Page 372 of From Rakes to Riches

“He may be the earl, but I make the decisions about my future,” he said.

“Then yours is an unusual relationship, my lord.”

He only frowned.

At Banstead House, the servants gathered in a long line to greet her, and it was a relief to see the friendly face of Mrs. Wayneflete. The other servants were a bit more reserved, but surely Victoria could win them over.

After the servants had all filed out of the entrance hall, Victoria looked about her as Lord Thurlow led her up the stairs to the drawing room. Everything was of the utmost elegance, with damask draperies, velvet cushions, and marble-toppedtables, but there was something…cold and impersonal about it all. That was when she realized that a woman’s touch was missing. There was not a memento or a vase of flowers to be found, though dozens of expensive paintings made it seem like a museum. And everywhere the draperies were only partly drawn, as if the sun was unwelcome.

Meriel and Louisa, already waiting for her, gave her cheerful smiles that seemed forced. Lord Wade sat across from them, and Mama stared about her with that same sad, worried expression. Why couldn’t she understand that everything would be all right now?

The earl was not in attendance, and Victoria admitted to herself that she was relieved. She would have to face her new father by marriage eventually, but she didn’t want her wedding day marred.

The breakfast was cordial, even cheerful, with Lord Wade guiding much of the conversation with the amusing doings of theton. Victoria noticed that Lord Thurlow did not contribute much to the gossip; in fact, he seemed to disapprove.

But hadn’t he used to tell wonderful stories, back when they wrote in their journal? Sometimes he’d created fantasy tales of adventure, and other times he’d made the realities of an earl’s household seem amusing. Now, as she listened to him discuss a horse race with Lord Wade, she studied him intently, looking for the boy in the man, but she didn’t see him. He had changed so much.

Of course, he was now a grown man. She hadn’t realized how much she would notice such a thing. But his very maleness seemed foreign to her, and her fascination with his physicality embarrassed her.

He turned and caught her staring. She blushed and sipped her wine and tried to pretend that everything was all right, when it wasn’t.

“Lord Thurlow,” Meriel said, “Victoria’s things will have to be moved into Banstead House. Since we do not know your schedule, is there a time that would suit you? Or do you plan to be traveling?”

Victoria was grateful for Meriel’s practicality, since she hadn’t even questioned her husband about the first days of their marriage. She’d been too focused on the actual ceremony!

Lord Thurlow turned to look at Meriel. “Any time will suffice, Miss Shelby. I have too much business in London for a wedding trip.”

Railway business, Victoria was certain. Another sign that he would not leave his investments to be handled by someone else.

After breakfast, Lord Thurlow rose to his feet. “If you’ll excuse me, Lady Thurlow?—”

She looked about for a moment, and he waited with an air of amusement until she realized he had meant her.

“Oh, do forgive me, my lord,” she said in a faint voice, listening to Lord Wade laugh good-naturedly.

Her husband inclined his head. “I have a meeting that I could not reschedule. I’ll be back for dinner.”

“Oh.” She rose to her feet, but didn’t know what to do. Should she accompany him to the door?

But he turned and left the room.

Lord Wade rescued her from awkwardness. “Lady Thurlow, have you seen the grounds yet?”

The afternoon flew by in a relaxed and easy manner. Lord Wade gave them a tour of the gardens, then they all played croquet after eating luncheon on the terrace. Out on the lawn, smelling the grass and flowers, Victoria quite forgot her worries until she glanced up as the sun lowered behind the trees. Her husband stood on the terrace, looking at them.

Looking at her.

Oh goodness, the night was almost upon her.

David didhis best to encourage Simon and the Shelby family to stay for dinner, but everyone was determined to leave the newly married couple alone for the evening. The sisters said their mother was tired and needed to rest, so they took her home for the night, promising to return on the morrow.

He watched the good-byes dubiously. There was much kissing on the cheek and hugs and worried looks they tried not to let him see. From the way the Misses Shelby were acting, it was obvious they thought he was about to drag their sister off to his lair and pounce on her. By God, people got married every day.

But surely they knew of the rumors circulating about his family, and were now regretting that their sister was trapped.

But it was too late for any regrets.

David watched Simon escort the women home, and then he closed the door and turned to look at his new wife. She stared at him solemnly before she remembered to smile.

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