Duty and love. Responsibility to her family and to her heart. What balance could be found in such a situation? No matter how she thought on the subject, Victoria feared she was making the wrong decision, but deep in her heart, she knew the truth and couldn’t remain silent any longer.
The footman positioned on the rumble seat hardly had time to pull the brake before Victoria was out, hurrying through the railway entrance. Glancing this way and that, she forced herself to calm. Surely, he was here. And if not, then he would arrive on the next train in an hour. But what if he had already left for Bristow? Had they passed on the road from the train station? It would be fitting for her to be forced to wait another hour.
“I do hope you are looking for me.”
Victoria’s breath caught, a smile creeping across her face as a wave of peace washed over her. She closed her eyes for one brief moment, savoring the sound of his voice, before she turned to face him.
Elijah Dixon’s features were arresting. His light eyes stood out against his dark hair, and those delightful dimples appeared in his cheeks as he met her with an appraising smile. There was an impishness to his expression that begged her to laugh with him.
“I am, Mr. Dixon. I wish to speak with you concerning an important matter.”
His brows rose. “That does sound dire, Miss Caswell. Would you join me on a stroll as we discuss this all-important matter that has brought you here?”
Taking him by the arm, Victoria allowed him to lead them down the platform.
“Mr. Flemming said you were in London,” she said.
“He had some business for me to attend to, but surely that is not interesting or unusual enough to drag you all the way from Bristow.”
Victoria sucked in a breath, holding it for a moment before she forced it out. As they arrived in a secluded corner of the station, she pulled him to a stop and faced the gentleman.
“I’ve been desperate to speak with you concerning a certain matter…”
A spark of mirth lit his gaze, and Elijah raised a hand to brush aside a lock of hair that had tumbled free of her coiffure. His fingers ran across her cheek, and Victoria sucked in another breath, stumbling over her words.
“…And I have spent the last few days—weeks, really—considering what I ought…”
But her breath caught again as Elijah rested his hand against her arm, his fingers brushing the skin between her glove and jacket sleeve. The movements were subtle, and if not for the wicked gleam in his gaze, Victoria might’ve believed them accidental. She tried to lay hold of her words again, but her thoughts scattered with each touch, drawing her attention to his nearness.
“What is it you wish to tell me?” he said, leaning so close that his lips nearly grazed hers. “What had you rushing to my side?”
“I cannot think with you so near,” she whispered.
Elijah’s grin widened. “Perfect.”
Pulling her into him, Elijah captured her lips, sending a jolt down her spine as she lost herself in his embrace. How could she have ever doubted that this was where she was meant to be? Money or not, this man was far better than any other she knew. It was so much more than a blind desire or the headiness of first love; Victoria knew what sort of man he was, and only wished she might one day be worthy of having him as her husband.
Her Elijah.
But reality snapped back into her thoughts, reminding her of duties to be done.
Freeing her lips, Victoria remained wrapped in his arms, her cheeks flushed despite the autumn chill. “I must explain.”
Elijah smiled and pressed a few kisses along her jaw, murmuring, “What is there to explain? I think your actions today say enough.”
Victoria closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his lips before responsibility began demanding her attention.
“No, please,” she said, freeing her arms enough to take his face in her hands and draw his gaze to hers. “I must explain and apologize. I need to.”
His lids lowered, though the grin did not leave his face. “Might I point out that kissing is far preferable to words, and if you truly wish to apologize, you wouldn’t keep me at arm’s length.”
“That is the second time you’ve accused me of doing so while I am wrapped in your embrace. I am beginning to doubt you know the meaning of that idiom, sir,” she said with a cheeky grin, though it faded as her prepared speech came to mind. “But please…I must explain myself.”
Turning his face, he pressed a kiss to her palm and then nodded for her to continue.
The words swirled around her mind, tangling together until she struggled to separate them, and though she was not one for tears, a twist of her heart had her chin trembling.
“I thought I knew what was best…” But that wasn’t right. Letting out a sigh, Victoria tried again.
