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 lavendar, 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 conservatory, 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. She quelled it. Jessica meant well and it was clear she cared about Lucas’s happiness. “I assure you I shall do my best, Jessica.”
“Yes, I am sure you will try. It is just that you are hardly his type, are you? I knew it from the beginning, but he kept insisting you would do.”
“What type did you think he preferred, Jessica?”
Jessica’s eyes squeezed shut for a moment. “A woman who will make him an admirable hostess and see to the management of his home in a proper fashion. A woman who will give him an heir and ensure that his children are raised to take their positions in Society. A well-behaved woman who knows her duty and fulfills it without complaint. A woman who will endeavor to make his life comfortable in every way. One who will not plague him with silly demands nor give him any trouble or cause for embarrassment. Lucas is a very proud man, you know.”
Victoria made another bid for her patience. “I assure you again I will do my best. In any event, he seems quite satisfied with the bargain.”
“Yes, he has made his decision. Lucas is a man who knows his own mind and acts accordingly. He is aware of the responsibilities his title has brought him. He told me this marriage would suit him well and I pray he is right.”
“Lucas has already spoken to you of our marriage, Jessica?” Victoria was suddenly paying complete attention to her maddening visitor.
“Naturally. Lucas felt he could confide in me right from the start. We have, as I explained, known each other for several years. We understand each other.” Jessica’s fingers trailed gracefully along a long leaf. “Dear Lucas. I know I hurt him dreadfully when I was forced to refuse his offer of marriage four years ago. But when he found himself in the same position a few months ago, he finally understood why I had done what I did. He felt he could come to me for help.”
Victoria swallowed thickly. “I had not realized ….”
“Lucas comprehends the notion of duty better than most men and he knows now that I only did what was necessary when I accepted Lord Atherton’s offer instead of his. Marriage is a matter of duty and practicality, is it not? One does what one must.”
Victoria grew cold. “I was not aware that you and Lucas knew each other quite so well,” she finally managed.
“Very well, indeed.” A glimmer of moisture appeared at the edge of Jessica’s dark lashes and splashed down onto the rose petal where it glistened like a drop of dew. “You cannot imagine how hard it was for me when he sought me out after all this time to tell me he had inherited his uncle’s title and would be needing a suitable wife.”
Victoria stared at Jessica’s lovely profile and watched another teardrop fall to the petals of the rose. “A suitable wife,” she heard herself echo, sounding stupid, even to her own ears.
“He asked me to introduce him into the sort of social circles where he could meet the sort of woman he needed.”
“How did Lucas describe this woman he sought?” Victoria asked, her mouth going dry.
“Well, his first requirement, of course, was that she be an heiress.”
“An heiress.” Victoria felt dazed.
“As I am certain you must realize by now, the business about his uncle having died with a fortune hidden under the bed is all rubbish. I put the story about myself so that people would not sus
pect the true state of Lucas’s financial affairs.”
Victoria stiffened. “Yes, of course. How very clever of you.”
“I did my best,” Jessica said with tragic pride. “I could not refuse to help him, not after all we had once meant to each other. But there have been times when I confess it was difficult watching him court you.”
“I can imagine.” Victoria wanted to pick up the nearest flowerpot and hurl it through one of the glass walls of the conservatory.
“When I got word this morning that you and Lucas had been married so precipitously, I told myself it was best this way. I know Lucas needs this marriage if he is to salvage his estates, and it would be easier on him, as well as me, to get the business done as quickly as possible.”
“What about me, Jessica? Or did you consider me at all when you arranged to introduce me to Lucas?”
Jessica turned to her then, briefly considering her words. “You? What have you to complain of? You were in danger of spending the rest of your life on the shelf. Instead you are now a countess. You are married to Lucas. What more could you want?”
“To have been allowed to have spent the rest of my life on the shelf, perhaps?” Victoria’s hands tightened into small fists at her sides. “Believe what you wish when you say you were only doing a favor for Lucas but do not lie to yourself about what you have done to me. I assure you, I am not at all grateful for your interference. How could you have done such a cruel, heartless thing to me?”
Without waiting for an answer, Victoria whirled on her heel and started down the aisle toward the door.
“Vicky, wait, please wait. You must not be angry. I thought you understood. You are an intelligent woman. Indeed, you are known for your quick mind. I thought that at your age you would surely realize that your inheritance was your chief attraction. I mean, why else would a man want to offer for a woman who is inclined to such outrageous behavior, such an ungoverned female who has no—” Jessica broke off, looking haunted. “That is to say, I assumed you were as satisfied with the bargain as Lucas is. You have got yourself an earl, after all.”
Victoria halted and spun around. “And Lucas has my money. You are quite right, Jessica. It is a bargain we have both made and now we must live with it. But you have done your part. You need not concern yourself further in our lives.”
Jessica’s eyes widened and more tears glistened and pearled on her lashes. “I am sorry if you are not content. But you are a woman and you must know it is not our lot to be content. Only a schoolgirl expects to marry for love. We all do what we must. If you cannot bring yourself to feel any real affection for Lucas, only think how hard this is on him. This is going to be just as difficult for him as it is for you. After all, he must have an heir from you.”
“Thank you for reminding me of my wifely duty.”
“Dear heaven, you truly are angry. You do not comprehend at all. I believed you did. Victoria, please, I am sorry. You cannot know how sorry.” Jessica dissolved completely into tears, groping frantically for a handkerchief.
Victoria hesitated, torn between fury and a reluctant sympathy she did not want to feel. Jessica’s tears were real.
Then, annoyed with herself but unable to ignore the sobbing woman, she went forward and hesitantly touched Jessica’s arm.
“You must not do this to yourself, Jessica. You will make yourself ill. Pull yourself together. What is done is done. I do not hold you responsible. I made my own decisions at every point along the way. I have no one but myself to blame for what has happened.”
Jessica gulped back her sobs and clutched helplessly at Victoria, who found herself patting her awkwardly.
“Please, I beg you, Vicky, do not hold any of this against Lucas. He only did what he had to do for the sake of his title.”
Victoria tried to think of a response that would not further alarm the weeping woman. But there was nothing to be said. The truth was she wanted to do a great deal of damage to the Earl of Stonevale. Even as the images formed in her head, she heard his voice in the hall.
“Vicky? Whr way. Your aunt says you have not yet changed into your traveling dress.” His boots rang on the tile of the conservatory as he stepped into the room, looking for her. He glanced briefly around, frowning impatiently, and then his eyes collided with hers over Jessica’s heaving shoulders.
Victoria watched dispassionately as Lucas registered just who it was who was crying her heart out in his wife’s arms.
“Lady Atherton has come to give us her good wishes, my lord. Was that not kind of her under the circumstances? I understand that you and she are extremely close friends of very long standing and that she has been of great assistance in securing an heiress for you. It appears the rumors of your uncle’s hoarded wealth were quite unfounded. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe I shall leave the two of you alone together to make your good-byes. I certainly would not wish to intrude.”
Realization dawned in Lucas’s gaze. He did not move. “Damn it to hell, Vicky,” he said very softly.
She smiled grimly. “My sentiments precisely.”
She freed herself from Jessica’s grasp and stepped around her, heading toward the door. When she reached the point in the aisle where Lucas blocked her path, she looked up at him and said nothing.
“We will talk later,” he promised through his teeth.
“There does not appear to be a great deal left to say. If you will excuse me, my lord?”
He moved reluctantly out of her way, his eyes gleaming with frustrated anger. “Do not be long in dressing for the trip, Vicky. I want to get started as soon as possible. We have a long drive ahead of us.”
She did not bother to respond to that. It took all her concentration simply to get through the door without hurling some of the cacti at his head.
Victoria was trembling with fury and raw pain by the time she reached her bedchamber. She walked into the room to discover an excited Nan fussing with several last-minute items.
“Oh, there you are, ma’am. I’ve almost finished. Albert says the last of the bags is going into the coach now and the horses are ready. You must hurry and change. I hear his lordship just arrived and is impatient to be on his way.”
“There is no rush, Nan. I will not be going anywhere today. Please be so good as to leave me in peace until I send for you.”
Nan’s mouth fell open in shock. “What are you saying, ma’am? His lordship has already given strict instructions that we are not to delay. He will be furious if he hears we’re dawdling up here.”
“Please go, Nan.”
Nan bit her lip. She had rarely seen her mistress in this mood and it was obvious she was not at all certain what to do. She opted to retreat for the moment. “Would a dish o’ tea help, ma’am? If yer not feelin’ well, I’m sure his lordship would understand a short wait for tea.”
“I do not want tea, only some peace.”
“Dear me, there will be the devil to pay for this bit o’ nonsense,” Nan mumbled as she went to the door. “Men don’t take kindly to delays when they’re waitin’ to set off on a trip, especially not them that’s used to givin’ orders to fightin’ men in the field. Accustomed to havin’ people jump when they say jump, that type is.”
Victoria watched the door close behind her muttering maid and then she went slowly over to the window. Jessica Atherton’s elegant carriage was waiting on the street below. As Victoria watched she saw Lucas escort his former love down the steps and put her into the vehicle. He ordered the coachman to be off, turned, and stalked grimly back up the steps into the house.
A moment later she was not surprised to hear hurried footsteps in the hall outside her room and the inevitable knock on her door.
“His lordship wishes to talk to you, my lady.” Nan’s voice was muffled by the closed door. “He says ’tis terribly urgent.”
Victoria crossed the room and opened the door. “Tell his lordship I am indisposed.”
“Oh, please, ma’am, don’t make me tell him that. He is n
ot in a good temper just now, truly he isn’t.”
“To hell with his temper.” Victoria closed the door in Nan’s shocked face. Then she went back to her post by the window to idly watch the last of her luggage loaded into the traveling coach Cleo had insisted on loaning the newly married couple.
The next knock on the door was, predictably enough, Aunt Cleo’s. “Vicky, dear, open up at once. What is this nonsense? Your husband wishes to be off without delay. Ex-military men are not very good about unnecessary delays.”
Victoria sighed and crossed the room again to open the door. “Tell my husband that he is free to leave anytime he chooses. Tell him not to wait upon me as I shall not be coming with him.”
Cleo eyed her severely. “So that’s the way of it, is it?” She walked into the room and closed the door. “I thought there was something distinctly odd about Lady Atherton’s visit this morning. What in the world did she say to upset you so?”
“Did you know that Lucas once asked her to marry him?”
“No, but I hardly see that it matters. Lucas is thirty-four years old. Stands to reason you aren’t the first woman he’s asked to marry him. Is that what has upset you? Come now, Vicky, you are far too intelligent to fly up into the boughs over a minor fiddle like that. Whatever happened between those two occurred years ago,” Cleo said.
“She was unable to accept his offer of marriage because he did not have either a title or sufficient financial resources to suit her or her family.”
“Well, that is her problem, is it not? Lucas has his title now. I fail to see how all this affects you, Vicky.”
“Lucas inherited the title,” Victoria said coolly. “But there was apparently very little money to go with it. Jessica explained that his lordship came to the conclusion he would be obliged to marry an heiress for the sake of his damned title and he asked his dear friend Lady Atherton to arrange an introduction to a suitable female. Would you care to hazard a guess as to just which female of your acquaintance was thus honored?”