As she scooped up another fugitive, this one black with white paws, she remembered the conversation she’d had with Sophie about rehousing the kittens."If you love something, set it free."And just now, watching Victoria across the room looking gorgeous and composed even while extracting a kitten from behind a portrait, the words took on an entirely different meaning.
She loved Victoria. The realization hit her like a freight train, though she supposed she'd known it for days. Possibly weeks. She'd fallen completely, irrevocably in love with a woman who belonged in boardrooms and corner offices, not garden sheds and country estates.
And that was exactly why she had to let her go.
Victoria caught her eye across the chaos and smiled, the sort of smile that made Sasha's chest tight and her knees weak. That smile belonged in London, in meetings with important people making important decisions. It didn't belong in a world of muddy boots and rescued kittens and women who'd only just figured out what they wanted to do with their lives.
The temptation to fight for this, to ask Victoria to stay, to build something real together, was overwhelming. But watchingVictoria move through her family's world with such natural grace, Sasha understood that trying to change her would be like asking a rose to be content as a dandelion. Beautiful, but fundamentally wrong.
Ambrose had said that his sister didn’t do relationships, and Sasha could guess why. Because anyone else she dated had wanted her to change. And that wasn’t how things worked. Victoria would only change if she wanted to.
"If this is meant to be," she whispered to the kitten in her arms, "then it'll work. And if it's not…"
Well. At least she'd know she hadn't tried to force Victoria into being someone she wasn't.
The kitten recovery mission was winding down, Sophie having successfully relocated most of the escapees to their new stable block sanctuary. The party was returning to its normal rhythm of champagne and small talk.
Sasha was sweatier than she’d really like to be, so once she’d handed over the last kitten, she stepped out onto the terrace, the evening air cool against her overheated skin. The fairy lights twinkled overhead like stars. And Victoria was leaning against the railing.
"I got the job," Victoria said without preamble. "Richmond Brothers. Senior Investment Manager."
"That's wonderful," Sasha said, and meant it completely. "I’m really happy for you."
"Thank you. It's exactly what I wanted." Victoria's voice was carefully neutral. "I'll be leaving in the morning. Early train back to London to sort out the details."
Sasha felt her heart crack, but she kept her expression steady. "Of course you will. It's a brilliant opportunity."
"Sasha—"
"No, listen." Sasha reached for Victoria's hands, threading their fingers together. "You're brilliant at what you do. I get it. Really, I do."
"You do?"
"This has been the best holiday I’ve ever had." Sasha managed a smile that felt only slightly wobbly. "You've given me something incredible, Victoria. I want you to know that."
Victoria's eyes were dark in the lamplight, unreadable. "And what about what you want?"
"What I want," Sasha said carefully, "is for you to be happy. And if that means London and banking and everything that makes sense in your world, then that's what I want for you."
She leaned forward and kissed Victoria then, soft and sweet and final. It tasted like champagne and goodbye and all the things they might have been in another world.
"I hope it's everything you dreamed of," she whispered against Victoria's lips. "And if you ever need someone to remind you how extraordinary you are, you know where to find me."
Victoria's hands tightened on hers for a moment, like she might say something that would change everything. Then she smiled that perfectly composed smile, and Sasha knew the conversation was over.
They walked back into the party together, but Sasha felt like she was watching it all from a great distance. Victoria would leave in the morning, and Sasha would go back to Manchester and figure out how to turn her newfound love of gardening into an actual life.
It was the right thing to do. The mature thing.
So why did it feel like her heart was breaking into a thousand pieces?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The party continued to flow around Victoria like she was a stone in a stream, conversations and laughter washing past without really touching her. She stood in a corner, champagne glass in hand, watching her parent’s guests return to their natural state of genteel socializing now that the Great Kitten Crisis had been resolved.
Sasha had taken the news well. Remarkably well, actually. No tears, no accusations, no dramatic declarations. Just that soft smile and those generous words about wanting Victoria to be happy. It was exactly what Victoria should have hoped for. Mature, understanding, uncomplicated.
So why did she feel so unspeakably awful?
