Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,115
brushing the skin between her glove and jacket sleeve. The movements were subtle, and if not for the wicked gleam in his gaze, Victoria might’ve believed them accidental. She tried to lay hold of her words again, but her thoughts scattered with each touch, drawing her attention to his nearness.
“What is it you wish to tell me?” he said, leaning so close that his lips nearly grazed hers. “What had you rushing to my side?”
“I cannot think with you so near,” she whispered.
Elijah’s grin widened. “Perfect.”
Pulling her into him, Elijah captured her lips, sending a jolt down her spine as she lost herself in his embrace. How could she have ever doubted that this was where she was meant to be? Money or not, this man was far better than any other she knew. It was so much more than a blind desire or the headiness of first love; Victoria knew what sort of man he was, and only wished she might one day be worthy of having him as her husband.
Her Elijah.
But reality snapped back into her thoughts, reminding her of duties to be done.
Freeing her lips, Victoria remained wrapped in his arms, her cheeks flushed despite the autumn chill. “I must explain.”
Elijah smiled and pressed a few kisses along her jaw, murmuring, “What is there to explain? I think your actions today say enough.”
Victoria closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his lips before responsibility began demanding her attention.
“No, please,” she said, freeing her arms enough to take his face in her hands and draw his gaze to hers. “I must explain and apologize. I need to.”
His lids lowered, though the grin did not leave his face. “Might I point out that kissing is far preferable to words, and if you truly wish to apologize, you wouldn’t keep me at arm’s length.”
“That is the second time you’ve accused me of doing so while I am wrapped in your embrace. I am beginning to doubt you know the meaning of that idiom, sir,” she said with a cheeky grin, though it faded as her prepared speech came to mind. “But please…I must explain myself.”
Turning his face, he pressed a kiss to her palm and then nodded for her to continue.
The words swirled around her mind, tangling together until she struggled to separate them, and though she was not one for tears, a twist of her heart had her chin trembling.
“I thought I knew what was best…” But that wasn’t right. Letting out a sigh, Victoria tried again.
“I owe you so many apologies…” And that was true enough, but not what she wished most to say. Stumbling over her thoughts, she struggled to piece them together, and all the while Elijah stood there, waiting as he always did. Patient and loving.
Victoria swallowed, forcing her throat to loosen. “I thought I had to marry for my family’s sake. I thought it was selfish of me to put my desires above theirs. That I had to do whatever was in my power to help them find happiness. But I realized even if I marry for their sake, I cannot secure that happiness. Life is too unpredictable to guarantee it.”
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, fighting through the tightness in her chest to get out the words that needed saying. When she met Elijah’s gaze again, her eyes were bright with unshed tears.
“But without you, I am guaranteed to be miserable. I cannot be happy without you in my life,” she whispered. “And so, to answer that question you’ve asked me so many times—yes.”
Elijah’s grin grew. “Yes?”
Victoria’s smile matched his, and she nodded. “Yes.” But her smile faltered as she added, “And I hope you can forgive me for having waited so—”
Elijah snatched her up in another kiss, clearing her mind of all thought and leaving her awash in the glow of his love filling her. Her heart expanded, matching the fervent adoration he showed with every touch. Only after she was so caught up in him that she could hardly remember her name did he release her lips.
“I will not listen to you verbally flog yourself for what has been,” he said with narrowed eyes.
“But—”
He held true to his promise by silencing her words with another kiss.
“There is no need to bemoan the past, my love,” he whispered, that wicked grin of his emerging again. “You are an intelligent creature, and I knew you’d come to your senses in time.”