Free My Darling Caroline by Adele Ashworth

those grown only in climes where temperatures rarely vary. As far as I know, no one thus far has been able to create such roses, for they are extremely delicate by nature and can only be grown with exact specifications and the greatest of care.”
    Caroline caught herself. She was delving into great and unnecessary detail. “In any case, the man wouldn’t meet with me, even with proof of my experience and knowledge, and had the audacity to presume someone else had done the work.” She threw her napkin on the table, trying to control herself before tears of frustration filled her eyes.
    “I don’t understand, since I know the man to be smart and methodical, why he wouldn’t at least see you,” he maintained softly, seriously, seemingly a bit perplexed.
    She looked at him as if he were stupid. “I’m a woman, Brent.”
    He sat back at once. “Yes, you are.” After a moment of silence, he added, “And now you’re stuck with me and an overgrown garden instead of the famous Sir Albert and his years of expertise.”
    She relaxed and attempted a smile. He was trying to be delicate with her feelings. “It hasn’t been so bad.”
    He grinned in return. “You enjoy pulling weeds?”
    Her smile widened. Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to broach the subject of a green house.
    Feeling almost immortally brave, she leaned her chest toward him in what she hoped was a seductive fashion. He, being a man, naturally dropped his gaze to her breasts, and for the first time since they’d met, it made her flush with delight and anticipation. She felt powerful as a woman for the first time in her life.
    Lowering her voice, she placed her hand on his arm and whispered huskily, “I have a favor to ask of you, Brent.”
    His eyes moved back to her face, but his expression never changed. “Indeed.”
    “I would like to continue my work, but I’ve found Miramont lacking the one necessary item I need.”
    He arched a brow cynically. “And you’d like me to supply it for you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Am I to assume it’s a very small, inexpensive item?”
    “It’s…bigger than that,” she murmured innocently, starting to feel unsure.
    He cleared his throat. “Bigger than what?”
    “Bigger than a small, inexpensive item.” She sat up, removing her hand from his arm.
    “So what you’d like, Caroline, is for me to buy you a big, expensive item?”
    She nodded just slightly.
    He leaned back in his chair, regarding her.
    She was so incredibly nervous now that her hands were trembling, and she kept them well hidden in the folds of her gown. She felt ridiculous. She never should have brought it up.
    “I’ll buy it for you on one condition.”
    She caught her breath. He was very serious and, as she considered it, also very smug.
    “Don’t you even want to know what it is?” she asked, now fully frustrated with him sitting so close to her, staring at her as he was.
    He shook his head lightly and stood. Before she could utter a protest, he clasped her arm and forced her to stand as well, beside him, almost touching.
    “I don’t care what it is,” he whispered, placing his palm beneath her chin and tilting her head so she couldn’t help but look at him.
    He studied every inch of her face with a cunning grin on his mouth. “But I would think you’d like to know what the condition is.”
    She tried to back away, but in one quick movement he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up forcefully against his chest.
    That infuriated her. With her face steaming, blood boiling, she boldly stated, “I need a green house—”
    “I need a son.”
    She stared at him, horrified. “You cannot think—” He leaned over and nuzzled her neck, making her heart start to pound. Pushing softly against him, she demanded furiously, “I need a green house—”
    “And I need you, Caroline,” he whispered. “I believe that would be a fair exchange. We’ll both plant seeds.”
    With that, he released her.
    She stumbled back against