Page 33 of Duke of Pride

“I am painfully reminded of the latter daily.”

“All the more reason for me to love your sister, then. She has impeccable taste,” Victoria jibed.

“In general, yes,” Stephen hissed. “In people, not so much.”

Victoria decided to ignore him and keep on writing.

“Dearest Annabelle,” she emphasized. “Your mother has devised the most delightful scheme.”

“I did exactly that,” Dorothy commented, raising her head over linen fabric samples.

“You will not write that, of course!” Stephen protested.

“I am sure there is a ton of work to be done in your study, Your Grace,” Victoria huffed. “You do not need to bother yourself with such menial tasks.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“I am trying to save myself from a bludgeoning headache by simply writing a letter to my best friend. A feat I have successfully achieved before, whether you believe it or not.”

“That’s my crest you’re defacing with your childish scrawl.”

“I am invitingyoursister toyourhouse! How is that defacing?”

“Gold or blue?” Dorothy asked amid the chaos, holding up ribbons.

“Gold!” both said.

“See, you can agree on something,” Dorothy mused.

* * *

The next few days were a whirlwind of preparations, and in the middle of it all stood Victoria. The house had been closed for years and hadn’t received guests, so there was a lot to be done and many unforeseeable problems that arose constantly. Yet, she handled them all with grace. And not only that but also with a smile on her face.

Dorothy, who had spent years moving through the house like a ghost, now glowed with excitement. And that was all Victoria needed to get more energy to make her friend happy. As happy as she deserved.

“Mrs. Charlotte, make sure there is a fire burning in the rooms two days before the guests arrive. The rooms had been closed for so long—they need to be warmed up and not humid.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“Daniel,” Victoria called to a footman, “make the rounds with the oil can. Door hinges and check the windows, please. Let’s make sure no one wakes up to squeaky noises in the middle of the night.”

Daniel smiled and went to do as she asked.

“My Lady, the roses won’t be here in time,” the old gardener said, ready to faint.

“Certainly, a reason to call the whole thing off!” she joked. “Don’t you worry, John. The wildflowers look so much better anyway.”

Then, she went to check the pantry and supplies with a notebook in hand, making calculations offhand, remembering every little detail effortlessly. She moved with natural grace, directing footmen, smoothing feathers, and solving problems before they’d arisen. The staff, initially wary of the sharp-tongued woman taking the lead on this endeavor, now watched her with something akin to awe.

“Victoria.” Dorothy patted her hand as they debated over menus. “Did I ever thank you?”

“Daily. I am thinking of adding it to the program, actually.”

The two of them laughed, enjoying what could have been a very taxing, boring, and stressful process. Victoria was overjoyed. She can give her good friend this—make her some amazing memories and bring back the woman she was.

And throughout it all, over every little thing, Victoria could sensehim.

Hewas watching. Not in an obvious way, but he was there, standing in the room as she gave instructions, glancing at the notebook as she made budget calculations. For sure, he was monitoring her, making sure all was done ‘properly.’ It annoyed her.