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Chapter 4
Victoria had a headache. She was fed up with all of this, and it had been wearing her down. Which just made her even angrier.
The wedding was in two weeks. It was happening whether she wanted it or not. Victoria had already been told if she tried to object, it would not be listened to, so it was in her best interests to keep quiet. She wasn’t even sure how that was allowed with a minister, but she knew that both families would do it. She could object to the banns, absolutely, and she planned to do that many times.
But there was nothing she could do. Not without taking drastic action, which would involve doing something Victoria wasn’t even sure she could do. It was like she was living in a waking nightmare, and she couldn’t get away.
She missed Richard. She loved her brother, no question about it. But there was a part of her, at times like this, when she resented him. If he hadn’t died, there wouldn’t be such a scandal hanging over the family, and it would have been easier for Victoria to go out in public, meet people, fall in love, and get married. Because of his death, she was at the mercy of her parents and used as a pawn to get what they wanted for themselves.
There were days like today when Victoria hated her mother and father for turning things upside-down.
“Victoria?” Gregory touched her hand. “Victoria, are you still with me?”
Victoria looked up, meeting the concerned gaze of her cousin. It was then that she remembered where she was. Out in the garden with Gregory, watching the waves on the sea below them. With the slope they had in the garden, there was a ledge where you could sit and watch the sea. On a bright, sunny day like today, it was perfect. Victoria had been wrapped up in it all.
It wasn’t easing her headache, but it was somewhat helping to calm her frustrations.
She had almost forgotten that Gregory was there.
“Forgive me, Gregory. I was lost in my own thoughts.” Victoria shifted on the blanket. “I’ve been rather preoccupied lately.”
“I’ve noticed.” Her cousin was still watching her. “So, it’s really happening, is it? The wedding is going to happen?”
Victoria sighed.
“I’m afraid so. I haven’t any choice in the matter.”
“But you must have. Your parents always gave you a choice.”
“Not this time. Not when it comes to me having a future if something happens to them.”
Gregory snorted.
“You make it sound like they’re going to drop dead at any second.”
“I’m not, buttheyare. They’ve wanted to have me married for some time now.” Victoria pulled up her legs up to her chest and hugged them, resting her chin on her knees. “This is my only chance, and they’re going to take it.”
She hated that she had to. She was cold and emotionless on the matter now. Her mother kept trying to get her involved with the wedding planning, but Victoria just ignored her to the point that Lady Selkirk gave up and sent her on her way. Selkirk himself had attempted to explain their reasoning, and Victoria simply walked away. She wanted nothing to do with them after they sold her out.
“What about Sebastien?” Gregory asked. “Doesn’t he care about what’s happening?”
“Oh, he cares. And he’s just as upset about it as well.”
The only saving grace was that Sebastien was on her side about it. He didn’t want the marriage, either, but his parents had been pushing for him to marry for years. They said it was his duty, but Sebastien ignored that. Now his mother was dead, and his father was matching him with Victoria.
“If he’s upset, why hasn’t he said anything about it?” Gregory demanded. “He’s always stood up to his father before. Why not now?”
“I suppose part of him wants his brother to return home,” Victoria grunted. “He wants Rafe back in England. Now Mother and Father have agreed to put this behind them. Rafe is coming back. He’ll be here any day now.”
The thought of it made her stomach turn. Victoria wasn’t about to allow a murderer anywhere near her, certainly not one who hadn’t paid for his crimes. He didn’t deserve to come back. As far as she was concerned, Rafe Mowbray could stay where he was. She had hoped he would be dead by now, but that was not the case.
Sebastien had said he hoped she could forgive him, but he would understand if she didn’t. Victoria had no intention of doing that.
“Oh, Victoria.” Gregory squeezed her hand, Victoria barely acknowledging what he was doing. “I wish there was something I could do for you. This is not fair to you at all.”
“It’s very sweet of you to be concerned, Gregory, but there isn’t anything you can do. Just be on my side when it comes to it.”
“I’ll be on your side. I’ve always been on your side.” Gregory leaned towards her, his hand now caressing hers through her glove. “We could always beat them to the altar, so to speak.”
