least, I will write him a note telling him goodbye.”
“A short note. But without any hint of our plans.”
“Very well.” She sniffed and crossed the room to the door.
“Your acting career starts now,” Mr. Cushman said. “Pretend you’re still upset about the delayed wedding.”
She stiffened at his subtle insinuation. “I won’t have to pretend. I am upset.”
When he didn’t say anything else, she made a grand exit, closing the door heavily behind her. Fuming, she stomped down the hallway.
That man was so irritating at times.
She’d prove to him she could handle anything that came her way during the next month. She’d also show him she loved Nathaniel. In spite of all of the obstacles, she still planned to marry him. Eventually. Didn’t she?
Chapter 8
At four o-clock in the morning, Victoria was wide awake. The truth was, she’d been awake all night and hadn’t even tried to sleep. The chilled air coming off Newport Bay caused her to shiver beneath her silk shawl. Or perhaps it was the excitement of her impending adventure.
The sky was still black with night. A few lingering stars and a half moon provided some light as she walked ahead of Mr. Cushman down the gangplank to Lady Caroline, a luxury steamboat her father often chartered. It was the only vessel lit up among the many others docked at the private marina.
The lap of the waves and their footsteps echoing against the wooden planks seemed especially loud at the early hour. But it wouldn’t be long before the air would be alive with the sounds of area fishermen readying their sloops and heading out to catch the mackerel, butterfish, and even squid that she loved to eat every summer. The lobster fishermen would be rowing out too, in their dories, manning their boats and setting their traps.
Mr. Cushman still hadn’t informed her of their final destination, even though she’d interrogated him on the short ride over. All she knew was that her father was waiting to say good-bye at the steamer.
As she stepped on board, Mr. Cushman reached for her arm and steadied her. He didn’t speak but guided her with the pressure of his hand toward the lounge. Thick tapestries hung in the windows, but a sliver of light emanated from a gap where one of the curtains had been pulled slightly aside.
The gentle sway of the boat and the rumble of the steam engine below her feet only added to her sense of adventure. Even though she was running away under dire and dangerous circumstances, and even though she knew she should be sad that she was leaving Nathaniel behind, she felt strangely free. She breathed in deeply of the damp sea air and relished its coolness against her cheeks.
Mr. Cushman rapped twice on the lounge door and it swung open immediately to reveal her father. He pulled her into the elegantly furnished room, and Mr. Cushman quickly shut the door behind them. She was surprised to see they weren’t alone. Her father’s longtime friend Judge Baker was sitting at a glossy oak table and rose at the sight of her. Although he was older than her father, with silver hair and a short clipped beard and mustache, he was every bit as distinguished.
“There’s been a slight change of plans,” her father said exchanging a glance with Mr. Cushman. “Would you like to tell her or shall I?”
“Go ahead, sir.” Mr. Cushman had placed their bags on the floor near the door and now stood stiffly surveying each window and door.
Her father cleared his throat. “We feel it’s in everyone’s best interest if you and Mr. Cushman actually get married instead of merely pretending.”
“What?” Her knees nearly buckled at the news. She fumbled for a chair, but Mr. Cushman beat her to it. He pulled one out and helped her sit. The chandelier above the table swayed, making her feel even more off-kilter.
“I know it’s rather strange and sudden,” her father said, “but we’ve talked this through for the past few hours and have decided that the disguise will work best if you’re married rather than pretending.”
“But what about our futures? Nathaniel—”
“The marriage will be in-name only,” Mr. Cushman explained and her father quickly nodded. “At the end of the month of hiding, we’ll get an annulment.”
“Judge Baker has drawn up the terms,” her father interjected. “Mr. Cushman has already signed a legal and binding agreement that stipulates he’ll walk away from you without a making a single claim to your fortune, either now or