The room fell silent except for Melody’s babbling. Richard moved to stand next to Victoria, his hand on the back of her chair. His thumb reached to rub the skin above her dress. It felt so natural. He liked this kind of comfort—giving and receiving.
Then, Daphne began to play.
It was an original piece, nothing they had heard before. It wasn’t grand, either, but it conveyed something intimate and knowing. It was a lullaby. It was meant to soothe the senses and placate the soul.
Subtle rhythms seemed to follow a child’s heartbeat. Even Melody was affected, as she stopped fussing. Her big, innocent eyes were focused on Daphne. She knew where the lovely music was coming from, and it left her cute mouth gaping in wonder.
Richard felt a sense of peace, as well.
He was not looking at the piano at all, though. Instead, he was looking at Victoria. At Melody. Somehow, the soft musicintensified the feeling of peace he had with the two ladies who had become his life.
After a few more hits of the key, the music reached its resolution. The last note lingered in the air, sounding like a benediction. Melody babbled, raising both hands while the rest clapped enthusiastically.
“It’s perfect!” Victoria exclaimed, praising her twin sister.
“Of course,” Daphne said, uncharacteristically cocky. “It’s her. The music is Melody.”
Later that night, when they walked back into Victoria’s bedroom, Richard followed like a shadow. Neither pulled away from the other. They were close. So close. But nothing was awkward. It all felt natural.
“We looked like a family at Daphne’s, didn’t we?” Victoria asked, embracing him and resting her head on his chest.
“Looked?” Richard asked, raising an eyebrow. He closed his eyes and imagined the three of them and Mrs. Hughes leaving the Wolfcrest estate. “We don’t just look like a family, Victoria. We are.”
Then, he bent to kiss her forehead.
Chapter Eighteen
“Yes, we are. Aren’t we?” Victoria asked, hopefully.
She was afraid to hold on to that hope. Yet, at that moment, there was a strong and warm feeling enveloping her, and she knew that Richard was feeling the same thing.
The door had clicked shut. There was no need to make it a performance, and yet, the feeling remained. With the feeling of being a family still warm in her heart, she also wanted the emotions Richard woke in her.
And he was not going to wait for her to wake up from her reverie. He pulled her into a tight embrace, his mouth quickly finding hers. The kiss was hungry and searching. Oh, she’d help him find what he was looking for. She moaned into the kiss, her hands pulling him closer. Her fingers caressed his dark hair, intoxicated by his kisses, which tasted of brandy and something else that made it more delicious.
She was tasting him. Yes, him.
A year ago, she would have laughed aloud at the thought. Right now, she was just letting her senses be the judge of things. Their marriage had turned from cold to hot, and she liked it this way.
Richard backed her toward her large bed, not breaking the kiss even as his hands traveled down her body. It was like he was learning her curves, every inch of her through the layers of silk and lace. Her heart thundered within her chest as she tried to understand what was going on with her. She was an independent woman, but now, she could not imagine life without this man—this man who had left her for a year.
Victoria’s hands felt his broad chest before she fumbled with the waistcoat, popping buttons in her haste. He chuckled appreciatively at her rush, but the laughter died in his throat when her hand reached for the waistband of his breeches. She was eager to feel more of him, his heat and the unmistakable hard length that showed just how much he desired her.
“Richard,” she breathed, her hand rubbing him through the fabric. He growled, and she could imagine the pleasure she must be giving him.
It was why she had to ask the question, “Why haven’t we—why haven’t we consummated our marriage. Surely, it is long overdue?”
He looked down at her, his breath shaky, as he rasped his reason: “Melody. Because of Melody.”
“How? Why would she be the reason?” she asked, truly confused.
“At the moment, you have taken responsibility for someone else’s child, Victoria. It is not an easy feat. You already barely sleep. You worry about her. If you were to become pregnant, your body would not get the rest it deserves. I don’t want to break you just because of my desires.”
Victoria stared at her husband. She let herself reconcile those thoughtful words with the clear evidence of his desire.
It was practical. It was very much like Richard. Of course, he would think of protecting her. He would think of her comfort. They might still be getting to know each other, but that felt like the truth to her.
“Oh, you are such a frustrating and fascinating man, Richard Weston,” she whispered, smiling softly.
