To Catch a Countess (32 page)

“Good morning, Bundles.”

“Good morning, my lady.” Bundles offered her his arm. “Are we feeling better this morning?”

“Much better. Thank you for asking.”

“I saw an interesting article in the newspaper
yesterday,” Bundles told her, speaking as they walked down the third-floor corridor to the stairs. “An Irishman and a Scotsman went into a tavern to share a pint. When the tavern keeper asked who would pay for it, the Scotsman said that he would. The next day, yesterday, the paper’s headline read:
Irish Ventriloquist Slain
.

Victoria laughed out loud.

“May I say, my lady,” Bundles remarked, “your laughter is more welcome than springtime birdsong.”

When they reached the dining room, Tinker stood in his usual position at the sideboard. Victoria chose scrambled eggs, three slices of bacon, and a hot roll with butter. Carrying her plate, Bundles escorted her to the table and helped her into a chair.

“I don’t know what I would do without you,” Victoria said. “His Lordship must be missing your services.”

“His Lordship is an arse,” Bundles drawled.

Victoria smiled at that. “Where are my uncle and aunt?”

“His Grace has gone to his office,” Tinker answered.

“Please bring me the paper,” Victoria instructed Bundles. “I prefer facing the bad news first.”

“I’m sorry, my lady.” Bundles flicked a pointed look at Tinker. “We don’t have it today.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“The Earl of Winchester gave an interview to the society reporter,” Tinker told her. “His Lordship called you loving, loyal, and courageous.”

Something insulting had been written about her. These devoted retainers were trying to protect her.

“I see the paper at the other end of the table,” Victoria said, pointing to it. “Bring it to me.”

Victoria needed to know how badly the
Times
had insulted her. Steeling herself, she put the paper down on the table and read the headline. She recognized the words countess and not, but the other two words escaped her. “Read me this headline.”

Bundles hesitated. “I-I-I forgot my spectacles in my chamber.”

Victoria raised her brows at him. “Do not use that lie on me.”

Bundles inclined his head. Then he read aloud, “Countess Stupid, Not Guilty.”

Victoria stared at the headline for long moments. Her bottom lip quivered as she struggled with her emotions. The humiliating thought of her baby being told about his mother’s stupidity nearly felled her. Everyone in London, from prince to pauper, knew she was stupid. She pushed her plate away and rose from her chair.

“You are not stupid,” Bundles said.

“Indeed, you are very clever,” added Tinker.

“A person incapable of learning to read is considered stupid.” Victoria placed her hand on the mound of her enormous belly. “I’ve lost my appetite.”

“My lady, you must eat,” Bundles said. “The babe needs nourishment.”

“I will eat an early lunch,” Victoria promised. “The babe will not suffer from a slight delay.”

And then her uncle, her aunt, and her husband walked into the dining room. Victoria lifted the newspaper off the table, and there was no mistaking the battle in her eyes.

“Darling, you aren’t leaving?” Aunt Roxie said. “We were joining you for coffee and conversation.”

“Yesterday proved more-than-enough speaking for me.” Victoria turned to Bundles. “Will you escort me upstairs?”

“Of course, my lady.”

With Bundles following behind, Victoria crossed the dining room to the door. Her aunt and her uncle sat at the dining table, but her estranged husband stood his ground inside the doorway.

Alexander slid his gaze to his former employee. “What are you doing here?”

“Mister Bundles works for me,” Victoria said.

Alexander looked at her. “Doing what, may I ask?’

“You may ask,” Victoria said, “but I am not required to answer.”

“We must speak,” Alexander said. “Please, Tory. I beg you to listen.”

His gaze pleaded for forgiveness. She was in no mood to forgive.

“I wonder where I’ve heard those words before,” Victoria said, staring into his eyes. “Ah, yes, I remember now. I spoke those very words before you slammed the door in my face.”

Her husband flushed, apparently uncomfortable with his previous actions. “You know we need to speak.”

“I will speak,” Victoria said, “and you will listen.”

Alexander inclined his head. Victoria unfolded the paper and showed him the headline.

“Everyone in London knows I am stupid,” Victoria began. “When our son is older, people will enjoy telling him that his stupid mother once answered to adultery charges in court.”

Alexander started to reply. “I doubt that—”

“Don’t you dare speak,” Victoria interrupted him, wagging a finger in his face. “Dozens of Lydia Stanleys and Miriam Wilmingtons fill society. They won’t forget, and their whispers won’t let me forget.

“You knew Venetia hated me,” Victoria continued, “and you knew the widow wanted you. You showed your mistresses more respect than you showed your wife.”

“Your seeming betrayal devastated me,” Alexander admitted.

“You will find no sympathy here,” Victoria said. “Your indefensible actions betrayed my trust. You allowed those two witches to shred my reputation, and you humiliated me. Publicly.”

Victoria paused, took a deep breath, and placed the palm of her hand on the mound of her swollen belly. “Mister Bundles, please help me upstairs now. My husband has given me indigestion.”

Alexander watched her leave. How could he reconcile with his wife if she refused to speak to him? Why would she even want a reconciliation after what had transpired the previous months?

“Come and sit with us,” Aunt Roxie called. “We must discuss strategy.”

Alexander crossed the room and sat at the table. “Strategy?”

The duchess gave him her dimpled smile. “Only sound strategy will earn you a place with your wife.”

Tinker served the duke his coffee. Then he returned with the duchess’s.

“I’ll take a black coffee,” Alexander said.

Tinker looked down his nose at him. “Get it yourself.”

Duke Magnus rolled his eyes. “Serve the earl his coffee.”

Wearing a disgruntled expression, Tinker returned to the sideboard and turned his back on them. He poured the earl’s coffee and served it.

“Did I mention that I take my coffee without spit,” Alexander said, and noted the majordomo’s lips twitch. “I appreciate your loyalty to my wife.”

“Someone needed to give her loyalty,” Tinker muttered, and pasted an insincere smile on his face. “Would you care for something to eat, my lord?”

“No, thank you.”

“I suggest a large piece of humble pie,” Tinker said. “Roasted crow?”

“You may leave,” Duke Magnus said, “and close the door on your way out.”

The majordomo exited the dining room and closed the door.

“Tightly, Tinker,” the duchess called, and the door clicked shut.

“Alex, darling, Victoria is understandably upset.”

“I think Alex got that message, Roxie.”

“Magnus, I am the relationship expert.” The duchess looked at Alexander. “Victoria will return home eventually.”

“Eventually could be years,” Duke Magnus said.

“Victoria does love you,” the duchess said, ignoring her husband, “but you dragged her name through the muck and forced her to reveal her disability.”

Alexander said nothing. He sipped his coffee and waited for strategy.

“Thankfully, there will be no divorce,” Aunt Roxie continued, “but you must persuade her to go home. Bring your daughters here on Friday. After a family luncheon for five, leave the girls with Victoria for the afternoon.”

He perked up at that. “I could bring them tomorrow.”

The duchess shook her head. “You must give her time to consider her options.”

Alexander didn’t like the sound of that. “What are her options?”

“Victoria can return home and begin your marriage anew after you have properly prostrated yourself at her feet,” the duchess answered, “or she can live alone all the days of her life.” She gave him a pointed look. “Hmm, I wonder which she will choose.”

“I’ll wait until Friday,” Alexander agreed, “and I’ll devour an entire humble pie if necessary.”

“Do not ask her to return home,” Aunt Roxie advised him. “Your daughters will do that for you. Now, we must begin launching Victoria into society before the babe arrives.”

“Why don’t we wait until she recovers from childbirth?”

“Society will be invited to the christening,” Roxie said, and looked at her husband. “Naturally, we will host the christening celebration. No one will dare snub us.”

Duke Magnus nodded. “Yes, dear.”

The duchess turned to Alexander. “You and Victoria must attend the opera next week.”

“I doubt Tory will—”

“Tell her that she must do this to help your daughters gain entry into society when the time comes,” the duchess said. “Rudolf and Samantha will accompany you.”

“What if someone—?”

“I’m depending on you to protect her.”

“Very well, I’ll persuade her to attend the opera if she comes home.”

“I guarantee Victoria will return home this weekend,” Roxie said, “but you will be waltzing on eggshells for a long time.”

Alexander nodded. “I trust your judgment.”

“Wait here, Alex.” The duchess rose from her chair. “I will send Victoria down so you can ask permission for the girls to visit.” She looked at her husband. “Come, Magnus. No gentleman wants an audience when he grovels.”

Five minutes later, Alexander rose from his chair when his wife walked into the dining room. Her face an expressionless mask, Victoria looked at him and waited for him to speak.

“The girls miss you,” Alexander said, and noted her expression softened. “Would you be amenable to their visiting you this Friday?”

A smile touched his wife’s lips, the first smile he’d seen since the previous November. “Yes, I will expect the girls this Friday.” Victoria turned to leave.

“Tory?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

Victoria inclined her head like a queen granting a favor. Without another word, she walked out of the dining room.

*    *    *

Victoria hurried downstairs as fast as her bulk would allow. Her stepdaughters would soon arrive, and she wanted to greet them in the foyer. Bundles and Tinker stood together near the front door and talked in low voices.

“There you are, darling,” Aunt Roxie said, walking into the foyer. “I want a word with you before the girls arrive.”

Victoria crossed the foyer to speak privately. “Yes?”

“I forgot to mention that Alex will be joining you for lunch.”

“I didn’t know the invitation extended to him.”

Aunt Roxie gave her a dimpled smile. “That is because, as I said, I forgot to mention it.”

Victoria could not believe that. Her aunt had never forgotten anything.

“The truth is that I planned to invite Alexander for the girls’ sake,” Aunt Roxie said, apparently uncomfortable with the absurd lie. “Those darling cherubs need to feel part of a real family.”

“You are correct.” After all, her stepdaughters had only seen Venetia and Diana since November. Those witches had no interest in children, especially those born on the wrong side of the blanket.

Outside, someone banged the knocker on the door. Victoria hurried across the foyer. Tinker opened the door. The three girls rushed inside but stopped short at the sight of Victoria.

“You grew,” Darcy said.

“What did you eat?” asked Fiona.

“A horse?” Aidan said.

Victoria smiled. “No, this is your brother.”

“You swallowed our brother?” Darcy exclaimed, eliciting her sisters’ gasps.

“I did not swallow your brother,” Victoria said, gathering them into her arms. “I missed you.” She kissed Darcy and then Fiona. “And I missed you.” Finally, she kissed Aidan. “And I missed you, too.”

“We missed you,” Darcy told her.

“We needed you,” Fiona added.

“Don’t ever leave us again,” Aidan said.

“I promise never to leave you,” Victoria said, ignoring her husband’s presence. “Cook has prepared a delicious lunch of roasted chicken with vegetables and potato. And for dessert we’ll have gingerbread and—?”

“Whipped cream,” all three shouted.

Victoria and the girls walked down the hallway toward the dining room. She paused and looked over her shoulder. “Are you joining us?”

“Yes, of course.” Alexander followed them down the hallway.

Victoria and Aidan sat together at the dining table. Opposite them, Alexander sat between Darcy and Fiona. Bundles insisted on serving them.

“I don’t like carrots,” Darcy said, and looked at Fiona. “I’ll trade my carrots for your broccoli.”

“Okay,” Fiona agreed. “I love carrots.”

“I’ll trade you some of my potato for broccoli,” Aidan said, pushing her plate toward her sister.

“Ladies, you can eat as much or as little of everything,” Bundles assured them.

“This is more fun,” Darcy said.

“And we’re not wasting anything,” Fiona added.

“How did the baby get inside your belly?” Aidan asked.

Victoria looked at her husband. “I’ll let you answer this.”

“The daddy and the mummy go into the bedchamber and lock the door,” Alexander began, smiling at his daughters’ rapt expressions. “God sends His stork with a seed, and the daddy plants the seed inside the mummy. When the seed grows into a baby, the mummy delivers it.”

“How does the baby get out of the mummy’s belly?” Darcy asked.

Alexander looked at Victoria. “You take this one, Mummy.”

“The stork keeps that a secret,” Victoria answered. “The mummy doesn’t know until the time comes.”

“Will you tell us the secret when you know?” Darcy asked.

“I will consider it.”

“We used your magic wand and pixie dust,” Fiona said. “We made the evil witches disappear.”

“We asked the fairies to bring you home,” Aidan said, “but they took a long, long time before we got our wish.”

With tears welling in her eyes, Victoria smiled at each stepdaughter. “That is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”