Page 69 of Not the Duke's Virgin

Coming to a decision, she turned to Madeline resolutely. “I must go after my father and speak with Aurora myself. It may already be too late to prevent any schemes, but I need to learn the truth.”

Madeline’s eyes widened. “To Shropshire? But the journey alone…”

“I know. But I cannot sit here, waiting helplessly any longer.” Victoria grasped her cousin’s hands. “Tell no one except the servants preparing my bags. I do not wish to be delayed.”

Madeline still looked uneasy, but she nodded loyally. “I understand. Be careful, my dear. I shall cover for you here.”

Impulsively, Victoria hugged her cousin tightly. Drawing back, she dashed upstairs to hastily pack a small valise. Her mind whirled with plans and contingencies as she changed into a sturdy traveling dress. She scribbled a quick letter to Madeline with instructions should her absence be questioned. Then, slipping her folded letter to Aurora into her pocket, Victoria stole quietly back downstairs.

She was relieved to find Madeline had followed her directives—a nondescript hired carriage waited at the back of the house. The coachman, one of their most trusted servants, was instructed to drive her swiftly and discreetly to the country estate. He had also procured a pistol and stout cudgel for her protection on the road.

After tearful farewells with her cousin, Victoria allowed the footman to hand her into the unmarked carriage. As they set off, she took deep breaths, trying to calm her anxiously pounding heart. Alone, unchaperoned, undertaking such a reckless course—it went against everything ingrained in her by Society. But she would not falter. She had to reach Aurora and uncover the truth before it was too late.

The bumpy roads and rattling carriage allowed little rest as they traveled swiftly day and night. During the long hours, Victoria’s mind turned over all she knew and suspected about recent events. Her father, obsessed with status, refused Aurora any choice. Simon’s unexplained assistance in securing investment for her father. And now this—Aurora was able to marry her beloved thanks to anonymous funds. It made no sense, unless Simon was deliberately intervening for his murky purpose.

What could he mean to gain by creating such turmoil in their family? Victoria had no answers, only an ominous feeling that she was witnessing the early stages of some byzantine scheme. Well, she would do everything in her power to thwart it.

They reached the estate late on the second night. A servant announced Victoria’s presence to her sister, and soon Aurora herself flew down the stairs to embrace her.

“Victoria! What on earth are you doing here?” Aurora drew back, searching her sister’s face anxiously.

Taking Aurora’s hands in hers, Victoria squeezed them and tried to smile. “I had to see you. I hope you do not mind my sudden visit?”

“Of course not. But I don’t understand…” Aurora trailed off as quick footsteps approached down the hall.

A tall young man appeared, his gentle face lighting up at the sight of the sisters together.

Aurora turned with a radiant smile. “Joseph, come meet my sister Victoria.”

As he bowed politely over her hand, Victoria studied him with interest. His refined dress and speech revealed him as a gentleman, though untitled. She thought she detected wariness in his eyes, but his smile was warm.

“Welcome, Lady Victoria. Your sister speaks of you often.” Glancing between them, he added, “I will give you time to talk.” He and Aurora exchanged loving looks before he withdrew.

Drawing Victoria into the parlor, Aurora turned to her eagerly. “Now, please, tell me why you have come all this way. Has something happened?”

Victoria hesitated, unsure how much to reveal of her suspicions. But she needed Aurora’s full trust now. “Father intends to come here as soon as he can to stop your marriage,” she confessed directly. “I hoped to arrive first and speak with you.”

Aurora’s smile faded. “I feared he would react harshly to the news. But it changes nothing—Joseph and I will be wed.”

“Because of this unknown benefactor?” Victoria watched her sister closely.

Looking down, Aurora smoothed her dress. “Yes. I did not wish to go behind Father’s back, but we saw no other way.”

Victoria gently took her sister’s hands in her own. “Aurora, I must know… who provided these mysterious funds? What do you know about them?”

Aurora chewed her lip. “Truly, almost nothing. I never even met them. The solicitor said only that the money came from a long lost great-uncle wishing to make amends.”

“But how could you not know of such an uncle?” Victoria asked in confusion.

With a sigh, Aurora said, “Joseph made some quiet inquiries, but little could be verified. We decided not to question our good fortune further.”

Pacing away, Victoria pressed a fist to her mouth. Her suspicions were confirmed—some outside force was pulling strings just out of sight.

Aurora came to her side, brow creased. “Why does this trouble you so? It changes nothing about my choice.”

Victoria turned back to her sister sharply. “It changes everything if your fate is being dictated by an unknown party! What is their aim in this, I wonder?”

Aurora blinked. “Surely no one would object to two people marrying for love?”

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