Surrender (62 page)

definitely not an ordinary sort of husband.

While he was occasionally arrogant, high

handed, stubborn, and yes, a bit stuffy in

certain matters, he was never at a loss.

And he always took care of his own. His

dedication to his lands and the people of

stone vale proved that.

Still, even knowing what she did about him,

she had not expected quite such a

placid, pragmatic reaction. She was still

a bit awed by his cool acceptance of

her rather sordid past. Of course, she

was dealing with a man who had once

taken her to a gaming hell and a brothel,

Victoria reminded herself, a man who took

her riding at midnight.

 
Is this not a lovely bit of silk, dear? Just

your color, too." Aunt Cleo indicated a bolt

of amber yellow stuff.
 
It would make a

very nice evening gown."

 
Oh, yes, Vicky. Absolutely perfect for

Jessica Atherton's ball," Annabella declared.

 
You must be completely stunning for that

great event, and your aunt is correct: the

color is just right."

 
Very pretty." Victoria reached out to

finger the beautiful fabric.

 
What do you think of the muslin,

Vicky?" Aunt Cleo glanced at her in

quiringly.

 
Quite nice." Victoria forced herself to

pay closer attention to the business at

hand. The muslin was a deep yellow. She

liked it at once.

 
But not for Lady Atherton's ball,"

Annabella insisted.

 
Perhaps a walking dress trimmed in

aqua, then?" Victoria suggested, unwilling

to let the fine muslin go.

The
  
modiste,
  
a
  
tiny
  
woman
  
with
  
a

thick French accent, nodded emphatically.

 
Most charming, my lady."

 
Very well, a ball gown in the silk and

a walking dress in the yellow muslin,"

Victoria said decisively.
 
Now, as to the

gown, I will want it in the height of

fashion, do you understand?"

 
It must be absolutely riveting," Anna

bella declared.
 
Perhaps something along

the lines of this one." She indicated a

fashion plate she had noticed earlier.

 
A lovely gown, madam," the modiste

assured her.

Aunt Cleo frowned as she peered down

at the plate Annabella had pointed out. It

showed a drawing of a woman in a dress

that displayed a great deal of bosom.
 
Do

you think Lucas will like that one, Vicky,

dear? You know what he said last night

at dinner. He distinctly mentioned that he

did not want you getting anything with an

extremely low neckline."

 
Lucas is fond of saying things like that,"

Victoria explained.
 
But he really does not

know all that much about fashion, This

gown is for Lady Atherton's party, and

Annabella is quite right: it simply must

be as dramatic as possible."

 
Yes, well, I shall leave you to explain

it to Lucas," Cleo remarked.
 
He is your

husband, after all."

Annabella giggled.
 
I am certain that by

this time Vicky has molded her lord into

an agreeable sort of husband who does not

give his wife any trouble."

Victoria smiled serenely and decided it

was not absolutely necessary to admit

that there were still some rough edges

on Lucas that needed a great deal more

polishing before he would be molded into

a perfectly agreeable husband.
 
He will be

quite content with this gown."

 
I swear, Vicky, you are an inspiration

to us all," Annabella said in admiring

tones.

Cleo Nettleship's brows rose.
 
Or an

extremely dangerous example. Very well,

then, let us be off. We have several more

appointments to keep today."

A short time later Victoria followed

her aunt and Annabella out onto Bond

Street. The exclusive shopping district was

crowded, as usual. Fashionable carriages,

well-dressed women, and outrageously

garbed dandies littered the landscape.

Aunt Cleo's carriage was waiting at

the curb, but as they started toward it

another carriage pulled up behind it and

the groom jumped down to assist his

passenger.

Isabel Rycott stepped out. She was

dressed in a deep green that set off her

eyes. A small, feathered hat was perched

jauntily on her sleek, dark hair.

Good morning. Lady Nettleship. So

nice to see you."

 
Isabel." Cleo inclined her head politely.

 
And the radiant bride." Isabel smiled her

mysterious smile as she turned to Victoria.

 
What a commotion you caused when you

married Lord stone vale. Quite romantic,

I'm sure, although one wonders what your

dear parents would have said about such a

hasty marriage."

 
As they are no longer around, it hardly

signifies, does it?" Victoria remarked.

 
Perhaps you are right. I had heard that

you and your husband were back in Town.

Lady Atherton is having a reception for

you, is she not?"

 
That is correct," Victoria said.
 
I hope

you have been keeping well, Lady Rycott."

She forced a smile.

 
Very well, thank you."

 
And your friend, Edgeworth? Is he in

good health?"

Isabel's smile tightened fractionally.
 
I

have not seen much of Edgeworth recently.

I assume he is fine. Tell me, Vicky, dear,

will we be seeing you tonight at the

Foxtons?"

It was Cleo who responded.
 
We are

thinking of dropping in for a short time,

although we will not be able to stay long.

Vicky and stone vale are in Town for only

a few days and they have received scores

of invitations. Impossible to accept them

all, you know."

 
I can imagine/ Isabel murmured.
 
Now

that Lady Atherton has given her opinion

that it is the wedding of the Season, more

than one hostess is anxious to have the

famous couple grace her ballroom. Good

day to you both. I trust I will see you this

evening, and if not, then perhaps at the

Atherton reception."

Victoria watched Isabel enter the modiste's

shop and then she stepped up into the

carriage, following her aunt and Annabella.

 
Really, that woman can be so damnably

annoying. I cannot put my finger on it,

but I know I shall never like her."

 
Who? Isabel Rycott? I know what you

mean. There is something about the

woman that grates," Annabella agreed.

 
Not on men," Cleo observed dryly.

Victoria grimaced and glanced back at

the shop as the carriage pulled away from

the curb.
 
Interesting what she said about

Edgeworth, is it not?"

 
He was not her first paramour and

doubtless will not be her last," Cleo said.

 
Isabel always has a man or two trailing

after her."

Annabella frowned thoughtfully.
 
Come

to think of it, one does not see Edgeworth

about much these days at all, not with

Isabel Rycott or anyone else."

Really?" Victoria could not wait to

mention that little tidbit to Lucas.

As it happened, she did not get a

chance to talk to her husband until she

came down the stairs of his town house

that evening. She had dressed with care

for her first night out in London as a

married woman. The yellow and cream

gown fell in a graceful, slender line to

her ankles. She had chosen to wear no

jewelry except the amber pendant and a

tortoiseshell comb in her hair.

Lucas was standing in the hall, waiting

for her. He was dressed in starkly elegant

black and white. His dark hair gleamed in

the light of the chandelier. Victoria looked

down at him from the third step and

wondered if he would ever truly love her as

she loved him. Perhaps the best she could

hope for was his affection, companionship,

and the protection he offered everyone

toward whom he felt responsible.

She could hardly complain if that was all

she ever received from him, Victoria told

herself. It was a great deal more than many

women were fortunate enough to obtain

from husbands, especially those who had

been married for their money.

Lucas bowed gallantly over her hand as

she came down the last two steps.
 
You

look lovely, madam. I consider myself the

luckiest of men tonight."

She smiled.
 
I am feeling rather lucky

myself, sir."

 
Shall we go out and perform for the

crowds?" he asked dryly as he led her out

the door.

 
That is exactly what it feels like, does it

not? I would much rather go for a midnight

ride with you, Lucas."

 
Personally, I am looking forward to a

relatively quiet evening of being squeezed

and trampled and bored in a series of

overheated ballrooms. It sounds positively

restful compared to the adventures we

always seem to encounter when you drag

me out after midnight."

Victoria flashed him a berating look as

he handed her up into the carriage.
 
Really,

Lucas, the way you complain, one would

almost think you did not thoroughly enjoy

yourself on our midnight adventures. Now,

then, I have been waiting all day for a

chance to speak to you about Edgeworth."

 
What about him?" Lucas asked as he

sat down across from her.

 
I ran into Isabel Rycott today on Bond

Street and she made it clear she is no

longer seeing him. In fact, I got the

impression from what my aunt and