She quelled it. Jessica meant well and it was
clear she cared about Lucas's happiness.
I
assure you I shall do my best, Jessica."
Yes, I am sure you will try. It is just
that you are hardly his type, are you? I
knew it from the beginning, but he kept
insisting you would do."
What type did you think he preferred,
Jessica?"
Jessica's eyes squeezed shut for a
moment.
A woman who will make
him an admirable hostess and see to
the management of his home in a proper
fashion. A woman who will give him an
heir and ensure that his children are raised
to take their positions in Society. A well
behaved woman who knows her duty and
fulfills it without complaint. A woman who
will endeavor to make his life comfortable
in every way. One who will not plague him
with silly demands nor give him any trouble
or cause for embarrassment. Lucas is a very
proud man, you know."
Victoria made another bid for her
patience.
I assure you again I will do
my best. In any event, he seems quite
satisfied with the bargain."
Yes, he has made his decision. Lucas
is a man who knows his own mind and
acts accordingly. He is aware of the
responsibilities his title has brought him.
He told me this marriage would suit him
well and I pray he is right."
Lucas has already spoken to you
of our marriage, Jessica?" Victoria was
suddenly paying complete attention to her
maddening visitor.
Naturally. Lucas felt he could confide
in me right from the start. We have, as
I explained, known each other for several
years. We understand each other." Jessica's
fingers trailed gracefully along a long leaf.
Dear Lucas. I know I hurt him dreadfully
when I was forced to refuse his offer of
marriage four years ago. But when he
found himself in the same position a few
months ago, he finally understood why I
had done what I did. He felt he could
come to me for help."
Victoria swallowed thickly.
I had not
realized
."
Lucas comprehends the notion of duty
better than most men and he knows now
that I only did what was necessary when
I accepted Lord Atherton's offer instead
of his. Marriage is a matter of duty and
practicality, is it not? One does what one
must."
Victoria grew cold.
I was not aware that
you and Lucas knew each other quite so
well," she finally managed.
Very well, indeed." A glimmer of
moisture appeared at the edge of Jessica's
dark lashes and splashed down onto the
rose petal where it glistened like a drop
of dew.
You cannot imagine how hard it
was for me when he sought me out after
all this time to tell me he had inherited
his uncle's title and would be needing a
suitable wife."
Victoria stared at Jessica's lovely profile
and watched another teardrop fall to the
petals of the rose.
A suitable wife," she
heard herself echo, sounding stupid, even
to her own ears.
He asked me to introduce him into the
sort of social circles where he could meet
the sort of woman he needed."
How did Lucas describe this woman
he sought?" Victoria asked, her mouth
going dry.
Well, his first requirement, of course,
was that she be an heiress."
An heiress." Victoria felt dazed.
As I am certain you must realize by
now, the business about his uncle having
died with a fortune hidden under the bed
is all rubbish. I put the story about myself
so that people would not suspect the true
state of Lucas's financial affairs."
Victoria stiffened.
Yes, of course. How
very clever of you."
I did my best," Jessica said with tragic
pride.
I could not refuse to help him, not
after all we had once meant to each other.
But there have been times when I confess
it was difficult watching him court you."
I can imagine." Victoria wanted to pick
up the nearest flowerpot and hurl it through
one of the glass walls of the conservatory.
When I got word this morning that
you and Lucas had been married so
precipitously, I told myself it was best
this way. I know Lucas needs this marriage
if he is to salvage his estates, and it would
be easier on him, as well as me, to get the
business done as quickly as possible."
What
about me, Jessica? Or did you
consider me at all when you arranged to
introduce me to Lucas?"
Jessica turned to her then briefly
considering her words.
You? What have
you to complain of? You were in danger
of spending the rest of your life on the shelf
Instead you are now a countess. You are
married to Lucas. What more could you
want?"
To have been allowed to have spent
the rest of my life on the shelf, perhaps?"
Victoria's hands tightened into small fists
at her sides.
Believe what you wish when
you say you were only doing a favor for
Lucas but do not lie to yourself about what
you have done to me. I assure you, I am
not at all grateful for your interference.
How could you have done such a cruel,
heartless thing to me
Without waiting for an answer, Victoria
whirled on her heel and started down the
aisle toward the door.
Vicky, wait, please wait. You must not
be angry. I thought you understood. You
are an intelligent woman. Indeed, you are
known for your quick mind. I thought that
at your age you would surely realize that
your inheritance was your chief attraction.
I mean, why else would a man want to
offer for a woman who is inclined to such
outrageous behavior, such an ungoverned
female who has no
Jessica broke off,
looking haunted.
That is to say, I assumed
you were as satisfied with the bargain as
Lucas is. You have got yourself an earl,
after all."
Victoria halted and spun around.
And
Lucas has my money. You are quite right,
Jessica. It is a bargain we have both made
and now we must live with it. But you
have done your part. You need not concern
yourself further in our lives."
Jessica's eyes widened and more tears
glistened and pearled on her lashes.
I am
sorry if you are not content. But you are
a woman and you must know it is not our
lot to be content. Only a schoolgirl expects
to marry for love. We all do what we must.
If you cannot bring yourself to feel any real
affection for Lucas, only think how hard
this is on him. This is going to be just as
difficult for him as it is for you. After all,
he must have an heir from you."
Thank you for reminding me of my
wifely duty."
Dear heaven, you truly are angry. You
do not comprehend at all. I believed you
did. Victoria, please, I am sorry. You
cannot know how sorry." Jessica dissolved
completely into tears, groping frantically
for a handkerchief.
Victoria hesitated, torn between fury and
a reluctant sympathy she did not want to
feel. Jessica's tears were real.
Then
annoyed with herself but unable
to ignore the sobbing woman, she went
forward and hesitantly touched Jessica's
arm.
You must not do this to yourself,
Jessica. You will make yourself ill. Pull
yourself together. What is done is done.
I do not hold you responsible. I made
my own decisions at every point along the
way. I have no one but myself to blame
for what has happened."
Jessica gulped back her sobs and clutched
helplessly at Victoria, who found herself
patting her awkwardly.
Please, I beg you, Vicky, do not hold
any of this against Lucas. He only did what
he had to do for the sake of his title."
Victoria tried to think of a response
that would not further alarm the weeping
woman. But there was nothing to be said.
The truth was she wanted to do a great
deal of damage to the Earl of stone vale.
Even as the images formed in her head,
she heard his voice in the hall.
Vicky? Where are you? Your aunt says
you have not yet changed into your
traveling dress." His boots rang on the tile
of the conservatory as he stepped into the
room, looking for her. He glanced briefly
around, frowning impatiently, and then
his eyes collided with hers over Jessica's
heaving shoulders.
Victoria watched dispassionately as Lucas
registered just who it was who was crying
her heart out in his wife's arms.
Lady Atherton has come to give us
her good wishes, my lord. Was that not
kind of her under the circumstances? I
understand that you and she are extremely
close friends of very long standing and that
she has been of great assistance in securing
an heiress for you. It appears the rumors
of your uncle's hoarded wealth were quite
unfounded. Now, if you will excuse me,
I believe I shall leave the two of you
alone together to make your good-byes. I
certainly would not wish to intrude."
Realization dawned in Lucas's gaze. He
did not move,
Damn it to hell, Vicky," he
said very softly.
She smiled grimly.
My sentiments
precisely."
She freed herself from Jessica's grasp
and stepped around her, heading toward
the door. When she reached the point in
the aisle where Lucas blocked her path,
she looked up at him and said nothing.