“I think perhaps that you will find it more tolerable being married to me than I shall find it being married to you,” Lydia argued, arching her eyebrows and adopting an airy look.
“I don’t think you should be so hasty. I will not be seeking attention all the time, or babbling on about meaningless things,” he retorted.
Lydia drew back, recoiling with an offended look.
“I do not babble about meaningless things!” she cried.
“I do not babble at all,” Victor replied with a look on his face that suggested he had just scored a decisive victory. The baby stirred a little and made a noise although he did not wake up. Lydia leaned over the basket to check on him.
“I will care for him until the matter of his parentage is settled, for this is his mother’s right. But I do want to ask you about this special license. Are you certain it is legally binding?”
“Of course,” he said indignantly. “Trust me, Lydia, I have no desire to be married any longer than is necessary. As is the case with you. The special license allowed us to marry without delay. We both want the same thing, and then we will have our freedom again once the conditions are met.”
“The conditions…”
“We must find this child’s parents, and the marriage must remain unconsummated,” he explained.
Lydia nodded softly although she felt a nagging doubt crawl around the back of her mind like a storm cloud on the horizon.
“And what if we do not find his parents?” she asked in a hesitant voice, almost as though she was afraid to ask the question.Victor’s pause did not comfort her, nor did the way he wrung his hands together and directed his gaze to the carriage’s window.
“Then I suppose we will have to try our best to live as we both wish,” he replied. It was not an entirely heartening sentiment.
“We will find where you came from,” Lydia said, turning to the sleeping child. “I promise.”
She made this vow not only for the child’s sake but also for her own. She intended to keep it as well. Too many solemn words had been broken in her life. The two most important ones had been when her parents promised to return from their expedition and then when Edmund assured her that he would not force her into marriage.
Lydia knew how it felt when trust was shattered, and she didn’t want this child to feel that pain, even if he did not know what a promise was.
“Is there any point in talking to him? It’s not as though he can understand you,” Victor pointed out with gentle scorn.
“Babies can understand more than you think, and this is the way they learn. Besides, how would you feel if you were in a room and everyone ignored you?”
Victor’s lower lip jutted out.
“I think I might find that agreeable. Nothing good ever seems to come from garnering people’s attention,” he said.
On that, Lydia could agree.
The journey to Brighton took most of the day, and they arrived at Victor’s estate by nightfall. The baby stirred as the carriage came to a stop. Lydia made soothing noises and lifted him from the basket, holding the child close.
Lydia stepped out of the carriage and gazed at the Nightford estate for the first time. It was not as foreboding as the name suggested. The main house was large, flanked by a large, lush garden on the east side. Located on the west side were stables. Grooms came rushing out, ready to tend to the horses.
Outside, the house servants came marching towards the carriage, ready to bring the luggage inside.
“Prepare rooms in the east wing, overlooking the garden,” Victor said. It was a pleasant touch, Lydia thought, and she wondered if this was just a coincidence or if he had taken into account her family’s history. While Lydia wasn’t as enthusiastic about botany as Charlotte, she had always held an appreciation for plants.
“The baby shall reside in chambers adjoining my own,” Lydia said without thinking. The servants stared at her then looked towards Victor. He gave a nod, and they scurried away. Lydiabounced up and down, trying to calm the baby until the wet nurse arrived.
“It seems as though authority comes naturally to you,” Victor said, arching his eyebrow with surprise.
“They will have to get used to taking orders from me. I hope they do not always look to you for confirmation. I am the Duchess now, and I have a right to give orders in my own house. As you said, if we are to appear as a legitimate couple, then we must act like one.”
“You are quite correct, Duchess,” Victor agreed, giving a curt nod. Lydia couldn’t quite tell if he was making fun of her or not.
They entered the house. Victor told Lydia that she was free to rest after the long day of travel and that a maid would stop by shortly to bring her any food she requested. With that, he bowed his head and disappeared down a long corridor.
Lydia stared at him and then turned towards the stairs. A maid approached her and offered to take the baby to the wet nurse. Lydia released the child, feeling a sense of loss, wishing that she could comfort the baby and tell him that everything was going to work out for the best. In a way, they were going through similar things.
