Chapter 34

Thomas paced across the floor of his study, his mind racing. Now that the wounds of Victoria's rejection and her betrayed face were less fresh, Thomas was thinking more clearly. He did not know with certainty where Victoria might have gone, but he knew her well.

Thomas could guess the places where she might flee to. The obvious choice would be the theatre, where Thomas had gone several times in search of Victoria. He was turned away each time.

Samuel placed his empty glass onto Thomas' desk, resulting in a loud clink that echoed throughout the room. "Now that you've paced the entire length of Britain, are you any closer to an answer?"

Thomas sighed and sank into his chair. "No," he said. "I feel like the theatre is the obvious place for Victoria to go. I would even venture to say the only obvious place."

"Mmhm."

"Now, I do not know, though," Thomas said. "I assume that she is there, but the theatre troupe insists she is not. I am not sure that I believe them."

"That is a dilemma," Samuel mused.

"I do not know how I feel about that either," Thomas said. "I need to know if she is there. If Victoria is not in the theatre, my time and energy would be better spent trying to find where she is."

"That is going to be difficult considering that you do not believe what the troupe themselves are telling you."

Thomas sighed. "I know."

"So what are you going to do? You cannot simply keep going to that theatre and asking if Lady Victoria is there. If she is, it is readily apparent that the members of that theatre troupe are not going to tell you. And if she is not there, you are wasting your time, and the lady may become further from you with each passing day."

Thomas raked his hands through his hair. "I know."

Samuel hummed. Thomas watched as his friend poured himself another glass of brandy. Inwardly, Thomas winced. His reaction to going to Lady Norwood's townhouse and not finding Victoria there had not been a wise decision. Thomas had woken the next morning with a pounding in his head, a racing heart, and bile hot in his throat.

"I must try a different approach," Thomas said, drumming his fingers on the edge of his desk. "I need to either enter the theatre and search for her—"

"That is a terrible idea," Samuel interrupted. "The troupe will not like it. They will feel as though you are a lord obnoxiously using your birthright to invade their space. It will upset them, and they will become even less forthcoming."

"If I find Victoria, it does not matter if I upset them."

Samuel grimaced. "It does matter."

Thomas knew that his friend was right. It would be cruel and selfish of him to upset the theatre troupe, even if it was with the intention of finding Victoria. "Fine," he said sullenly.

As Samuel sipped his drink, his expression became thoughtful. "They love Lady Victoria, so if she is there, they will not do anything that might displease or hurt her."

"I do not want to do either," Thomas said.

"But they do not know that," Samuel pointed out. "If Lady Victoria is hiding in the theatre, they are trying to protect her. It is very likely that she, herself, does not wish to see you, and you are pushing the matter."

"Because the alternative is losing her!" Thomas exclaimed. "I cannot bear for that to happen."

"Nor am I suggesting that you should. However, the present approach is not working, so we must think of something else."

Thomas crossed his arms and leaned against his desk, thinking. "I must persuade them that I do not mean Victoria any harm. Then, they will let me see her."

"Assuming she is there," Samuel pointed out.

"Where else would she be?"

In truth, Victoria might be any number of places. That fact had not changed. But Thomas just knew that she had to be at the theatre. Victoria had felt betrayed by her stepmother and by him, and it only made sense that she would flee to the one place that had never failed her. She had to be in the theatre.

His chest ached. Victoria's presence in the theatre meant that she did not wish to speak to him, and that hurt. He knew how the situation must appear to Victoria, and he knew that she had little reason to believe that his intentions were as pure as he claimed.

Still, Thomas could not help hoping that Victoria might find it within herself to forgive him. Surely, if he could only speak to her, he could convince her that his love for her was true and always had been, ever since he saw her in the theatre that first night.

"Are you still seeing that actress?" Thomas asked suddenly. "Loralie, was it?"

Samuel straightened in his chair. "I am. Why?"

Thomas frowned, a new idea forming. "Because that actress cares deeply for Victoria and wants her to be happy," he said. "If I can speak to her, maybe she can persuade Victoria to at least talk to me."

Samuel finished his glass of brandy and frowned. "I do not like you putting Loralie in such a position."

"What position? I will simply explain my perspective and leave it to her whether or not she believes me," Thomas replied. "All I need you to do is invite Loralie to an outing with you. I will just happen by and explain myself."

"She will not believe that you encountering us is mere happenstance," Samuel said.

"Likely not," Thomas agreed, "but after I explain myself, it will not matter."

Samuel looked doubtful. "How are you so sure?"

Because she has to understand, Thomas thought. She just has to.

In the end, he offered Samuel only a small, half-hearted shrug, though. "I do not know—not really—but surely, I lose nothing by trying."

Samuel sighed. "Fine," he said, "but if you ruin my romance with Loralie, I will never forgive you."

"I promise I shall not."

Loralie would listen to him. She just had to.

***

As Samuel lowered himself into the chair across from Loralie, Thomas scarcely dared to breathe. At last, the pair had arrived at the tavern, which had been the planned destination for the end of the night. Thomas had arrived early and waited impatiently for Samuel, who seemed in no particular hurry to arrive.

Samuel had asked that Thomas not descend upon them the very moment they arrived at the tavern, but waiting was agony. Thomas clenched his jaw and thought about Victoria. Every time he thought of her, Thomas could only conjure that betrayed look on her face. It was a persistent reminder that he must fix this.

When he could endure waiting no longer, Thomas rose. His movement did not go unnoticed, for Samuel cast him a weary expression. Thomas smiled in response. He knew he was somewhat taking advantage of his friend's loyalty, but this might be his only chance to reconcile with Victoria. As Thomas approached the table, Samuel cleared his throat. "McCallister," he said. "What a surprise."

Loralie peered over her shoulder, her lips pressed into a thin line. As Samuel had predicted, it was obvious that she did not believe his arrival was merely by chance. "Lord Bedford," Loralie said. "I was not told that you would be present this evening."

Thomas grabbed an empty chair and lowered himself into it. He knew he likely appeared overly eager and impolite, but this was Victoria who they were about to discuss.

"I apologize for the deception," Thomas said, "and I beg you not to blame Worthington for it. He did not wish to deceive you tonight."

Loralie glanced at Samuel. It was difficult to put a name to her precise expression. She did not seem really angry, though.

"I want to speak to Victoria," Thomas said.

"I am sure you do," Loralie replied.

"And I strongly suspect that she is at the theatre," Thomas said, "despite the entire troupe's insistence that she is not."

"I see."

"I understand all the reasons why she may not wish to speak to me and why you may claim that she is not in the theatre," Thomas said. "You want to protect Victoria because you love her. I also love her, and if our positions were reversed, I suspect that I would act much like you have."

Loralie hummed and crossed her arms. "Victoria's happiness means everything to me."

"Good," Thomas replied. "I would expect nothing less from you. I care about her happiness, too. I want to make amends. I truly had only good intentions with what I did, and I know that Victoria has every reason not to believe me. But I know that my absence must wound her."

"I am sure it does," Loralie said. "I do not doubt that Victoria was left very upset by your actions. My friend is a kind and gentle woman. I am sure that she expected an eventual betrayal from Lady Norwood, and yet I also have no doubt that Victoria would forgive her stepmother for all her misdeeds. She is too soft-hearted to bear a grudge, even one as justifiable as that one may be."

"I know all that," Thomas said, "and I love her for it. I am languishing without Victoria. I have gone half-mad because of her absence. I love her so much, and I do not think that I can live without her."

"I see."

"I only want one chance to prove my love for Victoria," Thomas said. "If she does not believe me or wishes me to leave then, I will abide by her wishes. It will break my heart, but I will. I just want one chance, Loralie. Please."

Loralie glanced at Samuel, who gave her an encouraging smile.

"She worries that you will hurt her," Loralie said. "If you are going to speak to her and convince her of your love, it will require something more than pleading."

"I know. If you can give me the chance just to see Victoria, that is all I am asking from you. I can convince her of my love. I am sure of it."

"I am unsure how the rest of the troupe would feel about me agreeing to this," Loralie said. "If you are going to do it, you may have the chance next weekend. Victoria's play will be performed before a small number of theatre patrons. It would be a good night for staging a grandiose, romantic gesture. Victoria would enjoy that."

Thomas nodded. He remembered not so long ago when he had gone to Lady Norwood's townhouse, and Victoria had performed before him, playing the role of love. "I will think of something, then," he said, "if you can ensure that I will be admitted that night."

"I will," Loralie said. "However, I want you to know that if your love is false, I will make certain that you regret hurting my friend. I do not care that you are a lord. I have dealt with more than my share of lords."

He could understand why Samuel was so enamoured with this woman. She was as brazen as she was beautiful. "I would expect nothing less from you," Thomas said.

"Good," she said.

"Now, you have what you wanted," Samuel said. "A chance to meet with Lady Victoria."

Thomas could discern that his presence was no longer desired. "Indeed," he said, rising. "Have a lovely night."

He left Samuel and Loralie together at their table and headed back to his corner, where his tankard of ale still waited. Thomas' body thrummed with excitement. He was not an especially theatrical man, but for Victoria, he would think of something. He had one chance to prove his love for her, and he would not waste it.