Victoria met his gaze, her brows twisting in an unspoken question.
“Will you be my wife?” he murmured.
And with that, the clock began to tick, and the world spun again.
Hands coming to his chest, Victoria pushed against him, though he did not budge. “You know I cannot, Elijah.”
“Because of duty and not desire.”
“Does it matter?”
Elijah’s blue eyes sparked with a fire that seemed to burn in his heart. “It matters a great deal. If you rejected me because you do not and could not love me, then I would never ask you again. But I will not surrender when you keep me at arm’s length solely because of a misplaced sense of responsibility.”
“You think me able to keep you at arm’s length?” she asked, giving her arms a wry glance as they nudged him away to no avail.
“I understand your reasons, but I will not allow you to sacrifice your happiness without a fight, Victoria.” His hand crept up to her face, his thumb brushing against her lower lip. “Mr. Flemming is helping me to claw my way up the ranks. Even if I must do it alone, I will make a success of myself, but with you by my side, we would burst through any obstacles. Together, we could help shape our country.”
Victoria’s breath caught at the thought of that future. That glorious golden hope dangling mere inches from her grasp. “But what of my sisters? Any success we garner would arrive too late for them.”
The pad of his thumb traced the lips he’d kissed so soundly. “I am merely asking for time, Victoria. Miriam is only just stepping into society. You needn’t surrender your future right this instant. Do not give up on us.”
Elijah’s lips captured hers once more, but where the others were scorching and consuming, this was a caress. From an outsider’s perspective, it might’ve appeared chaste, except no simple press of lips held such emotion and promise. Victoria felt his heart in that kiss, and it did more to ensnare hers than—
“Victoria!”
Her sister’s voice sliced through the forest, sending Victoria leaping away as though hot coals had been shoveled down her dress. With a step and push, she put distance between herself and Elijah, though he did not relinquish his hold on her hand.
“Miriam…” Victoria’s throat tightened, her mouth drying like a dead leaf on a hot summer’s day. Her gaze turned from her sister to Elijah and back again before settling on their clasped hands.
Anger burned in Miriam’s eyes, and with a scowl, she turned and fled.
“Miriam!” Victoria moved to follow, but Elijah did not release her. Shaking her head, she tugged her hand free, putting more distance between them. “I am not free to marry as I wish, Elijah. Why must you keep tormenting me with what cannot be?”
“Please, do not give up on us, Victoria.” Elijah’s handsome eyes gave weight to his pleading tone.
“I cannot abandon my family to pursue my own desires.”
Elijah nodded, though the determination in his gaze did not fade. He stepped towards her and took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips and pressing another token to her palm. “I meant it, Victoria. I will not cry defeat. There is no retreat for me.”
Her feet seemed to move of their own accord, drawing her closer, her lips drawing out his name like a prayer. But sense returned, and she shook her head.
“I am not free, Elijah.”
And with that, Victoria hitched her skirts and ran after her sister. Miriam had not been so bold as to do the same, and Victoria caught her before the edge of the clearing. Grabbing Miriam by the arm, Victoria tugged her to a stop.
“How could you do that to Mr. Kingsley?” Miriam fairly shouted, and Victoria cringed at the accusation ringing through the forest.
“I’ve done nothing—”
“You were kissing another man!” Miriam’s words were harsh and biting, and Victoria tried to hush her, casting a glance around them, but they were too far from any others to be heard.
“I admit it wasn’t an honorable thing to do,” said Victoria, reaching for her sister’s hand, though Miriam moved away. “However, Mr. Kingsley and I are not engaged yet…”
But that excuse sounded hollow even to her desperate ears.
Miriam’s jaw tightened and her gaze held such disappointment and disgust that a flash of heat swept over Victoria, settling into her heart like a stone. In all the protestations she’d given Elijah, Victoria hadn’t spared one thought to how her actions betrayed her beau.
“It was wrong, but it wasn’t intentional. I hadn’t anticipated…” Victoria’s words trailed off, her cheeks blazing as she thought about how to describe it. Speaking explicitly of the kisses felt too personal, and calling it an interlude was too impersonal. So, she began anew. “…I did not enter those woods anticipating a tryst. But neither can I say I was unhappy about it.”
