Page 60 of The Dare Before Christmas

“Turn right when you get to the top. It will come out three doors down from your room,” he said quietly.

Quite overcome, Barnaby took Louis by the shoulders and kissed him on both cheeks as Louis was wont to do to him.

“Thank you,” he said fervently, took the lamp, and hurried Victoria up the stairs.

They could hear Louis’ soft chuckle follow them until he closed the door behind them, and all was silent but for their footsteps.

Chapter 17

Dear Miss Milly,

Please do not go putting ideas in poor Humboldt’s head. He’s hard enough to manage as it is, without him getting misty eyed notions about the Zoological Society of London. He’s become very uppity since receiving your letter and only this morning made an extremely rude comment about monkeys.

As for not resembling a billet doux, my sweet Milly, you are too innocent yet to understand when you are flirting with a fellow, but I shall let that go as I can feel Humboldt scowling at me and hear his irritation in the way his pen scratches so furiously upon the paper. However, I am well aware my charms are limited and not at all what they once were. My hubris is not so great that I consider myself a marvellous prize. I have been cut down to size most publicly, and more than once since losing my sight, and have had my shortcomings explained to me in depth. If you think I do not know it is only the sweetness of your character that bears my clumsy attentions with such good humour and grace, then I must be a greater fool in your eyes than I had supposed.

Still, I am a wretchedly selfish fellow with little left in the way of tender feelings and I will impose upon that sweetness further, Miss Milly, for I am at my wits' end, and I do not know who to trust. Outside of the estimable Humboldt and my sister, Delia, I am quite alone. Yet I trust you. May I trust you? Tell me I am not wrong in believing it so.

Will you remain at Heart’s Folly into the New Year? For we must speak privately.

Yrs etc,

―Excerpt of a letter to Miss Emmeline Knight (daughter of Lady Helena and Mr Gabriel Knight) from The Most Hon’ble Leander Steyning, The Marquess of Wrexham.

22nd December 1844, Heart’s Folly, East Sussex.

Barnaby sighed as he finally closed the bedroom door behind them.

“Made it,” he said, and with such obvious relief that Torie could not help but laugh. “It’s not funny, you wicked girl. I thought we was done for when I saw my aunt round the corner. Good heavens, I don’t think I could have stood that. You know what she is for plain speaking. I wouldn’t put it past her to give me advice.”

He looked so thoroughly appalled by this prospect, Torie snorted. She slapped a hand over her face, as it wasn’t a terribly elegant sound for a bride to make.

He gave a mournful sigh.

“Oh, I see how it is, making sport of me already and the ink not even dry on the marriage certificate,” he said, trying and failing to look severe and advancing on her.

“Oh, n-no, Barnaby, I wasn’t,” Torie insisted, trying hard not to laugh. “Truly. Only you looked so horrified, it was rather f-funny.”

“Funny, am I?” he said, grasping hold of her waist and pulling her into his arms. He stared down at her, his eyes warm with affection as he gave a sad shake of his head. “Just what a fellow wants, getting laughed at on his wedding night.”

“Barnaby, stop teasing,” Torie said, lightly smacking her hand on his chest. “I was doing no such thing. You know very well that I adore you.”

“Do you, love?” he asked, serious now. “Because I’m head over ears for you. Are you really mine? I’m still having trouble believing it.”

“Really and truly, and yes, I adore you. I told you that ages ago, you just didn’t believe me,” she scolded him.

“I was a fool,” he said ruefully, but Torie couldn’t have that.

“No, you were guarding your heart. I know that, and I don’t blame you in the least.”

Barnaby lowered his forehead to hers. “I was never in love with her,” he said, his voice low. “It wasn’t like this, Torie. You’re the only one I want, the only one I shall ever want. There’s something I want to say to you, and I know a fellow ain’t supposed to talk this way on his wedding night, but I think that’s a lot of nonsense. I ought to be able to speak to you about anything, just as you can talk to me about anything, and you ought to know I’m the faithful kind. I won’t ever take a mistress, or flirt with other ladies. You can depend on me, always. I won’t let you down.”

“I knew that already, Barnaby,” Torie said, blinking hard, for he was so earnest and so dear, and she loved him a quite ridiculous amount. “But I’m glad, and I shall never flirt with anyone either, or give you any reason to doubt me. And I’m glad I can talk to you about anything, for I’m a bit outspoken—well, you know that by now—and if I can’t talk to you without minding my tongue, then who can I talk to?”

“Well, that’s that sorted, then,” Barnaby said, grinning at her.

“Yes.”

“So, can we stop talking now? For I’d rather like to kiss you, if you don’t mind?”