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“No one is murdering anyone,” Victoria said firmly. “Besides, you forget thataccidentallykilling my assailant put me in a terrible position. I was arrested and then later almost murdered myself. That’s certainly not what I would call good fortune.”
“It turned out all right in the end, though. The Kendrick brothers saved you, you were cleared of any charges, and you married the Earl of Arnprior. Well done.”
Victoria looked incredulous. “I repeat, that almost got me killed in the process.”
Ainsley flapped a hand. “I know, I know. But at least you defended yourself, Victoria. Youfought back.”
“Ah. That’s what’s troubling you. You didn’t fight back.”
Ainsley looked down at her lap, unable to meet her friend’s sympathetic gaze. It looked too much like one of pity, and she was so tired of feeling pitiable.
“I froze,” she admitted. “And Ihatethat I did. It was like my mind and body went blank.” Like a stupid, frightened rabbit.
Victoria took her hand. “You were stunned, dearest. Shock is a natural reaction to a horrible event that is taking place.”
Ainsley slid her a sideways glance. “Butyoupushed past the shock.”
“I’d been warned, so I was partly prepared. And don’t forget I was raised in a coaching inn and taught to defend myself. Young ladies of thetonare generally not, unfortunately.”
“We’re only taught to embroider handkerchiefs, look pretty, and bat our eyelashes at idiot men,” Ainsley said bitterly. “Women like me are utterly useless when it comes to taking care of ourselves.”
After the attack, she’d stumbled up to her room, and rage had consumed her like a terrible fire, turning her body inside out. As she’d emptied her stomach in the chamber pot, she’d thought about finding a gun and killing the bastard. Doing something—anything—that might assuage the awful sense of violation.
“It was a terrible betrayal,” Victoria said, “and by a man you should have been able to trust above all others. You could not have anticipated it.”
“I never really trusted him, you know. I should have realized what he was capable of, and I’m still angry that I didn’t.”
“Nonsense. Your anger shouldonlybe directed at Cringlewood and at your family for not protecting you. So no more talk of blaming yourself, Ainsley Matthews. Are we clear?”
She smiled. “You are an excellent friend, Lady Arnprior. I don’t think I deserve you.”
Victoria gave her a quick hug. “You certainly do, just like you deserve Royal. But you must talk to him about what’s bothering you. You’ll never sort this out if you don’t.”
“Talking is a bit of a challenge, when all I see is his backside exiting whichever room I happen to be in.”
Victoria laughed. “Ainsley, you have never let Royal get away with anything, so don’t start now. Lock him in a room if you have to, but make him talk.”
“You’re right, of course. I’ve let this go on for too long. It’s time he and I talk about how we truly feel about each other. How we’re going to make this marriage work.”
Despite that it was less than two weeks until they would be man and wife, they’d yet to discuss the details, including what they expected of each other in the bedroom. That particular topic hovered over them like an anxious ghost.
“Excellent, and I think you’re going to get your chance sooner rather than later.” Victoria nodded toward the opposite side of the park. “I see your betrothed coming to join us right now.”
Chapter Twelve
When Ainsley first spotted him, her face lit up with unguarded pleasure. Then her smile faded into the polite wariness Royal had come to expect. Each time he saw that mental barrier slam into place he wanted to put his fist through a wall or, better yet, the bloody Marquess of Cringlewood’s face. Someday, he would punish the bastard for damaging her bright spirit.
“Are you listening to me?” Kade asked.
Royal refocused on his brother, walking beside him. “Of course, and I agree with you.”
“So, youdothink it’s a good idea for Angus to go along on your wedding trip. He’ll be so pleased to know you approve.”
Royal halted in the middle of the path and grabbed Kade by the shoulder. “Please tell me this is a joke. If not, I’m a dead man.”
“Of course I’m joking. I was just making the point that you weren’t listening.”
He lightly cuffed his little brother’s arm. “Rascal. All right, I plead guilty. I was distracted, and I beg your apology.”
