Page 385 of From Rakes to Riches

Instead she let herself think about Lord Thurlow. So his father didn’t know he’d begun to socialize with commoners. Yet Lord Thurlow never attended the events of theton? She couldn’t be surprised, because of the rumors of scandal attached to his family name. She imagined it was easier for Lord Thurlow to deal with wealthy railway directors, who cared more about his money than any gossip. No wonder he hadn’t found a bride among theton. His relationship with his own class seemed so very mysterious. Yet she still didn’t feel comfortable asking him to explain everything. She sensed he was far too proud.

“My lord, a rise in social class is not the reason I married your son,” Victoria said. “And since you are aware of my background, you’ll know that society is nothing I’m accustomed to. I can’t miss what I have never known.” And she admitted to herself a feeling of relief that she would not have to find out. If Lord Thurlow did not wish to socialize with theton, she was just fine with that.

“So you say,” the earl said, glancing over his shoulder at his valet. The man came forward to slowly push the wheelchair toward her.

She held her ground. Her mother was staring intently at the earl, a frown spreading across her face. Victoria could not have Mama saying something they’d both regret.

“My lord, I will do my best to be the kind of wife your son needs.”

The slow roll of the chair brought him past them.

“That will never be possible,” he said coldly.

The valet pushed the earl down the corridor, through his bedroom door, and closed it behind him.

“What a terrible man, to speak to you in such an abhorrent manner!” her mother said.

“I know. He’s old and sick. It will take him time to—to?—”

“You are too kind, Victoria.” Her mother searched her eyes. “That is an accomplishment I take pride in.”

Victoria blinked back tears of gratitude. “Come, Mama, let’s go see off Louisa and Meriel.”

When David returned at mid-morning,he found Victoria waiting in the drawing room. She was alone, for which he was grateful. He thought that it might be easier to steer her wardrobe choices without her mother in attendance.

She stood up when she saw him, her expression polite but reserved. “I am ready, my lord.”

She looked so prim and proper, garbed well but not looking indecently wealthy.

And she was his. For the first time he truly looked at her and realized that someone finally belonged to him. He felt rather bewildered at such emotions, and decided it was only because he was physically frustrated by the slow pace of their intimacy.

Or maybe he was still feeling guilty that he’d allowed his mistress in his home, something he’d never done before.

He sighed. “I hope you do not feel like I’m intruding on you.”

She blinked her eyes. “Why…no, my lord. I promise I will not burst into noisy tears if you look at me crossly.”

He held back a grin. He liked her spirit—but then again, hadn’t he always?

At the dressmaker’s shop on Bond Street, David descended first then helped Victoria down. Inside, several customers were being waited on by the dressmaker and her assistant. Glass cabinets displayed lace and ribbons and garters. Since he was the only gentleman present, he found himself being watched and giggled at by two young ladies, obviously sisters by their resemblance. Then their mother turned around at their behavior and saw him.

He knew the moment she recognized him.

“Lord Thurlow, how good to see you again,” she said, curtsying, followed quickly by identical curtsies from her daughters. The three were as colorful as peacocks, done up in pink, blue, and yellow satin.

“Lady Augusta, it is a pleasure,” he said, bowing. He turned to the daughters. “Lady Alice, Lady Athelina.”

Their three identical gazes bore in on Victoria.

“And this must be your new bride,” Lady Augusta said, oozing kindness and an underlying fascination.

“May I present my wife, Lady Thurlow. This is Lady Augusta Clifford, and her daughters Lady Alice and Lady Athelina.”

They all curtsied together, and Victoria performed hers with simple grace.

“How clever of you to surprise us all with your marriage,” Lady Augusta said. “Never quite gave the other ladies a chance, you young rascal.”

He understood that for the snide insult it was.

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