True to his word, Theo spent most of his time with her, taking her riding, to see a Norman church in the village, and even taking her out in a rowboat to sail on the tranquil pond. He was charming, sweet, and smitten, but he hadn’t so much as taken her hand other than the time he helped her in and out of the boat. Once he left for London, God only knew when she’d see him again, and her opportunity would have passed.
Louisa took a deep breath, enjoying the smell of rain and wet earth. As much as she loved her parents, she had no intention of returning to Virginia with them. This was her one chance, and she wouldn’t let it pass her by. Having had a glimpse of London and the splendor of Kit’s country estate, she had no desire to return to the primitive conditions of America. This is where life was, and this is where she meant to stay. She was sure she had Theo wrapped around her finger, but the silly pup was too noble for his own good.
Suddenly, Louisa stilled, a plan forming in her mind. Could she really do that? If she miscalculated, the consequences could be dire, but she was sure of Theo’s feelings for her. All he needed was a nudge in the right direction. Even Aunt Maud kept cautioning everyone about the budding relationship. She saw it too. Louisa slowly got out of bed and went to stand in front of the cheval glass. She looked pretty and virginal in her white nightdress, her hair spilling down her back in dark silky spirals. Would he really resist? She walked over to the vanity and dabbed on some scent. It had been a present from her mother for her last birthday, but she’d had little opportunity to use it, until now.
The hallway was quiet and dark, everyone most likely asleep. It had to be close to midnight, so even all the servants were in their beds, resting after a day of hard work. Louisa crept down the hall, careful not to make a noise. If she were caught, she’d just say she was thirsty and was going to the kitchen for a cup of water. She turned the corner and approached Theo’s door on silent feet. Her heart was drumming so hard that she thought the beat must echo through the whole house, waking everyone up, but no one stirred. Louisa stopped in front of the door. It still wasn’t too late to turn around and flee, but she forced herself to try the handle. It turned easily, the door opening silently on well-oiled hinges.
Theo was sitting up in bed reading by candlelight. He wasn’t wearing a nightshirt, and his dark hair was tousled and falling into his face as he absentmindedly brushed it away. He was so absorbed in his book, he didn’t even notice her standing there.
“Theo,” she whispered, closing the door behind her and inching further into the room.
“Good God, Louisa, what are you doing here?” He nearly bolted out of bed, but remembered his nakedness and remained where he was. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll go. I was just frightened by the storm. I shouldn’t have come.” Louisa turned around slowly, as if to leave. If he didn’t stop her, she’d just go back to her room and die of mortification.
“Wait, I’m sorry. I was just shocked to see you here.” He seemed genuinely confused, unsure of what to do. Louisa watched the emotions playing over his face; his need for her to stay battling with what he knew was the right course of action. She needed to press him before the rational part of his brain took over.
“Theo, I lied. I didn’t come here because of the storm. I just wanted to see you alone one last time before you left. I wanted a kiss; just one kiss to remember you by.” Louisa lowered her eyes to the floor, trying to look innocent and beguiling.
“Louisa, what are you talking about? We’ll see each other all the time once you come back to London. I’ll come to call and with your father’s permission take you about London. We can go see a play or go sailing on the Thames. I wouldn’t just disappear. You know how I feel about you.”
“How do you feel about me?” she asked shyly, raising her eyes to his in a silent plea for his love.
“I adore you. You’re all I can think about, but I was afraid of being too forward and frightening you off. These last few days have been some of the happiest I’ve ever known.” He looked so earnest that Louisa allowed herself to relax. She’d made the right choice coming here. All Theo needed was something to force his hand. Louisa glided over to the bed, her eyes never leaving his and climbed in, straddling Theo. She bent over him, her hair cascading to shield their faces from the world, and kissed him softly. Theo froze momentarily, but then his arms came around her, flipping her onto her back as his face loomed above hers.
“Louisa, please,” he whispered, stroking her cheek with his thumb. “If you don’t go now, I can’t be responsible for my actions. I’ve tried so hard to keep my distance, and now you’re here and I can’t find the strength to ask you to leave.”
“Please don’t ask me to leave,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I want to stay with you.”
Her words broke his resolve, as he finally kissed her with all the passion he’d been trying to hold back. His kiss was all the things she hoped it would be: passionate, intoxicating and full of promise. She hardly noticed when Theo pulled her nightdress over her head, his hands and lips exploring every inch of her body. Thunder crashed outside, masking her moans of pleasure. So this is what it was like. She must be awfully wicked to want it so bad, but she could barely contain herself. Louisa wasn’t sure what exactly she wanted, but she knew it was something only he could give her at that moment. She gasped as she felt him inside her, not painful exactly, but strange and unfamiliar. He began to move slowly, watching her face in the candlelight. Louisa closed her eyes, moaning as discomfort was replaced by something else entirely.
“Oh, Theo,” she breathed as he kissed her again, never stopping the rhythmic movement of his hips against hers until she forgot everything but him and the feelings coursing through her.
“Will you speak to my father tomorrow?” she asked, as Theo held her close, his body warm and hard against hers, still joined together.
“I’d like to, but I think it’s too soon. I must see to some things before asking your father for your hand. I must show him that I’m able to take care of you, financially and emotionally. I need a few weeks. Can you wait that long?” he asked tenderly, kissing her temple. “I won’t let you down. You have my word.”
“I’ll wait. Just don’t take too long. I want to have everything sorted out so that I can proclaim my joy to everyone. Oh, Theo, I’ve never been so happy. It’s as if you saved me,” she added for good measure.
“I think you’re the one who saved me. Now, I think you should return to your room before someone notices you’re gone. It’s not long till dawn, and you can’t be seen leaving my room. I don’t want to do anything to mar this moment or our future together.”
Louisa gave Theo one last kiss and slid out of bed reluctantly, giving him a warm smile. “I love you, Theo,” she said before she slipped out into the darkened hallway. Louisa tiptoed to her room, the grin never leaving her face. She’d made the right choice, and now her future was assured.
Chapter 22
Theo galloped after Kit, the countryside a blur of verdant green all around him as they passed fields and villages on their way to London. Sunday was the best day to travel since most people were at home after church, enjoying a few hours of well-earned rest and time with their family. Theo had been sorry to leave Willowbrook, especially after what happened last night, but he had no choice and only had a moment to say a brief farewell to Louisa, promising to write as soon as he spoke to Robin. Robin was currently at Beachwood with his family for the summer, enjoying annual domestic bliss which he was most likely dying to escape. Robin was happiest when at Court, scheming and plotting to further his interests and those of the family. He was a true Carew, as his mother always pointed out, not without pride.
Clumps of mud flew from the hooves of Kit’s horse, forcing Theo to keep his distance for fear of getting splattered from head to toe. The road was still muddy from last night’s storm, making galloping unwise, but Kit seemed unusually restless, driving the horses hard and not stopping for a re
st since they left that morning. Theo had to admit that he was glad he wasn’t expected to carry on a conversation — he wouldn’t have been able to. Last night was still fresh in his mind, a combination of wonder and disbelief mixing with joy and hope. He’d never expected Louisa to come to his room last night, and he should have been a gentleman and asked her to leave, but he simply couldn’t find the will to send her away. She had been so beautiful in her white nightdress with her hair cascading down her back, her pouty mouth slightly open as she gazed at him with longing. He’d never seen her with her hair down, and the feel of it between his fingers had been like the finest silk from the Orient, sensual and arousing.
He had to admit that spending time with Louisa the past few days had been an exquisite torture. She was like no one he’d ever met before. There were plenty of beautiful young girls at Court, paraded in front of him in a tireless attempt to catch his eye, but no one had touched him as Louisa had. She was a complete paradox. At first, he thought her vulnerable and fragile, a girl who needed to be healed and mended, but her grief frequently gave way to charming playfulness, which beguiled and intoxicated him with its lack of artifice. She was seemingly unaware of her power over him, drawing him in with her innocence and complete trust, and tormenting him with desire. Theo was ashamed of his wicked thoughts, but they kept coming back unbidden as he continued to spend time with her, growing in their intensity and demanding to be realized.
Of course, Aunt Maud only made things more difficult, reminding him of his duty to his family. He had to marry advantageously like Robin and Walter, but he wasn’t like his brothers. Robin had kept a mistress at Court until he married Beth, and never ended the relationship, continuing to see Celia Kilbourne on a regular basis, even after she had delivered a son last fall. Theo strongly suspected that the child was Robin’s since Celia’s husband seemed too old and feeble to have fathered the infant. Lord Kilbourne took great pride in the child nonetheless, thanking God for finally granting him a son and heir in his old age.
Walter was likely tumbling every female servant under the age of forty right under his wife’s nose, and enjoying every minute of it. He never stayed faithful to one woman as Robin had; he liked variety and excitement. The possibility of being caught was as much of a draw as the women he pursued, their faces indistinguishable in the shadows of a dark corner.
They both married well, but had no intention of being faithful to their wives. It was a contract between two consenting parties — nothing more. Theo wanted a real relationship, a marriage of body and soul that would fill his romantic heart with the love that he’d been craving. He’d glimpsed that kind of happiness between Uncle Kit and Aunt Louisa, and now he saw it again between Alec and Valerie Whitfield, making him believe that it was possible with the right person. Louisa was all the things he dreamed of in a wife, and he intended to keep his promise to her as soon as he faced down Robin.
According to Lord Carew’s Will, Robin was the head of the family and any marriage had to be sanctioned by him, even if Lady Carew were still alive. If the marriage didn’t meet with Robin’s approval, Theo would either forfeit his sizable inheritance or give up the woman of his choice. Theo hoped that Robin wouldn’t decide to exercise his brotherly control at this moment, since he hardly ever involved himself in Theo’s affairs, but a marriage was serious business, and Robin just might have some reservations, especially if Maud had already written to him in her never-ending desire to interfere in other people’s lives.
At least he didn’t have to deal with Walter. Walter would refuse immediately, laughing at Theo’s childish infatuation and calling him a “spineless turd” as he had when they were children. Walter only did things that benefited him in the long run, and would never even consider something as utterly ridiculous as marrying for love. If Theo wanted love, he could find that outside the marriage. Better yet, he could have as many women as he wanted and feel no obligation to them or their bastards, living life to the fullest and taking what he wanted from whom he wanted.
Theo slowed down to a trot as Kit finally seemed to exhaust his horse and turned toward an inn on the outskirts of a village they just passed. They would get fresh horses, have some food and stretch their legs before continuing their journey. It would be a good opportunity to get Uncle Kit on his side and hopefully gain his approval, which would weigh heavily with Robin, hopefully clearing Theo’s way to marrying Louisa.
Chapter 23
The house seemed strangely silent once Kit and Theo left for London. Little Louisa floated from room to room like a ghost, alternating between secret smiles and sudden tears, and Lou was preoccupied with the children and her fears about Kit. She was no fool, and knew that something still wasn’t right despite Kit’s assurances that he wasn’t in love with another woman and cherished her more than ever. Louisa wanted to believe Kit with all her heart, but her woman’s intuition wouldn’t allow her to be fooled, nagging at her day and night. Valerie didn’t blame her. Alec swore that Kit wasn’t having an affair, but he refused to elaborate, which left Valerie to believe there was much more to the story, and that the situation was far from over.
Valerie had to admit that she was eager to return to London. This beautiful house was starting to feel like a tomb, reminding her of a saying about a gilded cage. She looked forward to exploring London with Alec and enjoying all that the bustling metropolis had to offer. It had been nearly two decades since she’d seen a proper play or visited an actual book shop. What a pleasure it would be to walk down the street and take in the sights and sounds. One could walk the length of Jamestown in ten minutes, and she rarely went there, especially since Charles and Annabel were no longer living there.
Valerie hoped that spending some time in London would distract her from constantly worrying about Finn and Abbie. She often found herself frowning, desperately trying to remember obscure facts about the Revolutionary War, anything that might put her mind at ease about their mission. Of course, nothing she could possibly remember could keep them out of danger. They were living among the enemy, putting themselves at risk each and every day. She’d actually remembered something the other day and ran from the room in tears, needing a few moments to compose herself.
It was strange how tidbits of information suddenly shifted into place after decades of being buried in one’s subconscious. In this instance, she remembered learning about Nathan Hale, whose attempt at spying for the Revolution got him captured and hanged. Valerie suddenly recalled walking past the statue of Hale in City Hall Park when she was still a student. She’d even stopped to read the inscription, feeling sorry for the young man who posthumously became a hero of the Revolution.
Valerie sighed, wishing that particular memory had stayed hidden. How many other spies had been discovered and executed before the war finally ended? Valerie wiped a tear, berating herself for being a worry-wart. Finn was smart, and she’d told him everything she could think of to prepare him for the task. The British were nothing if not honorable. They would not hang a person without evidence, and as long as Finn and Abbie trusted no one but Sam, they would be safe. Nathan Hale had betrayed himself to someone who pretended to be a patriot, but Finn would never make such a foolish mistake, or at least she fervently hoped not.
“How about a boat ride on the pond?” Alec asked, interrupting her melancholy thoughts. “It’s a lovely day out, and I want you all to myself.” Valerie followed him out the door, still sulking. There were things she wanted to discuss with Alec, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to give voice to her concerns for they would break his heart. Valerie slid her arm through Alec’s as they walked to the pond, each lost in their own thoughts.
“You don’t need to keep it from me, you know,” Alec said suddenly, interrupting Valerie’s thoughts. “I have eyes.”
“What are you referring to?” she asked carefully, although she already knew.
“I’m referring to our heartsick daughter. She’s been wandering about listlessly ever since Theo left yesterday.
I’d feel sorry for her if I didn’t want this romance to fizzle out so desperately.” Alec tried to sound lighthearted, but Valerie could feel the pain underneath the words. Louisa had always been the apple of his eye, and the idea of losing her was more than he could bear. Alec had been secretly relieved that Thomas Gaines had chosen to run away rather than stay and marry their daughter. He wasn’t ready to part with her just yet, no matter how desirable the potential suitor.
“I think she loves him, Alec, and he seems to be equally smitten. Did it never occur to you that she might meet someone in England?” Valerie had worried about this, but she never really brought it up to Alec, afraid that he might not want to make the trip.
“It did, but I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. They hardly know each other. Surely it can’t be love.” He pushed the rowboat into the water and handed her in, leaving his coat on the bench before getting in and taking up the oars.
“Alec, how long did it take you to fall in love with me?” Valerie asked, smiling at him.
“I fell in love with you the minute you walked into the room,” Alec replied, a guilty smile on his face.
“The minute I walked into the room you thought I was some mad woman wandering about the countryside in her undergarments,” Valerie suggested helpfully.
“All right, I fell in love with you a few minutes after that. You looked so scared; all I wanted to do was keep you safe from harm. I should have locked you in the tower and never let my brother lay eyes on you, but it’s too late for recriminations. You are mine, and that’s all that matters.” Alec rowed toward the middle of the pond, lost in thought.
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