Page 18 (1/2)

Robert raised an insolent brow, glancing at the clock on her bedside table "Really no bad could your day possibly be at this ti?"

She tried to brush past hi Neville?" His hand closed around her arm, and he kicked the door shut behind hiood friend Raraciously volunteered to entertain the little brat all "

Victoria shut her eyes for aher He had always been so organized, always attending to the smallest of details She should have known he'd find a way to occupy Neville if he wanted to see her alone

When she opened her eyes he was idly exa a book on her bedside table "Noup the book, a rather dry discussion of the study of astronomy

Her chin lifted a fraction of an inch "I don't enjoy roh the pages of the book "I had no idea you so enjoyed astronomy"

Victoria sed, not about to tell him that the moon and stars made her feel closer to hiht he'd been "My lord," she said with a sigh "Why are you doing this?"

He shrugged and sat on her s what?"

"This!" She threw up her ar on"You're on et off my bed"

He smiled slowly "Make me"

"I ae"

"No?" He leaned back against her pillows and crossed his ankles "Don't worry My boots are clean"

Victoria's eyes narrowed, and then she picked up the basin full of water she used for washing and dumped it on his head and chest "I take that back," she said acidly "I can be quite childish when the occasion warrants"

"Good Christ, wo off the bed Water ran in rivulets down his face, soaking his cravat and shirt

Victoria leaned against the wall and crossed her arms, quite pleased with her handiwork "Do you know," she said with a satisfied sht with the world after all"