Everything and the Moon (The Lyndon Sisters #1)(52)

She stood ramrod straight, holding her hands stiffly at her sides to keep herself from smacking him. “Robert, have you noticed that I am beginning to get just a trifle irritated with you?”

He ignored her. “I gave you one night, Victoria. That is all. You're coming home with me this evening.”

“I think not.”

“Then move in with my aunt.”

“I value my independence above all things,” she said.

“Well, I value your life and virtue,” he exploded, “and you're going to lose them both if you insist upon living her.”

“Robert, I am perfectly safe. I do nothing to attract attention, and people leave me alone.”

“Victoria, you're a beautiful and obviously respectable woman. You can't help but attract attention every time you step foot out of the house.”

She snorted. “You're a fine one to talk. Look at you!”

He crossed his arms and waited for an explanation.

“I was doing a fine job of keeping to myself before you came along.” She waved her hand at his carriage. “This neighborhood hasn't seen such a grand vehicle in years, if ever. And I'm sure that at least a dozen people are already planning how to rid you of your wallet.”

“So you do admit that this is an unsavory area.”

“Of course I do. Do you think I'm blind? If nothing else, this should prove how very much I don't want your company.”

“What the hell do you mean by that?”

“For God's sake, Robert, I'd rather stay here in this slum than be with you. Here! That ought to tell you something.”

He flinched, and she knew she'd hurt him. What she didn't expect was how much it hurt herself to see his eyes fill with pain. Against her better judgement, she put her hand on his arm. “Robert,” she said softly, “let me explain something to you. I am content now. I may not have much in the way of material comforts, but for the first time in years I have my independence. And I have my pride back.”

“What are you saying?”

“You know I never liked being a governess. I was constantly insulted by my employers, both male and female.”

Robert's mouth tightened.

“The customers at the dress shop aren't always polite, but Madame Lambert treats me with respect. And when I do a good job she doesn't try to take the credit. Do you know how long it has been since anyone has offered me any praise?”

“Oh, Victoria.” There was a world of anguish in those two words.

“I have made lovely friends, too. I truly enjoy the time I spend in the dress shop. And no one makes any decisions for me.” She shrugged helplessly. “They are simple pleasures, but they are dear to me, and I don't want to upset the balance.”

“I had no idea,” he whispered. “No idea.”

“How could you?” Her words were not a retort, but a real and honest question. “You have always had complete control over your life. You have always been able to do whatever you wanted.” Her lips curved into a wistful smile. “You and your plans. I always loved that about you.”

His eyes flew to her face. He doubted that she even realized she'd used the word “love.”

“The way you would attack a problem,” she continued, her eyes growing nostalgic. “It was always so much fun to watch. You examined the situation from all four sides, and then from the top and the bottom and upside down and inside out. You would find the shortest route to a solution, and then you went and did it. You always figured out how to get what you wanted.”

“Except you.”

His words hung in the air for a long minute. Victoria looked away, and then finally she said, “I must be getting to work.”

“Let me take you.”

“No.” Her voice sounded odd, as if she might cry. “I don't think that is a good idea.”

“Victoria, please don't make me worry about you. I have never felt so helpless in all my life.”

She turned to him with wise eyes. “I felt helpless for seven years. Now I'm in control. Please don't take that away from me.” Straightening her shoulders, she began to walk to the dress shop.

Robert waited until she was about ten feet away and then began to follow her. MacDougal waited until Robert was about twenty feet away and then began to follow him in the carriage.

All in all, it was a strange and solemn procession to Madame Lambert's





Victoria was kneeling before a dressmaker's dummy with three pins lodged between her teeth when the bell over the door rang at noon. She looked up. Robert. She wondered why she was surprised. He was holding a box in his hands and had a familiar look on his face. Victoria knew that look. He was up to something. He'd probably spent the entire morning making plans.

He crossed the room until he was standing next to her. “Good day, Victoria,” he said with a genial smile. “I must say you look rather frightening with pins hanging from your mouth like fangs.”

Victoria found herself wanting to take one of those “fangs” and jab him with it. “Not frightening enough,” she muttered.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Robert, why are you here? I thought we reached an understanding this morning.”