Everything and the Moon

Darling," he said distractedly,"about the moon..." "Yes?" "I don't think it matters whether you want it or not." "What are you talking about?" "The moon. I think it's yours." Victoria yawned, not bothering to open her eyes. "Fine. i'm glad to have it." "But--" Robert shook his head. He was growing fanciful. the moon didn't belong to his wife. It didn't follow her, protect her. It certainly didn't wink at anybody. But he stared out the window the rest of the way home, just in case

She'd spent seven long years without so much as a hug, and she was starved for physical affection. She had known what it was like to be touched and kissed, and she had no idea how much she'd missed it until that very moment.

It's too late," she whispered. He whirled her around. "Don't say that! We are no better than animals if we cannot learn from our mistakes and move forward." She lifted her chin. "It isn't that. I don't want to marry you anymore." And she didn't, she realized ... He paled and whispered, "You're just saying that." "I mean what I say, Robert. I don't want to marry you." "You're angry," he reasoned. "You're angry, and you want to hurt me, and you have every right to feel that way." "I'm not angry." She paused. "Well, yes, I am, but that's not why I'm refusing you." He crossed his arms. "Why, then? Why won't you even listen to me?" "Because I'm happy now! Is that so difficult for you to understand? I like my position and I love my independence.

I did what I thought was best.' "And so you kidnapped me,' she said bitterly. 'If you recall I offered you the option of residing with my relatives. You refused.' 'I want to be independent.' 'One doesn't have to be alone to be independent.' Victoria couldn't think of a suitable rebuttal to that statement, so she remained silent. 'When I marry you,' Robert said softly, 'I want it to be a partnership in every sense of the word. I want to consult you on matters of land management and tenant care. I want us to decide together how to raise our children. I don't know why you are so certain that loving me means losing yourself.

I just wasn't able to say it before now.' He blinked. 'You needed to knee a man in the groin before you could tell me you loved me?' 'No!' Then she thought about his words. 'Well, yes, in a way. I've always been so fearful that you would run my life. But I've learned that having you with me doesn't mean that I can't take care of myself as well.' 'You certainly made short work of Eversleigh.' Her chin lifted a notch and she allowed herself a satisfied smile. 'Yes, I did, didn't I? And do you know, but I think I couldn't have done it without you.' 'Victoria, you did this all on your own. I wasn't even present.' 'Yes, you were.' She picked up his hand and placed it over her heart.

She won't know how to fulfill the duties of a noblewoman.' 'She is quite bright. And one could find no fault with her manners. She has received a gentle education. I am certain she will make an excellent countess.' Robert's expression softened. 'Her very nature will bring honor to our name.

The way he had always tried to tell her he loved her when she least expected it.