My business complete, I left the shop and ran back to the Etruria, hoping I wasn’t too late to tell the girl I loved how much she meant to me.

Six

FIRST CLASS PROMENADE

RMS ETRURIA

9 JANUARY 1889

“But what if he is leaving because of the accident?” Audrey Rose’s voice sounded so fragile. It took an enormous amount of effort to hold myself back as I stepped behind her. How she could ever fear that? I swallowed a lump in my throat and Liza finally noticed me over her cousin’s shoulder. Her eyes widened slightly. I held a finger to my lips, hoping she’d not reveal my presence yet. “What if he—”

“Pardon me,” Liza said, nodding at the opposite end of the ship. “I think I see Mrs. Harvey waving all the way down there. I must go to her at once.”

I smothered my laughter. Liza was many things, but an actress wasn’t her strongest talent.

“Honestly?” Audrey Rose scrubbed her face, and, without seeing her expression, I could picture how irked she was. Part of me wanted to hug her and the other part wished to chuckle. At that exact moment, she turned, annoyance prominent in her features until her gaze found mine. She blinked, as if unsure I was real, then slowly shook her head at her cousin’s retreating form. A tear slipped down her face. Followed by another. Whatever quip I’d been about to dazzle her with abandoned me while I tried to puzzle out the source of her tears. It was hard to decipher if she was pleased or angry with my sudden arrival.

“Cresswell.” Her chin jutted up and my wicked heart fluttered. “I thought you had business to attend to.”

Her tone was laced with anger I hadn’t anticipated.

“I did. You see, I happened to ask Lord Crenshaw where he had such a handsome walking stick made when your uncle and I conducted our final interview. Imagine my surprise when he said he’d purchased it here in New York. There’s a shop right up the block, actually.” The distance between us was unbearable. I took a step closer as I pointed to the street. “I believe this rose beats the one Mephistopheles tried to give you.”

“I…” she drew her brows together, clearly stunned by my charm and wit. “What?”

Perhaps not quite stunned yet. I threw the cane up and caught it with my opposite hand, gracefully falling to one knee as I offered her the gift and my apologies. I studied her carefully as she stared at the cane. She blinked two too many times and swallowed rapidly. She either loved it or I’d truly reminded her of her injury and made her upset. The air was suddenly too thick to breathe. I struggled to keep the fear from my face.

“Thomas, it’s—”

If she said she loathed it, I might toss myself overboard for being such a fool. “Almost as handsome as me?”

Her laugh was warm and immediate, and the elated expression on her face soothed my nerves. “Indeed.”

I thought about the last two hours. The last ten days. We’d need to be honest with our hearts from now on. No more walls. “Our work will always be important to each of us. But you have my heart wholly, Wadsworth. No matter what. The only way that will be taken is in death. And even then, I will fight with every piece of me to hold your love near. Now and forevermore.”

She reached up slowly, then ran her fingers through my hair. Nothing had ever felt so good. I almost leaned into her touch, fighting a losing battle as I closed my eyes. “You know? I believe this is the most precious rose I’ve ever received.”

“My magic trick was fairly impressive, too. Do you think Mephistopheles will take me on? I could practice. Actually, we ought to do an act together.” I offered my arm, and we began walking down the promenade, hopefully toward a shared future. I held fast to her and paid close attention to how we moved. I didn’t want her to injure herself further because I was being self-absorbed. “What do you think of ‘the Amazing Cressworths’? It’s got a pleasant sound to it.”

“‘Cressworth’? Did you honestly combine our names? And why does your name go first?” She paused long enough to offer a teasing smile. A spark ignited in my core, and I was suddenly overcome with a new sensation. Deep, unbreakable love. “I think the most amazing part of our act would be not lulling the audience to sleep with your wit.”

“Devilish woman. What name do you suggest?”

“Hmm. I suppose we have plenty of time to figure it out.”

“Mmm. Speaking of that, I’ve been thinking.”

“Always a troublesome thing.”

“Indeed.” I could no longer stop myself from pulling her near, hoping to never separate from her again. “We’ve lurked in London alleys, explored spider-filled castle labyrinths, survived a lethal carnival…” I drew close enough for our lips to touch, if she wanted them to. I prayed she wanted them to. “Perhaps now we can try one of my suggestions. Might I offer—”

“Just kiss me, Cresswell.”

I gave her a slow smile before fitting my mouth to hers.

I meant for it to be sweet, to symbolize love and apology, but she had other ideas that I was more than happy to indulge. She gripped my lapel with her unoccupied hand, tugging me closer. Her lips parted ever so slightly, inviting my tongue to caress hers.

I obliged, tasting her fully, getting swept away in the sensation of her feeling warm and bright and alive beneath my touch.