Page 401 of From Rakes to Riches

“I had thought for sure once Thurlow married…” he began in a soft voice. “Forgive me for being blunt, my lady, but Thurlow can be an ass.”

She gave a shocked gasp, glancing at her mother in hopes that the woman wouldn’t leave the room in protest.

But her mother smiled and nodded. “Like father, like son.”

Lord Wade laughed aloud.

“Mama, please!”

“No, no, the fault is mine,” Lord Wade said, waving his fork. “Thurlow is like a brother to me, but at times?—”

“At times what?” Lord Thurlow asked as he came through the doorway.

He seemed to actually be hurrying.

Victoria rose to her feet. “Good evening, my lord.”

Lord Thurlow walked to her, his frock coat spattered with rain across his broad shoulders. For the first time, she saw embarrassment in his eyes, as if he remembered his vow to treat her better. She felt…respected. And it made him so much more appealing.

“Victoria, forgive my tardiness. A meeting was delayed.”

“Of course, my lord.”

She knew she was looking at him with hope in her eyes, as a woman being courted instead of only as a wife.

His gaze lingered on her before he finally turned to his friend. “Now Wade, what were you saying?”

“I was saying, you’re an ass,” Lord Wade repeated cheerfully.

Lord Thurlow sighed. “Ladies, you must forgive him his crudity.”

“He doesn’t need my forgiveness,” Victoria’s mother said, continuing to eat.

Lord Thurlow shot her a surprised look, but his amused attention went back to Lord Wade.

“And why would you use such a vulgarity, Wade?” he asked.

“Because you haven’t informed your lovely wife about Sutterly’s ball.”

“I didn’t know about it myself.”

“Still throwing away all the invitations unread?”

Lord Thurlow took his place at the table and motioned to one of the footmen, who brought him a steaming plate. “I may not read the post immediately, but I do get to it all eventually.”

“Then you should also get around to accepting an occasional invitation once in a while.”

As Victoria ate, she wondered about Lord Thurlow and his preference for socializing with businessmen instead of theton. She liked the serenity of home—even her new home—but wouldn’t going out into society again be good for her husband? People forget every scandal eventually.

“When an event is of importance,” Lord Thurlow said, “I’ll attend. Are you planning on hosting a party?”

“In my bachelor’s flat?” Lord Wade said with a snort. “You know that’s not likely.”

“What about at your grandmother’s estate? It’s near enough to London. You could host a house party.”

Lord Wade actually paled. “For an entire weekend?”

“I—wewould attend, just to help keep you respectable,” Lord Thurlow said, glancing at Victoria. “Wouldn’t we?”

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