The Tempting of Thomas Carrick

The Tempting of Thomas Carrick

A Cynster Next Generation Novel

STEPHANIE LAURENS

This e-book is licensed to you for your personal enjoyment only.

This e-book may not be sold, shared, or given away.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the writer’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

THE TEMPTING OF THOMAS CARRICK

Copyright © 2015 by Savdek Management Proprietary Limited

ISBN: 978-0-9922789-7-7

Cover design by Savdek Management Pty. Ltd.
Cover and inside front couple photography and photographic composition

by Period Images © 2015

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

No part of this work may be used, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

First electronic publication: March 2015

Savdek Management Proprietary Limited, Melbourne, Australia.

www.stephanielaurens.com

Email:
[email protected]

The names Stephanie Laurens and the Cynsters are registered trademarks of Savdek Management Proprietary Ltd.

Do you believe in fate? Do you believe in passion? What happens when fate and passion collide?
Do you believe in love? What happens when fate, passion, and love combine?
This. This…

#1
New York Times
bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns to Scotland with a tale of two lovers irrevocably linked by destiny and passion
.

Thomas Carrick is a gentleman driven to control all aspects of his life. As the wealthy owner of Carrick Enterprises, located in bustling Glasgow, he is one of that city’s most eligible bachelors and fully intends to select an appropriate wife from the many young ladies paraded before him. He wants to take that necessary next step along his self-determined path, yet no young lady captures his eye, much less his attention...not in the way Lucilla Cynster had, and still did, even though she lives miles away.

For over two years, Thomas has avoided his clan’s estate because it borders Lucilla’s home, but disturbing reports from his clansmen force him to return to the countryside—only to discover that his uncle, the laird, is ailing, a clan family is desperately ill, and the clan-healer is unconscious and dying. Duty to the clan leaves Thomas no choice but to seek help from the last woman he wants to face.

Strong-willed and passionate, Lucilla has been waiting—increasingly impatiently—for Thomas to return and claim his rightful place by her side. She knows he is hers—her fated lover, husband, protector, and mate. He is the only man for her, just as she is his one true love. And, at last, he’s back. Even though his returning wasn’t on her account, Lucilla is willing to seize whatever chance Fate hands her.

Thomas can never forget Lucilla, much less the connection that seethes between them, but to marry her would mean embracing a life he's adamant he does not want.

Lucilla sees that Thomas has yet to accept the inevitability of their union and, despite all, he can refuse her and walk away. But how
can
he ignore a bond such as theirs—one so much stronger than reason? Despite several unnerving attacks mounted against them, despite the uncertainty racking his clan, Lucilla remains as determined as only a Cynster can be to fight for the future she knows can be theirs—and while she cannot command him, she has powerful enticements she’s willing to wield in the cause of tempting Thomas Carrick.

A neo-Gothic tale of passionate romance laced with mystery, set in the uplands of southwestern Scotland
.

A Cynster Second Generation Novel – a classic historical romance of 122,000 words.

Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens

“Stephanie Laurens’ heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong.”
Cathy Kelly

“Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters.”
Historical Romance Reviews

“Stephanie Laurens plays into readers’ fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again.”
Romantic Times Magazine

CAST OF CHARACTERS

In Glasgow:

Carrick, Thomas -
hero, nephew of Manachan Carrick

Hemmings, Quentin -
Thomas’s maternal uncle

Hemmings, Winifred -
Quentin’s wife, Thomas’s aunt-by-marriage

Hemmings, Humphrey -
Quentin’s son, Thomas’s cousin

Andrea -
Humphrey’s intended

Anglesey, Lady -
a grande dame of Glaswegian society

Crawley, Lady Janet -
a young lady of Glaswegian society

Vilbray, Miss -
a young lady of Glaswegian society

Mack, Miss -
a young lady of Glaswegian society

Manning, Mrs. -
receptionist of Carrick Enterprises

Dobson -
clerk of Carrick Enterprises

At Carrick Manor:

Carrick, Manachan, Laird Carrick, The Carrick -
the head of the Carrick Clan

Carrick, Niall (deceased) -
Manachan’s brother, Thomas’s father

Carrick, Katherine (deceased) -
Niall’s wife, Thomas’s mother

Carrick, Nigel -
Manachan’s eldest son, laird-elect of the clan

Carrick, Nolan -
Manachan’s second son

Carrick, Niniver -
Manachan’s third child and only daughter

Carrick, Norris -
Manachan’s fourth child and youngest son

Ferguson -
butler

Kennedy, Mrs. -
housekeeper

Edgar -
Manachan’s manservant

Gwen -
cook

Burns, Joy -
clan healer

Burns, Faith -
senior maid

Sean -
head stableman

Mitch -
stableman

Fred -
stableman

Watts, Alice -
healer’s apprentice

Edge, Mrs. -
previous clan healer

On the Carrick Estate:

Bradshaw -
crop farmer

Bradshaw, Mrs. -
Bradshaw’s wife

Forrester -
crop and timber farmer, kin to Bradshaw

Forrester, Mrs. -
Forrester’s wife

Egan -
retired farmer and ex-kennel master living on the estate

Watts, the (family) -
clan family including midwife

At Casphairn Manor:

Cynster, Lord Richard -
Lucilla’s father

Cynster, Catriona, Lady Cynster, The Lady of the Vale -
Lucilla’s mother

Cynster, Lucilla -
heroine, twin to Marcus

Cynster, Marcus -
Lucilla’s twin brother

Cynster, Annabelle -
Lucilla’s younger sister

Cynster, Calvin -
Lucilla’s younger brother

Cynster, Carter -
Lucilla’s youngest brother

Algaria (deceased) -
Catriona’s and Lucilla’s mentor, kin to
Manachan

Polby -
butler

Broome, Mrs. -
housekeeper

Agnes -
Lucilla’s apprentice

Matilda -
Lucilla’s apprentice

Jenks -
head stableman

Gatehouse, Mr. -
sheep farmer

Visitors at the wedding include:

Cynster, Helena, Dowager Duchess of St. Ives -
Lucilla’s paternal grandmother

Cynster, Lord Sebastian, Marquess of Earith -
Lucilla’s cousin*

Cynster, Lord Michael -
Lucilla’s cousin*

Cynster, Christopher -
Lucilla’s cousin*

Cynster, Prudence -
Lucilla’s cousin*

Rawlings, Antonia -
Lucilla’s longtime friend

Cynster, Persephone -
Lucilla’s cousin*

plus numerous other Cynsters

cousin*= term used loosely; their fathers are first cousins

CHAPTER 1

April 1848

Glasgow

“Good morning, Mr. Carrick.”

Thomas looked up from furling his umbrella and smiled at Mrs. Manning, the middle-aged receptionist seated behind her desk to one side of the foyer of the Carrick Enterprises office.

Mrs. Manning held out a commanding hand. “Let me take that for you, sir.”

As the door to the stairwell swung closed behind him, Thomas strolled across and dutifully handed over the umbrella.

Mrs. Manning’s thin lips curved approvingly as she took it; despite her habitually stern demeanor, she had a soft spot for Thomas. The company offices occupied the front half of the first floor of a building on Trongate, close to the bustling heart of the city, and the widowed matron ruled over her empire with a firm but benign hand.

“You have no meetings scheduled this morning, Mr. Carrick—just the discussion with the Colliers late this afternoon.” Mrs. Manning glanced across the room. “And nothing’s come in this morning that falls to you.”

Opposite the reception desk, a long polished counter ran along the wall, and there were numerous pigeonholes set in the wall above. Before the counter, Dobson, the general clerk, was quietly sorting letters and deliveries; an ex-soldier and man of few words, he nodded in acknowledgment when Thomas glanced his way.

Turning back to Mrs. Manning, Thomas murmured, “In that case, I’ll take the opportunity to go over last month’s accounts.”

“You’ll find them on the bureau behind your desk, sir.”

The foyer was paneled with fine-grained oak. The half-glassed door through which Thomas had come bore the company name and logo—the outline of a steamship superimposed on a square crate—in exquisitely wrought gilt signage. Round marbled-glass bowls suspended by heavy chains from the stamped-metal ceiling shed the steady glow of gaslight upon the scene. The ambiance was all restrained prosperity—the sort that was so assured no one thought to make anything of it.

Yet it wasn’t old money behind Carrick Enterprises. Thomas’s late father, Niall, had started the import-export business thirty-five years ago; as a second son with no inheritance, Niall had had to make his own way in the world.

In that, Niall had been joined by his brother-in-law, Quentin Hemmings. Although Thomas’s father had died long ago, Quentin was still very much a part of the day-to-day running of Carrick Enterprises.

As Thomas headed for the open door leading to the inner offices, Quentin appeared, filling the doorway, his gaze on a sheaf of papers in his hands.

Almost as tall as Thomas, Quentin exuded the air of a gentleman of ample means quietly yet definitely satisfied with his lot—and, indeed, marriage, family, and business had all treated Quentin well. His brown hair might have been thinning somewhat, yet his face and figure remained that of a vigorous man still engaged with all aspects of life.

Sensing an obstacle in his path, Quentin glanced up. His face lit as his gaze landed on Thomas. “Thomas, my boy. Good morning.” Quentin brandished the papers he held. “The contracts with Bermuda Sugar Corporation.” Quentin’s hazel gaze sharpened. “There’s just one thing…”

Fifteen minutes later, after having agreed that Quentin should seek further assurances as to delivery dates from Bermuda Sugar, Thomas finally stepped through the doorway and strode down a narrow corridor. Lined with offices on the side overlooking the street and with storerooms on the other, the corridor ended at an imposing door that led into a large corner office—Thomas’s. Quentin’s office lay at the other end of the corridor, filling the other front corner of the building.

Thomas was five paces from his door when another tall gentleman stepped out of the adjacent office, papers in hand—Thomas’s cousin Humphrey, Quentin’s only son; he glanced up, saw Thomas, and halted, grinning.