Page 414 of From Rakes to Riches

“My lord, you’ve seen all the preparations for the dinner this evening. Won’t you do us the honor of attending?”

“Those days are long past me,” he said gruffly. “Good of you to ask.”

She sighed. Even her mother had refused to attend, claiming a headache.

“You can always change your mind, my lord. As for our reading, shall I follow you to your room? Or perhaps you’d prefer I read to you in the conservatory today. The flowers are lovely.”

To her surprise, he agreed to the conservatory. The sun was shining through the glass, ferns and plants rose high all around them, and Victoria experienced a feeling of peaceful resolve. At least her relationship with the earl was improving, which was a step in the right direction in her very deliberate meddling between father and son.

As couples madetheir way up to the drawing room, Victoria stood near her husband and greeted their guests. To her surprise, she found that having to coordinate the evening actually gave her less time to worry. Mr. and Mrs. Perry, an older couple, came through the door. Mr. Perry immediately drew David aside, and Victoria found his wife looking very apologetic.

“Good evening, Mrs. Perry,” Victoria said.

“Good evening, my lady. I hope you don’t mind, but we brought our daughter this evening.”

An extra guest at the table. Victoria’s mind was busily rearranging chairs, even as she said, “It is no problem at all, Mrs. Perry.”

The woman turned to bring her daughter forward, and Victoria froze.

“Lady Thurlow, this is my daughter, Miss Perry.”

Prudence Perry. Victoria had known the last name was familiar, but she had never thought beyond that, until she was confronted by her childhood tormentor.

Prudence had matured into a stunning young woman.

“Good evening, Lady Thurlow,” Prudence said. “My mother tells me you are the former Miss Shelby?”

Victoria cleared her throat, and wanted to wince when that captured David’s attention.

“Yes, Miss Perry, I’m the eldest of the Shelby daughters.” She hesitated. “Do you not remember me?”

“I think so,” she said uncertainly. “But I remember your sisters more.”

Mrs. Perry laughed a bit shrilly. “Yes, hard to believe shy Victoria Shelby has matured into such an accomplished lady.”

Accomplished? Victoria stared between mother and daughter, not knowing what to say. Mr. Perry hustled them into the crowd, and Victoria turned to stare after them.

David stepped up beside her. “Is something wrong?”

“I don’t think so,” she said slowly. “I used to know her, but it seems she doesn’t remember me.”

“That’s a shame.”

“No, that’s good. She used to tease me unmercifully about my lack of dancing skills, and the stuttering way I spoke when I was overwhelmed.”

He smiled at her. “Then Mrs. Perry was right—you’ve become an accomplished woman.”

“Because I no longer stutter?” she countered dryly.

He laughed. “Didn’t you write about this girl in the journal?”

More and more he was bringing up the journal himself, the man who wanted to forget the past. “Yes, I told you all about her. I’m sure I whined terribly, but that’s what a girl of fifteen does. You offered to avenge me.”

“I would have done anything to figure out how to meet you.” He winked.

Oh, how she liked this amusing side to him. She wouldn’t have believed it possible just weeks ago.

“Your idea of revenge was gratefully accepted in the spirit in which it was offered.”

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