Her expression turned polite and distant once more as she lifted the jacket for Sophia to slip into. She accepted the gesture, but as she put her back to Vic, she stepped closer, so their bodies brushed together. Turning her head so her cheek was close enough to be kissed, she lowered her voice and said, “Please tell me, which part of me playing you do you find unappealing?”

Vic took a deep breath as if trying to steel herself, or perhaps restrain herself, but as she slowly released it, warm and steady against the back of Sophia’s neck, she pulled away. Side-stepping Sophia completely, she opened the heavy wooden door, then took Sophia’s hand.

“It has been a pleasure to share your company tonight. To answer your question, I find absolutely nothing unappealing about you, the idea of your playing me, or even the idea of your playing with me, as you appear to be doing now.”

Sophia opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again, seeing no reason to deny what Vic obviously recognised.

“The only issue I have is that you seem to be harbouring some illusions about who I am. If you think I’m the stuff of romance novels or feature films, it would be dishonourable for me to continue under false pretences.”

“I don’t understand.”

She smiled sadly. “If you must know all the ways I fall short of the character you’re trying to conjure, I’m not nearly as royal, nor am I as rich or powerful or pampered.”

Vic paused, then lifting the back of Sophia’s hand to her lips, she kissed it gently. Stepping back, she met Sophia’s eyes with a melancholy sort of finality. “And perhaps most importantly, there’s no blacksmith coming to sweep me off my feet and away from the responsibilities of my life.”

Sophia’s breath caught in a little hitch. She had so many questions, and yet she couldn’t give voice to any one of them. A chill much colder than the air outside surrounded her as Vic gently closed the door behind her. She had the urge to pound it, to beg her to open it again and explain, but at the same time, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know what caused the sadness she’d seen in those seconds before Victoria’s lips had caressed the back of her hand.

Chapter Five

Chapter Five