Page 49 of Loving Victoria

My heart stopped seeing him lying there. With trembling hands, I ripped off my shirt to staunch the blood pouring from his head. Inside, I knew head injuries could bleed like a motherfucker, but I was too distraught to know if he was okay.

Caleb’s horse raced off, and one of the Jefferson brothers went after him. Matt vaulted off his horse and rushed over to help. I glanced at him, thankful for his help and that the snake was on the other side of the log. I fought for air with each gasping breath as my chest tightened. It was like I was having an out-of-body experience.

The other Jefferson boy was able to get rid of the snake.Matt placed his hand on Caleb’s neck to find a pulse, and a relieved grin flashed across his face.

I shuddered, knowing my brother was still with us, but the gash on his temple was quickly covering his face bright red.With a jerky breath, I steeled myself to get out of my own head and do what I needed to save Caleb.

VICTORIA

After crying for days, Mother finally convinced me to go out with her. At this point, my despair had put me at an all-time low. I was so despondent I couldn’t fight off her suggestion. She wanted to take me to lunch and meet up with one of my society girlfriends I hadn’t seen in a while. I honestly hadn’t felt guilty at all that I hadn’t spoken to Natalie in ages. She was one of my mother-approved friends I never cared to be around much.

The restaurant we went to for lunch was one of my favorites. By the time I’d finished my salad, I was getting suspicious. Mother only tolerated this restaurant when I’d insisted on coming here, and she hadn’t complained once about the food. She was being too nice. Something was off.

Natalie met up with us just as we were finishing lunch, which was also odd, since I’d thought she was supposed to join us. She only had time for one drink before we finished and the three of us climbed into the car waiting outside.

“What’s going on?” I asked, my gaze narrowing on each of them. Natalie was practically bouncing in her seat.

“I’m just so excited you’re home. I’ve missed you.” She yanked me in for a hug.

As I pulled away from her, my mother leaned in close, and something brushed against me.When I turned, a silky fabric slid over my head and across my eyes, blinding me. I let out a sharp cry as the fabric tightened and was secured to my face. Shock and anger raced through me, and I lifted my hands to my eyes to rip off the offending blindfold.

“Come on, dear. You’ll ruin our surprise,” Mother’s smooth voice sounded behind me.

“What the hell is going on?” I let go of the blindfold, leaving it in place. Now I was curious about what they thought they might be doing. I honestly wasn’t as worried as I probably should have been, but it wasn’t like my mother and girlfriend were going to murder me or anything.

“Language, dear. You need to start acting like the lady you are. We have something special planned for you today.” Her cool fingertips brushed my arm, and then she left her hand there. My guess it was to make sure I didn’t tear off the blindfold. Then she patted my hand reassuringly. “We’re nearly there. It’s not that far.”

Not that far? I tried to think of what was around the restaurant that she would want to go to, but I was drawing a blank. I hadn’t really been home in years.Were they throwing me a bridal shower? It didn’t seem like something my mother would do or be excited about.

My stomach twisted in knots. Surprises from my mother rarely were something I enjoyed. This was more for her than for me. The car turned left, then right, then jostled as we went straight up. I wiped my palms on my pants.

“Surprise!” Natalie yelled, ripping off my blindfold.

My jaw dropped, and I felt my eyes grow huge as I stared at the building in front of me. “We’re taking you dress shopping.” Natalie squeezed my shoulders.

“There’s no better time than now. You have me and your maid of honor here to help you pick out the perfect dress for your special day,” Mom said. I hadn’t asked Natalie to be my anything. I didn’t want this wedding. I just wanted to go to my bed and curl into a ball under the covers.

Natalie and my mother corralled me through the front door, only to be greeted by two women dressed in black. “You must me the bride. We’re so pleased to meet you. Your mother has told us all about you.”

“Oh, really.” I eyed my mother, who was beaming at the saleswomen.

“She told us the wedding is very soon so you need a dress quickly. Do you have any styles picked out you might like to try on? Mermaid, ballgown, A-line, strapless? I heard you were in the States recently, and I know the Bohemian style is very in over there.”

The blonde woman continued, but I didn’t bother responding. I knew any minute Mother was going to give her opinion, and no one was going to listen to me.

A weddingvery soon. My stomach churned, knowing she was going to make sure this sham of a wedding happened as soon as humanly possible.

As to be expected, my mother rushed in and took over the conversation. I wandered away and made my way through the maze of gowns. This place was huge. There had to be hundreds of dresses in here.

Randomly, I took one out from the rack and glanced at it. It was very sparkly and had a plunging sweetheart neckline.

Too much for me.

I shoved it between the other dresses and continued down the row. My fingertips ran along the edges of the dresses hung on this rack. A delicate lace one caught my attention next. It was a strapless A-line and simply gorgeous in an understated way. It was exactly what I would pick if I had the choice. But I knew my mother would never allow me to wear the beautiful creation. My hand hesitated as I lifted the hanger. I gave the dress one last longing look and returned it to its place. Determined to push the sudden thought of me wearing that dress for Andrew and Caleb, I went farther down the line.

“Is there anything you like you want me to put in the dressing room, Lady Whitelaw?” The second saleswoman had apparently been keeping an eye on me.

“No, it’s okay. My mom knows what she wants to see me in.”

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