Everything and the Moon Read Online Free PDF

snapped.
    Victoria drew back. “Robert!”
    â€œI'm sorry. I didn't mean to raise my voice. It's just—How could your father possibly know my mind?”
    She placed her hand on his. “He doesn't. But he thinks he does, and I'm afraid that is all that matters just now. You are an earl. I am the daughter of a country vicar. You must admit that such a match is most unusual.”
    â€œUnusual,” he said fiercely. “Not impossible.”
    â€œTo him it is,” she replied. “He'll never believe your intentions are honorable.”
    â€œWhat if I speak with him, ask him for your hand?”
    â€œThat might appease him. I have told him that you want to marry me, but I think he thinks I'm making it up.”
    Robert rose to his feet, drawing her up with him, and gallantly kissed her hand. “Then I shall have to formally ask him for your hand tomorrow.”
    â€œNot today?” Victoria asked with a teasing glance.
    â€œI should inform my father of my plans first,” Robert replied. “I owe him that courtesy.”
    Â 
    Robert hadn't yet told his father about Victoria. Not that the marquess could forbid the match. At four and twenty Robert was of an age to make his own decisions. But he knew that his father could make life difficult with his disapproval. And considering how often the marquess urged Robert to settle down with the daughter of this duke or that earl, he had a feeling that a vicar's daughter wasn't quite what his father had in mind for him.
    And so it was with firm resolve and some trepidation that Robert knocked on his father's study door.
    â€œEnter.” Hugh Kemble, the Marquess of Castleford, was seated behind his desk. “Ah, Robert. What is it?”
    â€œHave you a few moments, sir? I need to talk with you.”
    Castleford looked up with impatient eyes. “I'm quite busy, Robert. Can it wait?”
    â€œIt is of great import, sir.”
    Castleford set down his quill with a gesture of annoyance. When Robert did not start speaking immediately, he prompted, “Well?”
    Robert smiled, hoping that would set his father's mood aright. “I have decided to marry.”
    The marquess underwent a radical transformation. Every last touch of irritation disappeared from his expression, replaced by pure joy. He jumped to his feet and clasped his son into a hearty hug. “Excellent! Excellent, my boy. You know I have wanted this—”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œYou are young, of course, but your responsibilities are grave. It would be the end of me if the title passed out of the family. If you do not produce an heir…”
    Robert declined to mention that if the title passed out of the family, his father would already be dead, so he would not know of the tragedy. “I know, sir.”
    Castleford sat down against the edge of his desk and crossed his arms genially. “So, tell me. Who is it? No, let me guess. It's Billington's daughter—the blond gel.”
    â€œSir, I—”
    â€œNo? Then it must be Lady Leonie. Smart pup, you are.” He nudged his son. “Old duke's only daughter. She'll come into quite a portion.”
    â€œNo, sir,” Robert said, trying to ignore the avaricious gleam in his father's eye. “You are not acquainted with her.”
    Castleford's face went blank with surprise. “I'm not? Then who the devil is she?”
    â€œMiss Victoria Lyndon, sir.”
    Castleford blinked. “Why is that name familiar?”
    â€œHer father is Bellfield's new vicar.”
    The marquess said nothing. Then he burst out laughing. It was several moments before he was able to gasp, “Good God, son, you had me going there for a moment. A vicar's daughter. Quite beyond anything.”
    â€œI'm quite serious, sir,” Robert ground out.
    â€œA vicar's…heh heh— What did you say?”
    â€œI said I'm quite serious.” He paused. “Sir.” Castleford took stock