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dress in order to fight away images of Victoria wearing it.
    After that, he’d also prayed more fervently that God would deliver him from this job. He hadn’t had any major problems over the past two weeks as Victoria Cole’s bodyguard. No further attacks. Except for a threatening letter Mr. Cole had received yesterday, there hadn’t been even a hint of a problem.
    He hadn’t experienced any emotional entanglements with Victoria either. He’d kept his word to Henry Cole that he would treat his daughter with the utmost professionalism. He’d purposefully put a wedge between them the first day on the job. He’d seen the hurt in her eyes that evening at the hospital when he’d made sure she overheard his conversation with Arch. He’d regretted that he’d had to pain her, but it was for her own benefit.
    She was naturally affectionate, even if she was slightly spoiled and strong-willed at times. He’d been around enough rich women to know Victoria Cole hadn’t let her beauty and wealth make her prideful. She had a freshness and innocence that was refreshing. She seemed to see the positive in every situation.
    But that was the problem. She was too trusting, too sweet. She’d formed a deep attachment with Arch. And she also had friendly relationships with all the household servants. In fact, she treated them more like family than paid help. With her kind and generous spirit, he’d quickly surmised that she would grow attached to him too.
    Sure, she was engaged and would be married in sixteen days. Nevertheless, he’d deemed it necessary to keep high walls between himself and Victoria. The best way to build a barricade was to hurt someone. Then the person usually erected a wall fast and furiously, just as Victoria had done. Although truthfully, her wall was flimsy. She’d had a hard time maintaining her “I’m the master and you’re my servant” charade.
    “I honestly don’t think you’ll need to pack anything else beside that nightgown,” Theresa said. She was sitting on the settee next to Victoria and had been a constant companion during the shopping expeditions.
    “Of course I’ll need more than the nightgown. I’m planning to do a great deal of sightseeing and shopping in all of the places I missed last time I was in Italy.”
    “With that nightgown, I’m sure Nathaniel will be doing lots of sightseeing too,” Theresa said with a wicked glimmer.
    Victoria gasped and slapped playfully at Theresa’s arm. “Hush!” Even though Victoria was smiling, from the way her eyes widened and her pupils dilated, Tom could tell she was mortified by her friend’s comment.
    Tom had to admit, the comment unnerved him too. Not because he didn’t like the thought of Nathaniel looking at Victoria. No, on the few occasions Victoria had spent time with Nathaniel, Tom had liked the guy. He was genuine and decent. Frivolous. Flighty. Spoiled. But honest. And after he married Victoria, he’d have every right to feast upon her beauty. In that nightgown.
    Okay. Maybe he was unnerved a little by the thought of another man looking at Victoria. He supposed his overprotective nature was coming out more than usual because she was so young.
    Whatever the case, the real reason he was uncomfortable was because he wasn’t accustomed to the brashness some American women from the high society displayed. Most of the European royalty he accompanied were proper and polite, at least in public.
    Madame Bisseau’s frown indicated that she hadn’t found Theresa’s comment amusing either. The French woman finished folding the silk nightgown and gently placed it with several other items in a flat box.
    Through the front shop window, Tom caught sight of Nathaniel climbing down from a bright yellow phaeton. It was new. From the condition of the tires, Tom could tell that it had only been driven a couple of times.
    Nathaniel was impeccably attired, as usual. He wore a light gray pin-striped suit accented with a bow tie and top hat. He cut