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Chapter 15
Victoria was still trembling as she dressed with Abigail’s help, barely registering what was happening. She couldn’t believe she had almost given in to the growing attraction she felt for Blackmore. He had been about to kiss her, and Victoria had become more painfully aware of how he was practically naked. That bare chest of his had been distracting. Victoria had wanted to touch him and run her hands all over his body.
But this was wrong. He killed Richard. She should be wanting to kill him, not push him onto the bed and see what else there was beneath the fabric of his breeches. Victoria wasn’t that naive to know what a man possessed, and it had almost made her a wanton woman.
For the wrong man.
But was he the wrong man? Was he actually a killer? Having Abigail believe Blackmore’s side had been upsetting, but Mayfield had given Victoria pause for thought. Of course, he would be defending Blackmore. They were friends, after all. But there was something in what he said that was making Victoria wonder if she had been so firm in her convictions that she hadn’t looked at the bigger picture.
Even though she had managed to fall asleep, there were several things spinning around in her head. While it made sense to accuse Blackmore, there were more aspects that popped up and didn’t make sense at all. Victoria didn’t like that her beliefs had been changed.
Maybe she should go out and figure it out herself. There had to be someone around who went to the hunt and saw more than they should. But if they did, why hadn’t they come forward already? Surely, they would have done it years ago.
Whatever was going on needed to be sorted. Otherwise, Blackmore was going to keep being tormented, and Victoria was going to be left wondering what really happened. If she was going to be stuck with this man for the rest of her natural life, the least she could do was find out what really happened. Then perhaps they could put things to rest. If Blackmore was innocent, as Mayfield believed, then Victoria would be apologising to him. She would be able to swallow her pride and ask for forgiveness.
But if he did it….
Victoria didn’t want to think about that.
Once she was dressed, Victoria braced herself and left her bedchamber. She wanted to stay in her room and hide away from everyone, but that wasn’t going to help. Besides, she needed to speak to Blackmore and tell him what she had decided to do. Maybe he would be agreeable to it.
The least they could do was settle this between them. Although Victoria didn’t know what she would do if Blackmore really was the killer. Maybe ask to move to the house in Wales, just to get away from him. Living with her brother’s murderer under the same roof was going to make her nauseous.
Whatever was going on, they needed to sort it out. Victoria couldn’t live with this tension inside her.
It was quiet as she went downstairs and entered the dining room after wandering around the large house, trying to find the room in question. She regretted not having a look around the day before to find out where things were. And the dining room was probably one of the biggest rooms in the house that she had come across, bigger than the huge ballroom in the next room. Victoria didn’t think that was possible.
She kept silent as she sat and was served her breakfast, not wanting to converse with any of the servants. She still thought they were looking at her with judgement about how she behaved towards her husband. Victoria couldn’t blame them for that; even though she was still holding onto her beliefs, she was behaving like a child.
It was time to grow up and stop acting like a brat.
At least the food was good. Victoria almost moaned in her appreciation as she ate. The cook was remarkable, and the food just melted in her mouth. Victoria had barely registered what she was eating yesterday in her distress, so to actually take the time to eat was making her realise what she had.
“You sound like you’re enjoying yourself.”
Victoria looked up. Blackmore was in the doorway, watching her with vague amusement. He looked like he had taken a bath and had shaved. A flutter started in her belly, and Victoria faltered. She recovered quickly and cut into the bacon.
“It’s really good. Your cook certainly knows her way around the kitchen.”
“I’ll be sure to let her know,” Blackmore commented. He entered the room and pulled up the chair across from her. “I’m surprised you’re down here, actually. I thought you were going to stay in your bedchamber today.”
Victoria sighed.
“I’ve got things to do. While I would like to hide away from everyone, I would rather get on with what I need to do.”
“I see.” Blackmore sat back and waited as the footman poured out the tea. “And what do you need to do?”
“Find out if you really killed my brother.”
Blackmore froze, his eyes widening before his mouth dropped open.
“What did you say?”
“You believe you didn’t kill him, don’t you?”
“I’m sure I didn’t.”
Victoria snorted.
