Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Edmund and Victor fetched some more refreshments when their drinks ran out. Lydia and Rose were currently talking to Viscount Earlee, an old friend of Edmund’s.
“I see that Lydia’s charms are finally starting to take effect. You haven’t looked at another woman all evening,” Edmund observed.
His manner of speaking made it seem as though everything he said was in jest. It was difficult for Victor to know when Edmund was serious.
“I am only keeping my eye on her because of the whispers,” he replied although the lie choked in his throat.
That was part of the reason—of course, it was—but it was not the whole truth.
Lydia was beautiful. She might well have been the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Her hair caught the light and created a rippling effect.
The dress complemented her body perfectly, and he found himself inflamed by something he did not quite understand every time he looked at her.
From every angle she was perfect. Even now, when he glanced over his shoulder and caught her profile, his heart beat a little more quickly. If he had not known that she was the cause, he might well have consulted a physician about the condition.
Edmund sighed.
“Yes, it is becoming intolerable. I don’t know why they are all so obsessed with this. Well… I know why, of course, but you’d think they would have moved on by now.”
“Yes.”
“Never fear, old chap.” Edmund slapped Victor on the shoulder. Victor hadn’t been expecting this, and he didn’t like being touched at the best of times, so he went tense and a firm look came upon his face. “It will all pass eventually as everything does. You just have to wait it out.”
“I hope that you are correct, Edmund, although the ton does have a remarkable tendency to make things difficult. I fear they may cling to this forever and never let the matter rest.”
“Even if they do, at least you are in Brighton, removed from the situation. And you know you can count on myself and Rose as well as Nathanial and Charlotte.”
Victor inclined his head, unable to bring himself to thank Edmund for the kind words. Gratitude did not come easily to him as he had always been used to standing on his own two feet.
“And how is the little fellow?”
“He is well. He seems to have settled into his new surroundings without much difficulty.”
“That’s good to hear although I must say that you have made my life more difficult.
Rose has not stopped speaking about John, and of course, now, she wants one of her own.
She and Lydia… they always wanted to do things at the same time.
It was quite disheartening for Lydia that she did not have someone to marry at the same time as Rose.
I suppose she’s outdone Rose now though. ”
“Indeed.”
“And now, I’m going to have to do something about it. I suppose it’s only natural. It is the thing to do, isn’t it? If nothing else, the estate needs an heir, but becoming a father? Me? I just don’t know. It was strange enough to become a husband. How have you coped?”
Edmund looked at Victor expectantly. His eyes were wide, and Victor realized that Edmund was being earnest. Victor had never believed he would be offering advice about this particular topic. He tilted his head to the side. They made their way to the champagne and took two glasses each.
“It will make everything change. There is no doubt about that. You must go into it with your eyes open, and things will be demanded of you, things that you never dreamed of doing. You will learn a lot about yourself, just as I have.”
“Thank you for sharing that. Sometimes I don’t know how my father did it with the three of us. Especially with two daughters, they must be more trouble.” Edmund nudged Victor in the ribs and laughed with glee.
Despite the thoughts that often troubled him, Victor found himself chuckling as well.
However, that faded as he turned around and saw that Lydia was no longer speaking with Viscount Earlee but instead a man around her own age.
His boyish features were framed by a mop of dark curls.
He stood tall and leaned into Lydia as though she was the most fascinating thing in the room.
Something dark tore Victor’s insides apart.
A red haze filled his vision, and he increased the pace and strength of his strides, marching towards his wife.
Other people parted, as though they were getting out of the way of a charging bull.
Victor made no excuses and no apologies because he could not see anything other than a great offence.
“It has been wonderful speaking to you, Your Grace. I wonder if you might do me the honor of joining me in a dance. It would be a great boon for me if I should be seen dancing with the most beautiful woman at the ball,” this dapper young man said.
Victor was close enough to hear the tail end of the conversation. The request made his blood boil.
Victor reached them just as this stranger was bowing and holding his hand outstretched, waiting for Lydia to take it. Before she could move, Victor thrust his hand out and took hers, holding it tightly, his long fingers completely enveloping her palm.
“I would have you stop bothering my wife. She has already been engaged to dance with me,” Victor said brusquely, glaring at the young man.
He didn’t seem entirely perturbed, but he slunk away into the crowd with the possibility that he might try again.
To think of anyone else dancing with Lydia and having designs upon her…
it made Victor shudder even though he didn’t think he should feel that way.
He pulled Lydia to the dance floor, and she did not offer any resistance.
They turned to face each other and then fell into rhythm with the music.
When he stared at her, he was filled with a sense of amazement.
There was something different about her here.
He wasn’t sure if it was the way she styled her hair or the light that was reflected in her eyes, but it was as though he was seeing her for the first time.
“I wasn’t going to accept his offer although I do appreciate that you stepped in,” Lydia said.
Victor cleared his throat. “Well, we couldn’t have had you dancing with another man. That would only have added more fuel to the fire,” he said, unwilling to reveal the true reason. He felt her tense. Her shapely eyebrows lowered, and her lips became a thin line.
“And thank you for defending me against the whispers,” she added in a cordial tone.
“I will not have anyone speak ill of you. They should understand that you did nothing wrong, other than entering the wrong room. Nobody should be able to walk over you, not even the ton. I shall do everything in my power to prevent them from doing so,” he said firmly and perhaps with more conviction than he even spoke his wedding vows.
This was a promise to her, one that he intended to fulfil.
Lydia softened again and relaxed in his arms. A glimmer appeared in her eyes and a smile curled on her lips. She inched closer to him, as though her body was falling into him. His fingers pressed against her back. The dress was soft, and beyond it, he was acutely aware of her supple flesh.
Heat prickled on his skin as he thought about what lay beneath. The thoughts were inappropriate, and he tried to quell these forbidden things, but they entered his mind like a rampaging army, and this siege was one that overwhelmed him.
Their faces were close together, and every time he breathed in, he was greeted with her sweet, flowery scent. He closed his eyes. He felt the rise and fall of her chest against his. The sound of her breath became louder in his mind than the music, as though she was the only melody he needed.
How was he becoming undone by this? He should have been stronger. He should have pulled himself away.
“I’m sure the ton are enjoying this show,” she murmured. “Hopefully, it will help convince them that this marriage is legitimate.”
“Yes,” he replied curtly although his thoughts were confused. He wasn’t sure what was legitimate and what wasn’t any longer. Was he doing this because the situation demanded it or because he genuinely wanted to be close to her?
Was this his duty or his desire?