her father’s smile, which only made her face all the more beautiful and vibrant. As she stepped into the room, Tom took in the young woman behind her, plainer and dour-faced but pretty nonetheless.
With the upcoming nuptials, he suspected that Victoria Cole and her friend were busy young ladies. He was surprised Mr. Cole would hire a bodyguard for his wife and not his daughter.
“Theresa and I were hoping to look at the samples of Brussels lace that I might use for my wedding veil. I’d really like to make the selection myself this time.”
Tom inwardly smiled at his correct assessment of her desire to go out and spend her father’s money. He was still as sharp as always.
Mr. Cole took his daughter’s hand in his, which gave Tom a glimpse of Victoria’s engagement ring—an enormous sapphire set into a circle of diamonds. Mr. Cole kissed Victoria’s hand gently. “Of course you may go.”
Her lips stalled around her next plea. She was clearly unprepared for her father’s easy acquiescence.
“First, I want to introduce you to Mr. Cushman.” Mr. Cole said.
Tom stepped forward. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Cole.”
Her attention shifted to him, and she assessed him without any real interest but nodded politely.
“Mr. Cushman has agreed to work for us.”
“Please. Call me Tom.”
Mr. Cole nodded. “Tom is a personal friend of Archibald’s and will be taking his place until he’s recovered.”
Victoria’s attention flew back to him, and this time she assessed him much more carefully, so carefully, in fact, that Tom held himself rigid in his effort to keep from squirming.
After several long moments, she met his gaze directly, unabashedly. With the flecks of gold and brown, her eyes were striking. And suddenly Tom’s instincts kicked into action. Something wasn’t right.
“Promise me that you’ll cooperate with Tom at all times.” Mr. Cole squeezed Victoria’s hand, which he’d yet to relinquish.
Alarm bells went off in Tom’s head and clanged a deafening warning. He’d made a mistake. A rare mistake, but one nevertheless. Somehow he’d misinterpreted all the signals and information regarding the job. Because he knew with certainty now that Mr. Cole hadn’t hired him to be the bodyguard for his blind wife. No. He’d hired him to play nursemaid to his social darling daughter.
Tom almost released a groan but he held it in. Only moments ago, he’d been smugly congratulating himself on his mental prowess. When in reality he was an idiot for not having put all the clues together sooner.
He had the overwhelming urge to bolt from the room and run. Run down the steps and out of the Cole mansion as fast as his feet could carry him. At the very least, he should explain to Mr. Cole that he couldn’t take the job after all. He would simply explain his policy of guarding only older women and blame the misunderstanding on Arch…
His mental tirade came to an abrupt halt. Arch had purposefully misled him. There was no other explanation for the mix-up. Arch knew his objection to taking on children and young unmarried women. Not only were there too many needless entanglements, but he didn’t want to be a babysitter, especially to a spoiled rich girl.
Victoria hadn’t taken her eyes from his. The amusement dancing in hers said she sensed his inner struggle, recognized her influence over him, and enjoyed her effect on men.
“Don’t worry, Father,” Victoria said with a growing smile. “I promise I’ll cooperate with my new bodyguard.”
Her emphasis on the word cooperate baited Tom. It was a challenge if he’d ever heard one. Victoria Cole was daring him to try to keep her out of trouble. She didn’t think he was old enough or experienced enough to handle it.
Little did she know him. He’d show her exactly what he was made of and why he was in such demand. Even if the assignment was nothing more than a glorified nursemaid job, he’d prove to her that he was one of the best bodyguards out there. If she thought to use her charm to get him to do whatever she wanted, she was in for a big surprise. She’d learn soon enough that her pretty face wouldn’t affect him. Not in the least.
Chapter 3
The landau pulled to a stop in front of Goodson’s Bakery. Victoria reached for the door handle, but a strong arm shot out and blocked her.
She gave an exasperated sigh. “Must we go through this again?”
“Yes. Every stop.” Her new bodyguard’s voice was as steely as his muscles, which she couldn’t help