Verity sat at her vanity table, backstage of the opera, in her dressingroom. She delicately removed the wig she had previously worn on stage and set it aside before running a hairbrush through her luscious chocolate locks. A mischevious smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she anticipated a certain gentlemans arrival. Her costume hugged every curve of her slender body. 

Betsy came running in, hand on her hip with a giddy smile "Charlie! Charlie!" She panted as she struggled to catch her breath. "He's here." Betsy was another English maiden struggling for work in Paris after being exhiled from London society. 

Verity nodded, dismissing Betsy. 

She loosed her underskirt and let it drop to her ankles, deflating her volumonous costume, allowing the loose silk to carrass her hips and legs. The multitude of shades and the soft creases of the fabric contoured her body. She leaned forward towards the mirror attached to the vanity, staring directly at reflection and arching her back. She nodded affirmatively, mustering up courage. A red rouge, her favourite colour, was sitting patiently on the table top. She smeared the paste across her cheeks and lips creating an image of seduction.

A figure blocked her view of the entrance.

"Avez-vous apprécié le spectacle?" asked Verity in a sultry tone.

Thomas chuckles as he layed his top hat and coat on a stable chair nearby "I see your French is improving." He edged closer to her. He reached out and wrapped his arms around her wasit pulling her in against his chest. "your singing was spectacular as always." His hot breath ticked the back of her neck as he singlehandedly swept her hair to oneside. A tender kiss was planted onto her bare neck. Verity met his gaze through the mirror. For a second they were both content with just being in eachothers presence. 

Verity tilted her head as she examined his face in the mirror. He had beautiful curly blonde hair that she wanted to entangle her fingers in... one last time. She closed her eyes and sighed as she leaned into his broad chest welcoming the fainst smell of his cologne. Verity ran her hand up his toned arm and lightly traced the scar across his hand. The produce of years of archery training. 

Thomas shivered, he savoured her touch, a burning sense within told him to hold onto her. Verity turned around to face him "I have the best of teachers." She smiled sweetly. Thomas leaned in closer and brushed her cheek with his hand. 

Verity pulled his hand from her cheek and pressed it against her chest "It beats for you." her once wounded heart was on its way to a miraculous recovery.

Thomas pressed a light kiss against her forehead before trailing down to her cheek, her neck, her chest.

A slight moan left Verity's mouth as her head swung back in gratification. She let herself be lifted up onto the surface of the vanity as Thomas crumpled up her skirt with his hands, they ran from her knees to the top of her thighs. The skin to skin contact aroused them both. Thomas murmered into her ear "I love you Charlotte Burke." Verity smiled and pulled him closer to her, colliding her lips with his. She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist as he picked her up and made way for her bed.

In the back of her head she couldnt help but admit, she too loved him.