*
Though far from genteel or decorous, Victoria let out a low groan that would’ve had her mama rapping her knuckles. There was no other reaction to have when faced with a gentleman too generous for either of their good. Of course, his declaration also proved the fellow was a fool of the highest order, which did not recommend him—regardless of the health of his pocketbook.
“You cannot be serious, Mr. Kingsley!”
“And you cannot think I could happily abandon you after such a confession, Miss Caswell.”
Sloughing off the lackwit’s arm, Victoria sprang to her feet. With arms flung wide, she answered him by asking, “And you think I could live with myself knowing that a good man fell on his proverbial sword for my family? Do you think I could sacrifice your future for theirs?”
Mr. Kingsley’s brows rose. “You speak as though marrying you is akin to prison. Whatever your motivation for this union, I am certain we will make a good go of it. We have a foundation of mutual trust and friendship, which is far better than most.”
With a hand on her hip and the other pinching her nose, Victoria paced in front of Mr. Kingsley, thinking all sorts of terribly uncharitable thoughts about his mental faculties and the idiocy of men.
Her insides gave a sickening twist and tightened as Victoria moved back and forth, gathering her thoughts. Each step ticked off another reason she ought to remain mum and accept Mr. Kingsley. Her family’s security. Her sisters’ futures. The fellow wasn’t wrong that their marriage was likely to be a success when compared to so many others’. Each thought begged her to set aside her misgivings and accept. It would be so easy.
But even as the temptation whispered all its tantalizing lies, painting a glorious picture of their future together, a shadow of guilt crept over it.
Victoria crossed her arms and watched Mr. Kingsley with narrowed eyes, though he did not meet her gaze. “It is not unusual for a courting couple to never make it to matrimony, so you have no responsibility to me. And my family’s financial troubles are not your responsibility. So, I cannot fathom why you are so determined to chase after a duty that isn’t yours to bear when you are enamored with another.”
Mr. Kingsley leaned forward, scrubbing at his head with a tense huff. “I will not deny I admire Miss Banfield—”
Victoria dropped onto the wall beside him, taking his hand in hers as she spoke over any weak protestations he might mount. “Please do not give me any false assurances of your lukewarm affections for her. I’ve seen you two together.”
“That is of no importance,” he said with a shake of his head. “You are arguing for me to pursue a courtship that cannot be.”
Victoria straightened at that, watching him with narrowed eyes as he studiously avoided her gaze. “What do you mean?”
“It is nothing—”
But she yanked on his hand, pulling his attention to her. “Do not lie to me, Mr. Kingsley. Honesty, remember?”
Mr. Kingsley slanted her a narrow-eyed look. “This is the strangest conversation I’ve ever been party to.”
“And yet it is far more effective for us to approach this head-on rather than equivocating any further.”
Giving her an appreciative nod, Mr. Kingsley pursed his lips. “And you wish for me to discuss my feelings for Miss Banfield?”
Victoria nodded, turning his words on him. “Whatever else may come of this, I think it may do you some good.”
Mr. Kingsley gave her another low chuckle and shook his head. “This is the strangest proposal in recorded history, perhaps.”
“Stop dithering,” she prodded.
And so he spoke. Beginning at their first meeting, Mr. Kingsley spoke in general terms at first, but the more he spoke, the more detail he added. Miss Banfield’s conversation. The lightness in his heart whenever she was near. Victoria’s own heart prickled at his confession, wishing their courtship had engendered such admiration, but life was never that simple or easy. Yet the pain ebbed as he delved deeper into his tale. Whether or not he was ready to admit the breadth of his feelings, Victoria was in no doubt that Mr. Kingsley loved Sophia Banfield.
Perhaps she ought to feel the bitter sting of jealousy, but her heart warmed at the thought of him finding joy with someone who so clearly deserved his love.
Now, if only the imbecile would simply accept that marrying Miss Banfield was the better choice.
Chapter 25
Miss Caswell was usually more circumspect in her expression, hiding away any frustration or irritation or anger behind a calm facade. Apparently, Oliver’s current situation had broken through her reserve, for she was watching him like a mother watches a child on the verge of doing precisely that which he has been told not to do. Luckily, with her seated beside him, Oliver was able to ignore much of her reaction and focus on the subject at hand.
Despite the discomfort of the subject (or more importantly, to whom he was speaking about it), Oliver laid out the situation as thoroughly as he could. If she understood the divide standing between him and Miss Sophie, Miss Caswell would abandon this stubbornness.
Yet, as he spoke, the words drifted away from a mere recitation. The more he spoke of Miss Sophie, the more his heart warmed, telling him what he couldn’t allow himself to believe.
“It is all foolishness, Miss Caswell. An attraction, perhaps, but nothing more. There cannot be.”
