Page 29

Victoria

M oreland wanted to marry me. We hadn’t known each other long, but I felt a bone deep certainty that I wanted to be his wife.

I scrunched my nose as a thought occurred to me.

We were alone in the carriage, but I’d seen the veritable army of outriders that had followed us from the house.

We’d set out as soon as breakfast was finished.

It was still early, and the streets were quiet, but if Father knew where I was, his own men would be watching the house.

And they would have seen our departure. I didn’t want to think about the possibility that my father’s men could be following us, waiting for an opportunity to snatch me away from Moreland.

“If we are to be married, I should know your Christian name.”

For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t reply, but then, with a small shrug, he said, “Matthew.”

“Matthew,” I repeated. I liked it. It humanized him, making him seem less a Legend and more a regular man.

The carriage ride from the townhouse to my brother’s club was short, just ten minutes from Grosvenor Square to Saint James Street.

Father had been incensed when Rexford chose to open his own club within walking distance of White’s instead of falling in line and joining Father’s more established club.

From what I’d come to know about my brother in the short time we’d been reacquainted, I imagined he chosen the location for King’s deliberately.

Every time Father visited White’s, he couldn’t help but see his son’s club.

Surely, Rexford enjoyed being a constant source of annoyance for our father.

I couldn’t blame him. I felt a thrill at the knowledge that I was free from Father’s control.

But unlike Rexford, my situation was far more tenuous. I couldn’t do much for myself and had to rely on him and Moreland.

I stared at Moreland from across the carriage. I wasn’t foolish enough to expect him to fall in love with me, but I could be content in the union if he kept his promise to remain faithful.

He returned my gaze, and I watched his expression grow heated. No doubt he was remembering the intimacies we’d shared. And in that moment, I realized that I loved him. I wanted him to be happy, and I vowed to do everything in my power to make that a reality.

The carriage slowed and drove around to the back of the club, where my brother kept his stables. It was a luxury in that part of London, but one I was very thankful for because it meant I wouldn’t have to risk being seen entering King’s on Moreland’s arm.

When you’re married, it won’t matter who sees you. I smiled at the thought, wanting that beyond anything. But I knew Father would never give his consent, which meant we would have to elope.

When the carriage door opened, Moreland jumped down and turned around to help me out. His hands remained on my waist when I reached the ground.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

I smiled and leaned in close. “I’m thinking about how much I’m looking forward to being alone with you again.”

He dropped a quick kiss on my lips and turned to lead me into the club. Mr. Clarence was just arriving to greet us.

He bowed in my direction. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Lady Victoria.”

I beamed at the older man. My memories of his time as Father’s steward were vague, but I did recall that he’d always been kind. I didn’t know why he’d left my father’s employment, but I was glad that he worked for Rexford.

We followed him through the club’s back entrance.

“Is anyone else here?” Moreland asked.

Mr. Clarence shook his head. “This early in the morning, it’s only Lord Rexford.”

Moreland nodded. “That’s probably for the best.”

Mr. Clarence led the way up the back stairs to my brother’s study and rapped twice on the door. Rexford called out, and Mr. Clarence opened the door for us.

When he saw us, Rexford stood and gathered me against him.

“I was so relieved that Moreland could get to you before Father.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist, returning his embrace. “I’m sorry for all the trouble I gave you yesterday. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

Rexford pulled back, his expression somber. “None of us were. I should have realized that Father would recruit allies from among our acquaintances.”

“Well, I definitely learned my lesson.”

When he smiled down at me, I was thankful that he didn’t resemble our father.

We both resembled our mother, who was dark haired and shared our blue eyes.

Father’s eyes were a lighter shade of blue, icy-cold eyes that bored straight through a person.

His hair was gray, but I remembered it being a much lighter shade of brown when I was a girl.

Moreland took my hand in his. “I need to speak to your brother concerning what we discussed this morning. Do you wish to stay?”

My heart lifted at the way he looked down at me as he waited for my reply. I was accustomed to having others determine my future for me. Before escaping my father’s household, no one had ever asked me what I wanted.

“The two of you will need to strategize because this won’t be easy. I don’t need to know the details. I trust you.”

Moreland squeezed my hand before releasing it.

I followed Mr. Clarence to the small sitting room I’d occupied the last time I came, when Rexford had first explained his plan to ruin my reputation. Now, I waited again as he and Moreland discussed how they could salvage my reputation by making me a baroness. The irony wasn’t lost on me.

I sighed and turned to Mr. Clarence. “Thank you again for everything you’ve done. I’m afraid I’ve been quite a burden to all of you.”

Mr. Clarence stood before me, his hands clutched behind his back. I couldn’t decipher his gaze as he continued to stare at me. I’d noticed it before. If I had to describe it, I would say he was trying to memorize my features.

“You never have to apologize,” he said.

“But something is the matter.” My voice was soft. “You appear distraught.”

He smiled then. “You look just like your mother. She was beautiful and kind, and I admired her greatly.”

My heart stuttered at the obvious fondness in his voice. Father never spoke about my mother, who had died when I was still a child. “I don’t remember much about her. Only that she had dark hair and that she was often sad.”

His brows drew together. “Yes, she was. I’m afraid her marriage to your father wasn’t a happy one.”

I wasn’t surprised to hear that.

He took a step closer. “I vow that I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. She would have wanted that.”

His earnest tone had me wondering what exactly he could have witnessed between my parents that had him so desperate to protect me. I almost asked him, but fear stopped me.

I didn’t want to know how horribly Father treated my mother. “Thank you, Mr. Clarence.”

He nodded. “I will have the staff bring you some refreshments.” With a fond smile, he turned and left the room.

I watched him go, wondering about all the secrets Mr. Clarence must be privy to, both past and present. I couldn’t help but hope that Mr. Clarence had been a friend to my mother all those years ago when she’d so desperately needed one.