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William attempted a smile. Shocked, yes. “Maybe both,” he answered instead.

“Well,” she said proudly, “stew should help with both.”

Still reeling from surprise, William went upstairs to clean himself up and change into fresh clothing. There, in the bedroom, he saw a long nightshirt strewn on the bed.

He smiled, as something tugged at the strings of his heart.

What the devil was going on? He felt as though he had traveled into his dream world, where Victoria was an attentive loving wife. Perhaps when he returned to the kitchen, she would be laid out on the table, naked. That would complete his fantasy vision.

Perhaps he’d died, was killed by either constables or the thugs, and he was now in heaven. Just in case this was a dream, he washed and changed his clothes hastily and hurried back downstairs, just as Victoria was setting the table. He paused at the base of the staircase, just watching her.

She was humming something under her breath, looking quite content. William swallowed a boulder in his throat. This was too perfect to be real. Slowly, he walked toward the table, leaned against it just next to Victoria, and smiled. “Do you need help?”

She glanced down at the table, biting her lips in an adorable concentration, then shook her head. “I think I did quite well, don’t you?”

William didn’t even bother looking at the table. A far more exciting view presented itself just in front of him. “Absolutely.”

Victoria looked at him with light reproach in her eyes. “I worked very hard on this.”

With a sigh, William looked at the fully laden table and nodded. “This is the best dinner I’ve ever seen.”

Victoria laughed musically. “Wait till you taste it.”

William pushed off the table, helped Victoria into her seat, then sat across from her. “I hope the reason you’re so gleeful is not because you poisoned the food.”

Victoria choked on her laughter and started coughing into her napkin. William stood and patted her on the back. After she was done, she took a sip of water and waved a hand. “No, I am not trying to kill you. Although, you haven’t tried the food yet. Perhaps, I needn’t have added any poison.”

William chuckled before filling his spoon with stew. He blew on it a little, watching the steam evaporate away. Victoria watched him just as closely. He threw her a quick glance, winked, and took a taste.

“Mmm.” He nodded approvingly. “Very good.”

“Really?” Victoria excitedly picked up a spoon and gave it a try. Now it was William’s turn to watch her eat.

She was so animated, the exuberance fairly oozing out of her. She reminded him of the Victoria he fell in love with. Or more accurately, the Victoria who was in love with him. She was a ball of sunshine ready to burst and wash over the world with her glee. And for the first time in two years, he felt like he had her back.

Victoria raised a brow. “Are you not going to eat it?”

William smiled. “Of course, I am. It’s very enjoyable.”

“Yes, although I am not quite surprised. I did it under Gertrude’s guidance and a steady hand. If I make a meal from scratch, that’s when you need to worry.” She punctuated her speech with a lovely little laugh, and William couldn’t help but stare.

He placed the spoon on the table and leaned back.

Victoria glanced at him again, a question in her eyes.

“Can I ask you something?”

Victoria put her spoon down as well. “Of course.”

“Why the change?”

“The change?” She looked truly confused.

“Well, you decorated the tower, you started cooking, you brought me a nightshirt.”

“Oh.” Victoria smiled. “You’ve seen it? Did you try it on?”

“Not yet.” He raised a brow in question, and Victoria let out a low chuckle.