Josiah chuckled. "Charlotte, leave her be. She has to decide for herself."
Charlotte returned to the bench and took a seat beside Josiah and Edward. All three of them watched with expectant faces. No wonder Thomas had wanted her to leave. Their audience was enjoying the show. Even the baby grew quiet.
Thomas squeezed her hand. "I cannot promise you much," he whispered. "I cannot even say how much longer I'll be alive. But I can promise that as long as I draw breath, I will love you. As long as my heart beats, it is yours."
Her eyes filled with tears. There was no guarantee of a long life, so shouldn't they cherish every moment they could find together?
Charlotte leapt to her feet. "I'll marry you!"
Josiah hushed her, and the young girl slumped back on the bench.
A tear escaped down Caroline's cheek. "Thomas, I love you, too."
His eyes glimmered with hope as he straightened and pulled her to her feet. "Then you will say yes?"
Caroline nodded and gave him a shaky smile. "Yes."
He let out a gush of air and grinned. "Yes."
"Hurrah!" Charlotte jumped to her feet and ran toward Dottie's room. "Mama, Mama, Aunt Caroline's going to marry!"
Edward grimaced. "Are they going to kiss now?"
Josiah laughed. "I believe so. Let's give them some privacy." He rose and sauntered toward Dottie's room with the baby in his arms and Edward at his heels.
"I thought they'd never leave," Thomas muttered with a glare in their direction, but as soon as he focused on Caroline, his smile returned.
She wiped away tears with trembling fingers. Good Lord, he had a way of looking at her like he was worshipping every freckle that marred her face. She wanted to melt in his arms, ooze into his pores, and crawl under his skin. She wanted to be a part of him forever.
He kissed her brow, then her damp cheeks. "My uncle is a minister. We'll go to him tomorrow."
She blinked. "Tomorrow?" She was struck with the enormity of what she'd agreed to. This man would be her husband. She hardly knew him. In fact, she'd met him only a month ago. And she seriously doubted he was ever a butler. "I . . . Ginny and the children might need me tomorrow."
"I'm not waiting." He nabbed her by the elbow and led her to the kitchen door.
"Where are we going?"
"Does it matter?" He rolled the barrels away.
"What about my father and Josiah?"
"They know the way back. They don't need me." Thomas cracked the door and peered outside. "Let's go."
Cool, crisp air pinched her cheeks, a welcome change from the stuffiness of Dottie's bedchamber. She ran alongside Thomas to the shelter of the pergola. There, encased in leafy darkness, the scent of earth and night-blooming flowers surrounded them.
She breathed deeply. "I believe autumn has arrived."
He placed a finger on her lips and whispered, "The guard."
Bertram trudged by, barely visible in the moonlight, though by the slump of his shoulders she knew the boy was half asleep on his feet. It had been a long day and night for them all.
Thomas's arms enveloped her, holding her close. His clothes smelled of wood smoke. She nestled her cheek against his broad chest, feeling entirely safe even with Bertram nearby. Thomas's hand ventured past her waist and slowly caressed her bottom. Her mouth fell open. The rascal. He knew she couldn't voice an objection with a redcoat close by.
Whether it was exhaustion or elation, she didn't know, but she didn't feel like objecting. On the contrary, she felt wildly free. Ginny had given birth to a healthy baby; Ginny's husband was alive and well; Thomas had declared his love for her; and very soon, she would be marrying him. So many glorious reasons to celebrate!
Reaching around him, she gave his buttocks a squeeze and nearly giggled out loud when he jumped.
"You want to play, vixen?" he whispered in her ear, then grabbed her hand and led her through the pergola.
"Where are we going?"
"Jacob's house."
Caroline's heart leapt up her throat. Jacob wouldn't be there tonight. Was Thomas planning a wedding night before the wedding?
Her heart raced. Did he not realize how exhausted she was? And dirty? Her clothes were stained with blood, and she felt like a horrid mess.
Thomas escorted her to the back entrance of the pergola and into the orchard.
"Wait." She dug in her heels. "I'm filthy. I should return to the kitchen and bathe."