"I’ve been working a bit with Cathy here," Sasha said easily. "She was the one that mentioned urban gardening. I think there's something wonderful about helping people grow their own food, especially in areas where fresh produce isn't easily accessible."
"Very admirable," Lady Alexandra said, and Victoria could hear the approval in her voice. "Far more useful than photographing oneself with expensive cars."
Liza laughed, apparently missing the barb entirely. "Oh, I do loads of charity work too. Just posted about this amazing foundation that rescues designer handbags from owners who don't appreciate them properly."
The silence that followed was practically tangible.
"Right," Archie said finally. "Well, that's… charitable."
Victoria rolled her eyes at her brother, who rolled his right back. Archie might be misguided at times, but he wasn’t a bad chap. Then she caught sight of Sasha smiling at Sophie and her heart started to beat out of her chest again. Really, was an escort such a bad idea? A little quiet financial arrangement? Surely that would be better than a summer fling with… with her brother’s best friend and fake girlfriend.
"More wine, anyone?" their mother asked brightly, clearly desperate to salvage the conversation.
THE REST OF dinner passed in a blur of stilted conversation and careful politeness. Victoria managed to field more questions about her fictional promotion while trying not to stare at Sasha'smouth when she laughed. By the time dessert was served, she felt like she'd run a marathon while juggling flaming torches.
"I think I'll turn in early," she announced when coffee was offered. "Long day tomorrow."
"Of course, darling," her mother said. "Don't work too hard."
Victoria escaped to the hallway, breathing more freely once she was out of the dining room's oppressive atmosphere. She needed air, space, and possibly several large drinks to process everything that had happened today.
She took herself on a walk around the gardens, but the sticky heat refused to help her cool down. So she decided to treat herself to one of her father’s most boring books from the library, anything to help her fall to sleep.
Not expecting to find anyone in the library, she strode in and then stopped short.
"Sorry, I was just… oh." Sasha paused, clutching a crystal decanter of what looked like their father's best whiskey. "Victoria."
"Sasha." Victoria's mouth went dry. They were standing very close, close enough that she could smell Sasha's perfume again and see the way her pulse jumped at the base of her throat.
"Ambrose wanted whiskey," Sasha said, holding up the decanter like evidence. "Said something about drowning his sorrows. I think dinner was a bit much for him."
"It was a bit much for everyone." Victoria took a step closer, drawn by something she couldn't name. "Liza's quite something."
"She's certainly… unique." Sasha's eyes flickered to Victoria's lips, then away. "Though I suspect your grandmother may have her measured for the guillotine."
"Grandmother's standards are rather exacting." Victoria moved closer still, close enough that Sasha had to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact. "She doesn't suffer fools gladly."
"No," Sasha said softly. "I don't imagine she does."
They were standing in the shadows between the door and a bookshelf, the room dimly lit by a single lamp. Victoria could hear the distant sound of conversation from the dining room, but it felt like they were alone.
Which was a terrible idea.
"This is a terrible idea," she said quietly, reaching up to cup Sasha's face in her palm.
"Terrible," Sasha agreed, but she leaned into the touch, her eyes fluttering closed.
Victoria traced her thumb across Sasha's cheekbone, marveling at the softness of her skin. "You're supposed to be dating my brother." Not that that was going to stop her. Heat was pulsing through her so hot that she wasn’t sure anything could stop her right now.
"Fake dating," Sasha corrected, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Still complicated."
"I like complicated."
Victoria felt something snap inside her chest. Before she could think better of it, she was backing Sasha against the bookshelf, her hands framing Sasha's face, the decanter forgotten on the side table, as she pressed her hips against Sasha’s, as she breathed Sasha’s breath.
"Victoria," Sasha murmured, and the sound of her name in that voice made Victoria's knees weak.
