Page 67 of Not the Duke's Virgin

Victoria paced slowly. “I am not yet certain. But you have given me a thread I can follow to hopefully unravel the truth of the Duke’s motives. Thank you, dear cousin.” She embraced Madeline warmly.

After her cousin had gone, Victoria readied herself for bed, but her mind still churned actively. Though she now had a clue linking Simon to her father’s new investors, his reasons eluded her. She would need to tread carefully going forward, neither leaping to accusations nor letting her conflicted emotions for him sway her judgment.

Too much depended on maintaining clarity of purpose. But she was determined to uncover the real motive behind his interference, no matter what it took. With time and care, she would find a way to uncover the truth.

* * *

The morning sun streamed in through the dining room windows as Victoria picked at her breakfast. Her father was immersed in reading the newspaper while Madeline nibbled delicately on toast across the table.

Though the food before her was delicious, Victoria found she had little appetite. Her thoughts kept returning to the Duke and his puzzling interference in her family’s affairs.

A footman entered, carrying the morning post on a silver tray. Victoria paid it little mind until her father made a small exclamation.

“A letter from your sister,” he said, frowning at the envelope before passing it to Victoria.

Taking it with surprise, Victoria examined the handwriting. It was indeed from Aurora. Breaking the seal, she unfolded the letter and quickly read its contents. As she did, her hazel eyes widened, and her grip on the paper tightened unconsciously.

“Is something the matter, dear?” her father asked.

Victoria raised her gaze to his, mind racing. How much to reveal? “It… it seems Aurora has received an unexpected endowment from a benefactor. A long lost relative, she says.”

“Indeed?” The Earl sat forward, intrigued. “How extraordinary. Is it someone we know?”

“She does not provide a name,” Victoria hedged. “Only that it has given her sufficient means to establish her household.”

“Remarkable,” her father mused. “But why should that trouble you so?”

Victoria bit her lip. No more avoiding it now. “Because she writes that she intends to marry Joseph Robinson with this newfound independence. She believes you can no longer refuse her now.”

“What!?” The Earl shot to his feet, face mottling with rage. “Marry that… that commoner? I’ll not allow it!”

“The letter seems to imply they intend to wed with or without your approval,” Victoria said quietly. Inside, her emotions roiled.

Her father paced, incensed. “This is unacceptable! Ungrateful girl, after all the sacrifices I made for her well-being. I’ll not stand to have my family tainted by such an unsuitable match!”

Victoria sat very still, clutching the letter tightly. Across from her, Madeline watched with worried eyes.

“No,” the Earl continued heatedly, “I shall leave for the country estate at once and put a stop to this folly!”

He stormed out of the room, shouting for his valet and carriage to be readied immediately.

The silence he left behind rang in Victoria’s ears. Her blood pounded with emotion. This mysterious benefactor, enabling Aurora to flout their father’s will in such a way… could it be the Duke again? What possible reason could he have to interfere so directly in their family affairs now?

“Victoria?” Madeline’s tentative voice broke through her racing thoughts. “Are you quite all right?”

Looking up, Victoria met her cousin’s concerned gaze. She realized her hands were shaking. Taking a deep breath, she smoothed the letter carefully on her lap.

“I do not know,” she admitted unsteadily. “I must go speak with Father before he departs.”

Folding the letter with precise motions, Victoria rose on still-trembling legs. Madeline reached out and grasped her hand comfortingly before releasing her. Drawing strength from that supportive touch, Victoria left the dining room in search of her father.

She found him in his study, furiously scribbling a letter. He looked up impatiently as she entered. “Come to plead your sister’s case? I’ll not hear it. She has defied me for the last time.”

Victoria took a slow breath. “Father, I ask you to reconsider. Forbidding the marriage will only drive Aurora further away.”

He slammed a hand on his desk. “You dare suggest I simply accept this stain on our family? That chit has made a mockery of all my careful plans!”

“But if you truly want what is best for her, for all of us, you must let her choose her path.” Victoria implored him earnestly.

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