To Catch a Countess (33 page)

“Daddy married you,” Darcy said.

“That was a nice thing,” Fiona said.

“And Daddy missed you, too,” Aidan added.

Victoria glanced at her husband, and their gazes met across the table. She looked away first, turning her attention to her stepdaughters.

Lunch ended soon after that. Victoria and the girls walked Alexander to the foyer. “I’ll send my coach for them later,” he said.

“We will bring them home,” Victoria told him. “Come, girls, let’s sit in the garden.”

The Duke of Inverary’s London garden was a poor relation when compared to his Newmarket estate. Courageous crocus had signaled spring’s arrival. Yellow forsythia waved at the shy pansies hiding beneath trees beginning to bud. Red, white, and yellow tulips marched in a straight line to border still-empty flowerbeds.

Victoria sat on a bench and watched her stepdaughters romping in the spring sunshine. She wished she could run with them. The garden door opening drew her attention, and Aunt Roxie walked in her direction. She had never known her aunt to step foot in this garden. She’d bet her last shilling her aunt was manipulating her.

“How was the luncheon?” Aunt Roxie asked, sitting beside her.

“I’m surprised you don’t already know.”

“Darling, I—” Three little girls rushed across the garden to greet her aunt. Each carried a tulip picked from the duke’s garden.

“These are for you, Aunt Roxie,” Darcy spoke for her sisters.

Her aunt recovered, wiping the horror from her expression. “Thank you for these lovely tulips, my favorites.”

When the girls raced away, Aunt Roxie said, “You need to return to Grosvenor Square, Tory.”

Victoria looked at her but said nothing.

“You need not forgive you-know-who in order to live in the same house and love your stepdaughters,” Aunt Roxie said. “The longer you wait, the harder it will be.”

Victoria sighed. The only alternative to returning to Grosvenor Square was running away to America. She wasn’t running anywhere carrying this baby. She couldn’t even get a governess position because she was illiterate.

“I suppose you are correct.”

“I am relieved that is settled.” Aunt Roxie stood and called to the girls. “Come here. Mama Tory is going home with you. Let’s go inside.”

The girls clapped and danced around. “The fairies did it,” Darcy said.

Aunt Roxie took charge in the foyer. “Tinker, take the girls into the dining room for gingerbread. Bundles, go to your room and pack your belongings. You will be returning to Grosvenor Square with Victoria.”

“I doubt His Lordship will rehire me.”

“You work for me,” Victoria said, “and I will be doubling your salary.”

Bundles hurried to his quarters to pack his belongings, leaving Victoria and Aunt Roxie alone in the foyer.

“I will supervise packing your belongings and delivering them later.” Aunt Roxie stepped closer and lowered her voice to offer advice. “Make Alex beg to spend a fortune on jewels and gowns and furs.”

“I don’t want jewels and gowns and furs.”

“Swallow your tongue,” Aunt Roxie said. “What do you want?”

“I want a husband who loves me,” Victoria answered.

“Alexander loves you.”

“He’s never said so.”

“Men cannot express their feelings as well as women,” Roxie said, waving her hand in dismissal. “God created woman second because He wanted to correct His mistakes.”

Victoria laughed at that.

“Darling, you carry my blood in your veins,” her aunt said. “I have faith in your abilities.”

Victoria hugged her aunt. “I love you, Aunt Roxie.”

*    *    *

Alexander stepped out of his coach in front of his Grosvenor Square mansion. Had his daughters returned from their visit with Tory? Had they asked her to return home? How much time would pass before his wife came home?

The front door opened before he reached it. “Welcome home,” Bundles greeted him.

“What are you doing here?” Alexander asked.

“Her Ladyship thought you might be missing my services,” Bundles answered. “She offered to double my salary if I returned with her.”

“My wife is here?”

“That is what I said.”

Alexander crossed the foyer toward the stairs. “Where is she?”

“I believe Her Ladyship is resting.”

Alexander started up the stairs but paused and turned around. “I worried for your safety after you’d gone and looked for you. I will triple your salary.”

Bundles smiled at that. “Thank you, my lord.”

Alexander listened outside his wife’s bedchamber but heard nothing. He opened the door and crossed to the bed. His wife and daughters were napping together. Smiling, he left the room and headed to his office.

Alexander walked into the dining room for supper. Only Bundles stood near the sideboard. “Where is everyone?”

“The young misses supped earlier,” Bundles answered. “The day’s excitement wearied them. Lady Victoria asked for a tray in her chamber.”

Alexander left the dining room and went upstairs. Reaching his wife’s chamber, he knocked on the door and then entered. Clad in her nightgown and robe, Victoria was sitting on the settee.

“Welcome home,” Alexander said, sitting beside her. “Are you avoiding me?”

“We live in the same house,” Victoria said. “That would be difficult.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

“I am not avoiding you,” she answered. “I have survived five stressful months, and I’m tired.”

“I’m sorry, Tory.”

“My tiredness is not your fault,” Victoria told him. “My sisters informed me that tiredness is usual in pregnant women.”

“The five stressful months are my fault,” Alexander said, “and for that I am sorry. I want you to know I never touched Diana Drummond or anyone else. She had sent me a note asking if she could change for the opera here because Venetia and Harry were arguing.”

When she said nothing, he continued, “I should have recognized the signs of your disability. I will hire a tutor if you want.”

Victoria glanced at him. “You would be wasting your money.”

“I never told anyone we were separated,” Alexander said. “I did not tell anyone the reason, but Venetia and Diana told anyone who would listen. I visited Inverary House three times before the hearing, but you were in Newmarket.”

“Tinker gave me your calling cards,” Victoria said. “Is your sister returning to Australia?”

“Harry Gibbs has already booked passage.” Alexander hesitated for a long moment. “Your aunt insists we attend the opera next week.”

“I will never attend the opera again in this lifetime,” Victoria refused.

“Your aunt insists you need to step into society once before the babe arrives,” he told her. “Inviting society to our babe’s christening celebration will be impossible if we don’t, and we need to start thinking about our daughters’ entry in society.”

“Then I will do it,” she said, “but I won’t like it.

“Rudolf and Samantha will accompany us,” Alexander said, “and I will protect you.”

“You did not protect me before,” Victoria reminded him. “Why should I believe you will protect me now?”

“You’ll never know how much I regret hurting you,” Alexander said, “and I’m ready to prove myself to earn your trust again.” He lifted her hand to his lips and then rose from the settee. “Even if you do forgive me, I will never forgive myself.” At that, he quit the chamber.

Alexander dined alone in his office where he worked on ledgers, but his thoughts traveled up the stairs. His wife had not forgiven him, but her presence in their home comforted him.

He’d been so quick to judge her guilty and had failed to give her the courtesy of an explanation. The judge had been correct. He needed to open doors that he’d slammed shut and locked.

Simple words would not suffice. His wife had no reason to trust words that had already proven empty. Only actions would convince her that his promises were real. That would take time.

Closing his ledgers, Alexander left his office and walked upstairs. The house was silent, his wife and his daughters slept. In the kitchen, Tinker and the others would be sharing a cup of tea before finding their own beds.

Alexander walked into his chamber, undressed, and slipped into his bed robe. Deciding to check on Victoria, he walked into her chamber without knocking. The bed was empty.

“I’m sitting on the settee,” Victoria said. “You may join me if you want.”

Alexander crossed the chamber and sat beside her. “Are you ill?”

“The babe makes me uncomfortable,” she said. “He keeps me awake when I want to sleep.”

When Alexander put his arm around her shoulders, Victoria reached for his free hand and placed it on her distended belly. An expression of rapt amazement appeared on his face. He could feel his baby kicking and moving about.

“He is active. Thank you, Tory.”

Victoria leaned her head against his shoulder and eventually dozed off. After a while, Alexander carried her to bed and pulled the coverlet up. He stood in indecision for a moment, wanting to stay but wondering if he should go. Finally, he climbed into the bed beside her and pulled her into the circle of his arms. And then he fell into a deep sleep, too.

The next five days flew faster than the previous five months. Victoria passed the time with her stepdaughters who begged the fairies and pixies for a brother every day. With Bundles’s help, Victoria prepared a nursery but did not sleep in her husband’s bed. She knew he hoped for forgiveness, which she had not given him yet.

Victoria chose the loosest gown she owned to wear at the opera. The blue silk gown sported long sleeves and modest neckline and matching cloak. She’d pulled her copper hair back and knotted at the nape of her neck.

Standing in front of the cheval mirror, Victoria focused on her evening instead of her appearance. She did not want to attend the opera. Some in society would always believe her an adulteress. Everyone knew she could not read, incapable of even learning.

“Are you ready?” Alexander asked, walking into the chamber. “Rudolf and Samantha are waiting.”

Victoria turned away from the cheval mirror. “Do I look fat?”

Alexander dropped his gaze to her swollen body. “You look beautiful.”

“Do I look fat?”

“No, absolutely not.”

A smile touched her lips. “Thank you for lying.”

The ride to the opera was short and silent. Rudolf and Alexander climbed down first.

“All will be well,” Samantha said, and then climbed out with her husband’s assistance.

Aplomb.
Victoria recalled her aunt’s advice. She took a deep breath and stepped down from the coach.

Holding her husband’s hand, Victoria stared straight ahead. She lifted her chin, squared her shoulders, and walked through the lobby with her head held high. Several gentlemen greeted her husband and brother-in-law. Their ladies acknowledged her presence with a slight smile and nod.

Without pausing for conversation, Alexander led her toward the base of the stairs leading to the opera boxes. And then someone called to her husband. Standing beside them were Rupert and Miriam Wilmington.

“Good evening, Princess Samantha,” Miriam greeted her sister. Then she turned to Victoria. “How are you feeling, dear?”

Victoria placed the palm of her hand on her swollen middle and smiled at the older woman. “If you ever slander our child again,” she said, her voice soft, “I will cut your tongue out of your brainless head.”

“And I will hold you down while she does it,” her sister added.

Victoria turned her back on the Wilmingtons and started up the stairs. She glanced at her husband, walking beside her, and noted his smile.

Entering her husband’s opera box, Victoria sat between her husband and her sister. She refused to acknowledge the heads turning in her direction and lorgnettes being raised.

Thankfully, the opera began. Victoria could still feel the stares of many opera-goers. Her thoughts drifted to Miriam Wilmington. She could scarcely believe the woman’s audacity in greeting her.

Act One ended, signaling intermission. Society socialized during this time. Most opera-goers attended the opera to see and be seen, but her husband was an exception. He actually enjoyed the performance.

Prince Rudolf and Alexander stood to stretch their legs. Her husband leaned close, asking, “Do you—?”

“I don’t want anything,” Victoria interrupted him. “I dislike the posturing in the lobby.”

Samantha touched her hand. “I dislike it, too.”

“Tory, your warning to Miriam Wilmington was worth the price of admission,” Prince Rudolf said. “I am proud to call you my sister-in-law.”

She smiled at him. “Thank you for the praise.”

Victoria sensed a presence behind her and looked over her shoulder. Lord Russell began talking business with Rudolf and Alexander. With him was her next target, Lydia Stanley.

“Good evening, Princess Samantha,” Lydia greeted her sister. “How fares your family?”

“Very well, thank you.” Her sister’s reply was short and cooly polite.

“How are you feeling, Lady Victoria?”

Victoria stared at the woman as if she were a bug. Without saying a word, she turned her back and wished she had eyes in the back of her head. She would have loved to see the witch’s expression.

There were more than a few gasps from nearby boxes. One voice said, “Bravo.” Another voice said, “Touché.” That elicited a few masculine chuckles, and women used their fans to cover their smiles.

Alexander sat down and raised her hand to his lips. “She’s gone now.”

Samantha touched her hand. “Good job, sister.”

“Aunt Roxie would be so proud,” Rudolf drawled.

Her husband leaned close to whisper in her ear. “And I thought I would need to protect you.”

*    *    *

Three weeks later, Alexander sat with Duke Magnus, Robert, and Rudolf in the drawing room at Grosvenor Square. Upstairs, Victoria labored in childbirth, attended by her aunt, her sisters, and the physician.

“Why is it taking so long?” Alexander asked, his brow creased with worry as he paced back and forth in front of the hearth. “Is this normal?”

“First babies can be slow,” Duke Magnus said.

“Take a shot of vodka for your nerves,” Prince Rudolf suggested.