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“It’ll do.” Bending, he gently took her mouth, sealing the pact. The tip of her tongue ventured out to brush against his bottom lip, and he shuddered, tightening his hold.
A knock at the door made Victoria’s eyes pop open with instant panic. “It’s Amelia!” she whispered, shoving him away. “One moment,” she called aloud, propelling him toward the window.
Climbing over the sill as quickly and quietly as possible, Julius stepped out onto the limb. There would be no end to the indignity he would suffer should he fall—or to the scandal if he were caught.
Just as her unexpected guest disappeared behind the bole of the tree, Victoria’s door opened.
Hannah poked her head inside. “Good evening, my lady. I came to see to your bath.”
“I sent for no bath,” Victoria replied, confused.
“Didn’t you, my lady? Your sister said you wanted one immediately, that you thought it might help you to rest, as the tea had not worked.”
Victoria seethed. Amelia had planned her sabotage thoroughly, making certain she was unable to leave her chambers.
The girl entered, her arms laden with sheets. She was followed by several footmen bearing buckets of warm water. Spying the open window, Hannah crossed the room and closed it. “You’ll catch your death, my lady!”
“It was stuffy in here, and I desired some fresh air,” Victoria told her. Her lying lips still tingled from Julius’s kiss.
“Night air is unhealthy, mistress, and now your room is cold,” fussed Hannah. “You cannot bathe in a frigid room, my lady. I’ll have more wood brought up for the fire.” She sent one of the footmen. “We’ll have it warmed again in no time, my lady.”
“Thank you, Hannah.” With little other choice, she decided to enjoy her unexpected bath.
The next morning, having slept little and poorly despite her evening bath, Victoria was up and about long before Hannah arrived with breakfast. The girl helped her dress, and then expertly coiled her shining tresses, pinning the smart little hat in place.
The moment she left, Victoria hiked her skirts, got rid of all but one of the woolen petticoats beneath, and pulled on her new breeches. She marveled at how much more comfortable she was without all the extra weight. Perhaps she would set a new trend once she was married to Julius. The idea made her smile in anticipation.
Her joy was quickly deflated at the sight of her sister awaiting her at the bottom of the stairs.
“Did you enjoy your bath?”
“Immensely,” Victoria answered sweetly, determined not to rise to the bait. “In fact, I can’t thank you enough for your thoughtful consideration.”
“I’m so very glad it helped you to rest,” snapped Amelia, her calm demeanor vanishing in a flash. “I’m no fool, Victoria. I’m perfectly aware of your nocturnal visitation. Tell me, did he climb to your window like Romeo and whisper to you of love? Or toss an impassioned letter across the divide, perhaps? At least I can be certain he wasn’t actually in your room!”
The blood began to
hiss faintly in Victoria’s ears. “You know nothing, Amelia. Nothing!”
“Oh? I know more than you think. Hannah mentioned you’d been ‘enjoying the fresh air’ when she came in, and one of the groundskeepers told me this morning that Withington was seen by a footman coming back in through the garden entrance last night—about the same time as your bath arrived. You should know by now that nothing happens in this house without my knowledge!”
With great effort, Victoria calmed herself, electing to retreat rather than give Amelia the satisfaction of seeing her lose her temper. She swept past with her head high, almost wishing she could be there to see the look on her sister’s face when she finally discovered the truth.
Marching to the stables, she retrieved Primero, already saddled and waiting for her, thanks to Charlie. Mounting him, she rode out, scanning the throng for Julius.
A thrill raced through her when she found him. He looked terribly handsome in his pinks, with the sunrise setting his russet hair aflame. His mount was a truly massive, gorgeous chestnut Andalusian. It could only be his Sir Handel.
Withy trotted up, blocking her view. “I’ll stay ahead of her and take a tumble at the first jump,” he murmured. “You run at the fore and don’t look back. Just trust that I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you, Withy. I promise to repay you for your kindness someday.”
“The only compensation I want is a position as best man at your wedding.”
Swallowing past the sudden lump in her throat, she nodded solemnly. “We’ll return at sunset. By then, they’ll have no choice but to allow us to marry, and you’ll be off the hook.”
“I’m glad for you both, even if I’m a bit jealous,” he replied. “Would that I was the recipient of such tender sentiment from your sister.”
Victoria chuckled darkly. “I wish you the best of luck convincing her not to murder you in cold blood when you tell her the truth. I don’t at all envy you the task.”
