Everything and the Moon (The Lyndon Sisters #1)(90)

“What is so funny?” Robert asked, looking a trifle suspicious.

“Nothing, nothing,” Victoria said quickly, realizing in a flash that she really did love this man. She wasn't sure how to tell him, but she knew it was true. Whatever he had been as a boy, he was ten times more as a man, and she couldn't imagine life without him.

“Victoria?” Robert prodded, breaking into her thoughts.

“Oh, yes.” She flushed with embarrassment at having let her mind wander off. “Of course I shall go shopping with Mrs. Brightbill. I always have time for my new favorite aunt.”

Mrs. Brightbill sniffled back a sentimental tear. “Oh, my darling girl, I should be so honored if you would call me Aunt Brightbill, just as my dear, dear Robert does.”

Her dear, dear Robert just then looked as if he had had just about enough.

Victoria placed her hand atop the older lady's. “I should be honored.”

“See?” Harriet chirped. “I knew we would be family. Didn't I say so?”





Chapter 22





M rs. Brightbill turned out to be almost frighteningly organized, and Victoria found herself bustled from shop to shop with the precision of a master. It was easy to see where Robert had gotten his ability to devise a plan and then single-mindedly execute it. Aunt Brightbill was a woman on a mission, and nothing was going to get in her way.

Normally they wouldn't have been able to buy a suitable gown on such short notice, but this time Victoria's working class past worked to her advantage. The staff at Madame Lambert's was thrilled to see her again, and they worked around the clock to make certain that her dress would be beyond compare. Victoria suffered through the preparations somewhat absentmindedly. Now that she had finally decided she truly loved Robert, she was at a complete loss as to how to tell him. It should have been easy—she knew he loved her and would be delighted no matter how she said it. But she wanted it to be perfect, and it was difficult to do anything perfectly when four seamstresses were poking pins in one's side. And it was even more difficult with Aunt Brightbill snapping off orders like an army general.

There was, of course, the night, but Victoria didn't want to tell him while in the heat of passion. She wanted it to be clear that her love for him was based on more than desire.

And so, by the time she was preparing for the ball, she still hadn't told him. She was sitting at her vanity table, pondering this while a maid dressed her hair. A knock sounded at the door, and Robert entered without waiting for a reply.

“Good evening, darling,” he said, leaning down to drop a kiss on the top of her head.

“Not the hair!” Victoria and her maid yelled in unison.

Robert stopped his descent about an inch above her head. “I knew there was a reason why I agreed to attend only one function. I do so like to muss your hair.”

Victoria smiled, about ready to blurt out her love for him then and there, but not wanting to do it in front of the maid.

“You look exceedingly lovely this evening,” he said, sprawling on a nearby chair. “The dress is most becoming. You should wear that color more frequently.” He blinked distractedly. “What is it called?”

“Mauve.”

“Yes, of course. Mauve. I cannot fathom why women must devise so many silly names for colors. Pink would have done just as well.”

“One might suppose that we need something with which to occupy our time while you men are off running the world.”

He smiled. “I thought you might need a little something to go with your new dress. I wasn't certain what would match with mauve”—he pulled a jeweler's box from behind his back and snapped it open—“but I have been told that diamonds go with everything.”

Victoria gasped.

Her maid gasped even louder.

Robert actually flushed, looking a bit embarrassed.

“Oh, Robert!” Victoria said, almost afraid to reach out and touch the glittering necklace and matching earrings. “I have never seen anything more lovely.”

“I have,” he murmured, touching her cheek.

The maid, who was French and very discreet, quietly left the room.

“They are much too precious,” Victoria said, but she was reaching out to touch them with an air of wonder in her eyes.

Robert picked the necklace up and made to put it around her neck. “May I?” At her nod he moved behind her. “What else, pray tell, should I spend my money on?”

“I-I don't know,” Victoria stammered, really liking the feel of the gemstones on her breast-bone despite her protestations. “I'm sure there must be something more worthy.”

Robert held out the earnings for her to put on. “You are my wife, Victoria. I like to buy you presents. Expect many more in the future.”

“But I have nothing for you.”

He leaned over her hand and kissed it gallantly. “Your presence in my life is enough,” he murmured. “Although…”

“Although?” she prompted. She did so want to give him what he needed.

“A child might be nice,” he said with a sheepish smile. “If you could give me one of those…”

Victoria blushed. “At the rate we've been going, I don't foresee any problem with that.”