Chapter 21

Twenty-One

C hristina gently stroked Angelique's mane, speaking softly to the mare as she ran her hands over the smooth coat. She was doing much better, but as pleased as Christina was with that, her thoughts were already straying to the man waiting just beyond. She stepped back from the stall, leaving Angelique with a gentle pat, and turned toward Victor.

He stood just outside the stable doors, two horses at his side—his ever-imposing stallion, Toro, and a striking bay mare that Christina did not recognize. The light of the morning cast his strong features in a softer glow, and the sight of him, calm and steady with the horses, sent an unexpected flutter through her chest. His gaze met hers, and a subtle warmth passed between them, though neither spoke.

Christina stepped toward him, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar horse. "Who is this lovely new companion?" she asked, gesturing toward the mare as she approached.

Victor's lips twitched into the faintest semblance of a smile. "This is Sarina," he said, his voice low and steady. "Toro's sister."

Christina's eyes widened in surprise as she reached out to stroke Sarina's sleek coat. "She is magnificent," she murmured, her fingers brushing gently against the mare's neck. The bay mare responded with a soft whicker, and Christina smiled, charmed by the animal's quiet demeanor.

Her attention shifted back to Victor, and she was suddenly acutely aware of how close he had moved. His nearness stirred something within her—a warmth that spread through her, unexpected and unsettling. His presence had a way of filling the space around him, drawing her in without effort.

Victor stepped closer still, his hand brushing hers briefly as he reached for the reins. His touch sent a jolt of awareness through her, and before she could react, he had placed his hands at her waist, preparing to help her mount the mare. His hands lingered, firm and steady, and the brief moment of contact made her breath catch.

"You needn't be so thorough, Your Grace," she said, her voice coming out softer than she intended, trying to mask the effect his closeness had on her.

Victor's lips curved into a slight smirk. "I aim to be thorough in all matters," he replied, lifting her effortlessly into the saddle with a grace that left her momentarily breathless.

Once she was settled atop Sarina, Victor mounted Toro with practiced ease, and they rode out of the stables side by side. The quiet of the countryside enveloped them as they made their way toward the woods, the morning air cool and refreshing.

They rode in silence for a time, the rhythmic sound of the horses' hooves on the soft earth the only noise. Christina found herself stealing glances at Victor, noting the way the morning light caught the sharp lines of his profile, his expression as composed as ever.

"Where are we going?" she asked at last, curiosity getting the better of her.

Victor turned his head slightly. "It is a surprise."

Christina's brow arched in genuine astonishment. "A surprise?" She could hardly keep the disbelief from her tone. The notion of Victor planning a surprise for her seemed as foreign as anything she could imagine.

He glanced at her again, his smile widening ever so slightly. "Do you doubt me capable of such a thing?"

Her lips curved into a teasing smile. "I confess, it is not something I expected from you, Victor. You do not strike me as a man given to... surprises."

"Perhaps you have yet to know me well enough," he replied, his voice soft but steady, the words holding a subtle challenge.

Her heart gave a slight flutter at the remark, but she quickly masked it with a playful retort. "Or perhaps I have already discovered your penchant for keeping others at a distance."

His gaze flicked toward her, sharp but not unkind. "Perhaps."

They continued riding, the woods opening up before them, the dense trees slowly giving way to a clearing. When they reached it, Christina's breath caught at the sight before her.

There, laid out beneath the shade of a grand oak, was a picnic. A blanket spread across the soft grass, upon which rested an assortment of delicacies—scones, cakes, berries, and biscuits, all arranged with care. It was a sight so unexpected, so utterly charming, that for a moment she could only stare in disbelief.

"Victor," she murmured, turning toward him. "Did you...?"

He dismounted smoothly, securing Toro to a nearby tree. "I had some help," he replied, offering her his hand as she slid down from Sarina's saddle. His touch, warm and steady, lingered for just a moment longer than necessary as he led her to the blanket.

They sat together, the silence between them comfortable, the morning stillness surrounding them like a cocoon. Victor poured wine into two glasses, handing one to her as the sun filtered through the trees above, casting dappled shadows over the blanket.

Christina accepted the glass, still marveling at the scene before her. "I must admit," she said, amused, "I am impressed. Perhaps there is a charming prince beneath all that stern decorum after all."

Victor chuckled, the sound deep and warm. "Perhaps," he said, his gaze steady on hers. "Or perhaps you are drawing him out."

Her heart fluttered again, and she found herself smiling, more deeply than she had in some time. "I never imagined you capable of such charm, Your Grace."

He raised an eyebrow. "Do not let it be said that I am incapable of surprising you, Christina."

She laughed softly, the sound light and unrestrained, feeling at ease in a way she hadn't before in his presence. There was something new between them—a shift in the air, a softening that allowed the walls between them to lower, even if just for a moment.

Reaching for a slice of lemon cake, Christina placed it on a plate and carefully spooned cream beside it before handing it to Victor. As he accepted it, she asked, "Tell me about your library. I have seen quite the impressive collection."

Victor leaned back slightly, his gaze thoughtful. "Much of the collection was my father's," he began, his tone growing more reflective. "Though several volumes were acquired by Christian during his travels."

Christina paused, considering her next words. She wanted to know more, to understand him, but she also knew how delicate a subject this could be. "When did Christian and his wife die?" she asked softly, her voice gentle.

Victor's expression darkened slightly as he turned his gaze toward the distant tree line. "Five years ago," he said quietly. "In the colonies."

Christina could feel the weight of his grief. She waited for him to say more, but he did not, and she knew better than to press him further. He had offered her a glimpse into his past, into the sorrow that still lingered, but for now, that was enough.

She shifted, glancing around the clearing before speaking again, her tone lightening. "We should bring the children here," she suggested, hoping to lift the mood.

Victor shook his head, the shadow in his eyes fading as a small smile tugged at his lips. "They would run off into the woods and get lost," he replied.

Christina laughed. "Then we shall have to run after them."

Victor shook his head, amusement brightening his gaze. "You are incorrigible," he muttered.

She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Do you dance, Victor?"

He raised an eyebrow. "I do not."

Christina's lips curved into a playful smile. "What a shame. Shall I teach you?"

His eyes darkened, and something shifted in his expression—something almost dangerous. "I can dance," he said, his voice low. "I simply choose not to."

She clucked her tongue, her tone teasing. "Are you certain? Or is this simply a guise to avoid admitting that you detest all forms of frivolity?"

His gaze locked on hers, a challenge sparking in his eyes. "Care to put that theory to the test?"

Her heart raced at the thought, and before she could stop herself, she nodded, her pulse quickening with anticipation. "I believe I would," she said.

Victor placed his napkin neatly beside his plate and looked around the dinner table, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. His rare expression of amusement did not escape the children's notice, and Kitty, ever the inquisitive one, was quick to address it.

"Papa," she asked, her brow furrowing slightly as she studied his face, "why are you smiling?"

Victor did not immediately respond, his smile deepening only slightly as his gaze drifted to Christina. The silence he left in the wake of Kitty's question stirred a wave of excited whispers and giggles among the girls. Still without a word, he rose from his seat and, with a graceful yet deliberate motion, extended his hand toward Christina.

Startled, yet unable to suppress a smile of her own, Christina set down her nearly empty wineglass and placed her hand in his. His fingers were warm, strong, and the contact sent a soft flutter through her chest. As he helped her rise, his hand remained steady, and with the ease of one accustomed to commanding every movement, he placed her hand upon his arm.

Behind them, the soft murmur of voices grew louder as the children exchanged more giggles, their curiosity clearly piqued.

Victor leaned closer as they exited the dining room, his voice low, and the warmth of his breath against her ear sent a ripple of awareness through her. "Do you suppose," he asked with a hint of amusement in his tone, "the children are whispering about us?"

Christina let out a soft, musical laugh and shook her head. "Oh, Victor, you know they are," she replied, glancing up at him with a playful smile. "No doubt they are quite surprised to find their father in such a… romantic mood."

He looked down at her, one brow arching slightly as a teasing spark appeared in his eyes. "Romantic, am I?" he mused, as though the notion was foreign to him. "And what is it, pray tell, that has given you such a notion?"

Her pulse quickened under the weight of his gaze, but she returned his teasing with equal measure, tilting her chin up just slightly. "Well, let us see. You have swept me from the dining table, taken me by the hand, and now lead me toward—" She paused, glancing down the corridor they walked. "Where are you leading me?"

The corner of his mouth twitched as though he were holding back a smile. "Would you not like to know?"

"I suspect," she said lightly, "that you are plotting to make me fall in love with you."

Victor chuckled, the sound rich and low, filling the otherwise quiet hallway. "Perhaps," he murmured, his tone half-serious, half-playful. "Though if that were my goal, I should hope I have made some progress."

Christina's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected intensity in his voice, and a blush warmed her cheeks. She smiled but felt her breath quicken, the ease of their conversation suddenly fading.

As they approached the grand double doors of the ballroom, Victor led her through them with a deliberate grace, guiding her into the vast, empty space beyond. The room was silent save for the faint echo of their footsteps on the polished floor, and the chandeliers above glimmered softly in the evening light.

Victor released her hand gently and strode toward a small table in the corner, where an elegant music box rested. He wound it with deliberate care, and soon, the soft strains of a familiar waltz filled the air, weaving a delicate melody through the stillness of the room.

He turned back to her, his expression softened, though the intensity in his eyes had not waned. With a slow, graceful bow, he extended his hand toward her once more. "May I have the pleasure of this dance, my lady?"

Christina's heart raced at the formality of his tone, and her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of him—so composed, yet so unlike the guarded man she had come to know. She hesitated only for a moment before placing her hand in his, feeling a thrill of anticipation as he drew her toward him.

"I would be honored," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Victor's hand found its place at the small of her back, firm yet gentle, and together they began to move, their steps in perfect harmony as they swept across the ballroom floor. The rhythm of the waltz carried them, and for a moment, it felt as though they were the only two souls in existence. Christina found herself speaking, though she was unsure why—perhaps to fill the air, to ease the flutter of nerves that his closeness had stirred within her.

"Did you… did you plan this evening with such care, Victor?" she asked, her words light, though her pulse thrummed in her ears. "You surprise me."

He glanced down at her, a faint smile curving his lips as they twirled. "You are surprised? Do you think me incapable of such arrangements?"

She laughed softly, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. "Not incapable," she conceded, her eyes sparkling. "But it is not often that you go to such lengths. A private waltz in an empty ballroom? You are full of surprises this evening."

"Perhaps I wish to keep you guessing," he replied, his tone soft but with a hint of mischief.

They continued to glide across the floor, their movements smooth and effortless. Christina felt the warmth of his hand at her back, the steady rhythm of his steps guiding hers, and though she struggled to keep her thoughts steady, she found herself succumbing to the moment, to the way he held her with such certainty.

She spoke again, her voice quieter this time. "The children mentioned a lake," she began, her eyes lifting to meet his. "Is it the one you used to visit with Christian?"

Victor's expression softened at the mention of his brother, and for a moment, a shadow passed over his face. "It is," he said after a pause, his voice more subdued. "It was a place we often went as boys."

"And now the children speak of it," she said, smiling at the thought. "How did they come to know of it?"

A faint chuckle escaped him, though there was a wistful note to it. "I can only assume they have found their way there on their own. They are far more resourceful than I give them credit for."

Christina laughed, the sound light and full of affection. "Oh, Victor, you truly have no idea what they are capable of. They are as curious as they are determined."

His gaze softened as he looked down at her, and for a moment, the weight of his responsibilities seemed to lift. "Would you care to see it?" he asked, his voice quieter now, almost intimate. "I could show you."

Christina's heart skipped at the offer, though she felt a sudden rush of nervousness at the thought. "I… I should like that very much," she said softly. "But there is one thing you must know—I do not know how to swim."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the space between them seemed to shrink even further. Victor's voice, when he spoke, was low and steady. "Then I shall teach you."

The thought of being so close to him, in such a vulnerable setting, sent a thrill through her that she could not ignore. She nodded, feeling her pulse race. "Very well," she whispered. "I trust you."

Victor's hand tightened at her waist, drawing her closer as they continued to dance. The music seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the two of them, swaying in the dimly lit ballroom. She could feel his breath against her cheek, the warmth of his body enveloping her, and it was as though the rest of the world had fallen away.

After a moment, she spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps we might attend a ball in London," she suggested, her heart racing at the thought. "I imagine the ton would be most curious to see you with your wife."

Victor's lips quirked into a smile. "Indeed, they would," he agreed, his voice low. "I suspect we would make quite the impression."

The thought sent a rush of excitement through her, and she smiled, feeling the warmth of his body pressed against hers. She felt him draw her even closer, his hand firm at her waist, their steps slowing as the music reached its final notes. The space between them all but disappeared, and Christina's breath caught as she realized just how near he was.

Victor's gaze remained locked on hers, the intensity of it sending a shiver down her spine. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he leaned in, his lips brushing ever so lightly against hers. The touch was fleeting, barely there, but it sent a surge of heat through her, her heart racing in anticipation of the kiss that was sure to follow.

The world around them had disappeared, leaving only the two of them in the vast ballroom. Her pulse quickened as she leaned into him.

Just as she closed her eyes, ready to give in to the moment, a soft cough from the doorway shattered the spell.