The Lover

He nodded. “I’ll leave tomorrow morning, as soon as I arrange a few details to put my current assignment on hold.”

The light of anticipation in Thorne’s eyes greatly encouraged Caro. For the first time in weeks, she felt her taut nerves relax the slightest measure. She was infinitely glad to have Lord Christopher Thorne on their side.

She had known he would be eager to participate in the rescue, since he loved the thrill of danger. And of all the Guardians besides Caro, he was closest to Isabella, so he understood perfectly her anxiety for her friend.

Thorne rose from the sofa and crossed to her, taking her gloved hands in his larger, stronger ones. “We’ll find her; never doubt it.”

Caro smiled faintly. She was far more troubled about this mission than any previous one, doubtless because she had such a high personal stake in the outcome. “It is just so frustrating to be this helpless. I cannot stop seeing her at the mercy of some cruel master. She is all alone, Thorne—”

“Have you considered another possibility? That Isabella may look upon her captivity as an adventure rather than a tragedy?”

He was trying to reassure her, Caro realized, yet he did have a point. Most women would be terrified to be enslaved by Barbary pirates, but the spirited Isabella was far more resourceful and enterprising than any normal woman. If anyone was a survivor, it was she.

But still it distressed Caro immeasurably that they couldn’t even begin to make detailed plans until they discovered exactly where Isabella was being held, and until the other Guardians gathered on Cyrene, which could take weeks or even months.

“You are right, of course,” she murmured. “But I shall go mad with nothing to do but wait.”

Thorne chucked her under the chin. “Oh, no, my girl, you won’t get off so easily. At the moment I have the perfect task for you. You may make my excuses to my aunt. She won’t be eager to free me from my promise to squire my cousin around London.”

“Why me?”

“Because Aunt Hennessy likes you. And she will be more willing to forgive me if you ask it of her.”

Lady Hennessy had sponsored Caro’s disastrous London season years before and held her in affection, despite the scandal she had inadvertently caused.

“Just tell her that Bella has gone missing, and that I’m needed to rescue her.” He lead Caro to the library door and opened it. “Do you mean to stay here tonight?”

“If Lady Hennessy will allow me.”

“I have no doubt she will—if you promise not to cause a scene at her ball. She is still trying to live down your disastrous season.”

Color rose in her cheeks at his teasing. “Of course I won’t cause a scene. I intend to make myself scarce as soon as I speak to her.”

“She will be grateful, I’m sure.” Thorne turned to go, then glanced back over his shoulder. “Oh, and Caro? One other thing you may do for me…Extend my apologies to Max Leighton.”

Caro felt every nerve in her body tighten. “Major Leighton is here?” she asked, her voice a bit too high and breathless.

“Mr. Leighton. He’s a civilian now. But you should know that. He is in all the society pages.”

She did know. Sir Gawain had all the newspapers shipped to Cyrene weekly so he could keep up with current events in both the world and in the Beau Monde.

“Why must you apologize to him?” Caro asked, trying to appear casual.

“Because I dragged him to this ball so he could keep me company. It was a supreme sacrifice on his part, considering how persistently the ladies are hounding him. I regret having to abandon him to their sweet mercies. Tell Max I am sorry and that my invitation to him to visit Cyrene at Christmas still stands.”

Caro lowered her gaze to hide her dismay. “If I see him,” she answered reluctantly, “I will give him your message.”

“That isn’t good enough, love. Promise me you will seek Max out after I leave. Otherwise I will have to delay long enough to do it myself.”

“Very well…I promise.”

“No doubt he will be pleased to see you. He was just asking about you earlier tonight.”

She gave Thorne a startled glance. “He was?”

“Yes. You evidently made quite an impression on him during his brief visit to the island last year. Now go find my aunt. I will return as soon as possible.”

As Thorne strode away, Caro stared dazedly after him, wanting to curse. The last person she wanted to see was Maxwell Leighton, but it didn’t seem now as if she would have much choice.