Page 37

Victoria

I shook when my father turned his anger on me, but I refused to look away.

I’d been under his thumb my entire life.

I’d given him everything he’d ever demanded without protest, but this was a step too far.

I couldn’t allow Father to speak to Moreland in such a way, not when he’d shown me more kindness and understanding in the last week than I’d known my entire life.

“This is my last warning,” Father said. “Give up this nonsense and—” He halted, realizing that nothing he could say would convince me to go with him.

We both knew that once I was under his roof again, he would move forward with the original betrothal to Lord Heddington. He’d never shown any care for my desires and wouldn’t start now.

I squared my shoulders. “I would rather be this man’s mistress than marry any other man.”

Father’s eyes narrowed, and I felt a moment of real fear.

Fortunately, Rexford stepped in. “It’s over, Sherbourne.”

Our father flinched at the title coming from his son’s lips.

Father turned his glare on Rexford. “You’ve taken far too many liberties.”

Rexford’s voice was steady, a fact that seemed only to increase our father’s anger. “Quite frankly, I don’t have to justify my actions to you.”

The expression on my father’s face was one that normally would have had me cowering. But not here and not now, standing in unity with my brother and the man I loved. I had to be strong for them, show Moreland that I was worthy of his respect, even if he would never come to love me.

Father turned to face me. “Don’t expect me at the wedding.” He made his way from the room, leaning heavily on his cane. He stopped in the doorway but didn’t turn to face us. “You two have been my biggest disappointments.”

We watched him leave without another word. I held my breath, half expecting him to return.

The silence was broken by Rexford’s vehement “Good riddance.”

I turned to face him. “Is that all? Am I free?”

Rexford shrugged. “It would appear that way, but I think it best if we maintain security around the house.”

I turned to Moreland. “Are you…?” I swallowed and asked Rexford my question. “Are you staying here tonight?”

Rexford looked at his friend, then back at me. “I think I’ll return to the club tonight. I trust Moreland to keep you safe.”

He clapped a hand on Moreland’s shoulder, and a wordless exchange passed between them. Then Rexford followed our father from the house.

I turned to look at Moreland, who hadn’t said a word for some time. He wore an odd expression, and my stomach sank.

“I apologize about everything my father said. None of it is true. You’re worth more than all those other men combined, even if you no longer want to have anything to do with me.

” My breath hitched, but I forced myself to continue.

“I would understand why you wouldn’t want to align yourself with the Duke of Sherbourne.

He would be your father-in-law, after all, and I’m sure he’d be an even worse father-in-law than he is a father. ” I wrapped my arms around my waist.

Moreland continued to stare at me in silence, and I couldn’t hold back.

“Say something. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

Moreland’s eyes roved over my face. When he spoke, his voice was low. “You chose me.”

I couldn’t understand his tone of incredulity.

“Of course, I chose you. I love you.” My hand flew to my mouth at the admission.

Then I sank onto the settee and hid my face in my hands.

“I know that love wasn’t part of our arrangement.

I know that you’ve never been in a long-term relationship, and I understand that any marriage between us would be a practical one.

I wouldn’t expect more from you than you’re willing to give. ”

I felt him settle next to me, and I wanted to cry.

He took hold of my wrists and pulled my hands away from my face. “You love me?”

My smile was tremulous. I took heart from that fact that he didn’t seem angry at my admission.

“You can hardly blame me. You’ve been my knight in shining armor.

You’re handsome. You’re intelligent. You make me laugh.

And you’ve never treated me like a burden.

I’m sure every woman you’ve been with would give everything they possess to be in my shoes. ”

He smiled. “I don’t care about anyone else, Victoria, because it’s you I love.”

I was convinced that my foolish heart had caused me to mishear him. “Did you just say you love me?”

His smile broadened, and his hand came up to cup my cheek.

“Is that so hard to believe? You barged into my life, and from the first moment I saw you…” He shook his head.

“I can’t explain it, but I wanted you even then.

And last night, when I couldn’t stand the idea of being away from you, I finally realized why. ”

I couldn’t hold back a scoff. “From what I’ve heard, you want many women.”

“No, Victoria, I didn’t just want you. I needed you. Not just for the night. There was something about you. When you turned and our eyes met, I felt as though you could see right into my soul.”

A tear rolled down my face. “And you’re romantic. I never stood a chance.”

He laughed, wiping away the tear with his thumb. “Apparently, I’m a bit of a fool when it comes to you.”

I threw myself into his arms. He lifted me onto his lap, and we stayed like that for several minutes. His arms wrapped around me, my face against his neck as I clung to him.

“I can’t believe you love me.”

I must have said the words aloud because he kissed my temple. “I love you, Victoria Wright. Never doubt it. It’s not an emotion I ever expected to feel. If you had agreed to marry one of those other men, I don’t think I could have allowed it.”

I lifted my head and gazed up at him. “Good, because I only want you.”

His mouth crashed against mine, and we kissed as though we’d been apart for far longer than one night.

“I’ll get a special license,” he said between kisses. His mouth roved down to my jawline, and he trailed kisses along the side of my throat. “But not just yet. Right now, I think the two of us have some celebrating to do.”

“Whatever you say, my lord. But first, perhaps we should close the drawing room door.”

He laughed, then picked me up and carried me upstairs to our bedroom.