Page 65 of Not the Duke's Virgin

Madeline set the candle down and earnestly took Victoria’s hands in hers. “I was so worried when you didn’t come to bed last night. I had to know you were safe.” She searched her face. “Where were you?”

Victoria sighed, too weary to dissemble. “I went to see His Grace,” she confessed. “I had to tell him the truth about my engagement to Lord Oliver.”

Madeline’s eyes went wide. “You told His Grace? About the blackmail and everything?” At Victoria’s nod, she asked, “How did he take it?”

Flushing, Victoria looked away. “He was… very understanding. We agreed.”

Madeline studied her knowingly. “That’s not all, though, is it? Victoria, did something happen between you and the Duke?”

Victoria’s cheeks grew warmer. She glanced at her cousin shyly. “We may have gotten a bit… carried away,” she admitted. “I couldn’t help myself, Madeline. Being with His Grace just felt so right, so perfect.”

“Oh, Victoria!” Madeline cried, embracing her impulsively. “I’m so pleased for you. I knew you and His Grace shared a powerful connection.”

Victoria hugged her back, but her expression was troubled. “I’m afraid it’s not that simple. This morning, Lord Oliver discovered us together in a compromising position. He was in a rage.”

Madeline pulled back, stricken. “What happened? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

Shaking her head, Victoria continued gravely, “His Grace protected me, but he and Lord Oliver fought violently. I had to stop them before it went too far.” She shivered at the memory.

“How awful,” Madeline breathed, taking Victoria’s hand in hers comfortingly. “What a dreadful mess this has all become.”

“Indeed,” Victoria agreed wearily. She sat on the edge of the bed, drawing Madeline down beside her. “I fear Lord Oliver will only make matters worse now. But I must trust that His Grace will find a way to free me from this engagement.”

Madeline nodded. “Of course, he will. His Grace won’t abandon you to Lord Oliver, not after you bared your heart to him.” She bit her lip. “But what about your sister, now that His Grace knows about her… situation?”

Pain lanced through Victoria at the thought of Aurora, banished to the country on their father’s orders. “I mean to bring her home,” she said fiercely. “Back where she belongs, scandal be damned. But Father will be furious if I dare do that.”

“We will think of something,” Madeline said stoutly. “Have faith. All will be well.”

Victoria managed a small smile, grateful for her dear cousin’s stalwart support. But inwardly, she harbored a fear that she had endangered them all by placing her trust in Simon.

Just then, the mantel clock chimed six. Victoria started, realizing the servants would be rising any moment. “You should get back to your room,” she told Madeline urgently.

“Of course.” Madeline stood up, pausing to give Victoria’s hand one last comforting squeeze. “Stay strong, Cousin. This storm will pass.”

With a final swift embrace, Madeline slipped quietly out of the room.

Alone again, Victoria moved slowly to the window overlooking the shadowed street below. Somewhere out there, she knew Simon was awake, too, thinking of her. She only prayed he truly understood the danger she and her loved ones now faced, and that he would find a way to shelter them from the coming storm.

CHAPTER17

It had been over a week since that night of passion they had shared when she had given in to her desire and let Simon take her virtue. She flushed now, remembering the intimacy they had experienced, the passion that had ignited between them.

Afterward, he held her close until she drifted off to sleep in his arms. And then had come the terrible fight the following morning. The hurtful words Oliver said in anger.

With a heavy sigh, Victoria set her sewing aside. She had hoped to hear from Simon after that night together, hoped he would contact her to speak about what had happened between them. Yet, there had been only silence from him this last week and more.

Rising, she moved restlessly to the window. Why was she allowing that vexing, complicated man to occupy her thoughts so? He had made sure to make her life difficult at every turn. And yet… she could not deny the spark of real feeling that had been ignited.

But perhaps she was alone in that. Simon still saw her as merely a means to an end. It was foolish of her to pine after a man who likely regretted their passionate interlude. She needed to harden her heart and remove him from her mind entirely.

At that moment, the front door opened, and her father’s cheerful voice echoed up from the entry hall as he conversed with the butler. Curious about what had him in such good spirits, Victoria started down the stairs.

“Victoria! Come quickly, I have excellent news!” her father called enthusiastically.

With growing unease, Victoria joined him in the study. “You seem very cheerful, Father. What has happened?”

“Marvelous news, my dear, truly marvelous!” He rubbed his hands together with glee. “I’ve just had word that Lord Carmicheal has agreed to invest in my latest business endeavor, despite his earlier reluctance. A glowing character reference from an anonymous nobleman tipped the scales in my favor.”

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