Page 15

" W elcome, Lord Blackburn," James said. "I'm so glad you were able to join us this evening."

Victoria had done her best to put up as much resistance to this dinner as she possibly could.

There was no way she could avoid being here, of course.

She had thought about trying to stay in her room, but she knew it wouldn't have been allowed.

James would have sent someone to bring her down. He might even have come himself.

That didn't mean that she had to cooperate, though.

She knew that James would have liked her to dress in one of her finer gowns, but she had chosen something older instead, something ill fitted that didn't flatter her figure.

It probably wouldn't stop Lord Blackburn from staring at her.

Just based on the short interaction they'd had, she could tell that he was the type of man who liked to stare.

But she wouldn't do anything to invite his gaze.

James had frowned at her when she had come down the stairs, so she knew he didn't approve of what she was wearing. That knowledge made her feel good. It felt as if her tiny resistance was having an effect, even though she knew there was very little she could do to save herself from her fate.

Now Lord Blackburn stood staring at her, just as she had predicted.

Though her pale pink gown did nothing to enhance her complexion, though the fashion was two seasons old, he seemed not to see it at all.

Victoria had the uncomfortable feeling that she had appeared before him wearing far too little.

"Good evening, Your Grace," Lord Blackburn said.

"Good evening to you, Your Grace. I'm very pleased to see you both again.

It was kind of you to invite me to dinner.

I look forward to getting to know you better, Your Grace.

" This last comment was directed toward Victoria.

His eyes had not left her since he had begun speaking.

Victoria found that she didn't know what to say to him. She managed to incline her head in response, though she couldn't come up with anything to actually communicate.

James seemed to decide that he needed to speak for her.

"The dowager duchess has been so looking forward to seeing you again," he commented.

"She has been practicing a piece on the pianoforte, eager to perform for you.

We'll have to make sure that we make time for it tonight. She's practiced night and day."

James shot her a glance. Victoria seethed silently.

She understood what he was doing. He was mocking her, trying to make her feel foolish for the way she had gotten up in the middle of the night to practice the pianoforte.

He was pointing out to her that he knew the only reason she had done it was to try to bother him while he was sleeping.

She had no interest in playing for Lord Blackburn, of course, but now she was going to have to.

She had no one to blame but herself, and James was making sure she knew that.

He wouldn't win this game. "That's right," Victoria agreed. "I've practiced hard, my lord. I hope you enjoy music."

"I'm indifferent to music," Lord Blackburn said, and he did sound different. He sounded as though he were discussing something less interesting than the weather. "But I wouldn't want to make light of your work if you practiced so hard. I'm happy to listen if you wish to perform for me."

"Thank you very much, my lord," Victoria said, inclining her head once more. "You're very kind."

"Yes," James agreed. "I really can't overstate how much this means to the Duchess, Lord Blackburn. And her playing is delightful. I'm sure you will enjoy it."

"What I would really enjoy is a nice drink," Lord Blackburn said. "And a nice piece of meat as well. What are we having for dinner?"

"Pheasant," James told him.

"That sounds fine," Lord Blackburn said. "And will it be ready soon?"

"It should be ready now," James replied. "Shall we go through to the dining room? I'll have drinks brought out for all of us."

"Perhaps just for the two of us," Lord Blackburn said. "We wouldn't want the young lady to become faint again."

"That's not a matter of concern," Victoria said. "It was only the heat. I feel perfectly fine today."

"Even so, I would prefer it." Lord Blackburn raised an eyebrow.

"I don't think that's too much to ask," James said. "Drinks for the two gentlemen, then, and for the lady, perhaps a glass of water."

Victoria couldn't believe that James was going along with Lord Blackburn's outrageous demand.

Then again, perhaps it shouldn't have surprised her.

She knew that he would've done anything to promote this marriage.

If Lord Blackburn had suggested that she shouldn't eat any dinner, James probably would have gone along with that.

It was clear that he already intended to force her to play the pianoforte even though he must know she didn't truly wish to do that.

The three of them went into the dining room.

Victoria was still angry, and she was determined to do all she could to let James know that she wasn't going to take his actions lying down.

When the footman poured the first glass of wine and made as if to set it in front of Lord Blackburn, Victoria reached up and took it from his hand.

The footman didn't resist her, of course. She was the lady of the house. He was accustomed to taking orders from her. Even though James was now in charge, habits were hard to break.

She took a sip of the wine before anyone could question her. "This is delicious," she said with a smile. "You two gentlemen really ought to have some."

Lord Blackburn was frowning darkly, and Victoria could see that he was unhappy at the fact that his request had not been granted.

She looked at James to see how he was responding.

His eyebrows were raised, but he did not look angry.

He tipped his head to one side as he might have done if she had made a particularly clever chess move.

"Very well," he said. "Two more glasses of wine, then. "

Lord Blackburn opened his mouth as if to say something, but seemed to think better of it and closed it again without speaking. Victoria took another sip of her wine, congratulating herself on her achievement. She had won this round.

"How do you feel about ghost stories, Lord Blackburn?" she asked him.

James let out an exasperated sigh, but Victoria knew he wouldn't dare to say anything.

It was Lord Blackburn's turn to lift his eyebrows. "Ghost stories?" He asked. "I wouldn't have thought a lady such as yourself would take an interest in such things."

"I'm interested in all sorts of things that you might not expect," Victoria told him. "Ghost stories are a particular interest of mine. I could tell you plenty of them if they interest you."

"I have no interest in fantastical tales," Lord Blackburn told her. "I prefer to keep my attention on the here and now, and on reality."

The table fell silent momentarily.

James rose to his feet. "Will you both excuse me for a moment?" He asked. "I just want to step into the kitchen and see if our dinner is almost ready."

Victoria found that she didn't want him to go. She didn't like Lord Blackburn, and she felt uncomfortable being on her own with him even though there were two footmen in the room with them. She would have felt vastly more comfortable if James had stayed.

"It's all right with me," Lord Blackburn said blandly. "Take your time."

James rose and left the room.

Victoria took a third sip of her wine.

"Tell me," Lord Blackburn addressed her, "are you always so willful?"

Victoria looked at him. "I know what I want, if that's what you mean," she said. "I'm not afraid to go for the things that I want. I think most gentlemen are unaccustomed to ladies who know their own mind. Perhaps that's what bothers you."

Lord Blackburn raised his eyebrow. "You are extremely forward," he said. "If we are to be married that's one thing that will have to change."

"Perhaps a marriage to me is not the right thing for you," Victoria suggested. "I wouldn't want you to have to go to all the trouble of trying to change me. If you don't like me as I am, perhaps I am not the right lady for you."

"It's no trouble," Lord Blackburn assured her. "You may be determined to get your way, but I am just as determined to get mine. And you may as well know that my determination extends to all rooms of the house…including the bedroom."

Revulsion swept through Victoria. "I beg your pardon?" She demanded.

"Don't act so demure," Lord Blackburn said. "You must know what I mean. You have been married before, after all. I am under no illusions. If we are to marry, she will be no blushing virgin. Fortunately for you, I consider that for the better. I appreciate a lady who knows what she is doing."

Victoria leapt to her feet. "You have no right to speak to me that way," she said, her voice shaking.

"I don't care what the duke has promised you.

You may be sure that I will never marry you.

I would sooner run away with the stable hand then to tie myself to a man who would dare to speak to me as you just have. Get out of my house."

"You can't throw me out of the house," Lord Blackburn said, with a sickening smile that made Victoria want to slap him. "This house does not belong to you. Only the duke may send me away."

"And I do send you away."

Lord Blackburn looked over Victoria's shoulder, and Victoria turned to see what he was looking at.

James stood in the doorway. His jaw and his fists were both clenched in anger, and Victoria drew in a sharp breath.

She had never seen him look like this before — as if on the verge of violence.

If she had been Lord Blackburn, she thought she would have run out of the house in fear.

Lord Blackburn did look rather alarmed. He moved toward his seat. "Your Grace," he said. "The dowager duchess seems to have ideas above her station."

"She may be a dowager, but she is still a duchess," James said angrily. "And she is a lady. I overheard the things you said to her. I will not permit you to speak to a lady that way under my roof. You will never marry her. Walk out my front door before I throw you out."

He would do it, Victoria thought wonderingly. In this moment, he truly did seem to be on her side.

Lord Blackburn stared at him for a moment, saying nothing, doing nothing.

"I mean it," James warned. He started toward Lord Blackburn. "Get out of my house right now. If you don't, I will make you regret it."

The message seemed to sink in. Lord Blackburn turned and hurried from the room. A moment later, Victoria heard the front door shut.

She and James stood staring at one another. After a moment, James broke the silence. "Are you all right?" He asked her. "I heard the things he was saying to you. They were highly inappropriate, and I take responsibility for having brought him into the house."

"It wasn't your fault," Victoria told him. "I'm just so very grateful that he's gone."