Everything and the Moon (The Lyndon Sisters #1)(5)

Her hand flew to her lips.

He took her hand again and pulled her toward the open window.

“Robert, it's the middle of the night.”

“The best time to be alone.”

“But I'm—I'm in my nightdress!” She looked down at herself as if only then realizing how indecently attired she was. She grabbed her blankets and tried to wrap them around her body.

Robert did his best not to laugh. “Put on your cloak,” he gently ordered. “And hurry. We've much to see this evening.”

Victoria wavered for but a second. Going with him was the height of nonsense, but she knew that if she closed her window now she would wonder for the rest of her life what might have happened this full-mooned night.

She rushed off her bed and pulled a long dark cloak from her closet. It was far too heavy for the warm weather, but she couldn't very well traipse around the countryside in her nightdress. She buttoned the cloak, climbed back onto her bed, and with Robert's help crawled through the window.

The night air was crisp and laden with the scent of honeysuckle, but Victoria only had time to take in one deep breath before Robert yanked on her hand and took off at a run. Victoria laughed silently as they raced across the lawn and into the forest. Never had she felt so alive and free. She wanted to shout her glee to the treetops, but was mindful of her father's open bedroom window.

In a few minutes they emerged into a small clearing. Robert stopped short, causing Victoria to stumble into him. He held her firmly, the length of his body indecently pressed against hers.

“Torie,” he murmured. “Oh, Torie.”

And he kissed her again, kissed her as if she were the last woman left on the earth, the only woman ever born.

Eventually she pulled away, her dark blue eyes flustered. “This is all so very fast. I'm not sure I understand it.”

“I don't understand it, either,” Robert said with a happy sigh. “But I don't want to question it.” He sat down on the ground, pulling her along with him. Then he lay down on his back.

Victoria was still crouching, looking at him with a trace of hesitancy.

He patted the ground next to him. “Lie down and look at the sky. It's spectacular.”

Victoria looked at his face, alight with happiness, and lowered herself onto the ground. The sky seemed enormous from her vantage point.

“Are the stars not the most amazing thing you've ever seen?” Robert asked.

Victoria nodded and moved closer to him, finding the heat of his body oddly compelling.

“They're there for you, you know. I'm convinced that God put them in the sky just so you could watch them this very evening.”

“Robert, you're so fanciful.”

He rolled to his side and propped himself up on his elbow, using his free hand to brush a lock of hair from her face. “I was never fanciful before this day,” he said, his voice serious. “I never wanted to be. But now…” He paused, as if searching for that impossible mix of words that would precisely convey what was in his heart. “I can't explain it. It's as if I can tell you anything.”

She smiled. “Of course you can.”

“No, it's more than that. Nothing I say sounds odd. Even with my closest friends I cannot be completely forthcoming. For example—” He suddenly jumped to his feet. “Don't you find it astounding that humans can balance on their feet?”

Victoria tried to sit up, but her laughter forced her back down.

“Think about it,” he said, rocking from heel to toe. “Look at your feet. They're very small compared with the rest of you. One would think we would topple over every time we tried to stand.”

This time she was able to sit up, and she looked down at her feet. “I suppose you're right. It is rather amazing.”

“I've never said that to anyone else,” he said. “I've thought it all my life, but I never told anyone until now. I suppose I worried people would think it was stupid.”

“I don't think it's stupid.”

“No.” He crouched next to her and touched her cheek. “No, I knew you wouldn't.”

“I think you're brilliant for having even considered the idea,” she said loyally.

“Torie. Torie. I don't know how to say this, and I certainly don't understand it, but I think I love you.”

Her head whipped around to face him.

“I know I love you,” he said with greater force. “Nothing like this has ever happened to me, and I'll be damned if I let myself be ruled by caution.”

“Robert,” she whispered. “I think I love you, too.”

He felt the breath leave his body, felt himself overtaken by such powerful happiness that he couldn't keep still. He pulled her to her feet. “Tell me again,” he said.

“I love you.” She was grinning now, caught up in the magic of the moment.

“Again.”

“I love you!” The words were mixed with laughter.

“Oh, Torie, Torie. I'll make you so happy. I promise. I want to give you everything.”

“I want the moon!” she shouted, suddenly believing that such fancies were actually possible.

“I'll give you everything and the moon,” he said fiercely.