by Allison Lane
She shrugged. “Your family did not need more scandal. Nor did you, for that matter.”
“Too true, I fear. I repulsed her advances that day. She was furious. I think that was when I finally began to believe that the rumors were true, though, God help me, I fought the conclusion long enough afterwards. And put you in danger through my own willfulness. I’ll not forgive myself soon for that.”
“It is over. Don’t burden yourself with excessive blame.”
“Drew was right. I don’t deserve you. He sends you his love, by the way.”
It was Caroline’s turn to raise a surprised brow. Had Drew been meddling? But Thomas did not appear angry.
“Those accusations I threw at your head were based on nothing more than jealousy,” he admitted wryly. “I did not know until yesterday that he was your cousin.”
Caroline glared at him. “You have been living in another world, haven’t you? All Mayfair knows that, Thomas! Your parents, Emily, Uncle William, and Drew jointly presented me to society, making clear their combined sponsorship. They provided me an entree into every fashionable circle. I love Drew dearly, in the same way I love my brother Peter. But Drew has the advantage of being older and part of the ton and thus able to advise me. George and Jeremy understand our relationship. Why did they not set you straight?” She knew why, of course. Thomas had never asked. He judged, then accepted his judgment as the truth.
Thomas was unsurprised at his friends’ reticence. He was beginning to detect a pattern of omission and praise designed to fan his jealousy and turn his attentions to Caroline. How many others had plotted in the same way? His parents? Sisters? Servants? Caroline herself? But here he shot wide of the mark, he knew. She had done nothing to feed the jealousy and anger.
But it was time to put their future to the test. Nor would he cloud the issue with charm. No longer fighting to hide his pain, he turned his eyes toward his wife.
“I’ve been a fool, chasing rainbows all this time when I already held the pot of gold. Can you ever forgive me?”
Caroline rose to lay a hand on his arm. “There is nothing to forgive, Thomas. You owed me nothing and made me no promises.”
“I would do so now if you will allow it, my dear,” he whispered, drawing her into his arms. “I love you, Caroline. I love your calm good sense, your intelligence, and your sunny disposition. The night Robert died would have been far worse without your comfort and understanding. Can we at least be friends, as we so nearly became in the beginning? Perhaps one day I can earn more regard from you, but I so badly want your friendship.”
“There is no perhaps about it, for I love you already,” she admitted with a smile. “But friendship would make me very happy indeed. Without it, love offers only empty pain.”
His arms tightened convulsively as his mouth lowered to hers, parting her lips, his tongue plundering hers with the desperation of a starving man falling on a feast. And she returned his fervor. It had been so long... Passion flared, enhanced by a mutual exultation that they had indeed been given a second chance.
“Will you return to Crawley with me, Caro?” he begged raggedly. “Dawson is waiting for you there. She decided to stay in your service.”
Her eyes lit up, reflecting her brilliant smile. His heart turned over at the sight. “Of course. I never intended to stay away. I needed time to consider the future in peace, and I thought Father could help. But it would be unfair if your heir was born anywhere but Crawley.”
As her last words registered, Thomas’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, God, Caro. Are you sure?”
“Reasonably, my love.”
Another penetrating kiss sent fires raging through both. “Where is this room you booked?” he asked huskily some minutes later, pulling her dress loosely over her bared breasts while he trailed fiery kisses up her throat to nibble on an ear. “We have much to celebrate.”
Caroline’s brown eyes glowed as she led him from the parlor.
Thank you, Lord, for offering a new beginning...
Copyright © 1996 by Susan Ann Pace
Originally published by Signet Regency (0451186664)
Electronically published in 2005 by Belgrave House/Regency Reads
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No portion of this book may be reprinted in whole or in part, by printing, faxing, E-mail, copying electronically or by any other means without permission of the publisher. For more information, contact Belgrave House, 190 Belgrave Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94117-4228
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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.