Page 5

"He is quite well. He is a real hellion. He had taken to giving everyone a headache with his war play these days."

The mental picture of a little boy rallying his imaginary army caused a chuckle to escape Victoria.

"Seems he takes after his father then. How is he accepting the news of the close arrival of a sibling?"

"He is ecstatic. But I think he is under the misconception that he is getting a new playmate. He would be in for a rude shock when he discovers that his sibling would not be able to play with him in that way for a few years, at least"

"I guess you and Henri have your work cut out for you," she said with a smile.

"I guess we do," he said with an answering smile.

The look of happiness on her friend's face made her happy for him, but it also caused an ache in that part of her heart that had always felt lonely.

She had always wished for a family of her own, to have children of her own. But with every year that passed that she remained firmly on the shelf that dream moved further away from her reach. Instead she immersed herself in caring for her sisters instead.

"Are you well Victoria, you do not seem happy."

"I am quite fine. Theodore. Do not worry."

He gave her a doubtful look, but she was not about to complain to him about her loneliness or the dilemma of extricating her sister from the duke's proposal. Her embarrassment would not let her and she was sure a simple talk with father will see an end to the Duke's proposal.

Theodore looked ready to pry and with his intimate knowledge of her character he just might succeed so she had to distract him

"I think I hear the first dance starting. Surely you would not keep your dance partner waiting."

"Alright, I am leaving," he said, raising his hand in surrender. "But this discussion isn't over," he warned, striding away.

As she stood looking around for signs of her sister, she saw her father heading outside the ballroom, most likely to smoke his cheroot, but it was rather early, even for him.

Besides there was no better time to talk to him, but now because she most likely would not meet him at home within the hours he was awake, given how busy her schedule usually was.

Her mind made up, she followed him outside and sure enough when she met him outside, he was lighting his cheroot.

"I thought we have talked about this, Father. You promised to stop this habit of yours."

Her father turned to her with a placating smile. "This," he said raising the cheroot in his hand, "it keeps a man's blood flowing."

When she didn't seem convinced, he sighed miserably, "can you not allow an old man to enjoy simple pleasures?" he said, using his signature act of guilt tripping his daughter.

When she looked a way in defeat, he lighted the cheroot with such glee that was almost childish. Victoria shook her head in amused disbelief.

"I have something to discuss with you, Father."

"What is it, Victoria?" he asked.

"It's about Charity's engagement to the Duke."

At the mention of the duke, He paused a little then continued puffing away his cheroot.

"What about it?" he asked.

"I don't think he is the best match for Charity," she replied.

"Why would you think that, dear Victoria?" he asked peering at her behind the wall of smoke his cheroot had produced

"He is too intimidating and unyielding for a soft girl like her."

"She would learn to accommodate him when they marry. Remember the suitor in question is a duke, so we require his help in matters of the financial nature. We cannot afford to antagonize a man with his level of his importance. If he gets annoyed, he could destroy us all."