“Good evening, darling,” he said, leaning down to drop a kiss on the top of her head.
“Not the hair!” Victoria and her maid yelled in unison.
Robert stopped his descent about an inch above her head. “I knew there was a reason why I agreed to attend only one function. I do so like to muss your hair.”
Victoria smiled, about ready to blurt out her love for him then and there, but not wanting to do it in front of the maid.
“You look exceedingly lovely this evening,” he said, sprawling on a nearby chair. “The dress is most becoming. You should wear that color more frequently.” He blinked distractedly. “What is it called?”
“Mauve.”
“Yes, of course. Mauve. I cannot fathom why women must devise so many silly names for colors. Pink would have done just as well.”
“One might suppose that we need something with which to occupy our time while you men are off running the world.”
He smiled. “I thought you might need a little something to go with your new dress. I wasn't certain what would match with mauve”—he pulled a jeweler's box from behind his back and snapped it open—“but I have been told that diamonds go with everything.”
Victoria gasped.
Her maid gasped even louder.
Robert actually flushed, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Oh, Robert!” Victoria said, almost afraid to reach out and touch the glittering necklace and matching earrings. “I have never seen anything more lovely.”
“I have,” he murmured, touching her cheek.
The maid, who was French and very discreet, quietly left the room.
“They are much too precious,” Victoria said, but she was reaching out to touch them with an air of wonder in her eyes.
Robert picked the necklace up and made to put it around her neck. “May I?” At her nod he moved behind her. “What else, pray tell, should I spend my money on?”
“I-I don't know,” Victoria stammered, really liking the feel of the gemstones on her breast-bone despite her protestations. “I'm sure there must be something more worthy.”
Robert held out the earnings for her to put on. “You are my wife, Victoria. I like to buy you presents. Expect many more in the future.”
“But I have nothing for you.”
He leaned over her hand and kissed it gallantly. “Your presence in my life is enough,” he murmured. “Although…”
“Although?” she prompted. She did so want to give him what he needed.
“A child might be nice,” he said with a sheepish smile. “If you could give me one of those…”
Victoria blushed. “At the rate we've been going, I don't foresee any problem with that.”
“Good. Now then, if you could further endeavor to make her a girl who looks just like you—”
“I have no control over that,” she said, laughing. Then her face sobered. It was on the tip of her tongue to say that she loved him. Every muscle in her body was poised to throw herself in his arms and say “I love you” over and over and over. But she didn't want him to think that she confused love and gratitude, so she decided to wait until later that night. She would light a scented candle in their room, wait until the mood was just right…
“Why do you suddenly look so dreamy?” Robert asked, touching her chin.
Victoria smiled secretively. “Oh, no reason. Just a little surprise I have for this evening.”
“Really?” His eyes lit with anticipation. “During the ball or afterward?”
“After.”
His gaze grew heavy lidded and sensual. “I can hardly wait.”
An hour later they were poised to enter the Lindworthy mansion. Mrs. Brightbill and Harriet were standing directly behind the newlyweds; they had decided that it would be easier for all four of them to take one carriage. Robert looked down at his new wife with concern in his eyes. “Are you still nervous?”
She glanced up at him in surprise. “How did you know I was nervous?”
“Yesterday when Aunt Brightbill declared her intention to bring you out immediately, I thought you might lose your breakfast.”
She smiled weakly. “Was I that transparent?”
“Only to me, darling.” He brought her hand to his lips and left a lingering kiss on her knuckles. “But you haven't answered my question. Are you still nervous?”
Victoria gave her head a tiny shake. “I wouldn't be alive if I weren't a little bit nervous, but no, I am not afraid.”