Everything and the Moon

"1/2 - Robert, an earl, met Victoria, a vicar daughter when they were young. His father would disinherit him if he married her and her father forbid her to marry him. They planned to elope, but Victoria’s father discovered her and tied her to a bed. When Robert went to her house that night, he thought he found her “sleeping” in her bed. He immediately left for London. 7 years later, Robert is still only in love with Victoria and she is working as a governess for a terrible family, the Hollingwoods. When the Hollingwoods host a ball, their paths cross again. Robert thinks Victoria was only after his money and Victoria thinks Robert never truly loved her. Robert is protective of Victoria over the weekend ball, which is odd because she is the governess. Lady H suspects something and fires Victoria after the ball. In the meantime, Robert goes to visit his dad, a rare occurrence, and learns that Victoria arrived looking for him the morning after they were supposed to elope and his father told Victoria that Robert never loved her, a false statement. Robert also visits Victoria’s sister, Ellie, and learns the truth of what happened the night they were to run away together. When Robert learns this, he goes searching for Victoria, finds her working as a seamstress and living in the slums. He insists she come live with him, but she refuses, accusing him of trying to make her a mistress, which was not his intention. He begins to pursue her with gifts since he has never loved anyone the way he loves Victoria. Fearing for her life due to where she lives, he abducts her in his carriage one day and takes her to his cottage, all against Victoria’s will. He tries to convince her to marry him, but she does not want to give up her independence. It is only when Victoria thinks Robert drowned while swimming laps that she realizes she loves him too. They marry for love and quickly expect their first child. "

"There are times the dry humor made me laugh out loud. For a love at first sight story it felt realistic on the emotional level"