Everything and the Moon Read Free

I'll go.”
    Robert. She sighed. He had such a lovely laugh.
    â€œâ€¦more in?”
    Victoria looked up. “I'm sorry. Were you speaking to me?”
    â€œI was saying,” Ellie said with a decided lack of patience, “that I tasted the stew earlier today. It needs salt. Would you like me to put more in?”
    â€œNo, no. I added a bit a few minutes ago.”
    â€œWhatever is wrong with you, Victoria?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    Ellie exhaled in an exasperated gesture. “You haven't heard two words of what I've said. I keep trying to talk to you, and all you do is gaze out the window and sigh.”
    Victoria leaned forward. “Can you keep a secret?”
    Ellie leaned forward. “You know I can.”
    â€œI think I'm in love.”
    â€œI don't believe that for one second.”
    Victoria's mouth fell open in consternation. “I just told you that I have undergone the most life altering transformation in a woman's life, and you don't believe me?”
    Ellie scoffed. “ Who in Bellfield could you possibly fall in love with?”
    â€œCan you keep a secret?”
    â€œI already said I could.”
    â€œLord Macclesfield.”
    â€œThe marquess's son?” Ellie fairly yelled. “Victoria, he's an earl.”
    â€œKeep your voice down!” Victoria looked over her shoulder to see if they had caught their father's attention. “And I am well aware that he is an earl.”
    â€œYou don't even know him. He was in London when the marquess had us up to Castleford.”
    â€œI met him today.”
    â€œAnd you think you're in love? Victoria, only fools and poets fall in love at first sight.”
    â€œThen I suppose I'm a fool,” Victoria said loftily, “because Lord knows I am no poet.”
    â€œYou are mad, sister. Utterly mad.”
    Victoria lifted her chin and looked down her nose at her sister. “Actually, Eleanor, I don't think I've ever been saner than I am at this very moment.”
    Â 
    It took Victoria hours to fall asleep that night, and when she did she dreamed of Robert.
    He was kissing her. Gently on the lips and then traveling along the planes of her cheek. He was whispering her name.
    â€œVictoria…”
    â€œVictoria…”
    She came suddenly awake.
    â€œVictoria…”
    Was she still dreaming?
    â€œVictoria…”
    She scrambled out from under her covers and peered out the window that hung over her bed. He was there.
    â€œRobert?”
    He grinned and kissed her nose. “The very one. I cannot tell you how glad I am that your cottage is only one story tall.”
    â€œRobert, what are you doing here?”
    â€œFalling madly in love?”
    â€œRobert!” She tried to keep herself from laughing, but his good spirits were infectious. “Really, my lord. What are you doing here?”
    He swept his body into a gallant bow. “I've come to court you, Miss Lyndon.”
    â€œIn the middle of the night?”
    â€œI cannot think of a better time.”
    â€œRobert, what if you had gone to the wrong room? My reputation would be in tatters.”
    He leaned against the windowsill. “You mentioned honeysuckle. I sniffed about until I found your room.” He sniffed in demonstration. “My olfactory senses are quite refined.”
    â€œYou're incorrigible.”
    He nodded. “That, or perhaps merely in love.”
    â€œRobert, you cannot love me.” But even as she said the words, Victoria heard her heart begging him to contradict her.
    â€œCan't I?” He reached through the window and took her hand. “Come with me, Torie.”
    â€œN-no one calls me Torie,” she said, trying to change the subject.
    â€œI'd like to,” he whispered. He moved his hand to her chin and drew her toward him. “I'm going to kiss you now.”
    Victoria nodded tremulously, unable to deny herself the pleasure she'd been dreaming about all