Chapter 21

Thomas had never longed for a ball like he did the one following his wonderful day with Lady Victoria. If her stepmother had not returned, he was sure that he would have already returned to the Sinclair family's townhouse and asked for another performance of Victoria's monologue. Unfortunately, Lady Norwood had returned, and Thomas knew that the woman loathed him.

It was best not to vex her more than necessary, given that he wished to wed Lady Victoria. That task would be more easily accomplished with Lady Norwood's consent.

When Lady Victoria arrived, she was a vision in a white gown adorned by a pink ribbon at her waist. Thomas saw her searching the room as she entered, and a shiver of delight overtook him as her gaze landed on him. She had been looking for him from the start. At Lady Victoria's side stood Lady Norwood.

"So," Samuel drawled from Thomas' side, "there is your lovely bride-to-be. Will you be proposing tonight?"

"I am unsure."

He had yet to think of any especially clever way to ask Lady Victoria to marry him. Perhaps something would come to him during the ball, however. It was certainly a romantic occasion, and there would doubtlessly be opportunities for him to sneak away from the ton with her.

"I do not suppose you are willing to distract Lady Norwood so I can speak with Victoria?" Thomas asked.

"I think you should just confront the woman," Samuel said. "What could she possibly do to you?"

"Nothing except refuse to allow me to marry Lady Victoria," Thomas replied. "However, I also do not wish to mar such a lovely night. I can tell that Lady Victoria enjoys these events, and I have no wish to ruin her evening."

"That is thoughtful of you."

Thomas shrugged. "You have not quite answered my question."

"I will offer Lady Norwood one dance," Samuel replied. "If that proves insufficient, you will need to find some other means of spiriting your bride away from her wicked stepmother."

"Very well."

Samuel sighed as though he were being asked something unfathomably difficult, but he nonetheless crossed the ballroom floor and approached Lady Victoria and Lady Norwood. He bowed to Lady Victoria's stepmother, who curtseyed in reply. Thomas watched with bated breath as his friend spoke with Lady Norwood. When the first dance began, Samuel led the lady to the ballroom floor, and Thomas grinned.

He found his own joyful expression reflected in Lady Victoria's face. Lady Norwood had scarcely left the young woman's side before she began weaving through the crowd to reach Thomas.

"Good evening, My Lord," she said when she reached him.

"Good evening, My Lady."

She looked so proper that night. It was difficult to believe that this was the same young lady who had appeared before him in that scarlet dress and then, her shift and stays. Perhaps, Lady Victoria was not only a talented playwright but also an actress.

"How are you?" she asked.

"Well," he replied. "And you?"

"The same." She paused and clasped her hands together before her. "I completed my play."

"Did you? Does this mean that I am allowed to read it now?"

"You have already read it in part," Lady Victoria argued, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You may read no more until I make revisions to it."

"I would not change a single word. I am certain it is beyond perfection."

She laughed. "Hardly, My Lord." A strange look crossed her face, and she narrowed her eyes. "Am I—am I allowed to use your Christian name now?"

It was an odd question, and Thomas wondered what had inspired it. He did not ask, though, for his answer would remain unchanged.

"You may call me Thomas if you like. Shall I call you Victoria?"

She looked askance, and that lovely rush of colour rose in her face. "Yes. I think I should like that very much."

"Victoria," he said.

"You make my name sound like a song."

"It is one," he replied.

Lady—no, just Victoria—his heart leapt. Thomas thought of the ring in his jacket. He had resolved to make the proposal a performance for her, but he was sorely tempted to pull the ring from his pocket and ask right then. He noticed her glancing over his shoulder.

"Is something distressing you?" he asked.

"My stepmother has noticed us," Victoria said. "I am ashamed to admit that I fear disappointing her. I know it seems foolish, but my stepmother raised me after my father died. I want to please her."

"Of course you do," Thomas said, his voice softening. "You are a very kind person."

He was not entirely sure that Lady Norwood deserved Victoria's kindness, but Thomas knew that the young lady was of a gentle nature. She was incapable of cruelty, and he would not wish her to be anything other than she was.

"Perhaps I should speak with her," Thomas said. "At a later time. I may be able to convince her that I am a good and honourable man who can be trusted around her beloved stepdaughter."

It was only a little lie meant to assuage Victoria's concerns. He had no doubt that Lady Norwood's disdain for him stemmed from her desire to have half of the earnings from Sinclair McCallister, and part of him wanted to tell Victoria everything. She deserved to know.

On the other hand, Victoria loved her stepmother and telling her the truth seemed like an unfathomably cruel course of action. Besides, if he wed the young lady, it would cease to matter, practically at least.

"You do not have to speak to her on my behalf," Victoria said. "I would not wish to inconvenience you."

"You could never inconvenience anyone. I would hazard a guess that no one has ever found you to be an inconvenience."

Victoria smiled. She looked vaguely embarrassed, as though she were not sure how to respond to him. "And can you speak for every person I have ever encountered?"

"Indeed, I can," he replied.

The dance concluded, and Thomas felt his muscles tense. Doubtlessly, Lady Norwood would insist on retrieving her stepdaughter. He wondered if he might be able to spirit Victoria away by then. Surely, there must be some respectable place where they could hide together and find some peace from the overbearing Lady Norwood.

A throat cleared, and Thomas turned his head to see Lord Ardenridge. The man bowed, his eyes fixed firmly on Victoria. "Good evening, My Lady," he said. "I wondered if I might have a dance with you."

Thomas clenched his jaw. Victoria looked taken aback, but she curtsied properly and smiled brightly at the young lord. "It would be my honour, Lord Ardenridge," she said. "Please, excuse me, Tho—Lord Bedford."

"Of course," Thomas said.

It was just a dance. He could not—and did not—expect that Victoria would share every dance with him. Still, he felt a sharp spark of jealousy kindle in his chest. They had been speaking to one another, and Lord Ardenridge was an interloper in a situation that did not involve him. Thomas crossed his arms, watching sullenly as Victoria and Lord Ardenridge took their positions for the dance.

"I am never doing that for you again," Samuel said, joining Thomas. "Lady Norwood was a terrible dancer."

"Was she?"

"It was obvious that she was only interested in watching you dance with her charge," Samuel said. "She could at least maintain the illusion of being interested in conversing with me."

"You want to be with Loralie anyway," Thomas pointed out. "Why does it concern you that Lady Norwood was not taken by your many charms?"

"It does not," Samuel replied. "It is more the principle of the matter."

Thomas shook his head. "My friend, you should be grateful that you do not have her attention."

Across the room, Lady Norwood stood against the wall, looking victorious. Thomas suddenly suspected that he knew exactly why Lord Ardenridge had insisted on dancing with Victoria. His decision had nothing to do with being fond of Victoria and everything to do with Lady Norwood's machinations.

"I think I should speak to her," Thomas said. "That is inevitable, but perhaps sooner is better."

"Be careful how you approach her," Samuel said. "It is not that I doubt you, but you do not want to worsen things for Lady Victoria."

Thomas had already considered that possibility, but he had never quite articulated it in that direct way, one which clearly laid out the potential consequences for the young lady.

"I do not think I can worsen the situation," Thomas said slowly. "She does not wish me to marry Victoria. However, Lady Norwood does very obviously want the inheritance. I may be able to convince her to give her consent to the union if I promise to ensure that she is taken care of."

"Are you happy with that?" Samuel asked. "With her being rewarded for trying to trick her stepdaughter and prevent you from marrying the woman I think you love?"

"No," he replied. "But I know that Victoria will want to ensure that her stepmother has a comfortable life. She is too good a woman to be spiteful and too innocent to realize that there are people who do not have her best interests at heart."

With a sigh, Samuel clapped his hand over Thomas' shoulder. "Best of luck, my friend. I do not think she is in a particularly agreeable mood."

Thomas smiled grimly. "Villains never are."