Page 10 of Not the Duke's Virgin

Victoria merely nodded, spearing a bit of sausage with more force than necessary.

“As you know, securing your match with Lord Oliver is of the utmost priority.” The Earl peered at her over his spectacles. “I do hope the courtship is proceeding smoothly?”

Victoria’s grip on her fork tightened until her knuckles whitened. How she detested discussing her sham engagement, as if it were a business transaction to be managed. But she merely gave a noncommittal “Mm,” and took a sip of tea.

Her father’s eyes narrowed. “I need more assurance than that, my girl. The success of our family depends on this union. Surely I have impressed that upon you.”

Victoria bit back a sharp retort. Calmly setting down her teacup, she adopted her most sincere tone. “Of course, Father. I understand completely.”

The Earl nodded approvingly. “Good. Then you know how essential it is that this betrothal be formalized with haste.” He took a bite of toast, apparently oblivious to her simmering resentment across the table. “Lord Carmichael has expressed interest in investing in a new venture of mine, but his support depends on you making an advantageous match.”

Victoria’s head snapped up. “You cannot think of business affairs when Auro?—”

Her father interrupted her before she could mention her sister’s name.

His eyes darkened. “I beg your pardon? I can think of whatever I please.” He set down his fork sharply. “Do not mention your sister in this matter. Or have you forgotten that the fortune of this entire family rest upon your shoulders now?”

Victoria flushed, chastened. But anger still churned in her gut. As if status and wealth were all that mattered, rather than her sister’s well-being!

Taking a breath to calm her rising temper, she tried again. “Father, surely there are other considerations that should take priority?—”

But the Earl slammed his palm on the table, making the china rattle. “Enough!” he thundered. “We will have no more talk of other considerations. You have a duty to uphold.” His eyes bored into hers like flint. “Or do your flesh and blood mean so little to you?”

Stung, Victoria looked down, blinking back tears. Madeline touched her arm consolingly under the table but remained prudently silent.

For a long, fraught moment, the only sounds were the Earl’s aggressive cutting of his sausage and the ticking of the mantel clock. Victoria attempted to discreetly compose herself.

At last, her father seemed to cool his temper. Dabbing at his mouth with his napkin, he said gruffly, “Come, Victoria, let us speak no more on these unpleasant matters. Your union with Lord Oliver will solve everything, in due time.”

When Victoria did not respond, he prompted impatiently, “Do we understand one another?”

Swallowing down the angry words crowding her throat, Victoria replied dully, “Yes, Father, of course.”

“Good.” The Earl smiled, his good humor instantly restored now that she had acquiesced. “I knew you would do what’s best for this family. You’re a good girl.”

He patted her hand fondly before he left the table, and Victoria had to resist the urge to recoil from his touch. Forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace, she managed to get through the rest of the meal without losing her composure. But inside, she was seething.

Victoria squeezed her cousin’s hand, willing her to stay silent. They could not afford to rouse her father’s suspicions. Not when Aurora’s fate hung in the balance.

Madeline pressed her lips together, her eyes stormy. She had argued fiercely against acquiescing to Oliver’s ploy when Victoria revealed her plight.

“We cannot let that snake win!” Madeline had declared hotly, pacing the room in her agitation. “Your father must be told the truth!”

“No!” Victoria had cried, seizing her cousin’s hands. “You know we cannot risk Aurora’s reputation being ruined.”

Even now, her heart clenched to think of her gentle, caring sister.

Their father, sadly, cared not one whit for his daughters’ happiness. He only cared about how it would affect his standing.

Thus, Victoria found herself bound to silence. If Oliver carried out his threat to publicly expose Aurora, their family’s reputation would be shattered beyond repair. Their father’s longed-for business venture with Lord Carmichael would be over before it even began.

No, challenging Oliver openly was too dangerous. Better to appease him for now, at least until she found a way to reveal the truth on her terms.

Madeline had raged against the idea. “We cannot allow that villain to control you, Victoria! Who knows what other indecencies he shall demand?”

“I know,” Victoria soothed. “But Aurora’s well-being must come first. Surely there is a way to outmaneuver Lord Oliver. We simply need time to discover it.”

At last, Madeline nodded reluctantly. “Then we shall seek it together, Cousin. Take care, though, for Lord Oliver has already proven himself a serpent. He will not surrender his leverage easily.”

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