Page 51 of The Heir (A Young Queen Victoria Mystery #1)

E veryone looked up when Victoria marched back into the rooms. Everyone saw how Jane hung back, her cheeks flushed, her eyes frightened.

“What on earth!” cried the duchess. “Victoria! Your slippers!”

Victoria ignored her. “Sir John, I want you to take your daughter away.”

“What!”

“What has happened?”

“She’s intolerable, and she lies, and I will not have her here anymore!”

“Jane? What did you say?”

Jane looked away. She twisted her hands. Her breath hitched.

“Victoria?”

“She lies, Mama. She says that Aunt Sophia . . . that she is a . . . that she had a . . .”

Sir John went dead white. Victoria did not finish her sentence.

“Jane did not say any such thing. Jane would not be such a fool.”

“No, sir,” said Jane. “I never. I was trying to say that it was strange Their Majesties waited until now to change the household, and now she says—”

“Fine! Believe that I’m the liar!” cried Victoria.

“It does not matter. What does matter is that she is to leave this instant. I do not want to see her anymore.” She faced her mother squarely.

“You asked earlier, What did I plan to do? What is in my power to do? I agree, you have not left me much. But let me promise you this. If Jane Conroy comes with us, you will not have that smiling, pleasant, perfect princess you so dearly want to show off. She will be scowling, sick, lazy, and snappish. She will refuse to get out of bed and will say she is terribly ill. She will tell everyone about the neglect and horrors of her life under the Kensington System, and do not think she will be above inventing things.”

“You would not dare,” breathed Mama.

“I promise you, Mama, I would, and if I am forced to take this . . . this . . . person as a companion, I will.”

Father stalked over to Jane. Jane did not look up. She shrank back, cowering, clearly, plainly waiting for the blow.

Sir John’s lips curled into a smile. His gaze said he was surprised, perhaps even pleased. He touched his daughter’s shoulder.

“Jane, go home.”