Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,52

cannot be?”

“Please, do not give up on us, Victoria.” Elijah’s handsome eyes gave weight to his pleading tone.

“I cannot abandon my family to pursue my own desires.”

Elijah nodded, though the determination in his gaze did not fade. He stepped towards her and took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips and pressing another token to her palm. “I meant it, Victoria. I will not cry defeat. There is no retreat for me.”

Her feet seemed to move of their own accord, drawing her closer, her lips drawing out his name like a prayer. But sense returned, and she shook her head.

“I am not free, Elijah.”

And with that, Victoria hitched her skirts and ran after her sister. Miriam had not been so bold as to do the same, and Victoria caught her before the edge of the clearing. Grabbing Miriam by the arm, Victoria tugged her to a stop.

“How could you do that to Mr. Kingsley?” Miriam fairly shouted, and Victoria cringed at the accusation ringing through the forest.

“I’ve done nothing—”

“You were kissing another man!” Miriam’s words were harsh and biting, and Victoria tried to hush her, casting a glance around them, but they were too far from any others to be heard.

“I admit it wasn’t an honorable thing to do,” said Victoria, reaching for her sister’s hand, though Miriam moved away. “However, Mr. Kingsley and I are not engaged yet…”

But that excuse sounded hollow even to her desperate ears.

Miriam’s jaw tightened and her gaze held such disappointment and disgust that a flash of heat swept over Victoria, settling into her heart like a stone. In all the protestations she’d given Elijah, Victoria hadn’t spared one thought to how her actions betrayed her beau.

“It was wrong, but it wasn’t intentional. I hadn’t anticipated…” Victoria’s words trailed off, her cheeks blazing as she thought about how to describe it. Speaking explicitly of the kisses felt too personal, and calling it an interlude was too impersonal. So, she began anew. “…I did not enter those woods anticipating a tryst. But neither can I say I was unhappy about it.”

Leaning forward, Victoria held Miriam’s gaze, infusing it with all the joyful feelings of her heart. “I love Mr. Dixon.”

Miriam’s brows pinched together, her mouth twisting into a frown. “How can you say that? Mr. Kingsley is a good man, Victoria. Even if you did not care about his family’s resources and all the blessings that brings, he is kind and generous and apt to be as good a husband as any lady could desire.”

“And Mr. Dixon will be as good a husband—”

“Do you truly wish to live in a tiny rented house in a poor neighborhood with a dozen squalling brats filling the place to bursting?” asked Miriam, her head shaking at the very thought of it. “Or do you wish to go on as Mama and Papa have done, feigning wealth while living in fear that someone will discover the truth or the debt collectors will finally call their bill due? Either way, you will spend your life counting every shilling and fretting over every expense. Is that what you want when Mr. Kingsley is offering you so much more?”

Miriam’s words shivered along Victoria’s spine; what woman would wish for such a difficult life? But the worry did not settle long inside her.

“I admit it would be difficult at first, but Mr. Dixon has a bright future ahead of him. He is bound to be successful in his career, and any hardships endured at first would ease. It is a price I am willing to pay if I can be his wife.”

In truth, Victoria didn’t know why she was speaking of such things. She knew the course set out for her. The proper choice to be made. And yet, this confrontation was drawing forth all the pleadings of her heart, which promised her a glorious future with Elijah was possible.

Her sister stilled, not even breathing as Victoria spoke. For several long moments, Miriam merely held her sister’s gaze.

“And what of Irene, Gladys, and myself? How are we to marry with our pitiful dowries?”

Victoria opened her mouth to respond, though no words were forthcoming, and Miriam spoke over her at any rate.

“I would never ask you to marry unhappily or to some brute. I couldn’t stand the thought of you shouldering a lifetime of agony for our sakes,” whispered Miriam with wide, desperate eyes as she took Victoria’s hand in hers. “But Mr. Kingsley is a good man. Yours would be a strong