“Now there is a thought.” He pretended to give the matter serious consideration. “Ramsgate is a continental port, after all. I wonder if one can be married faster in France.”
“Don't even think about it,” she warned.
“My father would probably have a fit of apoplexy were I to be married in a Catholic ceremony,” he mused. “We Kembles have always been rather militantly Protestant.”
“Oh, goodness,” Victoria said, tears of mirth forming in her eyes. “Can you imagine what my father would do? The good vicar of Bellfield? He would expire on the spot. I'm sure of it.”
“He'd insist on remarrying us himself,” Robert said. “And Eleanor would probably charge admission.”
Victoria's face softened. “Oh, Ellie. I do miss her.”
“Haven't you had a chance to visit with her?” Robert sat back to allow the innkeeper to place a platter of oysters on the table.
Victoria shook her head. “Not since—well, you know. But we write to each other regularly. She is the same as ever. She said she spoke to you.”
“Yes, it was a rather serious conversation, but I could see that she was still completely irrepressible.”
“Oh, indeed. Do you know what she did with the money she fleeced out of you when we were courting?”
“No, what?”
“First she invested it in an interest-bearing account. Then, when she decided that she ought to be getting a better rate of return on her money, she studied the financial papers of the Times and began investing in stocks.”
Robert laughed out loud as he put some oysters on a plate for Victoria. “Your sister never ceases to amaze me. I thought women weren't usually allowed to trade on the 'change.”
Victoria shrugged. “She tells her man of business that she is acting on my father's behalf. I believe she said that Papa is something of a recluse and won't leave the house.”
Robert was laughing so hard he had to set down the oyster he was about to eat. “Your father would have her head if he knew she was spreading such tales.”
“No one is better at keeping a secret than Ellie.”
A nostalgic smile crossed Robert's face. “I know. I should probably consult her on some financial matters.”
Victoria looked up sharply. “You would do that?”
“Do what?”
“Ask her advice.”
“Why not? I have never met anyone with a better knack for handling money than your sister. If she were a man she'd probably be running the Bank of England.” Robert picked up the oyster he'd set down. “After we're married— No, no, no, don't even bother to remind me that you haven't accepted my suit, because I am well aware of it. I was merely going to say that you should invite her to stay with us.”
“You would let me do that?”
“I am not an ogre, Victoria. I don't know why you seem to think that I will rule you with an iron fist once we are married. Believe me, I am more than happy to share with you some of the responsibilities of an earldom. It can be quite a chore.”
Victoria regarded him thoughtfully. She had never realized that Robert's privilege could also be a burden. Although his title would be only an honorary one until his father died, he still had many responsibilities to his land and his tenants.
Robert motioned to her plate. “Do you not enjoy oysters?” He smiled wickedly. “Or perhaps you fear that my scientific experiment might prove successful?”
Victoria blinked herself out of her reverie. “I've never before tried an oyster. I haven't the faintest idea how to eat one.”
“I had no idea you had such a gap in your culinary education. Here, let me prepare one for you.” Robert picked up an oyster from the center platter, added a squirt of lemon juice and a dab of horseradish, and handed it to her.
Victoria eyed the mollusk dubiously. “Now what do I do?”
“You lift it to your lips and drink it down.”
“Drink it? Without chewing?”
He smiled. “No, you chew a bit, too. But first we must make an oyster toast.”
Victoria looked around. “I don't think they brought us any toast.”
“No, no, a toast. Cheers. To happiness. That sort of toast.”
“With an oyster?” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “I am certain that this cannot be a custom.”
“Then we'll make it our custom.” Robert lifted his oyster in the air. “You, too.”
Victoria held her oyster up. “I feel very foolish.”