attempted to kidnap you today. He says he’ll get you the next time. And that if anyone tries to come after you, he’ll hurt you.”
Her ready response died on her lips. Next time? Was her attacker already planning another abduction? “Do you think he’ll try to kidnap me again tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
She appreciated that Mr. Cushman was always straightforward, never mincing words. But every once in a while, she wished he’d soften the blow. She swallowed the lump of fear forming in her throat. “If we know someone is lying in wait, then we can hire more guards.”
“It’s not worth the risk.”
Her father nodded in agreement. “Once I inform Nathaniel of this newest threat, he’ll gladly postpone the wedding. And in the meantime, Mr. Cushman thinks you need to go into hiding.”
“Yes, I heard,” she said. “We’re to pretend to be married.”
“You don’t have to do it, Victoria,” her father interjected, “if you don’t want to.”
She tried to gauge Mr. Cushman’s feelings regarding the plan. Did he want to pose as her husband? Did he find the idea as secretly thrilling as she did?
His expression was impassive, as usual.
Her father gave a tired sigh and sat back in his chair. “We will attempt to minimize any repercussions that might come from such an arrangement, but you should know there is some risk of soiling your reputation.”
Heat stole into Victoria’s cheeks, and she glanced at her tightly folded hands. “I understand, Father.”
“Nothing will change in our working relationship,” Mr. Cushman cut in. “I’ll maintain strict and appropriate boundaries at all times.”
“If nothing changes,” she countered, “then no one will believe we’re married.”
Mr. Cushman hesitated only a moment before nodding in agreement. “Very well. We’ll pretend in public, but resume our regular interactions in private. I’ll still be your bodyguard and you my client.”
Her father nodded his approval.
“Then we shall be actors?” Victoria liked the thought. She’d always imagined it would be fun to be in a play. She was sure she could do justice to her role.
“Yes.”
“Where will we go?”
“I’m not telling anyone except your father. It’ll be safer that way.” He looked at Father, who nodded his acquiescence.
Maybe their destination would be somewhere new and exciting, like Philadelphia. She’d heard the shops there were quaint and the gardens spectacular this time of year. Perhaps they could go to the theater together. She’d take some other name like Marie or Meredith. Marie Cushman. She rolled that name around her mind and then tried Meredith Cushman. Which one sounded better?
“You can tell me where we’ll stay,” Victoria insisted. “I promise I won’t say anything.”
“So you’re willing to go into hiding?” Father asked.
She nodded. “Do I need to wear a disguise? Dye my hair? Buy new clothes?”
“No,” Mr. Cushman said. “We can’t draw any undue attention.”
“And when shall we leave?”
“We’ll sneak out early in the morning, before light.”
The plan was getting more exciting by the minute. She smiled and moved to the edge of her chair. “That means I need to get busy packing my trunks.”
“One bag.” The steel in Mr. Cushman’s voice stopped her. “With only your plainest, most serviceable clothes.”
She started to protest, but the silent plea on Father’s face stopped her. He was asking her to trust Mr. Cushman and listen to him. “Very well.” She could always purchase new garments and accessories once they reached their destination. That would be much more fun anyway.
Perhaps he was taking her to Boston. She’d heard there were several excellent French seamstresses there. She’d thoroughly enjoy having some new designs.
She rose to leave. She had a lot to do if she was to be ready by the early morning.
“You’ll need to act normal and go to bed,” Mr. Cushman instructed. “Don’t tell anyone about our plans. Not even your mother.”
She stopped mid-stride.
“I’ll inform her in the morning,” Father reassured.
“But I’d like to say goodbye.”
“You can’t this time.” Mr. Cushman was rising from his chair.
“She’ll understand,” Father said. “And so will Nathaniel.”
Nathaniel. In the flurry of the new plans, she was ashamed to admit she hadn’t thought of attempting to say goodbye to him. She hadn’t considered how he might feel, not knowing her location or how she was faring.
The slight quirk of Mr. Cushman’s eyebrow told her he’d guessed her oversight.
She lifted her chin in defiance. “I really must say something to Nathaniel.”
“No.” Mr. Cushman’s tone was stubborn. “Not a word.”
“That’s not fair to him.”
“Your father can explain everything.”
“He deserves to hear it from me.” She pressed her hands into her hips. “At the very