monogrammed scarf on the conservatory
door a few nights earlier.
With a small, niggling sense of dread,
Victoria picked up the tiny snuffbox
and examined it carefully. It was a
nicely worked box but not particularly
distinguished except for the letter
W
engraved on the inside of the lid.
For a minute she was short of breath.
She reminded herself violently that she did
not believe in ghosts. But the thought that
someone might be playing a macabre game
with her was even more chilling than the
prospect of a phantom.
And even more impossible, she told
herself, taking several deep breaths to calm
her nerves. She had to be sensible. This
could not be her stepfather's snuffbox any
more than the scarf could possibly have
belonged to him.
This was all some sort of bizarre
coincidence. One of her aunt's numerous
acquaintances had been on a visit to the
conservatory and had left the scarf and
snuffbox behind. The scarf had been found
immediately but the snuffbox had been set
down and forgotten only to be discovered
much later. By her.
It was the only possible explanation
because no one, no one except herself
knew what had really happened on that
dreadful
night
when
her
stepfather
had
died at the foot of a flight of stairs.
Four days later Victoria looked around
the Middleships" glittering ballroom at
the sea of fashionably dressed guests and
realized she was as nervous and excited as
a bride at her own wedding party. This was
the night.
As this was as close as she ever intended
to get to a genuine wedding celebration,
she had best enjoy it, she decided.
Three days ago Lucas had calmly told
her that he had made all the arrangements
for their first night together. The plans were
contingent on Lady Nettleship accepting
a long-standing invitation to a weekend
house party in the country, he had
warned. But that had been no problem.
This morning Cleo had set off cheerfully
for the nearby country home of one of her
dearest friends.
You are quite certain you do not mind
staying here alone for one evening?" Aunt
Cleo had demanded for the third time as
she tied her bonnet and prepared to follow
several bags into her traveling coach.
Hardly alone, Aunt Cleo. I have all the
servants including Nan. I shall do very
well. You will recall that I am invited
to the Middleships" ball tonight and their
soirees never end before dawn. I shan't be
home until sunrise and you will be back
in the afternoon."
Well, you are nearly twenty-five. I
daresay no one can remark upon you
staying here in your own home for one
night without having me, and you will be
accompanied by Lady Lyndwood and her
daughter when you attend the ball, so all
is well. Take care, Vicky." Cleo had given
her a good-bye peck on the cheek before
settling into the coach for the trip.
Victoria had waved from the steps and
then felt her stomach do a series of strange
little flips as anticipation set in with a
vengeance.
This was the night. There was no turning
back now. This was what she wanted;
Lucas was the man she wanted. She was
on the brink of a romantic liaison with the
man she loved. The dazzling prospect of
this sort of intellectual inquiry was enough
to take away her breath.
The time had come. Victoria began
to edge through the crowd, making her
way unobtrusively toward the door. Lucas
would be waiting.
Off so soon, Victoria?" Isabel Rycott
seemed to materialize out of nowhere.
I fear I have a number of engagements
this evening," Victoria said politely.
I
promised a friend I would drop in at the
Bridge waters" for a while and then I have
to go on to yet another rout after that."
Isabel tapped Victoria's gloved wrist
admonishingly with her fan and smiled her
mysterious smile.
I understand completely,
my dear. You will slip from one party to
another until you happen across your earl,
will you not?"
Victoria flushed.
I have no idea what
you are talking about, Lady Rycott."
Isabel laughed softly but with a strange
touch of bitterness.
Don't be embarrassed,
my dear. It is not so very unique to find
oneself attracted to an interesting man. It
is part of the female condition. But a wise
woman takes care to remain in command
of her emotions and the situation at all
times. She is careful to choose men who
are not particularly strong, men who can
be easily managed."
Really, Lady Rycott, I must be off."
Yes, of course. But do keep my words in
mind. As Samuel's and Caroline's friend, I
want only the best for you." Isabel's eyes
glittered with sudden harshness.
And you
needn't act so superior, damn you."
Victoria was shocked.
I assure you, it
is not my intention to offend you in
any way."
Isabel's mouth twisted in a smile that
was not in the least charming or even
particularly mysterious.
Yes. You are
noted for your kindness, are you not?
But I know what you think of my friend
Edgeworth. I saw it in your eyes the day
we met in the park. You find him sadly
lacking when you compare him to your
precious earl."
Victoria started.
I never said"
You did not have to say anything. I saw
it in your eyes. Such arrogance. You think
I have landed the spavined, broken-down
pony while you have got the fine-blooded
stallion. But you will be sorry for your
choice," Isabel hissed.
Please, Lady Rycott, do not upset
yourself."
I am not in the least upset. I will tell
you something, my dear. I will take an
Edgeworth over a man like stone vale any
day, and if you were smart you would
do the same. Your failure to do so will
probably be your downfall."
Victoria was nonplussed by the bizarre
conversation. She wondered how many
glasses of wine Lady Rycott had consumed.
The gem-hard glitter in Isabel's beautiful
eyes was almost frightening.
Please excuse
me, Lady Rycott." She made to move
away, but Isabel's fingers reached out to
grip her bare arm.
You think you have chosen the more
exciting, more interesting man, but you
are a fool. The plain truth is that men
are of little use to a woman if they cannot
be manipulated. Don't you understand?
We are trapped by Society into being
dependent on men for so much. Our
only defense is to be stronger than they
are in all the ways that count. When a
strong woman allies herself with a weak,
manageable man, she can have everything
she wants. Everything."
Lady Rycott, you are hurting my arm."
Isabel glanced down at her own fingers,
registering surprise. She instantly removed
her hand from Victoria's arm, quickly
regaining total control of herself.
Never
mind. It is undoubtedly too late for you
anyway. But you should have been shrewd
enough to know by now that a strong
man is very dangerous. If you'd had any
sense, Vicky, you would have picked an
Edgeworth, not a stone vale."
Isabel turned away and disappeared into
the crowd, but not before Victoria thought
she glimpsed the brightness of tears in her
exotic eyes.
Victoria stood staring after the other
woman for a moment, utterly at a loss.
Her happy anticipation was briefly dimmed
by the startling encounter. But by the time
she had collected her cloak and pulled the
hood up over her head to conceal her
features, she was back in the grip of
excitement. She hurried down the steps
of the town house.
The closed carriage was waiting for her,
just as Lucas had promised. The coachman
sat on the box, heavily shrouded in his top
hat and enveloping cape. She shot him a
quick, laughing glance and then allowed
one of the Middleships" footmen to assist
her into the carriage.
A few minutes later the vehicle was
making excellent progress through the
streets of London, and within a short while
they had reached the quieter, outlying
areas of the city. The noise of passing traffic
faded and the buildings grew more sparse.
Moonlit meadows, fields, and farms came
into view.
Then, without any warning, the carriage
came to a halt in an inn yard. Victoria's
mouth went dry. The time had come
and she was suddenly awash in a sea of
contradictory emotions. Anticipation and
excitement and longing did battle with
anxiety, uncertainty, and a few second
thoughts. She was forced to wonder once
more if she was doing the right thing.
But she was four and twenty, she
reminded herself, not a silly little seven
teen-year-old chit fresh out of the school
room. She knew her own mind and she
had already made her decision. She would
not back out now.
She glanced out at the courtyard,
listening to her
coachman" give directions
to the young boy who came out of the inn
to assist with the horses. No matter what
sort of orders he was issuing, Lucas always
sounded so very much in command.
A moment later the carriage door opened
and Lucas stood looking at her. He had
removed the hat and coachman's cape.
Without a word he held out his hand.
Are you very certain this is what you
want, Victoria?" he asked quietly.