Men who were dead.
Today, his future was at stake, as was Victoria’s.
And, by God, as was Olivia’s.
The door crept open and Victoria peeked in. “Aunt Delia is taking her breakfast in her chamber. One of her headaches.” She glanced over her shoulder. “So, we can speak.”
Gabriel breathed a sigh of relief. He’d known this was not going to be easy.
A slim girl, with warm brown eyes, Victoria seemed fragile despite being only a few inches shorter than he. She’d been patient with him and always cordial and amenable.
He’d practiced the speech a number of times but suddenly his mouth felt dry and all the words he’d memorized disappeared from his brain.
“Won’t you sit down?” She glanced at the cane. “How are you? I wasn’t certain you’d be up to traveling so soon after…” And then she turned and dropped her lashes. “I had thought you might need to delay the ceremony. And I understand completely. No one will expect you to stand up in front of so many people after experiencing such an injury.”
Gabriel watched her carefully. She certainly did not look like a girl who would be saddened at the prospect of yet another postponement.
“I don’t want to postpone the wedding, Victoria.” He waited until she met his eyes with hers. “I want to cancel it.” And then he smiled ruefully. “But as a gentleman, I’ll be the worst cad to do so, and it could hurt your reputation as well.”
She held his gaze longer than she ever had before. But she was nodding. And then large tears formed in her kind, chocolate-colored eyes.
Had he been wrong about her attachment to him? Oh, hell! If she cried…
“I am so glad. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am to hear this.”
In something of a daze, he drew in a long, satisfying breath.
She was crying in relief.
“I know Papa wanted it, and I know your father had his heart set on us marrying, but… I want to keep teaching. If I ever decide to marry, I don’t want to care for my husband as though he was my brother.” Her eyes went wide. “No offense intended.”
He laughed in relief. “None taken.” And then he tilted his head and studied her. “I didn’t know you enjoyed teaching. I thought you only did it to avoid staying with your aunt for much of the year.”
“I love to teach!” And then her hand flew to her mouth. “Aunt Delia! She’s going to have apoplexy. Have you thought this through, because I hope you have a plan? Now that I know you are as reluctant to marry as I, I’d like to end this once and for all and move on with my life. As I imagine you would as well.” And then she grinned slyly. “With Miss Redfield, I presume?”
Oh, hell. “I never wanted to dishonor you, Victoria.”
But she just laughed. “The two of you… I wasn’t certain until she demanded that I take her to your chamber upon hearing of your injury. She turned white as a sheet and nothing I said could have prevented her from being at your side.”
And she’d stayed with him. Night after night. He’d been delirious, he knew now, when he tried to recall the week after he’d been shot, but he’d not imagined her presence.
Nor her soothing hands and whispered words of love.
Fritz had confirmed his suspicions after Olivia had departed Sky Manor with her sister and Crawford.
“I’ve always esteemed you, Victoria. I—”
“You cannot help who you love.” The timid woman he thought he knew cut off his words. “Just tell me that you have a plan. I’m willing to do anything as long as it doesn’t jeopardize my employment at Miss Primm’s Seminary. She has very high standards, you know.”
“Well, this is what I’ve been thinking…”
Chapter 34
Tell Me There’s Still Hope
“I hopeyou are pleasantly surprised by your firsttonball, Miss Redfield. It’s early yet, but I’d venture to say my daughter-in-law has outdone herself, would you not agree?” Crawford’s stepmother, Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess of Crawford, and stepsister, Lady Lillian, had traveled from Ashton Acres so they, too, could attend Louella’s debut ball. Lady Cora, who had pleaded unsuccessfully with her mother to have her come out this season, remained home with their youngest sister, Lady Martha.
Although disappointed that all the sisters had not been able to come, Olivia was grateful for any familiar face at all. She could not attach herself to Louella for the entirety of the evening and thusly was feeling a little lost amongst so many glamorous people.
