Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,67

unfocused as he absorbed it all. Only when Miss Caswell finished did he speak.

“And so, you feel you must marry someone willing and able to aid your sisters’ dowries and improve their marriage prospects. Without that, their chances will be greatly reduced, and your parents’ family will offer no assistance, leaving it all on your shoulders.”

It was a stark summary of what Miss Caswell had said, and yet it was truthful and not far from what he’d suspected before she unburdened herself. Though Lily and the other young ladies among his extended family would not be forced into such a position, Oliver knew many young ladies were. For all that society had come to accept love as an important component of any marriage, it was a sad fact that most unions were still based on finances in some manner.

Miss Caswell winced and pressed a hand to her stomach. “I wish I could say I am not as mercenary as that, but I fear I have no defense.”

“Do you realize that not once in that entire confession did you mention your financial security? Your entire focus has been on securing your family’s future,” he replied with a hint of a smile. “I would say that is entirely defensible and hardly mercenary.”

Turning her head a fraction in his direction, Miss Caswell examined Oliver, no doubt searching for sincerity or duplicity in his expression, and he obliged with all the earnestness he felt.

“You have nothing to be ashamed of, Miss Caswell. If anything, I think your motives speak highly of your love, loyalty, and self-sacrifice.”

Her brows drew together, and a hint of uncertainty clouded her gaze. Oliver had never thought to see that indomitable young lady hesitate, and in many ways that vulnerability made her all the more endearing. Her confidence was admirable, but it was comforting to know she had feet of clay.

“However,” he said, “I cannot understand why you are denying me when I would serve your purpose to perfection.”

*

Though far from genteel or decorous, Victoria let out a low groan that would’ve had her mama rapping her knuckles. There was no other reaction to have when faced with a gentleman too generous for either of their good. Of course, his declaration also proved the fellow was a fool of the highest order, which did not recommend him—regardless of the health of his pocketbook.

“You cannot be serious, Mr. Kingsley!”

“And you cannot think I could happily abandon you after such a confession, Miss Caswell.”

Sloughing off the lackwit’s arm, Victoria sprang to her feet. With arms flung wide, she answered him by asking, “And you think I could live with myself knowing that a good man fell on his proverbial sword for my family? Do you think I could sacrifice your future for theirs?”

Mr. Kingsley’s brows rose. “You speak as though marrying you is akin to prison. Whatever your motivation for this union, I am certain we will make a good go of it. We have a foundation of mutual trust and friendship, which is far better than most.”

With a hand on her hip and the other pinching her nose, Victoria paced in front of Mr. Kingsley, thinking all sorts of terribly uncharitable thoughts about his mental faculties and the idiocy of men.

Her insides gave a sickening twist and tightened as Victoria moved back and forth, gathering her thoughts. Each step ticked off another reason she ought to remain mum and accept Mr. Kingsley. Her family’s security. Her sisters’ futures. The fellow wasn’t wrong that their marriage was likely to be a success when compared to so many others’. Each thought begged her to set aside her misgivings and accept. It would be so easy.

But even as the temptation whispered all its tantalizing lies, painting a glorious picture of their future together, a shadow of guilt crept over it.

Victoria crossed her arms and watched Mr. Kingsley with narrowed eyes, though he did not meet her gaze. “It is not unusual for a courting couple to never make it to matrimony, so you have no responsibility to me. And my family’s financial troubles are not your responsibility. So, I cannot fathom why you are so determined to chase after a duty that isn’t yours to bear when you are enamored with another.”

Mr. Kingsley leaned forward, scrubbing at his head with a tense huff. “I will not deny I admire Miss Banfield—”

Victoria dropped onto the wall beside him, taking his hand in hers as she spoke over any weak protestations he might mount. “Please do