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Moreland

I watched Victoria leave Rexford’s study with Clarence, fighting back the urge to go after her. She was safe here. Logically, I knew that. But the previous day’s close call had shaken me badly. I didn’t want to let her out of my sight.

“You care for her.”

I’d almost forgotten Rexford was there. Instead of racing after Victoria, I forced myself to turn and face her brother. Rexford had always been astute—one of the traits that made him so formidable.

“You charged me with seeing to her safety. And yesterday…” I shook my head. “I was almost too late. I intercepted her right outside the dressmaker’s shop.”

Rexford leaned back against his desk, his hands gripping the surface behind him. “I was about to go myself. When you stormed out of here?—”

I met his gaze. “Why didn’t you?”

He watched me intently. “I was testing a theory.”

Rexford’s words didn’t sit well with me. Against my will, my hands clenched at my sides. “Testing a theory? What theory was that? Who would come out ahead? Tell me you haven’t placed a bet on what’s going to happen to Victoria.”

He folded his arms across his chest and continued to examine me. He seemed far too calm for my liking.

“Watching you race from here, I knew you had the situation well in hand. Don’t forget, I’ve seen you in the boxing ring. And I did send men after you.”

I forced myself to relax my fists and shook out my hands. Rexford was correct, after all. We didn’t both need to be there, and he’d sent a small army after me.

“I’m going to repeat my question,” Rexford said. “Do you care for her?”

I could no longer lie to myself. I did have feelings for her.

Somewhere along the way, I’d developed a fondness for Victoria that baffled me, which made my plan tolerable.

I’d always assumed that when I wedded, it would be to a woman I could tolerate.

But with Victoria… we could be happy together.

I enjoyed her company, and I wanted to make her happy. It was the most damnable thing.

“Moreland,” Rexford prodded.

I met his gaze. “Yes, I care for her.”

Rexford’s smile was small but satisfied. “Why are you two here today? Have you come to ask me to whisk Victoria away to the country?”

I almost recoiled at the thought. It was within Rexford’s power to do that, and I wasn’t sure I could stop him.

“Quite the opposite,” I said. “Victoria and I discussed the matter this morning.”

“And?”

“We’ve decided to wed.”

I don’t know what I expected. A frown, perhaps. At the very least, surprise. Instead, Rexford’s face remained a smooth, unreadable mask.

“I see. And what does my sister have to say about this?”

“She’s worried that your father won’t agree to the match, and since she’s not yet of age…”

“That is a stumbling block. So, it seems we shall have to hide Victoria in the country after all.” Rexford straightened and started to make his way around his desk.

But before he could sit, I grasped his arm and turned him around. “No. We will elope if we have to.”

Rexford examined my face. When his gaze dropped to my hand, I released him.

“What if I told you that one of the other Legends has offered to marry Victoria in your stead?”

I felt Rexford’s words like a blow. “You don’t think I’m good enough for her.”

His expression didn’t change. “That’s not what I said.”

“Then what exactly do you mean by that? You’ve already spoken to someone else about marrying her? I was good enough to make her my mistress but not good enough to marry her?”

Rexford met my gaze. “I can always count on you.”

I shook my head. “What does that mean?”

“It means,” Rexford continued, “that you have never said no to one of my requests. You are always there, no matter what the demand, but I don’t want you to sacrifice the rest of your life just to please me.”

“And yet you’re fine asking one of the others?”

“No,” Rexford said. “I haven’t spoken about marriage to anyone. I just wanted to see your reaction.”

I took a step back. “I don’t understand what’s happening here.”

“I don’t want to force you to marry my sister, but I know that if I asked it of you, you would do it.

That is a sacrifice I would never impose on you.

Doing so would make me exactly like Sherbourne, and we are nothing alike.

I do not enjoy moving men around like pieces on a chessboard to enact my whims.”

Of course not. I could clearly see Rexford’s anger and frustration. His father had spent his whole life controlling him, and while I didn’t know exactly what had happened, I knew that Mr. Clarence had been instrumental in helping Rexford escape.

Before Rexford had set up King’s, Sherbourne had made him dance a merry tune, playing him like a puppet master. I remembered how angry Rexford had been back then. He might be ruthless, but Rexford did not use people in that way.

We faced each other, and I straightened my shoulders. “I want to marry Victoria. We are compatible in all ways, and it would be my privilege to make her happy.”

Rexford’s eyes narrowed at that, but he said nothing.

I continued. “Even if she wasn’t your sister, even if she wasn’t in danger, Victoria is the woman I want as my wife.”

He examined me for several seconds, then nodded. “I see. You’ll understand why I need to speak to her before giving my consent.”

I nodded. “I would expect nothing less.”

“Stay here. I will speak to her, and if she agrees, we’ll need to figure out how to bring this about. Hopefully, it can be managed without you two fleeing to Scotland tonight.”

I watched him leave the room. When five minutes had passed, I began to pace. My worry grew. Perhaps I hadn’t convinced him that I was acting entirely of my own volition. What if he was in there trying to convince Victoria that we shouldn’t wed?

I sank into one of the armchairs that Rexford had provided for when the Legends met and forced myself to wait, though every instinct screamed at me to barge into that sitting room. I trusted Victoria. She wouldn’t allow Rexford to send her away.

The door opened, and I rose. Rexford stepped into the room, followed by Victoria. The three of us stayed like that for one heart-stopping moment before Victoria smiled and stepped into my arms.

“We’re going to get married.”

I smiled down at her, relief and an emotion that felt perilously close to happiness filling me. “Yes, we are.”

I didn’t know how long we remained that way before Rexford cleared his throat. For the second time, I’d forgotten he was in the room. What was it about this woman that had me so singularly focused on her?

Rexford was clearly amused. “How are we going to gain Sherbourne’s agreement?”

“I have an idea.”

We both stared at Victoria, who shrugged.

“I had time to think while I was waiting for you two.” She looked at Rexford. “Father is wary of crossing one man. If we can elicit his assistance…”

Rexford grinned. “Of course.”

I looked between them. “And who would that be?”

“Lord Brantford,” they said in unison.