course. That was more than a little scary, and she wished Tom were with her to assure her that she’d made the right decision.
Arch followed her silently to the waiting carriage. He squeezed her hand when he helped her inside. As the wheels rolled and took her away from the steamer, she prayed she hadn’t made a mistake.
Yes, she loved Tom and wanted to be with him. But was she truly ready for this new life?
They’d only talked briefly yesterday after the wound in Tom’s head had been stitched closed. He’d reassured her that they’d figure out a way to be together, a way that would work for both of them. She’d told him that she wanted to stay at Race Point, but from the reluctance of his response, she wasn’t sure he was ready yet to face the demons of his past.
In the middle of their discussion, they’d received a telegram from her father in response to the one Arch had sent earlier in the day. Her father and mother were leaving Newport right away and coming to see her.
After getting the news, Tom had flinched. Although his reaction had been faint, it had still been there. No doubt he’d believed he’d let her father down, not only by failing to protect her from Theresa’s schemes, but also by falling in love with one of his clients. Victoria had reassured him that her father would understand. But Tom had only shaken his head.
Once his wounds were tended, he’d gone back to Race Point for the night. He’d told her that they needed to sleep in entirely different places until their real wedding took place. With heat lingering in every touch they shared, she’d agreed to his decision. He’d also planned to tell James and Zelma the truth about why he’d brought her to Race Point. She wanted to go with him, to stand by his side when he delivered the news. She didn’t want him to face his parents’ disappointment alone.
But Tom had claimed that the telling was his responsibility. He’d made the mess. Now it was his job to clean it up. She prayed James and Zelma had been quick to forgive him.
When she reached the hotel where Tom wanted her to stay until the wedding, she paced the length of her room. Restlessness plagued her and a swarm of doubts seemed to follow behind her, no matter how hard she tried to break free.
Finally, she heard strong, firm footsteps coming down the hallway. She paused and held her breath until a knock sounded on the door. When she opened it, there stood Tom. He was breathing hard, as though he’d been running. His coat and hat were damp. Dark half moons under his eyes attested to a lack of sleep.
Even so, he’d never looked more appealing than he did at that moment, especially as his murky blue eyes took her in. He’d dressed in his best and was clean shaven, accentuating his chiseled features. With his broad shoulders and thick muscles stretching the seams of his coat, he reminded her of how he’d looked the first day he’d started the job as her bodyguard, so handsome and yet so professional.
“Hi,” she said with a tentative smile. Had he meant everything he’d said yesterday about loving her and wanting to be with her? Or had she only dreamed it all?
“Arch said you saw Nathaniel off.” His brows slanted above anxious eyes.
Had Tom been worried that she’d change her mind and return with Nathaniel after all? “I only wanted to say good-bye.”
“How are you doing?”
“Better now that you’re here,” she admitted.
He started to reach for her but stopped and took off his hat instead, revealing his dark hair, which was longer and fuller than the close cropped cut he’d had when she’d first met him.
She longed to brush a strand back from his forehead, but she didn’t want to appear too desperate for him. “How did your parents take the news?”
“Mom said she’d already figured it out.”
Victoria nodded. Zelma was sharp. She suspected that’s where Tom had gained his ability to assess situations so accurately.
“When you mentioned that you knew Arch, she suspected that I was your bodyguard.”
“I’m sorry.” She doubted that was the only thing she’d let slip over the weeks. She’d probably left a long trail for Zelma to piece together quite easily. “And your dad?”
“He wanted to take me out back and give me a whipping.”
Her heart sank. “Then he hates me?”
“No,” Tom replied quickly. “He