Page 16 of A Scandalous Love for the Enticing Duke
“Williams is right. Seeing as he and Henry have been acquaintances for years and we are soon to become a family”, she chimed as she stepped back from greeting Elizabeth.
“You two look very well. I can see country life has been good on you,” Williams commented, and Victoria gave an eye roll. The Duchess looked good alright, but she had just been about to comment on the Duke’s unusual appearance. Trust Williams to always be polite to a fault.
“Henry though, you look rather pale and lean. I hope it would not be presumptuous of me if I asked if all is well with you.” From her peripheral view, she saw Williams gave her the eyes, but she ignored him. Twenty-five years in marriage was enough for him to not be surprised by her words or deeds. She was not one to mince words.
Thankfully, Henry and Elizabeth took it rather well, although, a hint of sadness flashed through their faces, but it was gone so soon that Victoria wondered if she had imagined it.
“Of course not, Victoria,” Elizabeth began to reply. “It was rather sweet of you to notice. You see Henry has been unwell for a while now. The physicians are not entirely hopeful, but we are, holding on to just that – hope, against all odds.”
Victoria gave a dramatic gasp, though she was truly surprised. “Oh my! I am terribly sorry to hear that. I had no idea.” She hadn’t thought it was that bad. While she felt disheartened for Henry, she could not help the thoughts that started to float through her head. If Henry died soon, Nicholas would take over his title, and she would become a Duchess dowager, for being the mother of a Duchess. Could life get any better?
Victoria! a voice exclaimed in her head, but she shushed it up. She was only being factual. If the physicians were not positive, then the best thing to do was to accept fate as it was and move on to a greater future. They were all going to die someday, after all. It mattered little how soon it came, when one could boast of having already lived a fulfilling life.
“It is a lot to take in, but we are doing the best we can. You will understand now, why we are so eager to see Nicholas married, to a family of honour, nonetheless. I would like to see my only child happily settled before I close my eyes for the last time.”
“Don’t speak that way, Henry! Look at you on your own feet when you could not even manage to stand a fortnight ago. I say a miracle can still happen. We simply must have faith.”
She heard the quiver in Elizabeth’s voice and instantly felt bad, especially when Henry turned to give his wife a sad smile. No matter her reputation, she still had the heart and decency to feel empathy for a dying man.
She and Williams remained in awkward silence, aware that this was a private moment. It was sad indeed. Henry was a good man and a good friend to her husband. It was never easy to lose any of those two. It was even harder when the person was both.
“I think you should listen to your wife, Henry. If you have made such great recovery in a short while, there might be hope yet. These physicians have been wrong several times. They are humans after all, and prone to errors.” She turned to smile at her husband as he said words she had not been able to think of.
“Thank you dear friend. Now, enough of this sad talk. Your daughters are here; I presume?” Henry asked as he looked round, as if he hoped to see them in such a packed crowd.
“Of course!” Victoria chimed again, glad to have the dreariness behind.
“I shall send for them right away. I believe Nicholas is here too? I know he is not one for balls.”
“We made sure he attended this one. He knows all that is at stake,” Elizabeth put in and Victoria nodded, pleased.
She gave her excuse and took her leave so that she could search for the girls. She left Williams behind with Henry, and she knew they would soon begin to discuss business, especially since Elizabeth had gone to get Nicholas too.
She managed to find Agnes and Isabelle in time, but Eleanor was nowhere to be found.
“Eleanor has wandered off again, I presume?”
Agnes nodded as she replied, “She declared interest in seeing the library. You know how she is with books.”
Victoria sighed as she rolled her eyes. Of course, the library. She would never be able to understand her last daughter’s fascination with books.
“I shall get her, Mother.”
She was already shaking her head before she replied. “No, that would not do. You are needed, not Eleanor. I am sure the Stamfords are already gathered at the balcony with your father. We mustn’t keep them waiting. Isabelle…” she called out to her second daughter who instantly gave her attention.
“Yes,Mother?”
“Get your sister, will you? Meet us at the balcony as soon as you can.”
“Alright, Mother. I shall do just that.”
She nodded Isabelle away as she dropped a curtsy and returned her attention to Agnes. “Shall we?” without waiting for a response, she turned and began to head for the balcony, aware that her daughter was right behind her.
Chapter 11
Isabelle Birmingham had a knowing smile on her face as she found her way to the library. She didn’t need directions since she had toured the whole of Fortham House the last time she was here for a ball. Finding her way was easy, but that wasn’t the cause for the slight smile on her face.
She knew what plagued Agnes. Had known for a long time now. Many thought her to be the flighty and flirty lady she actually was, but she was so much more than that. She was more sensible than she was given credit for, and she did not mind one bit. It was much better if there were no high expectations from her. She liked to be the air headed Birmingham girl, who was a total sweetheart. She had been voted the least to surprise anyone with a scandal last season. Of course, her mother nearly had a heart attack, and she had laughed about it for days in the privacy of her chambers.
