Julie Garwood - Guardian Angel

"Pagan might be able to convince Caine he didn't kill Colin."

"Exactly," she replied. "Do you see? Whoever is behind this treachery wants to make certain Pagan isn't found."

"Or have Caine killed before he hunts down the truth."

"Yes."

"My God, Caine is at risk. I must…"

"Do nothing, sir," Jade announced. "As I've explained, Pagan is watching out for Caine."

"Good Lord, Pagan isn't our enemy," the Duke whispered. "I owe the man a debt I shall never be able

to repay. Dear lady, is there nothing I can do for you?"

"I must take care of Caine for now," she answered. "He's a very stubborn man, but a protector by

nature. He's occupied by thinking he's taking care of my problems now. When Colin comes home, then the three of you can decide what's to be done."

"Pagan sent you to Caine then?"

"Yes," she replied with a smile.

"Caine won't give up," he interjected. "I pray Colin returns soon."

"Don't worry so," Jade said. "If you tell Caine to quit his hunt, he'll only try harder to succeed. He's

too determined to stop now."

"Then you must confide in him." "I cannot, sir. I have given my word to Colin. Besides, we've only a

few more days before the truth is revealed."

"What if your brother and Colin are delayed?"

"Then we'll have to form a new plan," she announced with a nod.

"But what specifically…"

"We'll have to find a way to take the prey away from the hunter. Caine will be furious, but he'll be alive.

I must consider this carefully," she added as she opened the door.

"When will I see you again? You mentioned that I must pretend not to know you, but…"

"Oh, I'm certain you'll see me again," she answered. "And there is one little thing you could do to repay me," she added. "You did say you would do anything," she reminded him.

"Yes, anything."

"Caine is your eldest son and if there must be a favorite, then he should be the one."

The Duke was clearly astonished by her remarks. "I love all my children. 1 wasn't aware that I favored one above the others."

"Sir Harwick believes Colin is your favorite," she said. "He also said that Caine keeps himself separate from the family. Don't allow this to continue, sir. Caine needs your love. See that he gets it."

The door closed.

* * *

The Duke of Williamshire sat at his desk a long while before his legs felt strong enough to hold his

weight. Tears of joy streamed down his cheeks. He said a prayer of thanksgiving for this miracle he'd

just been given.

His Colin was alive.

Henry was suddenly ravenous. He went in search of breakfast. It was going to be difficult, for the Duke wasn't a man given to trickery, but he would have to control his smiles. None of his staff must suspect

the true reason for his recovery.

He felt reborn. It was as though someone had reached down into his lonely black abyss of despair and lifted him all the way up to the stars.

The young lady he now considered his savior had the most unusual green eyes. Pagan must have named his ship after the beautiful woman. The Emerald. Yes, he decided with a nod. He was also certain he now knew the pirate's true identity, but he vowed he'd go to his death before revealing that truth to anyone.

He wondered, though, what Caine would say when he found out that the woman he was sheltering was actually Pagan's little sister?

There'd be fireworks aplenty, and his only prayer now was that he'd be there to protect his savior when Caine's temper exploded.

The Duke of Williamshire was certain he had it all figured out.

* * *

He was filling his plate with a second helping of eggs and kidneys when his wife, Gweneth, came rushing into the dining room. "Cook told me you were eating," she stammered out.

The Duke turned to his wife, a soft smile on his face. Poor Gweneth looked rattled. Her short blond hair was in complete disarray and she couldn't seem to get the sash to her robe tied. "Why, Henry?" she asked, staring at him so intently.

"It's the usual custom each morning," he answered. "And I was hungry."

Her brown eyes filled with tears. "You were hungry?" she whispered.

Henry put his plate down on the side bar and walked over to his wife. He took her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "I've given you quite a worry lately, haven't I, love?"

"But you're feeling better now?" she asked.

"I've been advised not to languish any longer," he stated.

"By whom?"

"My conscience," he lied. "In time, Gweneth, I shall explain this sudden turnabout to you. For now, however, I can only say I'm sorry for all the worry I've caused you and the children. I've grieved long enough."

"It's a miracle," she whispered.

Yes, he thought to himself, a miracle with bewitching green eyes. "Come and have a bite to eat, my dear. You look a bit peaked to me."

"I looked peaked?" Her laughter was shaky. "You, my love, look like death."

He kissed her tenderly, then led her over to the table. "After I've cleaned up, I believe I'll ride over to Caine's place."

"He'll be stunned by your recovery," Gweneth announced. "Oh, Henry, it's so good to have you back with us."

"Would you like to ride over to see Caine with me?"

"Oh, yes, I'd like that," she answered. A determined gleam entered her eyes. "It isn't proper to have guests but I believe I'll invite Lady Aisely and her dear mother down for a long weekend. You must tell Caine we expect him to… why are you shaking your head at me?"

"You might as well save yourself the effort, Gweneth. Give it up. Caine won't be marrying Lady Aisely."

"It's a sound match, Henry," she argued. "Give me two good reasons why I cannot encourage this union?"

"Very well," he answered. "One, she doesn't have red hair."

"Well, of course she doesn't have red hair. She has beautiful blond hair. You know that well enough."

"And two," he continued, ignoring her befuddled look. "She doesn't have green eyes."

"Henry, you aren't feeling altogether well yet, are you?"

Henry's laughter echoed throughout the dining room. "Caine needs an enchantress. You'll have to

accept it, my dear."

"Accept what?" she asked.

His slow wink left her more puzzled than ever. "I believe, Gweneth, that your breakfast will have to

wait a while longer. You must go back to bed at once."

"I must?" she asked. "Why?"

The Duke leaned forward and whispered into his wife's ear. When he was finished with his explanation, his wife blushed.

"Oh, Henry," she whispered. "You really are feeling better."

Jade returned to Caine's home a short time later. After handing the reins to Matthew, she rushed up the back steps to her bedroom. When she rounded the corner, she found Sterns standing like a centurian outside her bedroom door.

He did a double take when he spotted her. Then he folded his arms across his chest. "You're suppose

to be inside your bedroom, mi'lady."

She decided to take the offensive. She'd make him do the explaining. "And what are you suppose to be doing?"

"I'm guarding the door."

"Why?"

"So you won't leave."

"But I already left," she countered with a soft smile. "Sterns, I do believe your time is too valuable to

be guarding an empty room."

"But mi'lady, I didn't know it was empty," he protested.

She patted him on his arm. "You may explain this to me later, sir. Now please move out of my way.

I really must change out of this riding garment and go help Caine."

She scooted past the disgruntled-looking servant and shut the door on his protests. In little time at all, she'd changed into a dark green gown and hurried downstairs by way of the main staircase.

Sterns was now guarding the front door. The set of his jaw told her he was going to be difficult.

"You may not go outside," he announced in a voice that would have chilled a polar bear.

She wasn't at all intimidated. She gave him a wide smile. "I can and I will," she answered.

"My lord is most insistent that you remain inside."

"I'm just as insistent that I go outside."

In answer to that challenge, Sterns leaned against the door and slowly shook his head.

Jade decided to turn his attention. "Sterns? How many servants are there in residence here?"

He looked surprised by her question. "We're only half staffed now," he answered. "There are five of

us in all."

"Where are the others?"

"In London," he answered. "They're helping to clean the town house."

"But I thought it was destroyed in the fire," she said.

"It wasn't as bad as all that," he said. "The side's been boarded up and now there's only the smoke damage to be righted. While the workers repair the structure, the servants are cleaning the inside."

"I'm wondering, Sterns, if the servants here can be trusted."

He rose to his full height before answering. "Mi'lady, all the servants are trustworthy. They are all

loyal to their employer."

"You're certain?"

He took a step away from the door. "Why are you so interested in…"

"You'll be having two guests in the next few days, Sterns, but no one must tell that they're here. Your staff must keep silent."

"The Marquess hasn't mentioned any guests to me," he argued, seeming mildly injured.

Jade rushed past him and threw the door wide. "Caine doesn't know about the visitors just yet," she said. "That's the reason he hasn't told you. It's going to be a surprise, you see."

She could tell from his befuddled expression that he didn't see. "I just thought you'd like to be forewarned so you could have the guest chambers made ready," she explained. She picked up her skirts and started down the steps. "Now quit frowning, Sterns. I shall tell Caine you tried to keep me inside."

"And I shall inform mi'lord that you weren't in your room," he called out.

* * *

Jade found Caine going through the remains of what had been his stables. Only smoldering embers remained. The destruction was absolute.

The horses, she noticed, were now housed in a large rectangular corral the men had just put together.

Caine's white shirt was covered with soot. "Have you collected all your horses?" she asked when she reached his side.

He slowly turned to look at her. The scowl on his face could very well start a fresh fire. His tone, however, was deceptively mild when he said, "All but the one you borrowed."

"Borrowed?" she asked, feigning innocence.

"Go and wait for me in the drawing room," he commanded.

"But Caine, I want to help."

"Help?" He almost lost his temper then and there. "You and your men have helped enough." Several

deep breaths later, he said, "Go back inside. Now."

His roar accomplished his goal. Jade immediately turned around and hurried back to the house. She

could feel Caine's stare on her back and wouldn't have been surprised if her gown had caught fire.

The man was spitting-embers angry.

It would be pointless to try to reason with him now. She'd have to wait until his anger had dissipated

just a little.

When she reached the bottom step, she turned back to him. "Caine? If you must stay outside, don't be such a bloody easy target."