Love's Justice (Entangled Scandalous) (11 page)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Several days later, Victoria rested her head on the tufted leather back of the carriage seat. She was on her way to see Emily. Someone needed to alert the poor woman her husband’s gambling was threatening her lifestyle.

The night she learned about it had been at the forefront of Victoria’s thoughts all week. Something had happened that night. Something she couldn’t put a name to, but something important nonetheless. Her feeling about Hugh had changed yet again and intensified.

The heavy fog made her restless. Was she trapped here in London forever? She didn’t like the feeling. It made her uncomfortable in the same way Hugh made her uneasy.

It was so tempting to think he actually liked her, but there were so many other possible reasons for his behavior. For the first time in her life, what she wanted conflicted with what she needed.

She needed to be apart from him. She needed to use her head rather than her heart. If she failed, she would destroy not just her own future but the future of someone who had done nothing to deserve such an attack. She was afraid to think of him in any other way. To do so was simply too painful.

The carriage stopped. She stepped down to the pavement in front of Emily’s house. A knock on the door brought the housekeeper.

“Miss Westwood, I’ll tell the mistress you’re here.”

The house seemed a beehive of activity. Servants were scurrying through the reception room on their way to and fro. Victoria was removing her fine kid gloves and hat when Emily appeared at the top of the stairs.

“Oh, Victoria.”

Emily seemed more excited than usual. “What’s happening, Emily?”

“It’s so wonderful! My parents have arrived to surprise me for the holidays. Can you believe it?”

For a moment, she envied Emily. The fact that her parents had bargained her away to a peer didn’t change the fact they loved her and only wished the best for her.

“Give me just a moment. Make yourself comfortable in the sitting room. I shall be down directly.”

The fire in the sitting room had been laid, and it burned brightly. She stood beside it and captured its heat. The lovely room spoke of warmth and family. It did much to break her melancholy. Surely, Edward wouldn’t risk all this by gambling away his wife’s fortune. It didn’t make any sense. Perhaps Hugh was wrong.

“There you are. I’ve been in such a flurry since they arrived I don’t know if I’m coming or going. I’ve sent word to Edward, but he’s at the manor house dealing with business. I’m afraid it will take a day or two more before he is home.”

Emily was so elated. Did she have enough proof to destroy her friend’s happiness? Hugh had said Edward lied to his wife about being in the countryside. Victoria couldn’t imagine such a breach of trust between a husband and wife.

Victoria tried to figure out whether the appearance of Emily’s parents was a godsend. If what Hugh said was true, Emily needed all the support she could get. Divorce was possible, although not desirable. Only recently, divorce in England had become a civil matter rather than a church one, making it much easier to procure.

“Oh, Victoria, I am the happiest woman on earth right now. Come and sit down.”

“Where are your parents?”

“Mama was tired from the trip and is lying down. Papa has gone to Edward’s club on the off chance he may have returned to town early.”

Perhaps Emily’s father knew more about his son-in-law’s proclivities than she imagined.

Emily’s cook stuck her head into the room. “Shall I prepare the leg of lamb for supper, my lady?”

“Yes, Martha. And you must prepare something special for dessert.”

Emily turned back to Victoria. “I can’t believe they are really here! But I have even more news. I have almost burst with it, but I couldn’t tell you until I told Mama and Papa. Guess!”

Victoria looked at the young woman, a smile turning into a laugh. “I’m sure I don’t know.” And then she did know. It sobered her up immediately. And a prayer crossed her lips.

“I am going to have a baby!”

Victoria forced a smile. “I’m so happy for you, Emily.”

“Mama and Papa are as excited as I am, I think.” Emily’s hand went to cover her womb. “When Edward is away, I shall have a little one to console me.”

Victoria forced her doubts out of her mind. She leaned forward and embraced her friend. “I am envious of you.”

Emily moved back out of the embrace. “Really? I never expected you to be caught up in such a mundane thing as children. Surely you will be a fighter and campaign for women’s rights and even women’s suffrage. How could you possibly do all that if you had children?”

Emily was so sincere in her praise Victoria was taken aback. Her desires for women’s rights didn’t mean she had to abandon home and hearth, a husband and a family. There had to be some way to combine them. To have to give up love to gain respect seemed exceedingly harsh.

“Perhaps there is a way to have both. The world is changing, Emily.”
But perhaps not fast enough.

She couldn’t tell Emily about her husband now. It seemed an unnecessary burden to put on her friend’s slender shoulders. Perhaps it wasn’t true. She prayed that was the case, even as her heart sank for Emily.

Chapter Twenty-Four

As the maid helped put the finishing touches to her ball gown, Victoria began to dread the evening. Why had she promised Henry and Edith she would come? They had arranged the invitation, and she was obligated to go.

For entirely different reasons, she dreaded seeing Hugh and quite possibly Lord Stanford again. Even the beautiful new Emile Pingat dress she donned for the party didn’t raise her spirits.

“Oh, miss, this is the most beautiful yet.”

Her maid was more than enthusiastic about the black-and-gold gown. The underskirt was gold embroidery on fine black silk voile. The gold pattern suggested roses rather than depicting them. Irregular concentric circles shimmered against the dark voile. The overskirt was shaped like a long sleeveless coat of rich black velvet. It fell to the floor with similar roses embroidered on its hem and small train.

Black was a unique choice for a young woman, but it matched her mood tonight.

Her dark hair had been piled high with gold ribbon entwined among the carefully fashioned curls. She looked at herself in the mirror, but her mind was elsewhere.

The maid offered Victoria her evening jacket. This one was no less artful than the others she had worn. It was made of embroidered brocade in a feather pattern. The inside was machine quilted satin and the trim was black fur at the neck and sleeves. She slipped it on. Despite its weight and warmth, she shivered.

“Are you feeling well, miss?”

“Yes, Mary, I’m fine. I think a draft just chilled me for a moment.”

“You shall be the belle of the ball.”

“Thank you. I shall try to remember everything about Grosvenor House so I can describe it to you and Mrs. McCreery tomorrow.”

“Oh, would you? We would be ever so grateful.”

Victoria smiled, gaining a little courage. Perhaps tonight would be less eventful that the last ball she attended. She could only hope.

…

From Upper Grosvenor Street, the magnificent entrance gave way to a large courtyard and the house itself. The house was beyond vast. Its current owner had added a Porte-Cochére, an enclosed carriage entrance. It was here Victoria found herself. Her trepidation had fled, driven away by the marvel of the mansion.

She descended the carriage and entered a house alive with activity. She was introduced and acknowledged by the duke and duchess and tried to remember what she had learned from Emily about the family.

The Duke of Westminster was a handsome man of fifty-five. His wife, Lady Constance, was younger but in ill health. She had suffered for many years from Bright’s disease and tonight sadly retired after greeting her guests. This did little to damper the spirit of the ball. While the duke had been party to William Gladstone’s resignation and Disraeli’s assumption of power as prime minister, he was well liked enough that Gladstone had rewarded his friend with the creation of the Dukedom of Westminster only six years earlier.

The duke’s wealth was in real estate. He owned a great deal of Mayfair and Belgravia, and it was whispered his ground rents brought in over two hundred and fifty thousand pounds. He had built many buildings on the family estate at Eaton Hall in Cheshire, and Grosvenor House was one of the largest private town houses in London. And it was a wonder.

Victoria was in awe. The house was said to hold the largest private collection of art in England. Nothing in New York had prepared her for such a house. The prince’s home paled in comparison.

Everywhere, there was music and laughter. It filled the large rooms and echoed out into the halls. Victoria’s jacket was taken by a maid and she made her way tentatively into the ballroom. She was prepared to have her heart rise or fall, depending on who she might encounter.

Neither happened. There were many familiar faces, some from the ball at Syon House, others from her visits with Emily. But it was to Henry and Edith she gravitated.

“You came!” Edith welcomed her warmly and embraced Victoria. “I think you will find Grosvenor House one of the most beautiful and rich in England.”

“It’s beyond beautiful,” Victoria replied honestly. “Thank you again for getting an invitation for me. I am in your debt.”

“It was our pleasure, truly.” Edith smiled warmly. “You mustn’t fear Lord Stanford will ruin your evening,” Edith added in a stage whisper. “Have you heard?”

Victoria was puzzled as well as relieved. “No. What has happened?”

Henry picked up the conversation. “It is rumored he met with some ruffians, bully boys sent by a creditor. His right arm was broken and he was left in the street only a block from his house. His screams disturbed several of his neighbors, who investigated and found him in bad condition.”

“Oh, no.” Victoria hated to see anyone hurt, but if there was anyone who might deserve it, it was Lord Stanford.

“The man is no doubt in debt. Probably owes a great deal of money, in fact. He most certainly put up the lawsuit settlement as collateral. I wouldn’t feel too badly for the man,” Henry added. “I suspect things might take a bad turn if he doesn’t come up with the money some way or another. These kind of men have been rumored to take a life as a warning to their other debtors.”

“Henry, please,” Edith reprimanded.

Victoria looked around the room, relieved. At least one of her worries was gone.

“Are you looking for anyone in particular?” Henry said with a laugh.

“No, not at all,” Victoria answered. But she was sure a blush gave her heart away.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Hugh would not attend the ball at Grosvenor House. His resolution had been sound and rational. Why then did he find himself here?

He scanned the ballroom. She was speaking with Edith. His whole body tightened. This was wrong. Unjustifiable. Yet he needed to be near her. Needed to hear her laugh and see her again.

The night at Syon House had been burned into his memory. The smell of her, the feel of her hair against his chest. The warmth of her body against his. Even now, over a week later, he could feel her suppleness and hear her heartbeat. He should have stayed away, but he couldn’t.

It had been years since he had felt this way. This was different. He was no longer a lovesick youngster. This time he wouldn’t wait for anyone’s approval.

Victoria was like no other woman he had ever known. She no more resembled Cathy than he did his own father, but the bond that had formed so quickly between them was as strong as any he had ever had for his childhood love.

He could be content just seeing her. He didn’t have to approach her. Didn’t have to cause scandal or worse. She was forbidden. And that made her all the more attractive.

“Ah, there you are.” Henry approached Hugh from behind.

“Yes, here I am. Were you not expecting me?”

“You seem in ill humor. Certainly you skip these affairs as often as not.”

“Well, I chose not to skip this affair,” Hugh said.

“You look like you’re about to bolt from the room, old man. Let me get you a drink to calm your nerves.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Hugh asked.

“Nothing, nothing.” The smile that appeared on his friend’s face did little to improve Hugh’s mood.

“What are you about, Percy?”

“I don’t have a notion what you are talking about.”

“I’m not an idiot.” Hugh took Henry Percy’s glass and enjoyed a large sip.

“A little fortification?” Henry smiled again.

“Don’t be foolish.” Hugh offered the drink back.

“It is you whom I’m afraid might do something foolish.” Percy drained the glass.

“Have you ever known me to act foolishly?” Hugh was getting irritated.

“Not in recent memory but we all can be made fools.”

“Well, I assure you that will not happen.” Hugh continued to search the room. He denied the truth of his friend’s words as he tried to appear nonchalant and above any of these silly ideas.

“Seriously, Monty, Edith and I may have been wrong in pushing the relationship. You have your reputation at stake and perhaps it is not the time to do anything foolish. Wait until after the case. Bide your time. Sometime in the future when the scandal is but a distant memory, you will have an opportunity to pursue this. But don’t pretend that what Edith and I have seen doesn’t exist. We want you to be happy. It is nothing more. No great machinations, just opportunities to get to know each other better.”

“Do you think I am losing my objectivity?” Hugh asked.

“No, of course not. I’m afraid you’re losing something even more valuable, your heart.”

He wanted to deny it, but he couldn’t.

“Come along, you must say hello to Edith before you do anything else.”

…

Hugh crossed the room to where Edith spoke with some friends. Victoria had escaped the group on the chance this very thing would happen. She needed to keep her distance. She didn’t know what to think. Had she totally embarrassed herself? He had seen her half-clothed and been nothing but a perfect gentleman. He was still a mystery to her.

She wanted to know him better and yet she dared not pursue it. He might think she was trying to influence his decision. She couldn’t have him think that, but, she admitted reluctantly to herself, she wanted him. As a lover, as a partner, as what? She couldn’t think straight. Not with this lawsuit hanging over her head. It was not the time to pursue it, she warned herself sternly.

“Miss Westwood, how pleasant it is to see you again.” The Duke of Northumberland had approached her where she was half-hidden by a large statue.

“It is all your son’s doing, I believe. The earl and his wife have gone out of the way to see that I was invited. I am indebted to them.”

The duke did not seem surprised. He smiled. “Don’t feel we here think you are everything that Stanford claims you are. My son is a good judge of character. His opinion of you is very high, my dear.”

“I hold him in high regard myself. He and Lady Edith have been nothing but kind to me.”

“Stanford is not a man well regarded. I find it hard to see any merit at all in him.” The older man shook his head. “I am not shocked he met with misfortune recently. He deals with some very unsavory people.” He took a sip of his drink before continuing. “It is regrettable you find yourself between him and your inheritance. I’m afraid he will stop at nothing to enrich himself.”

“He is not totally to blame in this, Your Grace. I’m afraid my own father has literally sold me off to the highest bidder.” Victoria was touched by the older man’s concern.

“Well, if he has done that, he has not done it wisely. I believe he could have found a much better match for you.”

Victoria was saddened by the fact that, true to his upbringing, the duke found nothing wrong with the sale, only the terms. She smiled, unwilling to argue about something that would soon be settled for good in a court of law.

“Surely there are men who would match you in substance and style. Come with me.”

Before she could object, he had taken her arm and was guiding her through the throng, directly to the last place she wanted to be.

“Edith, you cannot let poor Miss Westwood stand alone any longer. You must take her under your wing, and Hugh, you must save her a dance.”

The comment embarrassed Victoria. She grew warm and was sure she was a shade of red never before achieved. She did not need to be taken care of. And to presume on Hugh’s courtesy was more than awkward.

“Do not be upset, my dear. He meant the best.” Edith looked first to Victoria and then Hugh.

“I assure you I certainly do not need another suitor. I have one too many already.”

“Lord Stanford isn’t a suitor. He is a leech sucking the life out of you.” Hugh’s voice rose in frustration.

“My lord, while I thank you for your concern, I believe I can and will deal with Lord Stanford appropriately.” For the second time, she questioned the truth of this statement. “I wish no favors and no obligations.” She wanted to believe both statements true. But even as she spoke, she knew this was not the end of it.

They studied each other, and in her mind the same words repeated themselves.
Now is not the time. Now is not the time.

“Ah, there you are. I’ve brought the drink you needed.” Henry offered the glass to his friend. “What have we been talking about?”

“The duke was suggesting someone should take care of Victoria,” Hugh said.

Henry raised an eyebrow. “And has he made any suggestions?”

“I’m afraid I don’t need anyone to take care of me,” Victoria said a little too stringently. And for the first time in her life, she had to fight to quash any feelings that might contradict this.