Victoria sat outside her father’s bedchamber, waiting for the inevitable to happen. He had been sick for a very long time, and he was at the end of his tether. She looked at her sister, Katherine, and was disgusted at the view she saw. Her sister was crying noisily into her handkerchief, and sloppily wiping her eyes. The only reason Katherine had for her tears was because she would no longer be coddled, with every whim being fulfilled immediately after making it known.
Katherine had definitely been the spoiled one out of the two, and it made Victoria sick. It was then that their mother emerged from the dark room.
The two girls stood up immediately, and their mother, tightlipped, told them that their father had left this world. Katherine ran, sobbing, toward her room, and Victoria rolled her eyes at her sister’s hysterics. “What are we to do now?” Victoria asked her mother.
Her mother sighed and answered, “I don’t know, Victoria, I just don’t know.”
Victoria inwardly cursed her father’s soul, hoping that she still had time to curse it before God made the wrong decision and admitted the man to heaven. He had left them in terrible debt because of his reckless gambling. He had left them without their dignity, for he had more mistresses than either Victoria or her mother could count. He had left them with no money, and nowhere to go.
“I suppose I’ll have to work,” Victoria’s mother said suddenly. “I could always be one of those women who teach men the proper ways. We’d also have to move into a smaller house, of course. There is no way I could make enough money to even dream of beginning to keep a house like this up. We’ll have to get rid of every servant.” She broke off, heavily sighing again. “What did I see in that man?” She wondered aloud, and walked toward the stairs that led to the servant’s quarters. She would need to gather them, and inform them all of their changed circumstances.
Victoria offered one more curse upon her father’s soul. Hoping that hers was the one to send him to the fires of hell.
Corey glared at his father across the table. “You cannot be serious.”
"I’m very serious indeed, Corey.” His father answered. “The only way you will inherit the estate is if you go to London and learn to be a proper gentleman. Your uncle obviously believe me too far gone to help, and you are the only one he has any hope of ‘humanizing’, I believe was the term he used. He will not give you the estate if you don’t go out there, and we need that estate to keep this plantation running. It may seem as though it runs smoothly enough, but with all the talk of emancipating the slaves going around, I don’t know how long we will have our free labor.”
“Freeing the slaves? Ha! No one is going to free our slaves. We treat them well enough. They aren’t overworked, they are well fed, too well fed if you ask me, and they almost never get sick. When they do get sick, the doctor is called and they are well again inside a week. Those people in England don’t understand how life is out here, they don’t realize that our economy depends on them.”
“No matter, you will inherit that estate, and if that means you go to London, you are going to London. Am I clear on that?” His father arched a brow as if he didn’t know what the answer would be.
“Yes, you’re clear on that. May I leave now?” Corey didn’t wait for an answer; instead he left the room and went up to his room to pack for the trip. He slammed his clothes into his pack, and smiled to himself wondering what London’s reaction to him would be. He wasn’t well bred by any means. He had spent his entire life running around their plantation with nothing but breeches on, and was tanned to a most scandalous degree. He decided that the trip to London would be fun if he wanted it to be, and mentally planned what he could do to cause an uproar and still appear innocent. It was a juvenile game, he knew, but he wasn’t about to go and not have a good time.
The entire trip over was miserable. Corey discovered that the Atlantic was nothing like the calm waters by his home. He had been sick for most of the journey, and almost danced with joy at the news that they would be docking that morning. He pulled on a brightly colored shirt, and a pair of breeches before picking up his pack and going on deck.
When the boat docked, he was the first off the vessel. As soon as his feet hit the hard earth he offered a prayer of thankfulness to the heavens above. He then looked around him. He was shocked at what he saw. Or didn’t see for that matter. The air was polluted beyond belief, there were more people in his immediate area than there were on his whole home island, and for the first time in his life, he shivered with cold. At that moment he decided something. He hated England.
Victoria stared openmouthed at the man who had just stepped off the ship. His shirt was more colors than she had ever seen, and much too bright, and his skin was the darkest shade she had ever seen. She decided right away that her mother had her work cut out for her. She walked up to him, and asked, “Corey Douglas?”
He looked at her and answered, “Yes, are you--”
“I’m her daughter,” she interrupted, “My name is Victoria and I’m here to bring you home. I’d appreciate it if you’d hurry it up a little bit, you’ve managed to call attention to yourself quite nicely and I don’t want to be in the center of attention with you.”
Corey smiled to himself. He’d accomplished his first goal. He followed Victoria to the carriage that was waiting for them. They sat on opposite sides, staring each other down.
“I don’t want you here. I might as well tell you that from the start. My father died, leaving us in a great amount of debt, and we had no way to get out. Most of our possessions were taken, and this is the only way we can repay what is still owed. I believe we can get along, however, if you just stay out of my way. I can ignore you if you don’t make it so difficult.” Victoria looked at him, awaiting a response.
“I too don’t wish to be here,” he began. “I am to inherit an estate from my uncle when he passes, but the only I can get it is if I am formally trained in how to behave. Our plantation is run primarily by slaves—“
“Slaves?” Victoria asked, horrified. “You own slaves?”
“Yes,” he answered. “And it looks as though slavery will be abolished very soon, and we don’t have the money to keep on nearly as many hands as we need. That’s why I have submitted myself to such a degrading thing as this. I believe that it will be quite easy to stay away from you. Although I would ask in return that you stay away from me.”
“I would be more than happy to,” she shot back.
Corey then decided to get her riled one last time. “And in case you’re thinking about it, I’m a confirmed bachelor, I don’t want, or need, any females running around my life. I’m not interested.”
“Poor Kate,” Victoria murmured, thinking about how her sister’s plans would be so terribly ruined.
“What was that?” Corey asked.
“Nothing,” she replied. She sat back in her seat, thinking of how wonderful it was going to be to watch Katherine chase after a man who wasn’t in the least interested. Katherine had always been flirting to get what she wanted. She was purely alive for the sake of attention from men. Victoria highly doubted she was even still pure. Katherine had commented just that morning how it would be so nice to have a new male around. The regulars were getting to be “dull and dreadfully tiring”. Victoria thought that maybe Corey’s visit wouldn’t be without entertainment after all.
Corey had been there a week, and Katherine was still playing the shy female. She must really want him, Victoria thought, she’s never held out this long before. She looked across the table at her sister, who was demurely eating her dinner, with her eyes lowered. She then turned her gaze to her mother, who was trying, without success, to teach Corey how to talk. She then looked at Corey, who was trying, also without success, to eat with the proper utensils. “Corey, you use the salad fork to eat your salad, that’s why it was given that name. It’s the one on the outside.”
“Victoria, will you let me teach him, please? I don’t want to overwhelm the poor boy with too many instructions. I’ll work on his eating habits when he can talk like a gentleman.” Her mother chastised her.
“There is a specific fork for eating specific things?” He asked in bewilderment. “You people are stranger than I thought.”
“Corey!”
Victoria smiled as her mother preached to him about manners. Things eventually quieted down, and Victoria hated eating in silence. She decided to try to bring Corey to his senses about one thing. “Mother, Corey tells me that they keep slaves on his plantation, isn’t that simply dreadful? How can you keep humans as work animals and not think anything of it? It’s inhumane!”
Her mother looked at Corey, “Is it true? Do you really keep slaves on your plantation?”
Corey sighed, “Yes. The slaves are necessary for the plantation to run smoothly. They are well treated, despite what rumors are going around. They are taken care of very well, and are fed like kings. None of them have any complaints about the way they are treated.”
“And what would happen if they were to complain? Would you rush to soothe their worries? Or would you beat them as a lesson to the others?” Victoria was truly becoming angry now.
“Now see here, I have never whipped or beat any of my slaves, and I never will. That is one practice I will never adopt. None of them have ever complained, so I truly couldn’t tell you how we would handle it. I assure you that if it were a reasonable request it would be considered.”
“Reasonable to who, Corey? You or them?”
“Victoria, that’s enough.” Her mother glared at her, and she knew that she had gone about as far as she could.
“I for one agree with Corey.” Everyone looked at Katherine, who was speaking for the first time in Corey’s presence. “If he says that they are essential to life out there, then I believe he is in a better position to judge that than any of us are.” She smiled at Corey, who smiled back at her appreciatively.
“Thank you for that, Katherine. At least one of you has a sensible head on your shoulders.”
At that Victoria’s mother went into another tirade about manners and respect.
“Corey, no. You bow at the waist, not the neck. Bowing at the neck is a nod, you don’t nod to a woman you’ve just been introduced to, you bow to her.”
Corey groaned. “Everything is so much easier back home. None of this bowing and simpering and courting. It’s enough to either make a man dizzy or sick. Or perhaps both.”
Victoria looked up from her book. “That’s simply because things are so uncivilized where you come from. If you live around improper things, than the normal proper things seems much harder than they actually are. It’s all in the breeding. It’s not your fault you were brought up as a savage.”
“Now see here--” Corey began.
Victoria’s mother wanted to stop the argument before it turned into one of the many fights that these two had. She clapped her hands to get their attention. “Perhaps we should work on his dancing for now.”
“Good luck, Mother. Take care he doesn’t step on your toes too much.”
“Don’t worry about that, Victoria, it’ll be your toes he’s stepping on.” At her daughters shocked expression she laughed. “Come along, Victoria, you can’t play, and he needs music to learn. Therefore the only thing left is to be his partner. Now get over here and stop gaping at me.”
Victoria stood up and woodenly placed herself in front of him. Her mother put his hands in the proper places and straightened Victoria’s back. “Victoria, loosen up, he’ll never learn with you this tense, oh that’s much too much, can’t you find something in the middle? There, that’s good.”
Victoria stared at Corey. She had never been this close to him, and she realized just how big he truly was. His shoulders were twice hers in width, and the most muscular she had ever seen. His jacket was pulled taught with their massiveness. Despite his strength, he held her gently. As if she would break with the slightest pressure.
It was then that the music started. It was a waltz, leave it to her mother to begin that way. He moved fluidly with the music, it seemed he was born to do this. She could only stare at him in amazement. He had black unruly hair that would not do at all were he to appear in public. His eyes, however, didn’t need to be changed at all. They were a stunning green. The greenest she had ever seen in her life. She had a gown of that color, but never before had she imagined someone would have eyes to match it.
“What are you staring at?” Corey asked.
“Hmmm? Oh, sorry, I was um, lost in thought. Forgive me.” She then turned her full attentions to her dancing, not wanting to be caught staring again.
It was Corey’s turn to examine her.
He started at the crown of her head, which only came to his chin. She had dark hair that curled tightly from the roots to the tips. His smallest finger wouldn’t even fit into one of those curls. He then moved to her delicate features. Her skin was a soft milky white, in strict contrast to his pirate’s complexion. Hey eyes were a deep blue, dark and haunting. She was slim, and seemingly fragile, but with a hidden strength.
“What are you staring at?”
Corey looked down at the woman who had disturbed his thoughts. “Nothing, just lost in thought,” he answered.
The two continued their dancing with a very jealous sibling watching, and glaring, from a dark corner of the room.
Victoria walked to her room, humming to herself. Suddenly, Katherine was looming up in front of her. “What do you think you’re doing?” Katherine demanded.
“Going to my room,” Victoria answered as if a four-year-old had asked the question.
“Why were you flirting with him like that? You know I like him, yet you went ahead and flirted with him anyway, how could you do that Victoria?” Katherine proceeded to burst into tears.
Victoria rolled her eyes. “First, I have no idea what you’re talking about, I was certainly not flirting with him. Second, you only like him because he is available. Third, stop your crying you aren’t fooling me with those tears, and they are really quite annoying.
Katherine sniffed, and glared at her sister. “You’re going to tell me that when you danced--”
Victoria burst into laughter. “You think that I wanted to dance with him? Are you insane? Mother forced me to because I don’t know how to play, and she needed to provide the music. There was no one else around, and he couldn’t very well dance by himself, so I was ordered to play his partner.”
“I saw the way you looked at him, Victoria, and the way he looked at you.” She continued her glaring, this time as if trying to kill her sister where she stood. “Stay away from him, Victoria, I’m going to marry him whether you like it or not.”
Someone cleared their throat and the sisters turned to see who had disrupted their meeting. It was the butler. “Miss Victoria, a Miss Audrey here to see you.”
Victoria smiled, “Thank you, I’ll see to her in a moment.” She glared back at her sister, “If you’ve finished?” She didn’t wait for an answer, instead turned on her heel and brushed past her down the hall.
“Audrey!” Victoria exclaimed as she embraced her friend. “How are you? I hadn’t heard from you in so long I thought you may have perished on me.”
“Always the one for dramatics,” Audrey commented.
The two had been friends since childhood. They were more sisters now than anything. They had even begun calling each other’s parents by “mother” and “papa”. The two were inseparable. “Wait until you hear what Katherine has been up to,” Victoria said as she rang for one of the servants. She asked them to bring her and Audrey some tea and continued with her story. “Well, you know how Mother has taken in that dreadful man from Barbados to train to be a gentleman?”
“Yes, how is he doing, anyway?”
“Oh, he’s simply dreadful,” Victoria commented as she made a face to emphasize her point. “But anyway, Katherine has set her sights on him. You should have seen what she did the other night.” The girls continued to talk about the things that Katherine had done in the past to get men. Some of them so outrageous the girls gave in to fits of laughter that didn’t subside for some minutes.
“I wonder what she will do next to this Corey fellow,” Audrey mused.
“I sure it’s not anything like what she did to poor Mr. Beringer’s son.” The two girls laughed again at the memory of a soaked Katherine storming out of the lake that she had fallen into after luring an unfortunate fellow to take her on a boat ride on a secluded river to get him to merely kiss her. The man had become so distraught at the thought of kissing her that he fled to his side of the boat, making the weight uneven, and tipping it over.
“Oh, poor Corey,” Audrey commented.
“Yes,” Victoria agreed, “poor Corey.”
Victoria and Katherine sat at a table playing cards, and listening while their mother lectured Corey for the millionth time about how to bow properly. Katherine never took her eyes off of him, and he would occasionally look up, but look past her and at Victoria. This made Katherine very angry, and Victoria, who was completely oblivious to Corey, wondered why she began to slam her cards onto the table.
Just as Victoria was about to ask Katherine what was wrong, the Butler walked in. “An invitation for our Mr. Corey.”
Victoria’s mother rushed over to open it for him. “It’s an invitation from Almacks, “ she announced. “The Patronesses have heard of him, and want to get to know him better. This is wonderful!”
Katherine squealed with delight and ran up to her mother to read the invitation over. Corey looked helplessly at Victoria, who just shrugged her shoulders in response. “Do you understand what this means?” Katherine asked him, tugging on his sleeve. At his silence, she answered, “This is the biggest honor you can achieve! It’s amazing.” She kissed his cheek, and he looked half shocked, half disgusted. Before Victoria could contemplate what expression he was wearing, he was pulled out of the room, Katherine and her mother each holding one of his hands.
Victoria only rolled her eyes as she picked up the cards. She repeated her earlier statement of “Poor Corey” to herself.
Victoria truly didn’t understand the extent of “poor Corey” until the night at Almacks. Victoria hated these dances, and didn’t understand how anyone could enjoy them. She usually spent most of the night in the powder rooms, listening to gossip, and joining in occasionally. She fit in well with the crowd there, but didn’t particularly like the dancing. It’s not that she couldn’t do it, however, she just didn’t like it.
She was just leaving one of the rooms to step out onto the balcony to catch a breath of air. It was stifling hot in there, and she needed to cool off. She noted that Corey had been given permission to waltz. It was a very new dance, and you needed the approval of the patronesses before you could dance it. She noted next something more profound, he was dancing with Katherine. The most risqué of dances, and Katherine knew it. Victoria was going to give her an earful that night.
As she was stepping out onto the balcony, an old family friend stopped her. "Oh, Victoria, give my congratulations to your sister.”
Victoria stared at her in shock. “Give my sister your congratulations? For what?”
“For her upcoming marriage of course.”
“For her--” Victoria stopped to think. No, it wasn’t possible. Katherine would never stoop that low. She stole another look down at her sister dancing with Corey. “To whom is my sister getting married?” She asked, fearing the answer.
“To that young man down there of course,” The woman answered.
“Where did you hear this?” Victoria demanded.
“Well, nowhere, it’s just that this is his fourth waltz with her, and—“
“Damn her.” Victoria interrupted. The woman stared at Victoria in shock. “Pardon me,” Victoria apologized, and went in search of her mother. She found her a short time later, talking with some old friends. “Mother, I’m really feeling quite ill and would like to go home now.”
Her mother looked at her, and commented, “Yes, you are looking rather pale. You go out to the carriage, I’ll find Katherine and Corey and be along in a few moments.”
Victoria sat in the carriage steaming. How could her sister sink so low. Corey surely hadn’t known what he was doing. And what if Corey refused to marry her still? Katherine didn’t have much of a reputation to ruin, Victoria then realized.
It was at that moment that the rest of the party entered the carriage. Victoria glared at her sister, and she glared back. No one said anything the entire ride home.
Victoria took a deep breath and took hold of the handle on her sister’s bedchamber door. She turned it, opened the door, walked in, and swiftly shut it behind her. She watched her sister brush her long blond hair in the mirror for a few moments. “What do you want, Victoria?”
“Why did you do that?” She demanded.
“Do what?” Katherine was very good at acting innocent, that much credit Victoria would give her.
“You know very well what.” She spat back. “You waltzed with him four times, Katherine, four times! Twice is bad, three times is scandalous, but four times? It’s unheard of. I don’t even think married couples will dance four waltzes together. You knew that he didn’t know what he was doing, you are only ruining what’s left of your reputation even further. They will forgive him easily enough, but you. What were you thinking? You amaze even me, Katherine, you know that?”
Katherine smiled at her reflection in the mirror. A smug self-satisfied smile. “I’m going to marry him, Victoria. No matter what I have to do to do that. He’s so incredibly handsome, and wealthy. Of course, I’ll have to overlook his tan, and his rough manners, but I’m sure he’ll make up for that in bed more than well enough.”
“Stop it!” Victoria cried. “When did you become so vulgar? You are Papa’s daughter all right. You’re just as deceitful, and heartless as he ever was. You care about no one but yourself, nothing but your own pleasure. You make me sick, Katherine.”
Katherine smiled coldly at her. “As if I care. Now, if you’re finished with your little speech, kindly leave me alone.”
Victoria turned on her heel and left the room.
The next morning Victoria dressed and left for Audrey’s house. She was shown in and almost immediately Audrey was downstairs. “Oh, Victoria, I heard about Katherine. Does Corey even realize what he’s done?”
“I highly doubt that,” Victoria said as she removed her hat. “Katherine is cold and calculating and will stop at nothing to get him. I’ve never seen her this determined before. It’s almost frightening.”
“Her game has turned dangerous, Victoria, You have to tell Corey what’s going on before she snares him and he can’t get out of it.”
"Like he would listen to me,” Victoria said with a laugh. “He hates me, and I hate him. We aren’t even civil to each other anymore. We gave up that pretense about a month ago. He won’t believe a single word coming out of my mouth.”
“You have to try. As much as you hate him, could you stand to see him marry Katherine, knowing you may have prevented it? I know you aren’t that cold.” Audrey smiled, knowing she was right.
Victoria sighed. “I suppose not. I have to be nice then?” Audrey nodded. “I have to warn him?” Again, a nod. “You are certainly no fun. I wanted to see him squirm some more.”
“Victoria!” Audrey chastised as she laughed.
“Oh, Audrey, I truly hate to run out on you, but I promised mother I’d be home by noon. It’s almost eleven thirty now. I really do have to get going. I’ll come visit you again soon. And don’t be a stranger.”
“You know I take your invites seriously, Victoria, I just might stop by now.” The two girls hugged, and Victoria hurriedly went home. She wanted to talk to Corey before her mother came looking for her.
She found Corey sitting in the library reading a book. She cleared her throat to get his attention. He looked up, shocked to see her standing there. “Victoria? What do you want?”
“I need to talk to you,” she began. “It’s a matter of some import, and I know it’s going to sound insane, but believe me it’s the truth.”
Corey put his book down and walked up to her. “Whatever is the matter, stop wringing your hands, it’s making me nervous.”
Victoria separated her hands, and continued. “You danced with Katherine four times last night, Corey.” He nodded. “Do you know what that means?” He shook his head. “Well, if you dance one waltz with a girl, its not very much to talk about, it just shows that the male is slightly interested. The second waltz suggests that there’s more than just innocent interest involved. The third, means that the couple is either engaged or married, usually married. Corey, I’ve never seen anyone dance four waltzes together. Not even old crotchety couples.”
“Well, simply inform everyone that I didn’t realize dancing with a girl was going to cause so much trouble. I didn’t mean anything by it.” Corey truly wasn’t making any connection here. Typical male, Victoria thought.
“Corey, Katherine knows that as well as I do. She knows what three waltzes mean. She herself has never before seen any couple dance four together. She did it on purpose Corey. She’s trying to trap you.”
Victoria watched as a slow smile spread across his face. “You’re jealous.”
“What?” Victoria gasped. This was not going the way she planned it at all.
“You’re jealous. You’re jealous that I didn’t ask you to dance. You don’t care for me, and you certainly wouldn’t waste your time warning me if that were the case. Katherine is the one who has shown kindness to me, and you are the one biting my head off every time we are in the same room. Yet, you expect me to believe you? You are very odd, Victoria.”
All she could do was gape at him. He couldn’t have been more wrong. “For your information, “She yelled at him, “ I was just trying to save you from the worst fate I could inflict on anyone. You are right, Corey, I don’t care for you, but even you don’t deserve to be married to that witch. If you would like to deny this, however, be my guest. But when you find yourself being forced to marry her because of something she’s done, don’t come crying to me.”
Before Corey could retort the Butler walked in with another letter for Corey. Victoria sincerely hoped it was another invitation to Almacks.
For the formal announcement of his engagement.
When he went white as a sheet she became worried. “Corey, what’s—“ but he had walked out of the room before she could finish her question.
That night at dinner everyone sat in a stony silence. Corey brooding over the letter he had received, Victoria still angry with him for his accusations, and Katherine angry with Victoria. Their mother wondering why everyone was in such a sour mood. Suddenly, Corey broke the silence by clearing his throat. All three heads shot up, all with questioning looks.
He then stood up and prepared to make a formal announcement. "I know that you all know that I received a letter this afternoon. What I'm sure none of you know is that is was from home. Something terrible has happened, my father has died suddenly, and I need to go back there and take care of a few things. I'm going to have to leave before the end of the week. I realize that my formal training is nowhere near complete and there is no hope of it becoming so before I leave. I also know that if I return home, there is no guarantee that I will come back here, believe me, anyone with half a mind would prefer Barbados to this. So, I'm asking you all to please join me on my journey home. I believe you will all love it there, and you will also see where I come from. My training can also continue as normal. I ask that you please consider this."
"Of course we'd love to join you, Corey. We will be ready to leave by the end of the week." Victoria glared at her mother and received a warning glance. Corey smiled his thanks and left the table.
"Mother how could you agree to this?" Victoria gasped as soon as Corey was out of earshot. "I don't want to go to some heathen island in the middle of some Godforsaken sea, and probably be swallowed up by some creature of the deep, if not Corey himself."
"Come now, Victoria," her mother laughed," you are just being absurd now. I can assure you that neither Corey, nor the sea monsters are going to swallow you up. As for being heathen, Corey is Christian and you know that. And I highly doubt that God would forsake a sea that he created. Now Victoria, I'm warning you right now to behave. I don't want to hear any comments coming from you that aren't perfectly polite. Do you understand?" At Victoria's silence she said a little more forcefully, "Do you understand, Victoria?"
"Yes, I understand."
"Good, now I don't want to have to tell you a second time." She then got up and left the room. It was only Victoria and Katherine now. Victoria glared at her sister.
"I suppose you see this as a way to further your plans to trap him?"
"Of course," she freely admitted. "I will also be able to survey my new home, and all of the lands I will be Lady of."
Victoria laughed, "Katherine, you don't expect to be called 'my Lady' do you?"
"Of course I do."
Victoria laughed harder, "You will not be a lady, and even if you were, once you move onto that plantation your title will be forgotten. You're in wild country out there, no titles, no respect, no dances, no soirées, no nothing. Consider that." Victoria then got up and left, leaving Katherine alone to ponder her newfound information.
Sooner than any of them realized, it was time to leave for Barbados. Victoria got up extra early so that she could have her things ready and still have time for one last visit with Audrey before she left. She sat down in Audrey's drawing room and waited for her hostess to appear.
Audrey walked in and embraced her friend. "I can't believe your mother is dragging you out to that heathen place."
"Neither can I," Victoria answered as she returned the embrace. "I begged her to leave me behind, but she won't have me insult Corey like that. Therefore I shall be bound and gagged, and dragged to my death among sea creatures."
Audrey laughed as Victoria flopped onto the pillows in a mock faint. "Oh, Victoria, you do have quite an imagination."
"Unfortunately I can't imagine Katherine away. As hard as I try, I always open my eyes to find that she is still standing in front of me, either luring some man into a dark corner or accusing me of stealing her lovers. She really is quite annoying," Victoria said as she sat back up.
"Well, you just ignore her while you're in Barbados. You may actually have a good time."
"We'll see about that," Victoria commented.
Victoria looked out at the sparkling sea from the window in her room. The breeze played with her hair, and she breathed deeply, reveling in the fresh scent of clean air. She was beginning to understand why Corey had hated London so much, London would never compare to this. As if conjured up from her thoughts, Corey was suddenly within her view. She shook herself and stepped away from the window.
She decided that she hadn't talked to any of her new friends in a few days and they were due a visit. She pulled on her shoes and ran from her room to the front door. Once she was safely out of her mother's sight, she pulled off her shoes and dug her toes into the cool earth. She had found many small pleasures in Barbados, none of which could compare to anything in London. She skipped along the path that led to the small village just under a half-mile from the main house. Within minutes she could smell the fires from the houses, and the good foods that awaited her there. She decided to visit "Mama" first.
Mama was a heavyset woman who was the surrogate mother of almost everyone living on the plantation. She was always cooking something new and she never spoiled anything. Victoria had begged her to come back to London with them, but Mama had merely laughed and replied that she was needed here. Mama was the only one of the slaves not required to work in the fields. She had grown old and wasn't quick enough to keep up with the rest of the workers, but they had kept her to keep the rest of the slaves happy.
Mama and Victoria had gotten along perfectly from their first meeting. Victoria immediately called her "mama" and Mama referred to Victoria as many different things, all of them having to do with her white skin. Her favorite was "the tanless wonder". Victoria stepped into the house and inhaled deeply, savoring the delicious smells. "Mama, are you in here?"
"I'm always in here, you know that." Victoria smiled at the gentle chastisement. Just then Mama appeared, "Well, if it isn't our own tanless wonder, where you been, girl?"
"Mama, I believe my tan is coming along quite nicely. And as for where I've been, well, where haven't I been would be more appropriate. Corey decided to show us the entire island, and I don't believe he missed a single spot." Victoria mockingly stuck her nose into the air.
"Well, here's some news I'm sure you haven't heard yet. Louisa had her child the other day."
Victoria lit up, "She did? A boy or a girl? What's its name? Can I go see it?"
"Enough, child," Mama laughed, "You can go answer all of those questions for yourself, she's in her house. I'm sure she'd like the company. Here, bring these to her," Mama ordered, handing Victoria a basket filled with baked goods. "Now don't you dare turn into a stranger, you hear?"
"I hear, Mama," Victoria answered as she left the small house. She then walked the twenty feet or so down to Louisa's house, and poked her head inside. "Hi, It's me, Victoria, I came to see the baby."
"Come on in, Victoria," a voice called from the inside, "I'll be out in a moment. I'm just finishing feeding him." Victoria walked in, and placed the basket on the table. Within seconds Louisa walked in with her little bundle. Victoria looked, amazed, at how small that bundle actually was. "Would you like to hold him?"
"Oh, I couldn't," she protested. "I've never done it before and I fear I would botch it all up."
"Victoria, there is no wrong way to hold a baby so long as his head is supported and he's right side up." Louisa laughed and handed her baby to Victoria, who had no choice but to accept him.
"He's so tiny,” Victoria commented, while tugging the blanket down to see his small features. "I didn't know a human could be so small."
"Don't tell me you've never seen a baby before," Louisa asked, astonished.
Victoria shook her head. "None this young."
The two women continued their easy conversation, not knowing that they were being spied on. Corey was amazed at how well Victoria got along with the slaves, and he often found himself just watching her with them. She made them seem like equals, like they were just as good as she was. That astounded him. He chose that moment to walk in.
"Master Corey," Louisa said, jumping to her feet.
Victoria glared at him, but gave him no other attention. Instead, she continued to lightly caress the infant’s tiny face and hands.
"Victoria, I was wondering if perhaps you wanted a full tour of the plantation. I realize you know this area pretty well, but there are miles and miles of it that you haven’t yet seen.”
Victoria looked up, and Corey seemed sincere. She thought that he was trying to soothe his own guilt for having flown at her as he had the last time they had talked. She decided that her pride could take a rest, after all, she really did want to see the rest of the plantation. “All right, Corey. Let’s go.” Victoria handed the child back to its mother, “I’ll come see you later tonight.”
“You better not, Miss Victoria, the weather’s gonna get pretty bad in a while. You just come visit me tomorrow once the sun’s shinnin’ again.”
Victoria nodded and left the small hut. “How do you do that?” Corey asked, bewildered.
She looked at him oddly and asked, “Do what?”
“Get along with them so well. You seem like you’re almost one of them.”
Victoria spun on him, “I am one of them, and so are you whether you like it or not. They are human, just like you and I. Their skin color is no farther from yours, than yours is to mine. In fact, I think yours resembles theirs much more. I truly hope that slavery is abolished from this place. It’s immoral and disgusting that one human can treat another so badly because of something so insignificant as their coloring. People like you truly amaze me, Corey.”
"Victoria, I don’t want to fight with you. I was hoping that maybe we could call a truce. I admit that we didn’t exactly meet under the best circumstances, but I’d like to make up for that. Let’s go down to the beach and talk, ok?” Victoria nodded, and accepted the arm offered to her.
From a window two floors up, a very angry Katherine looked on.
“Corey, as wonderful as a truce sounds I can’t do it unless I understand why you believe the things you do. It just doesn’t make any sense to me,” Victoria commented as she leaned down to pick up another interesting shell.
Corey was close behind her, with his hands in his pockets, his shirt once again unbuttoned, and his feet bare. “Victoria, I can’t make you believe that slavery is completely right any more than you can make me believe that it is completely wrong. We treat them very well here.”
"Yes, very well for animals. They aren’t animals, Corey, they are people. Did you know that Louisa had a baby? Did you even know that she was pregnant? Do you know who the father is? Do you care?”
“Damn it, Victoria, this isn’t the Spanish Inquisition. We live the way we live because we have to. You don’t understand that because you’ve always had everything you’ve wanted. You never had to work a day in your life to get anything. I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of. You think that I want to have slaves? I don’t believe that they are equal to us, but I don’t believe in using them as animals either. We treat them very well, and we have freed many of them. We free what we can afford.”
“And you keep the rest without thinking twice.”
“Why are you so negative all of the time?”
“People like you force me to be.” At that moment thunder rumbled, and the pair looked up at the heavens.
“Damn.” Corey swore as he grabbed Victoria’s hand and started dragging her off of the beach. “That storm is here, and it’s coming fast. We need to get into shelter now, and we’re never gonna make it back in time. I know of a cave, and we’re gonna have to wait out the storm there.” Within moments they were standing in front of a cave. Corey walked in, and Victoria stared in disbelief.
“Aren’t there wild animals in there?”
“Nah, the workers usually go in their houses when it rains.” Victoria glared at Corey to show him that his joke was made in very bad taste. He merely laughed at her. “Torie, calm down. I was only kidding.”
“Do not call me ‘Torie’.”
Corey shrugged, “I kinda like it. I think I’m gonna call you that from now on.”
“What happened to your grammar? It’s been going downhill ever since we’ve gotten here.” Again, Corey laughed at her. “What is so funny?”
“Torie, we are in the middle of nowhere. No one is going to walk in here and correct out grammar or think poorly of us if we use it incorrectly, or just plain butcher it. There is no one out here to care.”
“Maybe you should care.” She said, simply, and sat down on a rock.
Corey got up and knelt down in front of her. “Please don’t be angry with me, I’m only trying to get you to enjoy yourself more. You have a lot of trouble having fun. I’m only trying to help you, as your mother helped me.”
“Well, maybe I don’t want your help.” She stuck her nose into the air and refused to look at him. He gently took hold of her chin and brought her eyes back down to his.
“Do you find me attractive?” He asked nonchalantly. Victoria’s eyes widened and she pushed him away. He leaned closer to her, and she got off the rock and started backing away. He stalked her until her back was to the wall. “Torie,”
“How long is the storm going to last, do you think?” She interrupted him. He now had each hand planted firmly on the wall on either side of her head.
“You’re not answering me.”
Victoria opened her mouth to speak, and he leaned down and kissed her. She was stunned at first, but relaxed rather quickly. He suddenly jerked away from her, and just looked at her for a few moments. She had a dazed expression on her face, and her mind was completely unsettled. He walked away from her then, leaving her to contemplate what had happened. “It’s dark and we should get some sleep,” he threw over his shoulder.
Victoria wordlessly nodded, and leaned up against a nearby wall. She fell asleep still remembering his kiss.
Corey gently shook Victoria to wake her up. “Wake up, Torie. The rain stopped, and we need to get going. I’m sure everyone is worried sick about us.”
“Stop calling me ‘Torie’,” Victoria answered in a voice half muffled by a yawn.
“I’m really sorry about last night.” Victoria froze, mid-stretch, when she remember what had happened the night before. Corey mistook her silence and shocked expression for repulsion and jumped to his own defense. “A real kiss is nothing like that, Torie. Believe me, what I did was wrong. When you’re really and truly kissed, you won’t feel this way at all.”
Victoria sincerely wondered what a “real kiss” would feel like. “Corey?”
“Hmm?”
“What exactly would a real kiss feel like?” She knew she was being forward when his left eyebrow shot up a good inch. “Well, you’ve completely disenchanted me of ever kissing another male, don’t you think it’s right that you correct my wrong assumption?” Now the other eyebrow joined the first.
“Victoria,”
“Call me Torie,” she said.
“You are treading dangerous waters here, do you know that?” When Victoria giggled mirthfully in response, he said “Oh, hell” and leaned in to kiss her.
Three gasps then emitted from the cave entrance. The first came from Victoria’s mother. She looked horrified at what she had just seen. The second came from Mama, who now looked as though she were going to burst into laughter. The third came from Katherine, who looked like she was ready to do some real physical harm.
"Victoria! What do you think you’re doing?” her mother demanded.
“I…Uh…”
“Never mind, we’re going home. We’ll talk about it there.” With that her mother turned and left the cave. Katherine was next to leave, she shot a venomous glance at Victoria and stomped out of the cave. The last to leave was Mama, who was now openly laughing. “What did you two go and do now?” she laughed as she turned and left the cave. Victoria looked up at Corey to see his response to all of this.
“That’s a real kiss.” He answered, and walked out of the cave.
“How could you do that?” Katherine demanded as she stalked into Victoria’s room. “You knew I wanted him, yet you went and kissed him anyway. Now Mother will probably force you to marry him, and I’ll never get my chance.” She looked as though she were going to burst into tears.
Victoria rolled her eyes at her sister. “First of all, he’s never going to marry you because he doesn’t like you. You are a whining prissy spoiled brat. No one wants that type of person for a wife. Secondly, I’m not going to marry him.”
“Yes, you most certainly are,” came a voice from the doorway. “You are going to marry him Victoria. You kissed him and were seen. That’s automatic ground for a wedding.”
“But I don’t want to marry him. I don’t love him. Mother, he and I only fight all of the time, and besides, no one needs to hear about this. If we don’t say anything, who’s to know? There won’t be a scandal.”
“I don’t care,” her mother stated flatly. “I know that it happened. You two will get married.”
“Mother, “ Katherine interrupted, “If Victoria doesn’t want to marry Corey, then you shouldn’t force her. She would only be unhappy for the rest of her life, and then she’d resent you for it, and I don’t want that. Let her off, Mother, no one will ever find out.”
“Katherine,” their mother began, “the only reason you don’t want her to marry him is so that you can have him to yourself. Well, he’s not going to kiss one and marry the other, do you hear? He and Victoria will be wed, so get used to the idea.” She then stormed out of the room.
Katherine then sent one of her glares at Victoria, as she had been doing so often lately, and stormed after her mother. Victoria sat down on her bed. Never had she dreamed that something so simple as a kiss would turn her life upside down. What was she to do now? She had to marry Corey of course.
Victoria’s mother walked toward the room that Corey was occupying, and gently knocked on the door. “Come in,” his voice boomed from inside.
“Corey, I need to talk to you. It’s about what happened in that cave.”
“I assure you, nothing happened. Your daughter is completely pure, I would never take advantage of her like that. It was a simple kiss, one best forgotten.”
She sighed heavily, “If only it were that easy.”
“What do you mean by that?” Corey demanded.
“Well, you see, it’s very improper for a gentleman to kiss a lady. Only engaged couples dare to steal kisses. And if an unengaged couple kisses, then there is the threat of a scandal.”
Corey laughed, “Well, it’s a good thing we aren’t over in England then.”
“Corey, I was charged with teaching you to be a proper gentleman. So far you have done wonderfully. Don’t mess it up now.”
His eyebrows then shot up, “You seriously want me to marry your daughter because of one stolen kiss? I realize that you are to teach me to be a gentleman, but this is absurd. A real wedding was not part of my training, and it isn’t going to become so. I’m sorry, but there is no reason for me to do this. You say it’s because there is threat of a scandal, scandal from whom? My laborers? I doubt that, they have all put Victoria on a pedestal, and aren’t going to take her off because of one stolen kiss. I hate to disappoint you, but I will not be marrying your daughter.”
“Corey, prove that you are the gentleman I believe you to be. Marry her.” She then walked out of the room leaving Corey to ponder his decision.
“Do you, Corey, take thee, Victoria, to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Victoria and Corey both stood in front of the priest wondering how they had gotten there.
Corey wondered why he had been cursed with such a weak resolve. He had promised himself not to change his mind. He didn’t need a wife, didn’t want a wife. Least of all one who would speak her mind to him. If he married, he wanted it to be to some docile pretty girl, instead he was presented with a wild beautiful girl. As he answered “I do,” He tucked one of her curls behind her ear. She glared at him and moved away.
Victoria wondered what Corey was thinking. He couldn’t actually want this wedding, could he? Or maybe he was just trying to get her used to him for later that evening. No, she decided, he was not going to take her. They may be married, but she certainly wasn’t going to give him what he wanted willingly. She would fight the entire time. She would not let him ravage her. As Victoria answered her “I do,” a single tear slid down her cheek.
Corey took off his shirt and threw it onto the bed. Victoria gasped, “Corey if you don’t mind.”
“Victoria, I’m your husband now, in case you haven’t noticed, get used to this.” Victoria then closed her eyes and didn’t open them until she heard him slide underneath the covers. “Come to bed, Torie.”
Victoria jumped off the bed, “No. Corey, don’t make me.”
“I’m not going to make you do anything,” he answered.
Victoria felt tempted to climb into his bed. It looked so big and warm, and the companion wasn’t too bad either, Victoria noted. When she realized that she was giving in, she immediately became angry with herself, and therefore with him. “You listen to me, Corey. I’m not going to be sleeping with you in any way shape or form. I don’t love you, and I know you don’t love me. What has happened between the two of us is very tragic, but we’re going to have to deal with it. Now, I want to set some boundaries between us before things get terribly worse. You aren’t going to touch me, ever. Feel free to take as many mistresses as you want, but don’t expect any big reaction from me. I only ask that you keep them discreet to save my reputation. You are free to do whatever you want, just don’t expect anything from me.” She turned on her heel and slammed out of the room.
Corey sat puzzled for a few moments. When had he become the enemy? He had been just as unwilling as she was; she had to know that. He decided he had a few things to say to her too. He got up and followed her into her room, she was changing when he stormed in, and she gasped when she heard the door open. She pulled her chemise back up as quickly as she could.
“Now, it’s your turn to listen. I’m not going to force you to do anything against your will. I’m not that type of person. You have absolutely nothing to fear with me around. I’m also not going to be taking any mistresses, I’m married now and I believe in being faithful. I ask that you do the same. And just to let you know, you will be sleeping in my bed every night between now and the day that you cock up your toes and pass on to the hereafter. I will not attack you in the night, I vow it, but I will not have a wife who sleeps in another bed. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes, now will you please leave and let me change?”
He mock bowed. “I will await you in our chamber, my lady.” As he was leaving he turned back for one last comment. “If you think that you can stay in here all night and have me give up on you, you’re wrong. I’ll carry you out of this room if I have to. Mark my words.”
“Audrey, I don’t understand how this could have happened. Things like this happen to Katherine, not me. She’s the one who gets around and is in danger of causing a scandal. Why then do I find myself in a marriage that was forced?”
“Victoria, surely he’s not so bad as all of that. But enough of the negative, how’s married life?” She cleared her throat, “Well, the wedding night to be more precise.”
“Audrey!” Victoria chastised, and they both laughed. “Nothing happened.”
“Yes, I’m sure nothing happened. Now, how was that nothing?”
“Audrey, I’m being completely serious. Nothing happened. Nothing has happened, and nothing will happen.”
Audrey looked shocked. “But you’ve been married two months!”
Victoria sadly shook her head. “Yes, on our wedding night I told him that he was never to touch me, and that he was free to take as many mistresses as he wanted, if only he would keep them discreet. I expected him to fight that edict.”
“And he didn’t?” Victoria shook her head. “You probably scared him off, if you let him know,”
“I won’t let him know anything. I’m not going to back down. He doesn’t love me.”
“And do you love him?”
“Audrey, that’s insane. I do not love him in the least. He’s a heathen from Barbados and he’s going to remain so until the day he dies, which I pray is not too far off.”
Audrey sighed, “Victoria, I don’t think you know your own heart.”
“I do too,” Victoria answered. “The only reason I’m even slightly hurt is because he obviously doesn’t want me. I’m not so bad, am I?”
“Of course not,” Audrey soothed her friend. “He’s a male, Victoria. They do things for reasons only known to them. No female could ever dream of figuring them out. I know he cares for you, the servants-"
“The servants what?”
“Well, Victoria, you know servants are always gossiping. And I heard that you and he share a bed. If nothing is happening why do you two share a bed?”
It was Victoria’s turn to sigh. “He ordered it. He promised me he would never force me into anything, but I was to sleep in his bed every night. He’s kept his word.” Victoria sighed again, heavier this time. “Do you know that when we’re in bed we are the most peaceful together? He insists that he hold me, and I don’t even mind now. We talk every night, until one of us falls asleep. Some nights I wish morning would never come.”
“You love him, Victoria, admit it.” Audrey gently ordered her. “The sooner you realize this, the sooner you will realize that you may lose him. No man wants a wife that won’t respond to him. He’ll leave you, Victoria, if you don’t come to your senses.”
“Maybe that would be best,” she replied. “If he were to leave, I could go back to some sense of normalcy in my life. And I don’t love him.”
“You do.”
“I don’t!” Victoria screamed, and left the house.
Audrey sat back on her chair and laughed good and hard. Victoria loved Corey just as much as he loved her. This was going to be fun to watch unfold, and Audrey didn’t want to miss a moment of it.
That night they all sat around the dinner table silently. Victoria was still brooding over her fight with Audrey, Katherine was still sulking about the wedding, Corey was upset about God only knew what, and Mother was angry with Corey and Victoria for their obstinacy toward each other.
Victoria glared at her sister, “Why don’t you snap out of it? You’re acting like a baby. There are plenty of men out there, and you don’t like any of them any less then you liked this one.” She pointed at Corey, “I unfortunately was the one to marry him, and for that I am truly sorry, but you really need to stop this pouting, it’s quite juvenile.”
“Victoria, “Corey bellowed at her, “leave your sister alone. She’s the one who has shown me nothing but kindness and I won’t have you insulting her as you have before. Maybe you should take a few lessons from her.”
Victoria gasped her outrage, “That is truly a strange comment coming from a man who treats humans like animals. Advising me on who to take lessons from. Why don’t you find someone who can teach you morals first, and then we’ll work on mine.”
Corey threw his napkin onto the table and glared at Victoria. “I shall be leaving London at the end of the month. I believe that I have learned all I can, and I won’t be returning. I’ll be making Barbados my permanent residence,” he glared at Victoria harder, “You are more than welcome to stay here with your family.” He then left the room.
Katherine looked at Victoria with tears in her eyes. “You see what you’ve done now? He’s leaving for good. Victoria, how can you be so heartless? And you don’t even care. You don’t deserve him, Victoria, you truly don’t deserve him.”
“No,” their mother agreed,” she doesn’t.”
The two got up and went after Corey to persuade him to change his mind. Victoria, however, sat at the table hurt and confused. He didn’t want her to go with him?
Victoria woke up alone, again. She couldn’t count the number of mornings she had reached for him and he wasn’t there. Each time had been a new hole in her heart. She sighed and dragged herself out of bed. He had been gone four months to the day. Still, she could not get used to sleeping without his arms around her. It was amazing what two months had done to her.
Katherine still wasn’t talking to her, and their mother was still angry with her for giving him up. Victoria didn’t care, she barely even noticed anymore. Why did she feel this way? She couldn’t possibly love him…could she? She didn’t want to admit this, because it would be against everything she believed. You didn’t fall in love after you were married. You didn’t fall in love with a man who infuriated you to no end. You didn’t fall in love with a man who didn’t believe in human rights. You did, however, fall in love with a man with tanned skin, deep blue eyes, jet-black hair, and the strongest arms you had ever seen. Victoria sat at her vanity and sighed at her reflection. What had she done now? She had lost the only man she would ever care for, probably forever. Audrey had warned her this would happen, but like the fool she was, she didn’t see it.
She knew what she had to do. With a new resolve, she brushed her hair, dressed, and left for Audrey’s house. Her friend opened the door, and looked shocked at seeing her. “Victoria! I haven’t seen you since we got into that fight, what happened? You look terrible.”
“I’m sure you heard that Corey left some months ago?”
“Yes, I’m so sorry,” she said, embracing her as if their fight had been in another lifetime.
Victoria then poured out her story through her tears. “And, I’ve realized now that you were right. I do love him, and I’ve lost him. Probably forever. Oh, Audrey, what have I done now?”
“It’s ok, Victoria,” her friend said comforting her. “You haven’t lost him forever. He loves you, and you will therefore always have him. You just need to go claim what is yours.”
“But he doesn’t love me. He told me he wanted me to stay here, and not go with him. He doesn’t want to be around me. That’s not love.”
Audrey smiled, “How naïve you are, Victoria. A man doesn’t demand a woman sleep in his bed every single night if he doesn’t love her. He doesn’t then hold that same woman in his arms every single night, if he doesn’t love her. And he certainly wouldn’t tell her where he was going if he didn’t want to be found. Claim what is yours, Victoria. Don’t live miserably because of your pride.”
Victoria smiled for the first time in months, and hugged her friend. “Promise me you’ll visit in Barbados.”
“I promise, now go before I kick you out.” Victoria left the house, and Audrey was again smiling to herself.
Victoria again walked the familiar lands of the plantation. She passed a group of slaves that she recognized and went over to talk to them. Louisa was in the group, holding her baby. “Victoria, you came back to us.”
“Of course I came back, “Victoria laughed. “I couldn’t just leave you all here with just Corey.” She then noted how well they were all dressed. Nothing like the clothes they had been wearing the last time she had seen them. Louisa noted her puzzled expression. “Corey freed us, Victoria. We aren’t slaves anymore. We get paid and very well at that. He told us the day he arrived back here from London, but he wouldn’t tell us why you weren't with him. He never talks about you, in fact he hardly even talks anymore. He’s grown very distant since he’s arrived back home. Why didn’t you come with him, Victoria?”
“Yes, Victoria, why didn’t you come back with him?” Victoria spun at the sound of his voice. “Well?”
“Corey,” she said, wide-eyed. She wasn’t ready for this she realized. She almost turned and fled, but he instantly had his arm around her, as if he had read her thoughts.
“Let’s talk,” he said and led her from the group. He led her down to the beach, seemingly content with the silence.
She, on the other hand, couldn’t stand it anymore. “Corey, I want to tell you why I came back.”
“Why don’t you start with why you didn’t come with me.”
“You didn’t want me to, “she said in a hurt tone.
“And what makes you think I want you here now?” He stood in front of her, with his arms crossed against his chest.
“Corey, please just listen to me. Ever since I met you, I didn’t like you. When we were forced to marry, I despised you even more. The night you left I hated you so intensely.” She paused for a moment. “But Corey, once you were really and truly gone, and I realized that you really weren’t coming back. I was devastated. I didn’t know what to do or say. I felt so lost without you. Then I realized Audrey was right.”
“What was she right about?” He demanded. For a moment, Victoria wondered if she should tell him what was in her heart. He looked so cold, but then she looked into his eyes. There was something there, something that resembled…hope.
“She was right when she told me that I loved you. I love you Corey. I know that now. I didn’t see it when you were there because I didn’t have any reason to see it. I’ll go back home if you truly don’t love me. I’ll never bother you again, but Corey, please don’t let your pride get in your way the way I did. Please tell me you love me.”
Corey walked up to her, his face not changing a bit. She desperately tried to read his thoughts, but had to give up. He tilted her head back. “Victoria,”
“Call me Torie.”
“Ok then, Torie. I’m not going to tell you that I love you.” Her face fell. “There simply aren’t any words strong enough to describe it.” He leaned down and kissed her.
Victoria sat back in her chair on the beach watching Louisa’s son run toddling around at the edge of the water. She was close enough to grab him if need be, but the water was very calm, and the child never went in past his chubby ankles. Corey came up behind her, and kissed her cheek, causing her to jump in surprise.
“Corey,” she chastised, “don’t do that to me.”
They watched the toddler laugh and run away as the water came onto the beach again. “He’s adorable,” Corey commented.
“Yes, he is, isn’t he?” Victoria agreed.
“Kinda makes me want one of my own,” Corey stated.
“Give it a couple months,” Victoria said, smiling to herself. She waited for Corey’s reaction.
“A couple months?” His jaw dropped to the sand.
“Yes, a couple months. I’d say about seven or so.”
“I love you, Torie.”
“And I love you, Corey.”
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