Page 417 of From Rakes to Riches

“I know,” she whispered.

“Good night.”

He turned and walked away, and she let him go.

When David enteredthe dining room for breakfast, Victoria was already there, reading the newspaper with a look of concentration that he found endearing. He didn’t see a notebook in sight. Didn’t she always study it to begin her day?

She looked up at him, and instead of a smile, she watched him solemnly, her eyes half lidded, a woman contemplating passion.

She wet her lips, and he watched her mouth. He wished fiercely that this half marriage could be over and a real one begun. The moment lasted long between them, and it was finally Victoria who glanced at the footman and took a deep breath.

“I keep looking, but I don’t see anything more about the factory bill.”

David was in a daze as he filled his plate at the sideboard. “We’re still debating it. It might take weeks before it even goes back to committee for revision.”

Now she was studying him in a way that no longer had anything to do with passion. He inwardly braced himself.

“I’m still thinking about Mr. Dalton’s dinner party,” she said. “He is a member of Parliament, and perhaps it would help your career to attend.”

“Victoria, he and I speak every day.”

“But you don’t speak to all the other people he would be inviting.”

“I probably do. You have said yourself that you have no fond memories of dinner parties. Last night was the last you’ll have toattend—or host—for a while. I’m sure that will give you plenty of time for your music.”

They ate in silence for several very long minutes. But his wife was not a woman to dwell in petulance. Before long, she was speaking again as if they hadn’t had a disagreement.

“I received letters from my sisters today,” she said.

“And how are Meriel and Louisa?” he asked.

“Very well, but of course you already know that.”

“What do you mean?”

She laid her hand on his, and he stilled at her touch.

“You’ve begun to send them each an allowance.” Her voice was soft, mild, with traces of an emotion he couldn’t name.

“They are my dependents now, too.”

“You’re not fooling me, David.” Her eyes glistened as they stared into his. “You don’t owe them anything. You just want to help out of the goodness of your heart.”

“Perhaps I just don’t want them underfoot someday.” He slid his hand out from under hers and continued eating. “That is a rational motive, after all.”

“Yes, you’re a rational man” was all she said.

“I’m sorry that I don’t have time to ride this morning,” he said, standing up. “I’m going to calm Perry down. Have a pleasant day.”

Victoria watched David leave, feeling an aching sweetness toward him that had nothing to do with physical intimacy. She wanted to be his confidante; she wanted to unburden him of his painful secrets. He was trying to be such a good man.

And he needed friends among his political acquaintances—even friends among theton, though he didn’t believe it now. The longer he held a grudge against the more mean-spirited people, the harder it would be on him.

David seemed to respect her wishes in every other way. Perhaps he felt he was sparing her ridicule. If she made itobvious she really wanted to go to this dinner party, he would escort her, wouldn’t he? If she accepted, he couldn’t refuse without making her look foolish.

She sent out a footman with her acceptance before she could change her mind.

That afternoon,Victoria took her next step in being the wife David needed. If he planned on having a future in the House of Lords someday, he had to be at ease with them, and put the past behind him. She would start by introducing herself to as many women as she could, in hopes that she’d begin a new reputation for the name of Banstead. She’d begin with the women who’d sent them wedding gifts. Even if those ladies were only being polite, perhaps they’d be open-minded as well.

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