Page 368 of From Rakes to Riches

But more and more she found herself unsettled. Why was Lord Thurlow so immersed in the world of commerce? She would not ask Miss Lingard, only to look like a fool whose betrothed didn’t confide in her.

But that was exactly what she felt like. A woman easily forgotten.

She was determined to speak up and question Lord Thurlow—but not until after the wedding.

“I still can’t believe it,”Meriel Shelby said after taking a sip of wine. “Our Victoria getting married.”

“And to that man next door,” Louisa added in her demure voice, her demeanor always so at odds with the flame red of her hair. Her eyes fixed on Victoria. “Though he’ll be an earl someday, I can’t help worrying.”

Victoria sighed. It was the day before the wedding, and they were celebrating the reunion of their small family at a special luncheon prepared by Mrs. Wayneflete. Victoria’s sisters, whom she hadn’t seen in six months, were making her the center of attention.

Victoria was the eldest, but always she had gladly stood in their shadows, allowing them to face the world while she had immersed herself in her music and her needlecraft. She had enjoyed the stories of their friendships and parties andadventures, and had not realized how much she would miss their companionship until they’d gone.

“You didn’t explain anything in your letter about how you managed this feat,” Meriel scolded.

Her golden curls did not seem tame enough for how Victoria had always pictured a governess.

“Did she tell you, Lou?” Meriel asked.

“She said nothing to me, Mer. Vic, surely you must confess everything.”

Victoria smiled with relief at their childhood nicknames, and was glad to see their mother smile in return.

Victoria put down her fork after finishing her stewed apples. “You must promise to keep it a secret. I don’t wish my betrothed to be embarrassed.”

“Mrs. Wayneflete, perhapsyoushould tell us,” Meriel insisted. “You’ll say more than Victoria. Didn’t you warn her about?—”

The housekeeper put up both hands. “I have dishes to see to. You young ladies talk. You too, Mrs. Shelby.”

Victoria shook her head. “There really isn’t much to say. Do you remember the boy I used to write to?”

“How did that lead to an earl?” Louisa asked.

“A viscount,” Victoria corrected.

Meriel groaned. “Future earl. You’re trying to distract us.”

“No, I promise I’m not. For strangely”—Victoria took a deep breath and looked at her mother, who was watching in bewilderment—“Viscount Thurlow was Tom all along.”

There were gasps from her sisters, but her mother simply looked stunned as she said, “Victoria, you intruded on an earl’s family with letters?”

“I didn’t know his father was the earl,” Victoria said. “He lied to me. I thought he was the cook’s son. And it was a journal we shared, not letters.”

Meriel frowned. “So he lied to you even then, proving himself just as dubious as his father.”

“Tell me what you know about the earl,” Victoria said. “There’s always been talk of scandal, but nothing in fact.”

Meriel and Louisa exchanged glances, which only made Victoria angry.

“Why would you two know something and not tell me?”

“Because we really know nothing,” Louisa said softly.

Meriel took over. “All of our friends knew a scandal had happened within theton, at the earl’s house, but none could give any details. We whispered over it, but the subject soon died down as far as we were concerned.”

“I keep telling myself that unsubstantiated rumors are not a reason to condemn a family,” Victoria said with frustration.

Meriel gave her a guarded look. “I hope you have considered that he can’t be trusted.”

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