
"I promise."
"Nathan gets seasick."
Caine laughed. "He's going to make a hell of a pirate then," he drawled out.
"I love you."
She'd blurted out her confession, her face hidden in the lapels of his jacket.
He quit laughing. "Did you say something?" he asked, pretending he hadn't heard her. He nudged her
chin up and stared down into her eyes.
It took her a long time to get the words out again, and every ounce of courage she possessed. Her throat tightened up, her heart hammered a wild beat, and her stomach felt like it was tying itself in knots.
She wouldn't have been able to tell him if he hadn't helped. The look on his face was so filled with love,
it made some of the panic ebb away. The dimple did the rest. "I love you."
He felt relieved, until she burst into tears again. "Was that so difficult? To tell me you loved me?"
"It was," she whispered while he kissed her tears away. "I'm not at all used to telling what's in my heart.
I don't believe I like it at all."
He would have laughed if she hadn't sounded so damned vulnerable. He kissed her instead.
"You didn't like making love the first time, either," he reminded her before kissing her sweet mouth once again.
Both of them were shaking when they drew apart. He would have dragged her over to the bed if Sir Richards' bellow hadn't interrupted them.
They sighed in unison. "Come along, sweetheart. It's time to go."
He started out the doorway, tugging her by her hand.
Lyons and Richards were waiting for them in the foyer. The time for gaiety was quickly put aside. They walked in silence through the backwoods where Matthew and Jimbo waited with their horses.
Caine took the lead. Jade was next in line, with Lyon responsible for protecting her back. Sir Richards trailed last.
Caine was cautious to the point of fanaticism. The only time they stopped to rest was when he backtracked on his own to make certain they weren't being followed. Still, Jade didn't mind the inconvenience. She was comforted by his precautions.
Each time Caine left, Lyon stayed by her side. And every time he talked to her, the topic was always about his file. It was apparent he was concerned about someone else getting hold of it.
She suggested he steal his own file so that he could gain peace of mind. Lyon shook his head. He tried