Page 388 of From Rakes to Riches

“So it is not just Lady Augusta?”

He frowned down at her. “What do you mean?”

“I saw the stack of invitations, and your father told me that you never attend any of theton’sevents.”

“So my father decided to leave his room to harass you, did he?”

“It is his home. He can go anywhere he pleases. But you are attempting to distract me by using your father.”

“If I was attempting to distract you,” he said in a low voice, “you would notice.”

They stared into each other’s eyes. Hers were the deepest color of violets, reminding him of the scent of flowers about her. He glimpsed bravery and determination in her. He could tell that she wanted him to talk to her as he used to. But he didn’t want someone knowing such details about him. Sharing personal feelings left one vulnerable, and he wasn’t that trusting boy anymore.

“My lord, we were discussing your social engagements.” Her voice was almost a whisper.

And he only wanted to think about kissing her again. Instead he turned away and flicked the reins. “I don’t need worrying over, Victoria,” he said mildly.

At luncheonwith her husband and mother, Victoria watched Lord Thurlow eat, and wondered about their conversation that morning. She admitted to herself that she wanted to know him again, to understand him. She knew the taint on his family namebothered him, but he had withdrawn from society rather than confront it. And since she didn’t know what the scandal was, she didn’t know what to do to help.

And he needed her help.

“Mama, I am so thankful you joined us today,” Victoria said. “I miss you when you take so many meals in your room.”

“You are newly married, my dear,” Mama said, not looking at the viscount. “You don’t need your mother intruding.”

To Victoria’s surprise, Lord Thurlow looked up at them. “Mrs. Shelby, I am seldom able to be home for luncheon. I’m sure Victoria would appreciate your company.”

Her mother leaned over her plate, but her soft words could be heard clearly. “If you want my daughter to be at ease, then perhaps you should speak to your father.”

Victoria coughed and took a gulp of her wine, which only made her cough more. The two footmen retreated from the room and shut the door behind them.

Lord Thurlow carefully set down his fork and gave her mother all his attention. “What did he say to Victoria?”

“It was nothing,” Victoria said quickly.

“He insulted my daughter,” her mother went on with calm deliberation.

Victoria looked between them, then focused on Lord Thurlow, whose face briefly showed anger, before he trapped it beneath the polite mask he wore. That small blaze of emotion robbed her of speech, left her wondering what he hid from her. As a child he’d hid behind the fiction of Tom, and now she was beginning to think he had mastered too well the art of deception.

Lord Thurlow turned to Victoria. “What did my father do?”

“Truly, my lord, he doesn’t yet know me.”

“All the more reason for him to be civil.”

Victoria could only bite her lip, uncertain if she should step between her husband and his father.

But her mother, once so bold, seemed to be trying to regain her former self. “My lord, he insulted my daughter, as if glancing through the day’s mail was not her right as mistress of the household.”

Oh heavens, Victoria thought, please let her not mention the earl’s words about Lord Thurlow having an affair.

But her mother only finished with, “And he accused her of marrying to rise in social status, as if it were a sin, instead of something that most young girls should do for the good of their family.”

“Mama, please stop this. We all know exactly why I married Lord Thurlow.”

He sighed. “Ladies, allow me to apologize for my father. Illness cannot absolve his behavior.”

Hadn’t Victoria hoped to bring harmony between father and son? She would have to make clear to her mother that she didn’t need defending.

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