Page 82 of Rival to Resist
There was a beat before she pulled back. “I want to be entirely forthcoming with you…”
He touched a finger to her lips and smiled. “I think youhavebeen.”
Her cheeks pinked delightfully. “That is not what I mean.”
“Whatdoyou mean?”
She regarded him squarely, a hint of something else in her eyes. Worry, perhaps. “I mean that I do not want you to assume that—” She stopped and let out a breath.
“That because you have ravished me in the tack room you mean to support me in the election?”
She tried to repress her amusement. “You seemed quite willing to beravished, as you say, but yes.”
Frederick smiled, even though there was a hint of disappointment inside. To have her affection was more than he could ever have hoped for. But he would be lying to himself if he claimed it did not smart a bit to know she did not respect him enough to vote for him.
“You know,” he said, “I am not entirely certain I mean to continue campaigning.”
Her eyes widened. “What? Why not?”
“Is it not obvious?” He ran a finger along the edge of her face, pushing back a stray hair. “I may have come here to win your votes, Caroline, but it is you I want now.”
She swallowed. “You have wanted a seat in Parliament far longer.”
“Yes. But there are hundreds of seats in Parliament, and there is only one of you.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, long and firm, willing her to believe him.
When they pulled back, she looked up at him with a knit brow. “I do not want you to surrender the campaign.”
The corner of his mouth tugged upward. “Why not? And how do you propose I win? Do you think Oswald will vote for me? No doubt that ever-absent Prowse man will return shortly to do so as well.”
She gave a rueful smile. “No, I suppose not.” Her expression grew more somber, more apologetic. “I all but promised Richard I would see Oswald elected—and Ihavepromised Oswald my votes. It was foolish of me, perhaps, but what is done is done, and he does have Trelowen’s best interests at heart.” She paused, her eyes searching his. “I have come to respect you and admire you?—”
“—and kiss me?—”
“—but Idobelieve he is more fit to represent the borough.”
The words stung, but Frederick smiled through them. “As long as I am more fit to be yours.”
The kiss he received in response was enough to assuage the pain of knowing he would lose the election.
Almost enough.
But what he had said was true…there would be other opportunities for election. His affection for Trelowen had grown in such a way that he regretted it would not bethisplace orthesepeople he would represent in Parliament, but he hoped he would find his place, all the same.
He was determined to deserve Caroline, no matter what.
“What of Oswald?” he asked.
“What of him?”
Frederick cocked a brow. “You may have promised him your votes, but he will not be content with only that. And if he knows that you and I…” He let the thought remain unfinished, for he was not entirely certainhowto finish it.
She sighed. “He will be crushed. Angry, even.”
Frederick slid a reassuring hand down her arm. “I never thought I would feel sympathy for him, but if there is anything I can understand, it is the disappointment a man would feel to lose you.”
“He is my friend. I have no wish to hurt him.”
“Of course not.”
