not sound so very terrible anymore. It
would take some time to procure a special
license," she said.
Lucas met her gaze. I have one in my
pocket. I have been carrying it around for
several days."
Her eyes widened in astonishment. You
have? But why on earth would you have
one with you?"
For just such an emergency as this,
of course. Why do you think? The risk
of discovery has been with us from the
moment we met and there were other
risks as well. In the event the inevitable
happened, I wanted to be prepared to
limit the damage as much as possible."
He smiled fleetingly. I learned long ago
that it is always wise to have a position
to which one can fall back and regroup."
The military mind at work." Victoria
shook her head in unwilling admiration
for his strategic planning. Everyone seems
to have considered the potential for disaster
except me."
Cleo gave her an oddly pitying glance.
I must confess, Victoria, I am astonished
to see that you have precipitated yourself
into this sort of situation. It is true you
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
&
nbsp; 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.
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 glimme
r 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 suspect 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
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