Page 15

Victoria

O nly an hour had passed since Moreland had left, and I was out of sorts.

I wandered into the music room, and my thoughts returned to what had happened there the previous day.

I was still annoyed at myself for falling into the same habits Father had demanded I follow.

But what was I supposed to do instead? I couldn’t leave the house for fear of running into one of my father’s men.

Did he know where I was? I shuddered at the thought. No, it wouldn’t be safe to leave the house without an escort.

I wandered downstairs to the library, where Moreland had secluded himself yesterday.

I ran my fingers over the volumes on the bookshelf closest to the door.

They were similar to the ones in my father’s houses—leather-bound, their titles etched in gold foil on the spine.

I’d already done a cursory search of the room’s contents and hadn’t found one novel.

I wrinkled my nose as I examined a title. I had no interest in learning about the stewardship of estates. I picked another book off the shelf, my disdain growing. I couldn’t help but wonder if Rexford chose the books himself or if they’d already been here when he purchased the house.

With a soft sigh, I turned and exited the room, making my way upstairs again to my bedroom.

Once there, I collapsed onto the bed. This was ridiculous.

How could I miss him so much when we were newly acquainted?

Hours had passed yesterday between when we’d spoken in the drawing room and when we’d had dinner together.

But I’d been comforted just knowing he was in the house with me.

I thought about the other men who’d been with Moreland when I’d arrived at King’s.

It didn’t seem possible that only two days had passed.

Moreland had been playing billiards with two men who I assumed were also Legends.

I hadn’t taken note of them but did remember that one was a dark-haired man and the other fair.

Would I feel the same way if either of those men had been tasked with pretending to be my protector? I tried to remember their features but couldn’t. For some reason, Moreland had been the one to catch my attention. Something about the way he’d looked at me had given me pause.

It was similar to the way other men looked at me, but normally, I could ignore their interest, the obvious curiosity in their eyes—both young and old—as they wondered what it would be like to win the Duke of Sherbourne’s daughter.

I hadn’t managed to ignore Moreland, though, and I couldn’t understand why.

I didn’t know much about men, after all.

Father ensured I was properly escorted at all times.

It was early in the season, but I’d already attended a few balls.

I’d danced with a few young men, and more than a few older men, and hadn’t met anyone I’d wished would court me.

I certainly hadn’t trusted them not to press their advantage if we were to find ourselves alone together.

Moreland was different. For some reason, I trusted him. He made me feel safe.

Now that he was gone, I didn’t want to leave my room.

If one of my father’s men burst into the townhouse and tried to take me, I would hear the scuffle between them and the footmen, many of whom were employed for the express purpose of guarding me.

But downstairs, without Moreland present, I couldn’t help but worry that I was more in danger of being snatched away.

I was just envisioning that scenario when a soft knock at the bedroom door caused me to start. No one my father sent would knock. I sat up and let out a breath of relief when I heard Lily’s voice.

“May I enter? Are you here, my lady?”

When I answered, she opened the door and stood there with a wide smile. I didn’t think I’d ever seen her so happy.

“Has something happened? Has Moreland returned?”

She shook her head. “He’s not here, but he did send something.”

I tilted my head, wondering at her strange mood. “What?”

“A few packages have arrived from the baron. I had them delivered to the music room. I couldn’t think of where else to put them.”

I couldn’t puzzle out what she was saying. Moreland sent me something that was now in the music room? Surely not another musical instrument—not after our conversation yesterday.

I hurried from my room, my curiosity piqued.

When I entered the music room, I stopped, shocked at what I found.

Easels and canvases lined one wall. On top of the pianoforte bench sat several sketchbooks.

Boxes that had been opened lay scattered around the room, but their contents hadn’t been removed.

Confused, I approached to investigate one of the boxes and gasped when I saw what was inside.

Lily smiled. “He’s sent you everything you could possibly need to encourage your interest in drawing. Charcoals, pencils, colored pencils—even paints.”

I walked to one of the easels and ran my hand along the wooden frame. Next to it on the floor were several blank canvases. I brought my hands to my mouth, unable to believe the wonderful, amazing thing Moreland had done for me. I could draw and paint to my heart’s content.

I wrapped my arms around my waist and turned to Lily. “I don’t understand.”

“Clearly, Baron Moreland has discovered your enjoyment of art.”

“I told him yesterday that I missed it, but I never imagined…” My voice trailed off when I saw the knowing look in her eye.

Lily approached a box on the chaise nestled into one corner of the room and started pulling out its contents. “We should create an inventory of what’s here, then you can decide where you want to start.”