Page 6

Victoria

T he carriage door closed, and Moreland and I were alone. He sat opposite me, his broad chest and shoulders seeming to take up all the room in the small space. His gaze was a physical weight as the tense silence lengthened.

I looked away, smoothing my hand over the dark leather of the bench seat. Together with the dark mahogany wood, it made the interior feel comfortable and welcoming. I could imagine myself stretching out along the seat and sleeping while it carried me far from my troubles.

It was so different from what I was accustomed to.

Instead of rich wood, Father’s carriages were an homage to gold, and the benches were covered with royal-blue fabric and plush cushions.

It was designed to feel ostentatious, and I knew it made him feel important.

As a duke, no one would question his position in society, but he thrived on flaunting what he saw as his superiority.

Moreland’s carriage was dark, where my father’s was bright.

My gaze moved to the black curtains, and I couldn’t help but wonder how dark the interior would be if I were to draw them—which, of course, made Moreland’s presence even more overwhelming.

He could do all manner of things to me now, and no one would know.

The thought made me lightheaded.

“Breathe, Lady Victoria. Everything will be fine.”

I met his gaze and could see the very real concern reflected there. I hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath until I took in great lungsful of air, relishing the way it made the darkness recede from the edges of my vision.

Of all the indignities I’d endured, why did this one seem so insurmountable? “I’m frightened.”

I didn’t realize I’d spoken aloud until Moreland replied with a soft, “I know. But I promise we’ll keep you safe. Just lie back and close your eyes. No harm will befall you while I’m with you.”

For some reason, I believed him. I leaned back against the cushions—which were surprisingly comfortable—and closed my eyes. Something about Moreland’s presence made me feel safe.

Rexford had readily agreed when I’d mentioned the large man I’d seen downstairs. His expression hadn’t shown a flicker of doubt that Moreland could be trusted to carry out our outrageous plan. If Rexford trusted Moreland, then I could as well.

I wasn’t sure how long we remained like that. Certainly not long enough to be safely at the edge of town, where I imagined men normally kept their mistresses. But the carriage was already slowing when a horrible thought occurred to me.

I opened my eyes, straightened, and forced myself to ask the question I didn’t want him to answer. “Please tell me you don’t already have a mistress. Would others believe that you have two mistresses?”

I reconsidered the absurd question I’d just asked.

Of course they would. He was one of the Legendary Lords, and their exploits were well known.

I’d never really paid attention to the details since I didn’t want to risk reading something about my brother that I didn’t want to know.

But for some reason, I hated the thought that Moreland might go from visiting me, his pretend mistress, to another woman’s bed.

I frowned at the amusement in his expression.

“I’ve never kept a mistress. You’d be the first.”

Curiosity, and a healthy measure of relief, swept through me. I wanted to ask him why, but the carriage was already stopping.

Moreland leaned forward. “Did your brother tell you where we were going?”

I shook my head and looked out the window. I couldn’t hold back my gasp. “We’re in Grosvenor Square. This can’t be where Rexford expects us to stay.”

I could imagine the scene. We were so close to Father’s grand house in Mayfair that he could storm here on foot.

How long would it take? Five minutes perhaps?

Not that Father would ever deign to walk.

He would have his carriage make the trip.

But perhaps not the one with the ducal crest emblazoned on the door.

He wouldn’t want to announce his presence.

He would want to snatch me away before anyone discovered what was happening. Then he would lock me in my room.

“Please tell me that this is just a short stop on our way to the actual destination.”

A footman moved into position by the door, but he didn’t open it yet.

I closed my eyes and forced myself to take a deep breath. “Grosvenor Square. Father will have me back home by nightfall.”

Moreland leaned forward and grasped my hands. I opened my eyes and stared into his, anchoring myself in the calm certainty reflected there.

“Security is already in place here,” he said. “Rexford stationed men within the house and outside. You can rest assured that everyone he’s employed can be trusted.”

I couldn’t hold back my laughter. “My father staffed his house with people he thought he could trust.”

“But he never accounted for Rexford’s cunning.”

I shook my head. “My brother managed to sneak Lily into my father’s stronghold.”

Moreland squeezed my hands. “That won’t happen here. Rexford is far too smart for that. Remember, your father is used to people doing whatever he wants without question. That leads to a carelessness your brother doesn’t possess.”

I wanted to believe Moreland. I’d given myself fully to this scheme, so I needed to trust that he and Rexford had the situation well in hand.

But I wasn’t ready for another potential situation that hadn’t occurred to me until that moment.

I lowered my voice. “I know some of the people who live here. If they see me leaving this carriage with you?—”

He shrugged, continuing to hold my hands as he stared into my eyes. “Hopefully, they’re looking out their windows right now. That is the plan. We need to ruin your reputation.”

I took a deep breath. Yes, that was the plan.

I hadn’t expected it to be quite so public.

But what better way to ruin me than to have my protector set me up in a house where someone I knew could see me?

I could do this. I needed to do this, and I was determined not to be afraid.

This was the only way to gain my freedom. “How should we proceed?”

Moreland released my hands and straightened.

“I’m going to exit first, then I’ll help you down.

It’s only a few steps to the house, so we won’t be outside long.

I’m going to lean down and whisper something.

You should laugh or smile. If anyone is watching, they’ll need to believe that you want to be with me. ”

I nodded. “I think I can manage that.”

There would be no more hiding, no more pretending I was still locked safely away at home.

I pasted a smile on my face—the one I wore whenever Father paraded me before his friends.

When he wanted me to act the role of the perfect daughter.

Then I leaned a little closer and allowed genuine warmth to show.

I couldn’t say why, but I trusted Moreland.

He stared back at me, no doubt trying to decide whether my performance would be sufficient.

Finally, with a nod, he reached for the door handle.

I watched him unlatch it and step down. When he turned back to me, the smile on his face caused my heart to stop—then race.

A hint of devilry lit his eyes, a certain teasing quality.

This was all for show, I told myself. He was doing Rexford a favor.

It was ridiculously easy to return that smile and place my hand in his to allow him to help me down. He tucked my arm into his elbow, and I leaned a little closer to him, our bodies almost touching as I smiled up at him.

We stood like that for several seconds, and despite my certainty that he was dawdling to increase the likelihood of someone seeing us, I didn’t care. For the first time in my life, I was intrigued by a man who was showing me attention. This was a game I was used to playing.

He leaned down. “I think we’re being watched.”

I laughed up at him, and through barely moving lips, I said, “We should put on a good show.”

He caressed my chin with the thumb of his free hand, then pressed it against my lower lip. My breath hitched. No one had ever dared to touch me in such a way, and I liked it more than I should.

He turned us toward the house, and we crossed the short distance to the front door, which was already open.

As soon as we entered the house and the butler closed the door behind us, Moreland dropped my arm and stood back.

I was oddly bereft at the loss of his nearness and couldn’t help but feel that I had lost the possibility of something I hadn’t even known I wanted.

“My lady.”

I turned at the sound of the woman’s voice to see Lily standing there, smiling.

“I’m so happy you made it here safely.”

I hadn’t seen her since she’d handed me over to Mr. Clarence, and I was relieved she, too, was safe. I gave her a quick hug. “Thank you. I’m so glad you’re here.”

Lily shuddered. “I don’t think I would be welcomed back into your father’s house.”

I didn’t want to imagine what Father would do to my maid if he were to see her again. He probably wouldn’t recognize her, but others on his staff would. “I owe you my life.”

She smiled. For the first time, I saw a woman and not just a servant. And I had to admit that I felt a measure of shame. I’d always liked Lily, but I’d kept her at a distance, assuming that her loyalty was foremost to my father.

Moreland cleared his throat, and I turned to meet his gaze.

“You should go upstairs and get settled.” Gone was the man whose primary concern had been to ease my worries.

The new distance in his demeanor saddened me. “You’re leaving?”

He shook his head. “I’ll wait an hour. Appearances must be kept, after all. I can’t drop off my new mistress and leave immediately.”

Why was it so difficult for me to remember that Moreland was doing this for my brother and not because he wanted to spend time with me?

“I understand.” I turned and followed Lily upstairs.

I would not be disappointed. Today was just another day in the life of a woman whose existence had never truly been her own.