have often flirted with the outrageous in
many ways, but you have always been quite
cautious in your dealings with men. How
on earth could you have let yourself"
She broke off abruptly, glancing at Lucas.
Never mind. I think I know the answer to
that. In any event there is no point looking
back. We must go forward."
We cannot move in any direction,"
Lucas pointed out quietly,
until Victoria
has made her decision. She is not a child.
She cannot be forced into marriage. I have
already offered for her and I would be
honored if she will give me her hand
in marriage, but I will not coerce her
into it."
Well, Victoria?" Cleo regarded her
solemnly.
Lucas is obviously willing to do
what must be done. What about you?"
Victoria looked at Lucas, love and
longing and guilt and uncertainty twisting
themselves into a tight knot in the pit of
her stomach. This was all her fault and
she knew it. Lucas was in this situation
only because he had tried to please her
in spite of his better judgment.
It was not only her own honor and
her aunt's position in Society she had
jeopardized, but Lucas's honor and position as well.
I am entirely to blame for all that has
happened," Victoria said, looking down at
her clenched hands.
If Lord stone vale
will do me the great honor of accepting
my hand in marriage, then I will give it
to him."
There was a taut silence following her
words. When Victoria looked up again,
she was aware that her aunt had relaxed
somewhat, but she only had eyes for Lucas,
who was watching her with unwavering
intensity.
Without a word he left the hearth and
came toward her. He pulled her gently
to her feet.
You honor me. Thank you,
Vicky. I give you my word I will try to
make you happy."
She smiled slowly, a great deal of tension
dissolving inside her at the touch of his
hands. She loved him and he obviously
cared deeply for her.
I have always
considered marriage a fate worse than
death, but I believe that with you I
shall view it in an entirely different light,
my lord."
Lucas grinned, his eyes lighting with
satisfaction. He dropped a quick, possessive,
little kiss on the tip of her nose and
turned to face Cleo.
Very well, madam,
the worst is over. The lady is resigned to
her fate. Now we must move swiftly and
carefully."
Cleo arched her brows.
Somehow I have
already gained the impression that you will
see to it we all do precisely that, stone vale.
I leave everything to you."
Several hours later Victoria conceded
with amusement that her aunt's prediction
had been absolutely correct. Matters had
moved with blinding speed since she and
Lucas had been married early that morning.
Her aunt's household was in a frenzy as
Victoria's bags were packed in preparation
for the hurried departure for stone vale.
Lucas had decreed and Aunt Cleo had
quickly agreed that leaving for the country
was the best move at this point for all
concerned.
We shall tell everyone that because
of your advanced years, neither of you
wished for a formal wedding," Cleo had
explained to Victoria as she outlined
Lucas's plans. Lucas himself was nowhere
around. Directly after the short ceremony
he had excused himself to go home to
his own town house to prepare for the
departure.
Victoria had wrinkled her nose at the
phrase
advanced years" but she could not
quarrel with the reasoning. It was a slim
excuse for such a hasty marriage, but it
was all they had. There would be plenty
of talk as it was.
We shall also put it about that
Lucas has received word that there are
matters requiring his immediate attention
at stone vale. The two of you will leave
town this afternoon and spend your
honeymoon on his estates while he sees
to his lands. With any luck, you will both
be out of town by the time anyone thinks
to start asking questions. When you return
in a few weeks, it will all be a fait accompli,
long past the interesting-gossip stage," Cleo
explained.
Victoria had inclined her head in demure
agreement. The more she grew accustomed
to the idea of being married to Lucas
Mallory Colebrook, the less burdening
and more appealing it all became. As she
watched her baggage fill the hall she began
to think of the whole thing as a grand
adventure, one that would prove even more
exciting than her midnight escapades.
Rathbone's announcement an hour later
of Lady Jessica Atherton's presence on the
doorstep came as a shock.
She rarely calls on us. She must have
gotten word of the wedding. But how
could she possibly know about it already?"
Victoria demanded of her aunt in dismay.
Cleo exhaled in disgust.
You surely
do not need to be told that gossip
flows through London like the Thames.
It was only a matter of time before Jessica
Atherton found out along with everyone
else. But I had rather hoped for a bit
more time than this. Come, Victoria, it
cannot be all that bad. After all, if she
were going to cut us dead because of this,
she would not be paying a social call, now,
would she?" Cleo turned her head toward
the drawing-room door.
Jessica Atherton glided swiftly into the
room, a vision in pale lavender, smiling her
gracious, condescending smile. She went
straight to Cleo and took both the other
woman's hands in a gesture of deepest
sympathy and understanding.
Cleo, dear, I was so sorry to hear of
this rather hasty business. I knew how you
would be feeling, so I came as soon as I
heard."
Very kind of you, Jessica. Pray sit down."
Cleo waved her to a nearby chair and slid
a chiding glance at Victoria, who was
rolling her eyes toward the ceiling.
Just
how did you come to hear of Victoria's
recent marriage?"
Why, the news is all over Town, of
course." Jessica smiled pityingly at Victoria.
You have always been so impetuous,
Vicky. It would have been far wiser to
do things in a more proper fashion, but
there is no denying this is an excellent
match for both you and Lucas and I
want you to know you have my heartfelt
congratulations."
Victoria forced a grudging smile of
gratitude. The problem with dealing with
Jessica was that one always had the
impression one should be grateful. It was
very wearing.
Thank you, Jessica."
Jessica settled deeper into the cushions
of her chair.
You are quite welcome. Do
try not to worry much about the gossip.
There is bound to be some, of course,
but it will fade with time. As you can
see I have already taken steps to help
squelch it by paying this call today. Few
will disapprove openly when they learn that
I have been here to call upon you and lend
countenance to the match."
Cleo's brows rose.
You are quite right,
Jessica. How very considerate of you to act
so swiftly on Victoria's behalf."
As you know, Lucas is an old friend of
mine and I can do no less than make his
bride feel welcome." Jessica reached out
and patted one of Victoria's hands.
My aunt is right," Victoria managed.
You are most thoughtful, Jessica."
Jessica's smile took on the aura of
a benign saint's.
Do you know, Lady
Nettleship, I have often heard about
your impressive conservatory. I wonder
if Victoria might take a moment to show
it to me since I am here."
But, of course. Show her the conserva
tory, Vicky," Cleo said quickly, obviously
relieved to get out of the duty of playing
hostess.
I am sure Jessica will enjoy the
new roses from China."
Victoria got to her feet, trying to hide her
reluctance. But as she led Jessica Atherton
down the hall toward the conservatory, she
chided herself for being churlish. Jessica
was going out of her way to do a favor for
Lucas and herself. The least she could do,
was act properly grateful to the woman.
What a perfectly charming collection of
plants," Jessica said as she was shown into
the glass-walled room.
Quite delightful."
She started down one aisle, pausing to
examine several small items along the
way. Victoria followed, offering desultory
comments on the various species of roses
and irises that passed beneath Jessica's
graciously approving gaze.
But
as
they
made
their
way
to
the
far end of the room, Victoria became
aware that Jessica was paying less and less
attention to the plants she was admiring. In
fact, by the time they reached the end of
the aisle, Jessica's expression had changed
considerably.
Victoria stifled a groan of dismay as it
dawned on her that Jessica had asked for
the tour because she wanted to have a few
words in private.
Jessica halted abruptly near a blood red
parrot tulip. She seemed to gather herself.
When she spoke, it was in a soft, urgent
little voice.
You will be a good wife to
him, will you not, Vicky?" Jessica did
not meet Victoria's eyes, pretending to
study the tulip instead.
He deserves a
good wife."
Victoria's first response to the impertinent,
highly personal question was anger.