Page 50 of His Godsent Duchess
Christina let out a soft, musical laugh and shook her head. "Oh, Victor, youknowthey are," she replied, glancing up at him with a playful smile. "No doubt they are quite surprised to find their father in such a… romantic mood."
He looked down at her, one brow arching slightly as a teasing spark appeared in his eyes. "Romantic, am I?" he mused, as though the notion was foreign to him. "And what is it, pray tell, that has given you such a notion?"
Her pulse quickened under the weight of his gaze, but she returned his teasing with equal measure, tilting her chin up just slightly. "Well, let us see. You have swept me from the dining table, taken me by the hand, and now lead me toward—" She paused, glancing down the corridor they walked. "Whereareyou leading me?"
The corner of his mouth twitched as though he were holding back a smile. "Would you not like to know?"
"I suspect," she said lightly, "that you are plotting to make me fall in love with you."
Victor chuckled, the sound rich and low, filling the otherwise quiet hallway. "Perhaps," he murmured, his tone half-serious, half-playful. "Though if that were my goal, I should hope I have made some progress."
Christina's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected intensity in his voice, and a blush warmed her cheeks. She smiled but felt her breath quicken, the ease of their conversation suddenly fading.
As they approached the grand double doors of the ballroom, Victor led her through them with a deliberate grace, guiding her into the vast, empty space beyond. The room was silent save for the faint echo of their footsteps on the polished floor, and the chandeliers above glimmered softly in the evening light.
Victor released her hand gently and strode toward a small table in the corner, where an elegant music box rested. He wound it with deliberate care, and soon, the soft strains of a familiar waltz filled the air, weaving a delicate melody through the stillness of the room.
He turned back to her, his expression softened, though the intensity in his eyes had not waned. With a slow, graceful bow, he extended his hand toward her once more. "May I have the pleasure of this dance, my lady?"
Christina's heart raced at the formality of his tone, and her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of him—so composed, yet so unlike the guarded man she had come to know. She hesitated only for a moment before placing her hand in his, feeling a thrill of anticipation as he drew her toward him.
"I would be honored," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Victor's hand found its place at the small of her back, firm yet gentle, and together they began to move, their steps in perfect harmony as they swept across the ballroom floor. The rhythm of the waltz carried them, and for a moment, it felt as though they were the only two souls in existence. Christina found herself speaking, though she was unsure why—perhaps to fill the air, to ease the flutter of nerves that his closeness had stirred within her.
"Did you… did you plan this evening with such care, Victor?" she asked, her words light, though her pulse thrummed in her ears. "You surprise me."
He glanced down at her, a faint smile curving his lips as they twirled. "You are surprised? Do you think me incapable of such arrangements?"
She laughed softly, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. "Not incapable," she conceded, her eyes sparkling. "But it is not often that you go to such lengths. A private waltz in an empty ballroom? You are full of surprises this evening."
"Perhaps I wish to keep you guessing," he replied, his tone soft but with a hint of mischief.
They continued to glide across the floor, their movements smooth and effortless. Christina felt the warmth of his hand at her back, the steady rhythm of his steps guiding hers, and though she struggled to keep her thoughts steady, she found herself succumbing to the moment, to the way he held her with such certainty.
She spoke again, her voice quieter this time. "The children mentioned a lake," she began, her eyes lifting to meet his. "Is it the one you used to visit with Christian?"
Victor's expression softened at the mention of his brother, and for a moment, a shadow passed over his face. "It is," he said after a pause, his voice more subdued. "It was a place we often went as boys."
"And now the children speak of it," she said, smiling at the thought. "How did they come to know of it?"
A faint chuckle escaped him, though there was a wistful note to it. "I can only assume they have found their way there on their own. They are far more resourceful than I give them credit for."
Christina laughed, the sound light and full of affection. "Oh, Victor, you truly have no idea what they are capable of. They are as curious as they are determined."
His gaze softened as he looked down at her, and for a moment, the weight of his responsibilities seemed to lift. "Would you care to see it?" he asked, his voice quieter now, almost intimate. "I could show you."
Christina's heart skipped at the offer, though she felt a sudden rush of nervousness at the thought. "I… I should like that very much," she said softly. "But there is one thing you must know—I do not know how to swim."
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the space between them seemed to shrink even further. Victor's voice, when he spoke, was low and steady. "Then I shall teach you."
The thought of being so close to him, in such a vulnerable setting, sent a thrill through her that she could not ignore. She nodded, feeling her pulse race. "Very well," she whispered. "I trust you."
Victor's hand tightened at her waist, drawing her closer as they continued to dance. The music seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the two of them, swaying in the dimly lit ballroom. She could feel his breath against her cheek, the warmth of his body enveloping her, and it was as though the rest of the world had fallen away.
After a moment, she spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps we might attend a ball in London," she suggested, her heart racing at the thought. "I imagine thetonwould be most curious to see you with your wife."
Victor's lips quirked into a smile. "Indeed, they would," he agreed, his voice low. "I suspect we would make quite the impression."
