Page 369 of From Rakes to Riches

“I considered that, yes. But it could not play much into my decision, now could it?” she asked pointedly. “If he knew everything, he could say the same about me.”

Her sisters exchanged a glance, and Victoria knew no one wanted to speak about their father in front of Mama.

Louisa sighed and spoke in her soft voice. “Our positions are at least temporary, but marriage is permanent.”

“I know,” Victoria said, attempting a reassuring smile. “Lord Thurlow explained to me that he’d been ten years old when he’d thought of the lie of his identity, and that later he couldn’t find a way to tell the truth without hurting me.”

Louisa looked about the table at her family. “Perhaps he cares about your feelings.”

As usual, she wanted to see the good in people, and Victoria appreciated the comfort of that.

Meriel was still scowling. “Not enough to tell the truth. You must have been horrified.”

Victoria hesitated. “It was…a sobering experience. But it has all ended well. He asked me to marry him, and he will welcome Mama into his home.”

Their mother should have looked relieved, yet there was still so much worry in her lined face.

Meriel gave her a pointed stare. “Why did he ask you to marry him?”

Victoria was beginning to regret her sister’s logical nature. “Because he needed a wife. He remembered me from our journal, and felt that gave him a good idea of the woman I was.”

“But you bring him no dowry or bloodlines.”

“He says he has enough money, and doesn’t care about the other. And he’s already escorted me to a luncheon where my purpose as his future wife was made very clear. I make a suitable dinner companion.”

“But surely you asked him about the scandal?”

“Meriel, of course I could not do such a thing. Don’t you think I say these things to myself every night while I lie in bed?” Victoria’s voice had begun to shake.

Louisa’s eyes shone with tears while Meriel just looked worried.

“I refuse to regret this decision,” Victoria said firmly. “Don’t you see? It solves all of our problems. Banstead House is so enormous, that I’m certain Lord Thurlow would allow both of you to live there.”

There was suddenly an uncomfortable silence, and Victoria’s secret hopes began to fade. “Don’t you understand? You could both cease working.”

Meriel began to cut her meat with determination. “I can’t abandon my pupil just yet. He has no mother, and his father—” She broke off, taking a bite of lamb and chewing vigorously. “His father is not much help.”

“But you could stay until you find someone worthy for the position,” Victoria insisted. She’d never imagined that her sisters wouldn’t come back to London to live with her.

Meriel shook her head, meeting Victoria’s eyes with regret. “I can’t do that to a little boy. He needs me.” She lowered her voice, as if someone might overhear. “There’s something about his father that seems…unusual to me. He’s a duke, but he’s ill at ease, though I don’t understand why. I certainly can’t leave until I’m positive little Stephen is protected.”

“Meriel,” Victoria said firmly, “you always see plots where there are none. You should have been the writer in the family.”

“I’ll leave that to you, Vic,” Meriel said.

Her smile seemed forced, and she wore her most closed-off expression. Nothing was going to change Meriel’s mind. Victoria turned to Louisa, who gave her a gentle smile.

“I’m sorry, Victoria, but I, too, must stay where I am for a little while. Lady Margaret is depending on me. She is quite ill and confined to her bed. And I am the only one she has to talk to.”

“Constant talk, from what you’ve implied,” Meriel said, her brows lowered in a scowl.

Louisa sighed. “She’s a dear old lady, whose children do not visit her enough. I promise, if the viscount will have me, I’ll join you when I’m able.”

“But Louisa, living here would give you the chance to meet society,” Victoria said earnestly. “You would surely meet a suitable man to marry. Hasn’t that been what you’ve always wanted?”

Louisa’s distress was palpable. “Please don’t make this any more difficult than it already is,” she whispered.

Victoria sat back in her chair, knowing that she had to accept her sisters’ decisions. Louisa and Meriel were adults with responsibilities they couldn’t abandon—which they didn’t wantto elaborate on. Victoria realized that by trying to persuade them to live with her, she was selfishly making herself another responsibility to them. She wouldn’t do that anymore. She would be the mistress of her own household now, responsible for herself.

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