“You are the woman I hope to marry. As far as I’m concerned, you’re already a member of the Kendrick family.”
She read only sincerity in his gaze. “It’s more complicated than that.”
“Not to me. And right now I wish to be alone with you, without my blasted family taking all your notice.”
Victoria wavered, tempted more than she cared to admit. Still, there was a great deal to consider before taking their relationship further, starting with the fact that she was keeping some exceedingly troubling secrets from him.
He flashed her a rueful smile. “You’ve been avoiding being alone with me since we came to Glasgow, lass.”
“Not deliberately.”
When he raised an eyebrow, she sighed. “It’s just that it feels rather confusing at the moment. I’ve never been . . .”
“Compromised before?”
“That works.”
“Then spending time alone might be the best way to clear up any confusion.”
She’d been telling herself for days not to succumb to her feelings, but perhaps he was correct that the most sensible course of action was to spend time together like rational adults. What more harm could it do?
“Well, Miss Knight?”
She gave him a tremulous smile. “I admit I would like that.”
When his mouth curved up in a satisfied grin, she couldn’t resist teasing him. “At least spending time with you is bound to be more restful than running herd on the twins. Or keeping Royal and Lady Ainsley from murdering each other.”
“That sounds like a challenge,” he said, taking her arm and steering her toward the front of the building. “One I will be most happy to rise to.”
When he comically waggled his eyebrows, Victoria tried to look shocked. Fortunately, she was spared the need to reply when Edie emerged from the tearoom.
“There you are, Victoria. I was beginning to worry.” She nodded a greeting at Arnprior.
“Good evening, Mrs. Gilbride,” Arnprior said. “Miss Knight is feeling rather fatigued, so I’ll be taking her home.”
“Will Royal and the twins be going with you?” Edie asked.
“No,” Victoria and Arnprior said in unison.
Edie grinned. “Ah, I thought not. Very well, Alec and I will both chaperone the twins and make sure that Royal and Ainsley keep a safe distance.”
Victoria winced. “Oh, dear. They’re still fighting?”
“At the moment they’re just glaring at each other, so perhaps we’ve reached a state of armed truce.”
Victoria glanced at the earl. “Maybe we should go in.”
“God, no,” Arnprior said.
“Not to worry,” Edie said. “We have everything in hand.” She made a shooing motion. “You two go off and have fun.”
Victoria blushed at the knowing look in her friend’s eye before she allowed Arnprior to lead her to the cloakroom.
He eyed her feet. “I thought we’d walk home, but those dancing slippers will hardly do the trick.”
“Actually, the twins and I came on foot.” Kendrick House was only a short walk from the Assembly Rooms. “My half-boots are with my cloak.”
“I thought you didn’t like being out in the cold.”
