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Victor reseated himself, grateful Lydia had finished torturing everyone’s ears. Perhaps she had realized Victor had little interest in pursuing an attachment and decided to invest her time elsewhere.

But Felix Davies? Although Lydia was more often a ninny, more interested in the latest fashion or gossip than in anything meaningful—like art and creativity—to throw Victor over for Felix Davies was an insult equal to the cut direct.

No, Victor wasn’t jealous. He was appalled. What was Lydia thinking? Davies was a known rake and a scoundrel. Did all women prefer a scoundrel over a gentleman? Davies was almost as bad as that blackguard Nash.

Damn . Why must he think of that man? Thoughts of him inevitably led to Adalyn.

However, if Lydia had turned her marriage-minded machinations elsewhere, Victor would be left without a defense against his mother’s nagging.

Victor peered over at Miss Merrick, and a delightful idea popped into his head.

Perhaps Cilla’s machinations had merit. It might be enjoyable to court the lovely blonde, an added benefit being his mother’s outrage over Miss Merrick’s common birth.

That’s if he could stop thinking about Adalyn each time he looked at Miss Merrick.

Oily shame squirmed in his stomach that pretending she actually was Adalyn would make his efforts more believable. But at what cost?

If he were honest with himself, which he tried to be, even if he didn’t always succeed, Victor admitted ladies found him attractive. Most of his flirtations were harmless, and he was careful never to compromise gently bred ladies.

But something about Miss Merrick told him she was not used to the superficial flirtations common among the ton . If he imagined she was Adalyn, she might actually believe his pursuit of her was in earnest, and worse—fall in love with him.

Returning his attention back to the front of the room where Lady Miranda played the piano, he curled his hands into fists on his thighs. Could he be such a cad?

He had no intention of breaking her heart as his own had been shattered.

No. He would have to separate Adalyn from Miss Merrick. Juliana . He repeated the lovely name mentally to the beat of the four-four rhythm of the music. He would tread carefully with his flirtation, and no one would get hurt.

When the musicale ended, Victor made his goodbyes to the duke, duchess, and Miss Merrick. “I’ll look forward to the invitation to go riding, Your Graces. Miss Merrick.” His words were sincere, as he looked forward not only to the image of Miss Merrick riding astride but getting to know her better.

Victor bowed and followed Cilla and Timothy out to retrieve their hats and gloves.

As he made his way toward the door, Lydia called from behind. “Mr. Pratt! Mr. Pratt!”

Blast . He’d almost made a clean escape. She had that damnable fan out again, swishing it around like a weapon.

“We barely had time to chat this evening. What did you think of my performance?” She batted her eyes at him, seemingly oblivious that Davies arrived at her side.

“Very nice, Miss Whyte.”

Davies snorted. “You were at the refreshment table practically the entire time.”

Victor glared. “I could hear quite adequately from there. And you’re one to speak. Weren’t you there as well?”

Lydia darted a glance toward Davies, then Victor, her mouth pulling into a pout. She slid her hand through Davies’s arm and met Victor’s gaze as if in challenge. “Lord Felix needs to stretch his legs from an injury. But I’m most disappointed in you, Mr. Pratt.”

“Why? You seem to have found a suitable replacement with Davies.”

Lydia scrunched her face as if she might cry at any moment, but her eyes appeared tear-free. “Must you be so mean, Victor? Lord Felix and I are friends. You told me you weren’t going to attend this evening, and he graciously offered to stand in your stead.”

“Perhaps he has other intentions, Lydia,” Davies said with a sneer.

“I understand Burwood has offered a substantial dowry for his sister.” Davies examined his well-manicured nails.

“No doubt due not only to Miss Merrick’s common birth, but also the debacle of her come-out.

A man would need to be paid to court such a walking disaster.

Are you in need of funds, Pratt? Is that why you spent so much time this evening toadying up to Burwood and his sister? ”

Victor shoved his hat on his head. “I will not dignify that with an answer. Now, if you will excuse me, my sister and her husband are waiting. Good night.”

Victor stormed out the door and climbed into the carriage with Cilla and Timothy, settling back against the comfort of the squabs.

“What kept you?” Cilla asked, her tone more annoyed than concerned.

Timothy touched Cilla’s arm. “Something’s wrong. What happened, Victor?”

“Lydia and Felix Davies happened. Cornered me right when I was leaving. Davies accused me of going after Miss Merrick for her dowry.”

“I never liked that fellow,” Timothy said.

Cilla snorted. “Yet, both you and Honoria suggested him as one of my suitors.”

Timothy drew a hand down his face. “You’ll never forgive me for that, will you?”

“No. I’ve forgiven Honoria because she was simply trying to help. You, on the other hand . . .”

“Will you two stop?!” Victor slammed his hat down on the cushion next to him.

Cilla jumped in her seat.

“This isn’t about you and rehashing your bumpy road to realizing you were perfect for each other. It’s about me!” Victor’s eyes adjusted to the dim light of the carriage compartment, the surprised expression on his sister’s face giving him a perverse pleasure.

Pleasure which dissipated when she rolled her eyes. “Oh, forgive me for forgetting the world revolves around you, Victor.”

“Now you two stop,” Timothy said, his tone much calmer and holding a touch of amusement. “In this case, Victor is right.”

Cilla elbowed her husband in the ribs. “You’re supposed to side with me.”

When Timothy didn’t respond, Cilla sank down in her seat and pouted.

Even though the three of them were alone in the carriage, Victor lowered his voice and leaned toward Timothy. “Is her condition making her moody?”

“I am not moody,” Cilla grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

“You are perfect, my dear,” Timothy said. When Cilla nodded and turned toward the window, Timothy mouthed, “Yes.”

Thank goodness another level-headed man was in the carriage.

“Is there a basis for Davies’s accusation? Your father’s estate isn’t in trouble, is it?”

Victor wasn’t affronted by Timothy’s question, it came from Timothy’s own experience. According to Cilla, Timothy began courting Honoria because of his family’s financial troubles and Honoria’s large dowry.

“No.” Victor’s one word response satisfied Timothy.

Timothy’s brow furrowed. “But you have been escorting Miss Whyte about town, and I presumed you had an attachment. Are you now pursuing Miss Merrick?”

“Lydia is a troublemaking gossip,” Cilla muttered, still gazing out the carriage window.

Although Victor had some doubts about the young doctor when he’d married Cilla, Victor had to admit Timothy was an intelligent man. He grasped Cilla’s arm and gently turned her toward him. “Priscilla, love. Is that why you insisted on the seating arrangements for the musicale? Are you matchmaking?”

“I like Miss Merrick. She has more sense than that ninnyhammer Lydia. And she doesn’t deserve the horrible things The Muckraker is saying about her. Victor is respectable and passably handsome. So I thought . . .”

Cilla’s assertion only confirmed what Victor already suspected.

“Have you learned nothing from your machinations, Priscilla?” Timothy asked, his face clouding with disappointment. “Harry has only recently put that horrible incident with you behind him. You can’t play games with people’s lives.”

“It worked with Nash and Adalyn.”

Damn . Why did she have to bring them up again?

“I’m sorry, Victor,” Cilla said. “But you and Adalyn weren’t right for each other.”

“In your opinion.” Yet, could Cilla be right?

Part of him wondered if he hadn’t romanticized his memory of Adalyn.

Perhaps he needed to accept what never could be and move on with his life.

Regardless, he needed to end the conversation.

“I like Miss Merrick, and Felix Davies can have Lydia. They deserve each other. But it’s my life, Cilla, so stay out of it. ”

Victor turned toward the window, further demonstrating he was finished listening to her arguments.

But if Adalyn hadn’t been right for him, what woman was?