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She could never put into practice the skills her mother drilled into her. She had barely been able to meet a stranger’s eyes. After one dance with a man, tripping all over his toes, she was not asked again. She was never at ease in conversation—except writing to Tom. Toward the end, she sat more and more with the chaperones and wallflowers, content that her mother had finally given up on her.
She wanted to refuse Lord Thurlow’s invitation, but that seemed petulant and childish, so she only said, “Of course, my lord. I’ll be waiting for you.”
They finally drove past Banstead House, her new home. She stared up at it, worried for the future, frightened of her new duties as viscountess, yet allowing her relief to take precedence. She had a place to live.
Outside her town house, he drew the horses to a stop.
Victoria glanced over her shoulder, smiling distractedly at the maid, but still looking at Lord Thurlow’s home. “I didn’t get a chance to see much of Banstead House on my visit a few weeks ago.”
When she turned to face him, he was holding a flat, rectangular box toward her. “Let me present you with a gift in honor of our engagement.”
She reached for the box, then opened it. A lovely diamond necklace nestled within. She stared at him.
“For the wedding day,” he said.
He climbed down from the carriage without another word, as if he hadn’t just offered her a fortune in jewels. She pressed her lips together to hold back a slightly hysterical giggle at the thought of what she could have done for her household with the money this cost.
“Thank you for your generosity, my lord,” she said, closing the box and slipping it into her reticule.
He helped her to the pavement. “As for Banstead House, I will be honest with you, Miss Shelby. I am in the process of hiring a new housekeeper, and my butler would be appalled if I invited the future lady of the house at such an unsettled time.”
Lady of the house…
That almost distracted her from the important part of his speech. “You need a new housekeeper, my lord? Could you perhaps consider Mrs. Wayneflete for the position?” Before he could answer, she hurried on. “Our house will be handed over to my cousin, but I know Mrs. Wayneflete would prefer to remain with my mother and me. She’s been with us my whole life.”
“I would be happy to interview your housekeeper, Miss Shelby. Do send her by to speak with my butler.”
Not a definitive answer, but it would have to do. Lord Thurlow escorted her up to her door, then turned to face her on the top step.
She wanted to move away but restrained herself. Was he going to take her hand again? The memory of his mouth on her skin still arose at the most inconvenient times.
Lord Thurlow wore the faintest smile, as if he knew what she was thinking. Would it always be this way, he full of awareness, she ignorant of everything he was contemplating?
“Hello!” came a sudden call from next door.
Victoria and Lord Thurlow both looked toward Banstead House, from where a man was just leaving. As he came closer, she saw that he was very blond and pleasant looking, smiling at her as if she should know him. Twenty-six years of maidenhood, and on the same day, two different men at her door!
4
Only through good breeding did David keep from swearing out loud. What the hell was his friend Simon doing here on Victoria’s doorstep?
“Hello,” Simon said again in that cheerful voice that verged on annoying.
Simon’s speculative glance was all for Victoria as he looked between them from the bottom of the stairs. For some unknown reason, David wanted to clench his teeth together. Instead he lightly rested his arm around Victoria’s waist. She gave a little start, then held unnaturally still. She felt very warm, very soft.
“Miss Shelby,” David said, “may I introduce Simon, Lord Wade.”
Victoria’s face took on another rose blush as Simon took her hand in both of his.
“Miss Shelby, it is a pleasure to meet David’s betrothed at last.”
“Thank you, Lord Wade,” Victoria said, “but it could not have been that long since you first heard of me.”
David felt an absurd feeling of satisfaction. “I told him of the engagement two days ago, Miss Shelby, but as you can see, he has the patience of a mouse.”
“Is that a slur, Thurlow?” Simon asked in mock horror. “Will you not even invite me in? Your staff went to all the trouble of telling me where you were.”
Simon was obviously spending too much time at Banstead House, if the staff was talking to him so freely. “I was just leaving, Wade. You can accompany me.”