“You did not have to remain all night.”
“Whyever not?” she asked with a frown.
“She is not your family, and I do not wish for you to feel obligated to care for her and her siblings as you do, but I…appreciate it. Sincerely.”
Was he mistaken, or was that an amused tilt to one side of her lips? “As far as I am concerned, we all became one family the moment our marriage was finalized. Your wards are now mine. I have and will continue to treat them as such, and nothing will convince me otherwise. The children have been through enough already. I am determined to show each of them that love and stability remain in this world. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going to speak with Nan and prepare for the day.”
As she finally left, Rafe stared after her and wondered at the woman he’d married.
Chapter Seventeen
Much to Victoria’srelief, Faith began to eat with greater frequency in the coming days. Though she still suffered from fits of colic, she calmed when held close to Rafe’s chest. He seemed to be the only one able to comfort her in her worst moments.
Victoria secretly loved watching that large man carry that tiny baby against the broad expanse of his chest. Often, he carted her from room to room throughout the better part of the day, even writing letters with her securely nestled against him. She suspected his arms had become so used to holding her that he sometimes forgot he was toting her around; she’d become another part of him.
Bit by bit, the color returned to the child’s cheeks. When McCullom visited twice since that first morning after Victoria had woken in her husband’s arms, the physician seemed hopeful—if still cautious. He recommended the continued comfort and physical contact with the babe, stating he’d taken the liberty of corresponding with a few colleagues and all agreed that such action likely served to provide the child security when she floundered.
“She has improved, there is no denying it,” McCullom said one afternoon after examining the baby. Her cheeks had begun to fill out somewhat and take on the pleasant plumpness one expected from a child her age. She was becoming more interactive and attentive to her surroundings, which were bothvery good signs, according to the physician. “Should your schedule allow, I might suggest taking some fresh air in the country if she continues to increase in stability and strength. A stay away from the thick London air could further her progress. A change in scenery might entice her to try to explore, to learn to crawl, and eventually attempt to walk.”
This sparked a light in her husband’s eyes, the likes of which she’d not witnessed before. He appeared almost boyish in his hopeful exuberance, and it was infectious. He’d looked at her after McCullom took his leave; it was clear he was trying to maintain his composure, but the emotions were welling up inside of him.
“Did you hear that? She is doing well,” he said with a grin so broad it was almost comical.
“Yes, I was standing right beside you,” Victoria replied, unable to completely stifle her giggle.
“What do you think?”
“About?”
“A stay in the country.”
“You desire my opinion on the recommendation?” She had been unprepared for him to do so, as if she had an equal say in the well-being of their household—a group of people slowly beginning to feel more and more like a family.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?” His tone was incredulous, as if he’d not once considerednotasking after her thoughts. Whether or not his aim was intentional, it made Victoria feel like a partner in their marriage. It was also another example of how something in him had switched since the morning she’d woken in his arms, as if he’d slowly realized that he no longer had to shoulder every decision, every hardship, alone. That he did not have to be the only one who cared. He couldn’t have known how much that meant to her; it felt as if she was being allowed into her proper role. She felt appreciated. She felt respected.
Victoria swallowed hard. “I think it is a brilliant idea.”
So, together, they agreed to rent a country house in Kent where he knew some of the families in the area. In fact, Mr. Stratford’s family’s country seat was only a few miles away from the house they and the solicitors selected for their stay. The home itself was chosen carefully. Though funds were no longer an issue, neither of them felt the need to waste the money and effort to rent out and staff a grand estate.
Rafe desired just enough space for a small loyal staff in addition to them and the children.
Victoria requested enough land for the children to roam and explore freely, perhaps some gardens where May might pick some flowers, and a pond where Dominic might learn how to fish.
They both felt it would likely be beneficial to all the children to take the country air and enjoy the freedom. London had parks, but they were not the same as being outside the city’s boundaries.
In the end, they selected a property called The Cottage, though its dimensions lent themselves more to a small Tudor-era estate than a quaint cottage. Four bedchambers and plenty of property for outdoor air, bordered by sheep fields and a manmade fishing pond that was stocked each season, meant all of the requirements were met.
With McCullom’s final approval of Faith’s health, the household was packed up, and they traveled to Kent.
The children, unaware of the catalyst, were thrilled to have a holiday. Rafe had confided, somewhat abashedly, that the children had not left London since coming into his care. As a bachelor, he’d had little reason to abandon the delights and entertainments of the city.
“And there had been the little matter of your need to find a wealthy bride,” Victoria had added drily, not thinking about thewords before they sprang from her lips. She’d been distracted by selecting some reading materials from what remained of the sparse Blackwood library. Her eyes flew to Rafe. She hadn’t meant the words maliciously; her irreverent sense of humor had merely slipped out. She’d spent the better part of the previous weeks considering that there were more important things than worrying about how her marriage had come to be and feeling sorry for herself. She was well and truly wedded, she was quickly falling in love with the children, and she was quite liking the new sides to Rafe she was experiencing. He’d married her for her fortune, but she didn’t think even he was as good an actor as to continue to perpetuate a façade in even his most vulnerable moments. They enjoyed each other’s company.
Following her assertion, two terrible, tense heartbeats passed where she and Rafe merely stared at one another.
Then, he laughed.
Any remaining strain left his beautiful face and his bark of laughter was like music to her ears, lightening the air in a house that had been too long fraught with unease. She was relieved that he hadn’t interpreted what she’d said as a snipe.
