Page 5

Moreland

V ictoria stiffened. “I suppose I should thank you for your consideration.”

Damn it all to hell. I had expected Rexford’s sister to feel reassured that I intended to behave honorably. But instead, she seemed to take offense.

My fists clenched on the chair arms. This arrangement was going to be more difficult than I first thought. I was determined to fulfill my promise to Rexford to keep his sister safe, and that included keeping her safe from me.

He clearly cared for her. He’d risked much when he’d broken away from his father’s influence, but Sherbourne was content to wait him out.

Rexford was his heir, after all. He would expect his son to return to the fold at some point.

But taking Victoria away was another matter entirely.

Sherbourne would move heaven and earth to get her back, and Rexford would feel the pressure.

I had no doubt Rexford could withstand whatever pressure his father exerted, but I refused to add to his worries by debauching his sister.

“Despite what you might have heard,” I said, “we are not all dishonorable reprobates who cannot control ourselves.”

“I never thought you were.”

She looked away, and I couldn’t tell if she was speaking the truth. But it didn’t matter. She’d grown up under Sherbourne’s thumb, so I was sure she knew that even supposedly honorable men were anything but.

“Should we find someone else?” she asked.

It was my turn to stiffen.

But before I could speak, she continued. “Perhaps the fair-haired gentleman downstairs would be more willing to take on this onerous task.”

“No.” The denial was out before I’d thought to moderate my tone. “Rexford told me that you asked for me.”

She met my gaze again, and the hint of anger in her eyes was unmistakable.

“Why me?” I asked.

I’m not sure what I imagined she’d say. I expected her to refuse to answer or perhaps make a coy reply. It was how any other woman would have answered my question, and heaven knew I’d been in the company of many.

Instead, she let out a soft breath. “I don’t know. I thought we shared a moment…” Her voice trailed off, and she shrugged. “I couldn’t imagine trying to do this with anyone else.”

Her words were a balm to my ego. She didn’t want Fairfax. I wasn’t sure I could be trusted with that knowledge since heaven knew I found Rexford’s sister tempting. But it soothed the jealousy that had sprung to life within me.

“I will endeavor to be worthy of your trust,” I said. “I know this entire situation is difficult, and for what it’s worth, I admire your strength of will.”

She smiled. I wasn’t sure when I’d last received such genuine warmth from a woman.

I was accustomed to coy flirtation. But for some unknown reason, the fact that I’d elicited this reaction from Victoria caused a spark of happiness to unfurl within me.

That made me realize I was in deeper trouble than I could have imagined.

One brisk knock sounded at the door, then it opened. Rexford stood in the doorway, his gaze taking in the way we sat in separate chairs, our bodies angled toward each other. His expression remained impassive, but I realized he’d been testing me to see if I could be trusted alone with his sister.

I couldn’t blame him for his caution, and I was determined to be worthy of the trust he’d placed in me.

“The carriage is ready,” he said. “I thought it would be best if you two arrived together in Moreland’s carriage. No one will believe Victoria is your mistress if I’m seen with you.”

Victoria stood, and I did the same. She gave me a small smile, and I inclined my head in reply.

The situation had me on edge. I’d never kept a mistress, and it seemed particularly cruel that this woman would be my first. I wouldn’t be able to touch her despite the fact that every part of me demanded I do just that.

She took Rexford’s arm, and I followed them down the back stairs to where Rexford had set up his private stables.

He’d always enjoyed his conveniences, and in that moment, I finally understood why he’d been adamant about acquiring the lease to the stables, despite how much it had cost. It provided him with a measure of privacy from prying eyes, which meant he could come and go at will without being observed.

He handed Victoria into the carriage, then turned to face me.

“The driver and the footman are mine, and a few outriders will follow at a distance. Anyone who observes you will believe the carriage is traveling alone. But if our father has learned about Victoria’s disappearance, he will already be searching for her. ”

I nodded and clapped him on the shoulder. “No harm will come to her.”