Why would that be so? His mind turned it over but the only explanation that made any sense was that Crimson no longer trusted Caroline.
Caroline sat, refusing to acknowledge Crimson’s presence. If she never had another kiss like that in her life, she would have to be content that she experienced it once. After tomorrow, Tom would likely never speak to her again.
Her hand came to her stomach as she willed the butterflies away. She had decided upon a course of action and she would see it through.
Crimson said little and everyone pretended to watch the drama unfolding on stage but she knew each was consumed with what was happening within the box.
Finally the show ended and they all stood. Crimson looked to her and she nodded.
He turned to their guests. “I hope you will understand but Caroline and I have things to attend to backstage.”
“Of course,” Graham gave a nod.
“It was lovely to see all of you again. I look forward to dinner tomorrow evening.”
She watched the grin spread across Crimson’s face but her own insides tightened. There was no mistaking it. What she was about to do could only be called betrayal.
Chapter Seven
She dressed very carefully for the next evening. Crimson, trusting her to do what she must, had sent a note to Charlotte asking her to be Caroline’s chaperone for the evening. Crimson planned to have her seduce Tom in order to gain access to the room. She would return as many times as it took for him to either give her the object outright or to steal it while he slept.
It was a mad plan with too many holes to count, least of all was giving up her virtue and then insisting on marriage. The worst part would be deceiving and stealing from the man she was coming to love. The word jolted her. She was beginning to love him.
Knots formed in her stomach. After this, she was sure to lose him.
At eight o’clock a carriage arrived at the back alley to escort her to Lord and Lady Rangley’s. Normally, an unmarried woman would never be allowed such liberties but actors and actresses of the company cared little for social convention.
Nerves fluttered in her chest but she stepped into the carriage as the footman held the door. The drive wasn’t terribly long but it seemed as though an eternity passed till the carriage reached the London townhouse.
The door snapped open and the footman stood to help her out. Tom stood at the bottom of the steps, reaching his hand to her. She took it, enjoying the warmth that seeped through her glove. She tried to memorize the feel of it. It needed to last her a lifetime.
“My lord,” she murmured.
“Tom,” he corrected.
“Tom,” she started again. This was it. “I need to speak with you privately.”
“Graham and Charlotte,” he began, searching her face.
“It’s important.”
With a nod, he tucked her arm into the crook of his elbow and led her into the house. Graham and Charlotte waited there but he held up his finger that they needed a minute and walked straight past them into the front parlor. “This will have to do, anything else wouldn’t be proper.”
With a nod, she took a breath. “Give me a kiss first. Please, I beg you. I don’t know if I’ll ever have one again.”
His hand came to her cheek. “You can tell me what is wrong. I’ll help you.”
“I will.” She nodded and his lips captured hers in a brief but fierce kiss. Then as he pulled away, she took a deep breath preparing for what was to come. “First I want to tell you what I’ve done.”
“What?” His eyes searched her face, alarm making his eyes larger than normal.
“We were drowning in debt and Crimson was going to lose the theater. I felt responsible and so I…” Caroline paused not know how to say the words.
“You picked people’s pockets,” Tom finished.
“How-how did you know?” She looked at him aghast. She had been dreading telling him this, sure it would be the end of their relationship. She had been determined to tell him the truth no matter what but now she was completely stunned.
“Lord Somersett suspects you. What I don’t know is if he has proof or not. My guess is no or he would have either blackmailed you or turned you in.” Tom frowned. “And I’ve seen Crimson’s hands. If you’re half as good then no one will have proof.”
Her stomach nearly dropped to the floor. “I’m going to prison.” Her voice shook.
“No. I’ll take care of that problem soon but today I need to know what is happening with Crimson.”
She told him of Crimson’s increasing desperation and his wild behavior. How she had stolen only a few times but based on the books, her suspicions that he was doing so regularly. “And now, he has gone completely mad. He thinks you have some magical object and he wants me to—”
Tom hissed out a breath, “How does he expect you to do that?”
Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Any means necessary.”
“You can’t go back to him. He’s unstable. We’ll go to Gretna Green. I’ve an acquaintance that runs a shipping company.”
Her insides melted. Not only did her admittance not mean the end of their relationship but now he was offering to marry her in order to save her. “Oh, Tom.” She unbuttoned her glove and, pulling it off, she placed her hand against his cheek. “I can’t express how much that gesture means. That you would marry me, aid me, is beyond kind. And as much as I would like to take you up on the offer, I can’t leave Melody and Samantha.”
His lips found hers again. “It isn’t just a gesture. I have feelings for you.”
“And I you,” she returned pressing closer. “It is why I had to tell you the truth. I couldn’t lie to you.”
“We can take them with us.” He kissed her lips again.
“We can’t. He’s their guardian and we would be kidnapping.”
Tom brushed his hand down her cheek. “You don’t want to prove wrongdoing on his part?”
She shook her head. “I know he is acting crazy but he took me in when no one else would. It’s the strain of it all. He’s a good person. I know he is.”
Tom grimaced. “What does he know about the mirror I carry?”
Caroline blinked. She hadn’t expected there to actually be an object. “Mirror?”
A shadow passed Tom’s face. “It isn’t magical. But it holds a great deal of significance and I am handing it over to the church. The glass is broken out, only the frame remains.”
“So why did the priest tell Crimson it is a magical object?” This was strange indeed.
Tom swallowed. “It is a very long story and like you, I have a secret. I will tell you everything, I swear it, but I would like to deal with Crimson first. Before we are married, I will share all and let you decide, but first let’s keep you safe.”
He had been so accepting of her faults, she knew in her heart that she would give him the same. It was strange that he was being so secretive considering what Crimson believed of him. Now that she thought about it he hadn’t actually denied it. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be worse than being a thief. “Thank you for that and for your understanding. I will give you the same.”
He leaned down to kiss her again when a knock rapped on the open door. Without waiting for a response, Graham entered the room. “Forgive the interruption, but if you two are alone much longer, there will be a wedding.”
Caroline blinked twice. She just realized what Tom had said when speaking of his secret. Before we are married. She looked at him and he bent to one knee. “Lady Caroline. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Her heart swelled. It was more than she had ever hoped for. “Yes,” she breathed.
Graham chuckled. “Well in that case, carry on.” And he disappeared again.
“Graham, come back,” Tom called. When Graham peeked his head around the corner, Tom added, “Call Charlotte too.”
Graham nodded and then disappeared. Once gone, Tom turned back to her. “I want to ask your permission to share w
ith them. I have a plan in mind but I will need Charlotte’s help.”
Caroline swallowed the lump in her throat. Telling Tom had made her feel lighter by half, but to tell Graham and Charlotte filled her with shame. “They won’t approve of our match. Not that I deserve you. But if you think it’s necessary to keep Melody and Samantha safe then I will suffer any consequences necessary.”
“Of course we’ll approve,” Charlotte grinned, appearing in the doorway with Graham just behind her.
“I agree.” Graham nodded. “As we are confessing sins, we eavesdropped, so to speak. No need to fill us in.”
Charlotte grinned from ear to ear. “We did. I believe in nefarious tactics when it comes to love.”
The word nefarious had Caroline biting her lip, her eyes cast down. She had betrayed Crimson. In both her intent in coming here tonight and by sharing his secrets with three other people. “I’m not proud of some of the things I’ve done.”
“Would it make you feel better to know, Caroline, that I practically threw myself at Graham and plotted to have him ruin me so that we could be married?”
Tears pricked at Caroline’s eyes. Never could she have imagined such acceptance. And they would be her family. “Is it inappropriate for me to hug you?”
She embraced the couple and then returned to Tom. He was grinning with joy as he pulled her back into his arms. “I think we use Crimson’s methods against him. We give him the mirror, it’s useless now but we make him think it’s a powerful force of bad luck. In other words, we’ll play a series of tricks on him that scare him back onto the right path.”
“That is a wonderful idea!” Caroline bounced with excitement. “He’s a good man. He’s just lost his way. If we could help him find it again it would be so lovely.”
“All right. The first thing we do is make him think his theater has failed.” Tom began to whisper his plan and Caroline had to smile. It was absolutely brilliant.
Tom watched Caroline as he shared his plan. Bloody hell she was lovely and so strong. Sharing her secret no matter the consequences, protecting Melody and Samantha.
He had meant every word. He was in love with her. He had watched his brothers fall like this but he had thought they were being dramatic or foolish. But now he understood. From the moment her eyes had locked with his, they had touched him deep inside. They belonged together and he would do everything he could to cherish her and keep her safe.
They went to the dining room and ate a hurried meal. Charlotte would begin sending invitations for tea tomorrow to put their plan into motion. Once the meal was done, Tom raced up to his room to retrieve the mirror.
He pulled it from his trunk and looked at the finely carved wood, smoothed by years of being touched. By the time he was done, Crimson would beg to give it back.
He also dug deeper and found a tiny box. In it was a sapphire set in an intricate gold ring. After asking Crimson’s permission, we would give the jewel to Caroline as a token of his affection.
Racing back down the stairs, Caroline waited for him at the bottom. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the waiting carriage, then handed her in. As soon as the driver snapped the door closed, he pulled her into his lap, peppering her face with kisses. He needed to touch her now, strengthen their bond with physical contact.
The feel of her skin under his lips sent his senses reeling.
Chapter Eight
It was better than she had ever imagined, being held in his massive arms, his strong legs underneath her. His lips began trailing down her neck and her breath caught as the tickling sensation sent vibrations through her body.
“Tell me to stop,” he moaned as he began to trail kisses over the exposed skin of her chest.
“I don’t want you to.” She arched to give him better access. His hand reached up to cup her breast and a moan escaped her lips at the contact.
His lips came up to swallow the sound and the kiss set her to flame. Their tongues tangled together in a desperate attempt to be closer still.
The carriage halted and Tom broke the kiss, groaning in frustration. “We need to marry soon.”
“Yes,” she answered kissing him one last time as the footman rapped on the door.
But he called out, “One more turn.” And the carriage started again.
Laughing he pulled her closer, his hand coming to her rear. He lifted her and then set her back down so that her legs straddled his. He tipped her back and suddenly their most intimate areas came into contact through their clothing.
Both groaned their pleasure as he began to subtly move her, increasing the pleasure.
Her body pressed to his, their mouths joined, their foreheads touching, arms entwined. Need built inside her until she thought she might burst from it. And then she did. In glorious color, her body shattered.
She heard him moan, his body shuddering. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him again. “I never want to leave this carriage.”
He gave a gasping chuckle. “It will be so much better when we are in a bed.”
“Better?” She leaned back then to look wide eyed at him. She couldn’t imagine it being any more wonderful.
“I will ask Crimson if he will post the banns tomorrow. I’ll wager he’ll be agreeable after I give him my good luck charm.”
“I hope he believes you.” She bit her lip. If he didn’t, their entire plan would fall through.
“He will. He wants to believe there is a solution and so he will accept any explanation I give him.” Tom gave her a squeeze.
The carriage pulled up the back entrance of the theater again, and this time Tom climbed out, helping her to exit as well. Crimson stood at the door giving them a suspicious eye. “Did I see your vehicle pull up prior to this?” His arms crossed over his chest. “Forgive my impertinence, my lord, but Lady Rangley was supposed to be chaperoning. There are consequences for your actions.”
“May we step inside?” Tom gave her cousin a charming smile and Crimson begrudgingly stepped to the side to allow them entrance.
Once in the back hall of the theater, Crimson started anew. Not one to be overly concerned with society, Caroline thought he was overreacting a tad but as Tom was in on the plan, it mattered not. “If Lady Caroline’s reputation has been tarnished in any way—”
“I understand, Lord Wainscroft, and I apologize for any gaff. Lady Rangley was detained. I only escorted Lady Caroline home because I wanted to ask you directly for her hand.”
Crimson’s arms dropped from his chest, hanging at his side. “My lord, I am sure she will be honored.”
A smile touched Crimson’s lips that she itched to smack away. He wasn’t happy for her, he was glad for the access she would have to the mirror.
“I know it isn’t all that traditional, but I would be most honored if you would post the banns tomorrow. I have no desire to wait.” Tom gave Crimson an easy grin. His acting was superb.
“I agree.” Crimson reached for Tom’s hand and they shook, terms agreed upon.
Tom gestured down the hall. “Is there somewhere more comfortable we might sit? I have gifts for each of you.”
“Of course.” Crimson led the way to his office.
As they settled in to the cramped space, Tom reached into his coat. He pulled out a small box, and handed it to her. She flipped open the lid and found a beautiful sapphire, sparkling in the light. “Oh Tom. It’s too much. I couldn’t—”
“Of course you can, my sweetheart. It is a token of how much joy you’ve brought to my life.” He kissed her cheek. Tears stung her eyes. Whether for Crimson’s benefit or hers the ring was beyond her wildest dreams. Love was swelling in her heart, growing with every beat. He once again removed her glove and then, taking the box from her hand, pulled out the ring to slip it on her finger. He turned her palm up to kiss it and then leaned over to whisper in her ear. “I love you.”
A tear slipped past her lid then, try as she might to hold it back. “And I you, but I have no gift to give you, though I wish that
I—” She stopped because more tears threatened to fall. She didn’t deserve Tom. It had been her fear all along. She couldn’t return even the simplest gesture.
“You’re affection is more than enough for me.” Squeezing her hand, he pulled out another object. It was wrapped in a cloth. “Crimson, this is a gift for you.”
Crimson unwrapped the object, and Caroline could see that his hands were also trembling. “What is it?”
Tom leaned forward, dropping his voice. “It’s a magic mirror.”
Crimson leaned forward as well. “Magic?”
“Yes, it has brought my family much fortune and as Caroline described your situation, I knew it was time to pass it on to someone else.” Tom nodded for effect and Crimson followed suit. His hand clenched the wooden handle tightly.
“We could certainly use a change of fortune.” Crimson pressed the object against his chest.
Tom scooted to the edge of his seat. “I knew you were a believer. Magic is at work behind much that happens in the world. You must simply open your eyes to see it. But listen. It will only bring you good luck if you are true of heart. If you’re not, it will unleash a plague upon you.”
For a moment, Crimson’s face froze in fear. For Caroline’s part, she tried to keep her face neutral but her eyebrows were struggling to stay in place. She knew that Tom was spinning a tale but she could swear he believed in magic from the way he spoke. She repositioned her features and kept quiet.
“No one has purer intentions than me.” Crimson pulled the mirror away from his chest to gaze at it again.
Caroline could now see that it had no glass, with the exception of a few broken shards. How strange.
“It isn’t just your intentions, it’s your actions. Past and future. You must be free from sin to reap the rewards.” Tom’s voice had dropped low and Caroline could see the fear creeping across Crimson’s face.
Entrapping a Lord's Love: A Regency Fairy Tale (Fairfield Fairy Tales Book 3) Page 5
