Page 56 of His Godsent Duchess
"You certainly shall," she replied, a playful gleam in her eye.
He hesitated for a moment, then took a step closer, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed as he did so. "Perhaps I can start by asking if you would still consider joining me for those swimming lessons tomorrow?"
Christina's eyes widened, and the delicate blush that bloomed across her cheeks did not go unnoticed. "I had thought you might forget about those."
"Forget?" He raised an eyebrow. "You wound me, Christina. I never forget such important matters. I would be quite honored to teach you."
She bit her lip, clearly flustered, which only served to amuse him further. "Very well, Victor," she said with mock formality. "I shall accept. But I must warn you, I am an utter novice."
"Then I shall ensure your lessons are... thorough," Victor replied, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Christina's blush deepened, and she laughed softly, though her gaze held his, unflinching. "I do hope you will be a kind instructor, Victor."
Victor couldn't help but smile at her. "I shall do my best."
The air between them shifted, lightened, and for the first time that evening, Victor felt truly at ease. He had misstepped earlier, but the moment felt salvaged, the tension that had lingered between them now dissipating.
Victor bowed slightly. "I will bid you goodnight, then," he said, his voice softening. "Until tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Victor," Christina replied, her eyes still sparkling as she watched him retreat.
Christina paced back and forth in her bedchamber, her skirts swishing softly against the floor. Her thoughts spun faster with every step, her emotions a confusing tangle of nervousness and irritation.
The notion of Victor teaching her to swim, something that should have been simple, now left her feeling unsteady. Why did her heart race at the thought of his hands guiding her in the water? She'd never been nervous around water before—so why now?
She sighed, dragging a hand through her hair just as the door creaked open. Annie stepped inside, her face bright and her spirits clearly lifted—so different from how she had been when she first arrived at Kilton Castle.
"You look like you're about to wear a hole in the floor," Annie said, amusement in her voice. "What has you pacing like that?"
Christina stopped, exhaling a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Victor is going to teach me how to swim today."
Annie raised an eyebrow, her smile widening as she stepped further into the room. "And that's a reason to be nervous? You've never been afraid of the water before."
Christina couldn't help but laugh. "It's not the water that has me flustered, it's… well, it's Victor. I don't know why, but I feel... flutters, every time I think about it."
Annie moved to the chaise by the window, sitting gracefully and fixing her gaze on her sister. "Flutters? Oh, Christina, this is serious," she teased, her tone light but full of warmth. "Are you falling in love with him?"
The question hit Christina harder than she expected. She felt a warmth bloom in her chest at the thought, but it was accompanied by an unsettling fear. Was she falling in love with Victor? The very idea made her heart race, but at the same time, a nervous knot twisted in her stomach. It didn't make sense—why would loving her own husband make her feel so unsettled?
"I don't know," Christina admitted, sitting beside Annie. "The thought of it makes me feel... happy, but also terrified. I can't quite explain it."
Annie smiled knowingly. "Love can be both of those things at once. It's not always simple, especially when it's someone like Victor."
Christina bit her lip, feeling more vulnerable than she cared to admit. "But what if... what if he doesn't loveme? What if he never can?"
Annie's smile softened, and she reached out, taking Christina's hand. "Why would you think that?"
"Because I feel like he wants me to be something I'm not," Christina said quietly, staring down at her hands. "I fear he wants a woman who is more... controlled, more reserved. And that's not me. I don't think it ever will be."
Annie squeezed her hand gently. "You've always told me that pretending to be someone you're not only makes things worse. Don't do that to yourself, Christina. If he doesn't love the real you, then it isn't worth it."
Christina sighed, leaning back against the chaise. "I know. But it's hard not to wonder if I should change. Maybe then he would?—"
"No," Annie interrupted, her tone firm. "Don't even entertain that thought. The love wouldn't be real, and you know it."
Christina nodded, though a trace of sadness lingered. She knew Annie was right, but the fear still gnawed at her.
Annie shifted, her expression turning more serious. "Is that why you and Victor seem... distant? I've noticed something between you. It's as if you're avoiding each other, or when you're together, you argue."
