Page 53 of Not the Duke's Virgin

At her hesitation, Simon’s expression hardened. When he spoke, his voice held a cutting edge. “It seems I was mistaken in thinking you an innocent pawn in my brother’s schemes. You played your part well.”

Victoria flinched at the accusation. “Your Grace, you mistake my motives?—”

But Simon spoke over her. “I imagine you and my brother cooked up this ploy together. Though I confess, I did not predict you would succeed so well in beguiling me.”

Victoria gaped at him, stunned by his cruel words. “Beguile you? I’ve done no such thing!”

Simon went on remorselessly. “Come now, let us speak frankly. Did you two have a good laugh, conspiring to make a fool of me?”

“Of course not!” Victoria cried. “I would never mock or manipulate you thus.”

“Wouldn’t you?” Simon challenged. “What other reason could there be for a young, ambitious woman to become involved with a man like my brother?”

Victoria reeled, hurt and anger churning inside her. So this had all been a game to Simon. A means of testing her character, which she had failed spectacularly.

“I see you have gravely misjudged me, Your Grace,” she said coldly. “I thought you an honorable gentleman. I see now I was mistaken.”

A muscle ticked in Simon’s jaw, but he remained silent.

Victoria stepped closer, meeting his glare steadily. “You wish to think ill of me? So be it. But I did nothing with dishonorable intent, whatever you believe.”

Simon searched her face intently. For a moment, his severe expression wavered. But then the hard mask slipped back into place again. “I think it best we end this conversation here.”

The finality in his tone left no room for argument. Victoria stood a moment longer, trembling with emotion. Then she spun on her heel and left the room without another word.

She rushed blindly through the corridors, Simon’s accusations ringing in her ears. So, he had only been using her, hoping to expose some vile deficiencies in her character. And at the first test, he had found her lacking.

Well, she would not stand weeping over the ruined esteem of such a man. Let him think her false—wicked, even. She knew the truth in her heart. She had acted selflessly to protect those she loved. If he could not see that, then so be it.

By the time she reached the foyer again, Victoria had mastered her turbulent emotions.

Madeline hurried over, looking anxious. “There you are! I was ready to send out a search party.” She looked closely at her. “Are you quite all right?”

Victoria conjured a weak smile. “Quite. Just eager to be home.”

Madeline’s expression remained concerned, but there was no time for further talk as the footmen came to usher them out to the carriage.

During the long ride back to London, Victoria stared blindly out the window, lost in unhappy thoughts. Madeline attempted some conversation but soon gave up in the face of Victoria’s half-hearted responses.

CHAPTER13

Simon arrived at his London townhouse after a long day of business. He was exhausted from meeting with tenants and going over estate affairs but knew he should make an appearance at his club as usual. The familiar sounds of glasses clinking and men’s voices filled the room as he entered.

“Good evening, Your Grace,” the bartender greeted. “The usual?”

Simon nodded and took a seat in his customary leather chair by the fireplace. A brandy was delivered promptly. He sipped it slowly, letting the day’s tensions drain from his shoulders. Still, his thoughts turned to the events of last week. Kissing Victoria Hatcher in that darkened alleyway had sparked something in him.

He could still feel her soft curves under his hands. She was like no woman he had ever met—proud yet vulnerable, with a fire in her eyes that stirred him. What was his rogue brother up to with her? Simon sensed she was innocent in all this, merely protecting someone dear to her from Oliver’s schemes. He would get to the bottom of it, for the lady’s sake if nothing else.

Simon was pulled out of his thoughts as the club doors burst open. In stomped Oliver, face red and contorted with rage. He scanned the room wildly before his gaze landed on Simon.

“You!” he shouted, marching over to stand before Simon’s chair. “You damned snake!”

With no further warning, Oliver drew back his fist and punched Simon squarely in the jaw. Gasps echoed through the club as Simon’s head snapped back. He slowly straightened, rubbing his jaw and chuckling darkly.

“Finally uncovered my little secret then, have you?” he asked calmly.

This only enraged Oliver further. “You knew! You knew all along and let me make a fool of myself!” Spittle flew from his mouth in fury.

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