Her cheeks were flushed and her hair mussed, and her eyes were wide and bright with fear.
Trembling in his grip, she slowly nodded and stammered, “Yes…yes, I am all right. I…I kicked him between the legs. I kicked him hard. He lost his balance and fell on me…but I was ready to kick him again if I had to.”
Edward let out a relieved laugh and sat on the bench next to her. She was still shivering, so he gathered her in his arms and pulled her onto his lap. She curled into him, tucking her face into his chest. They sat together in silence, Edward offering her what comfort he could. It was not until the carriage came to a stop that he realized he did not actually know where they were.
As Victoria lifted her head and moved off his lap, he asked, “Who are you staying with?”
She paused and gave him a hesitant glance before answering, “A friend.”
He waited for her to elaborate, and when she did not, he decided not to push her.
“Very well,” he murmured. “Will you return to the house tomorrow?”
Slowly, she nodded. “Yes, I will.”
He would talk to her then, he decided. She had been through enough that evening. He did not want to add to her stress or make it seem as though he was trying to take advantage of her vulnerable state.
“All right,” he replied softly. “I will talk to you tomorrow then.”
She did not respond right away and then murmured, “Very well.”
The carriage door was opened for her by a footman, and Edward watched her make her way into a stately home that he vaguely recognized. He would have to ask her in the morning who she knew that lived there.
For the moment, though, he would simply go home and try to relax. There would be plenty of time to get his answers the following day.
Chapter 38
“I do not understand. I…I thought you were happy here.”
Victoria swallowed, fighting back the tears as she gazed into Emily’s confused expression.
“I am happy,” she softly said. “I have been happy…I just…I just cannot stay here any longer. I am so sorry, Emily. This was not my original plan, but things have changed.”
“What things?” Emily demanded to know. “If you do not wish to stay here, you could still come with us to the Caribbean! I do not know what has happened, but there is no need to make such a hasty decision. Please, Tory. Let us talk this through.”
Victoria bit her lip and shook her head. This was so much more painful than she had thought it would be, and she had assumed it would be torture.
“I am sorry,” she said again, shaking her head. “My mind is made up. I…I really cannot stay here. It is time for me to go home.”
“And home is where?” Emily exclaimed. “I will double your pay if you stay!”
Victoria closed her eyes and turned away from Emily. She could not continue this conversation while looking at Emily. She did not think she would be able to maintain her willpower.
“Please, Emily,” Victoria murmured. “Do not make this harder than it already is. I just…I just need my last pay, and I will be on my way.”
Emily was quiet for several long moments.
At length, she said in a soft voice, “Just like that? You are going to leave just like that. After everything…is that all…very well.”
Victoria’s heart twisted at the sadness in Emily’s tone. She could tell she was hurting Emily deeply, but Victoria knew she had no choice. She could not stay after what had happened between her and Edward at the ball the night before. He had been so callous and hurtful. She could tell he did not trust her. Not really. Perhaps he was still too hurt by Cressida’s betrayal to ever be able to trust again.
She could not wait around and hope that he would come to his senses. That he would overcome his heartbreak and lingering feelings for Cressida. It was far too painful.
She had to leave.
Victoria heard Emily move around the room behind her. She had asked Emily to meet her in the study. She had not wanted the conversation to be a casual one. Edward had not been home…Victoria had made sure of that. She had written a note asking him to meet her in the park to talk. When he was meant to be meeting her there, she made her way back to the house to speak with Emily and collect her things.
“Here,” Emily mumbled.
