At least he hadn’t seen her thigh. Her drawers, now the possessor of a tear along the entire central seam, still had intact frilly legs. No, he hadn’t found her “malformed toe,” the wretched bounder.
The sun was lowering now but the slight breeze was warm, the air redolent of honeysuckle and hyacinth. There was a low stone wall that ran beside the orchard path down to a small pond. It was there Rafael took her, pausing occasionally to sniff at a rose or any other bloom that took his fancy.
“It’s lovely,” he said.
He didn’t wait for her reply, merely eased down, pulling her with him and stretching his long legs out before him. Victoria settled herself beside him, keeping her legs well covered with her pale yellow muslin skirts.
“There are a lot of frogs and water reeds,” she said.
“Hmmm.” He lay on his back, pillowing his head on his arms.
To keep herself from staring at him, Victoria said abruptly, even as she forced herself to keep her eyes on the water reeds, “Where in Cornwall do you wish to build your house?”
“Our house?”
“Well, yes, I suppose. If you wish.”
“Not very close to Drago Hall. I was thinking about the northern coast. Perhaps near St. Agnes. Have you ever visited there?”
“Yes.” She turned her head to look down at him. “I have, and I find it beautiful. Wild and savage and untamed. I suppose it’s a lot like you.”
“Is that a compliment, I wonder?” He cocked open one silver-gray eye.
“Then why must we stay at Drago Hall at all?”
It was a reasonable query, he thought, wishing he’d kept his plans more indefinite. He supposed he should tell her that he already had a house in mind. No, he would wait. He said, hoping to discourage any more conversation along this line, “I told you that I hadn’t been home in a long time. I wish to visit Drago Hall. It’s unfortunate that my brother and his wife are in residence, but we will make do.”
“It won’t be easy.”
“I am your husband. Do just as I tell you, look to me for advice and protection—and nightly diversions, of course—and all will be well.”
She hissed air out between gritted teeth. “I think you’re an ass, an—”
“Don’t insult me, Victoria, or I’ll make love to you right here, right now.”
He’d spoken ever so softly, but she believed him and she was afraid that she would fight him for only a very short time before yielding. She lowered her head, feeling like a fool, feeling like the wild, untamed, savage one. She felt tears sting the back of her eyes. He didn’t care for her, not one whit, and now, since he knew her weakness for him, he would manipulate her to his heart’s delight.
Two tears rolled down her cheeks.
She wasn’t aware of them until she tasted the salt on her lips.
He said in that same soft, relaxed voice, “Why are you crying?”
“I’m not crying.”
“You are so delightfully perverse. You will talk to me or I will make . . . “He paused, frowning at himself. “Forget that. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She jumped to her feet, and to her mortification, her leg crumpled and she went down in a graceless heap. It was all too much. She lowered her face to the sweet-smelling grass, wrapped her arms around her middle, tasted dirt, and didn’t care.
For a long moment Rafael didn’t move. He was confused. Slowly he came up to his knees and clasped her shoulders. He gently pulled her back against him. “It’s all right, truly, love. Did you hurt yourself when you stumbled?”
She shook her head and he felt her loosened hair brush against his chin. He leaned against a maple tree and pulled her onto his lap. She felt limp, boneless, without will. It disturbed him. He wanted his enraged fighter back.
He held her tightly and felt her hiccup against his shoulder. He smiled over her head. “It’s very odd, you know. Life, that is. A month ago I didn’t know of your existence, and now I’m irrevocably leg-shackled to you.”
“I’m the one who is leg-shackled,” she said between hiccups, her voice sliding into bitterness. “Not only married, but as poor as I was before. At least you are leg-shackled and rich.”
“I was already rich. Your money is mine by the law of the land, but I really have no need for it. However, I would have done about anything to keep that money out of Damien’s greedy hands.”