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He accepted her comfort, drinking from the dreams like a thirsty man would from a fountain yet his thirst could never be fully quenched.

When they separated for air, he pulls back a small fraction admiring the way her face radiated bliss with her eyes still closed.

She could almost lead him to believe that she was happy with their arrangement and that he was able to make her happy.

"I must leave now if I am to get anything done today." She smiles opening her eyes softly and pouting. "Perhaps if we both finish our tasks early, we could take a turn about the garden?"

It was a suggestion posed as a question and he wondered if she truly wanted to spend time with him. He found himself agreeing despite his reservations.

She smiled brightly at his assent and rose quickly from her seat.

"I’ll start now then." She smiled waving as she turned to leave the room. "Have a good day."

Her words were delivered with a soft peck on the cheek he had not been expecting. He sat stunned for a long time on his seat, his hands moving to his face in shock.

She was becoming softer and more open to him and even though he had begun to open up to her, he couldn’t help but hold back not fully trusting her.

He knew he had fallen for her soft charms and caring nature as their relationship had progressed but he couldn’t bring himself to accept it.

After all, she had only married him to help her sister out of a marriage she did not want.

What was to stop her asking for annulment after a year?

He shook his head, rising from his seat. He would have to guard his heart a little more jealously now if he was to save himself a fresh barrage of pain late.

ChapterNineteen

The weeks went by quickly and soon guests were filling the hall of the Devlin estate in an array of colorful evening gowns. Victoria was very nervous up until the moment she had to descend the stairs.

Everything had gone well during the planning and execution of her plans but she knew that events always came with a surprising twist of events.

Anthony had told her she worried too much but he too had been worried, hosting so many people in his family’s home after spending so long away from society and while she knew his reasons were grounded, she tried to tamp down her fear for his sake.

They had been a great deal of comfort for each other and even the dowager duchess had proven a great help, proffering knowledge and pointing out things she may have missed as well as reassuring her that they had a good plan.

"My!" the dowager duchess exclaimed. "You look beautiful."

Victoria smiled and looked down at her dress, thanking her once she reached the foot of the stairs.

"You look as regal as ever, Your Grace," she complimented. "Where is Anthony?"

He had given her permission to use his given name now and even though it had been uncomfortable at first, there was something about moaning a man’s name that made it easier on the tongue.

"Oh he went to change his cravat." She laughed like it was a joke but meeting Victoria’s confused face, she explained. "Anthony has always been nervous about going out into society and it was always evident in how many times he made changes to his outfit. I used to have to drag him out of his chambers when he was younger but that will be your job now."

Victoria laughed and shook her head, returning to his chamber and truly, there he was, trying out different cravats.

So focused was he that he had not noticed her presence so she leaned against the wall, watching him as he struggled to tie and retie the chosen cloth.

"Damn it!" He groaned throwing the offending garment down.

She laughed despite herself startling him.

"How long have you been standing there?" he asked running a hand through his carefully styled hair.

"Long enough."

He sighed and handed her another carefully ironed cravat.