Chapter 22

Bernadette's fears were all but confirmed. Lord Bedford and her Victoria had been interacting without her knowledge. That was the only plausible reason she could think of for why they looked so friendly and comfortable in the other's presence. From the moment they entered the ballroom, she had noticed the way that Lord Bedford's eyes snapped to Victoria.

He had refused to look away, even as Bernadette tried to coax Victoria into getting lost in the crowd. If Bernadette had any doubts, they were confirmed when Lord Bedford's closest friend saw fit to ask her to dance. She agreed as ladies ought to, but she had spent the dance watching Victoria and Lord Bedford.

It was unsurprising but disappointing to discover that Victoria, whom she had explicitly warned away from Lord Bedford, had at once gone to his side. Bernadette's plans were unravelling before her eyes, and after Elizabeth sent Lord Ardenridge to dance with Victoria, Bernadette felt Lord Bedford's eyes upon her. He knew—or suspected—what she was doing.

Worse, it seemed as though he had chosen this night to approach her and confront her about everything. He must realize that she was purposefully keeping Victoria away from him. Bernadette's heartbeat quickened, her mind racing as she tried to construct another plan with the seconds she had left before he was before her.

When the lord stood scarcely two steps away, she sank into a flawless curtsey. "Lord Bedford," she said.

"Lady Norwood."

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?" Bernadette asked.

"I wish to speak to you," Lord Bedford said, glancing at Elizabeth. Lord Ardenridge's mother stood a small distance away, but Bernadette suspected that the other woman was likely trying to overhear the conversation. "Shall we?"

He gestured further along the wall, where there were fewer people gathered. "Certainly," she agreed, smiling still.

She had precious seconds to think of a new plan. Bernadette walked slowly, vying for more time as she approached the place where Lord Bedford had indicated. Once she did, she turned to him, affecting the most innocent expression that she could. "What did you wish to speak about, My Lord?"

"Your stepdaughter. I know about the agreement that my father made with Lord Norwood."

Of course, he did.

Bernadette blinked slowly. "I am sorry, My Lord, but I do not know what you are referencing."

Lord Bedford smiled thinly and crossed his arms. "You are a clever woman, My Lady. I strongly suspect that you know precisely what agreement I am referring to, and there is no point in denying that fact."

"You must forgive me, My Lord," she replied. "My late husband made so many agreements that I cannot possibly be expected to remember them all."

"I am sure that Morgan mentioned it to you," he said.

Bernadette could continue to protest her innocence, but it was apparent that she was caught. "Oh!" she exclaimed, feigning surprise. "That agreement, of course. You must forgive me, My Lord. I assumed that you meant some business contract. I had not the faintest idea that you were thinking about that."

"I see."

"I am doing my best to ensure that Victoria has a befitting Season," Bernadette continued. "She is enjoying herself. Is she not? My lovely stepdaughter does enjoy meeting all the lords and ladies of the ton."

"You seem to be encouraging her to meet with specific lords and ladies."

Bernadette feigned surprise. "Why, I have only introduced her to those who are acquaintances and friends of mine! Surely, there is nothing harmful in that, My Lord. You speak as though I have wronged you in some way."

Lord Bedford's nostrils flared. "You have wronged both your daughter and me. I intend to propose to Victoria, and once we are wed, she will receive her rightful inheritance from her father."

"You must have my consent for that," Bernadette said.

"I am aware, and I suspect you will not wish to give it. I am quite sure that you are trying to keep Victoria either unwed or, more likely, coax her into marrying Lord Ardenridge in an attempt to preserve yourself. Perhaps, if you are amenable, we can come to some arrangement."

Arrangement? She wanted to laugh. Doubtlessly, Lord Bedford was implying that Bernadette could spend the rest of her life living off his and Victoria's charity. As if that was any way for a woman to live! What did this man know, though? He had never been widowed young.

He had not been forced to become the sole parent to a child that was not his. Hot rage boiled inside Bernadette. She wanted to yell at this infernal man, but she could not. Instead, she forced her expression into a sympathetic mask.

"My Lord, I fear that you have misunderstood the situation."

"Oh, have I?"

"Indeed, you have. I am not trying to persuade Victoria to marry any particular person. I firmly believe that she ought to find a love match, so I have been encouraging her to search for love. It is true that I initially encouraged her to pursue Lord Ardenridge, but that was because Victoria expressed an interest in him. He is a sensitive soul, and she … well … the truth is quite unfortunate."

Lord Bedford's eyebrows were raised. He was still not convinced, but that was fine. Bernadette was prepared for that.

"You see, I believe now that Victoria believed that Lord Ardenridge would be a delightful dalliance," Bernadette said. "Since her introduction to the ton, Victoria has gained the attention of many suitors. Why, they are forever at my townhouse! I have never seen a lady with so many gentleman callers, and already, Victoria has received several proposals for marriage."

"She has never mentioned any."

"Of course, she has not! You see, My Lord, I discovered that Victoria enjoys pursuing these young men. She will acquaint herself with them and profess affection for them. They become besotted with her, but she cares not for their devotion. When they propose, she turns them all away. My Victoria has left many broken hearts among the men of the ton, and I will admit that I am at a loss of what to do with her."

Lord Bedford stared at her, his dark eyes searching her face for any sign of deception. Bernadette forced her face to remain soft and just that. She did not want to arouse his suspicion by acting too much like the distraught stepmother.

"I will admit that Victoria's behaviour may be my folly," Bernadette said, sighing.

The best lies always included speaking a little badly about oneself.

"I raised her without her father's guidance, and I fear that I was so distraught from my husband's passing that I did not show Victoria the firmness that I ought to have. I have raised a stepdaughter who delights in hurting the hearts of innocent men. I told her not to pursue you; that is true. However, I discouraged her out of loyalty to your father. He was a dear friend of my husband in addition to being his business partner, and I simply could not bear the thought of his son falling prey to my Victoria."

She suspected that there was the smallest flicker of doubt in Lord Bedford's gaze. "I suppose it means nothing that you would gain a sizeable fortune in doing so."

"I will admit that I knew that," Bernadette said. "However, I feel as though that is for the best. If Victoria cannot be trusted with a man's heart, she surely cannot be trusted to care for herself. It is for the best that I take the fortune and ensure that she is housed and clothed."

Lord Bedford's brow furrowed, and his shoulders seemed to hunch forward. Bernadette sighed, certain that the sound was appropriately mournful. "I am so sorry, My Lord. I know that I should have told you about Victoria, but I am sure you can understand why I did not. I have tried so hard to defend Victoria's reputation and my own."

"Of course."

The words were reluctant but not entirely disbelieving. Bernadette doubted that she had managed to make him doubt Victoria entirely, but if given some time to think about the situation, that doubt might very well go.

"I am terribly sorry for making your evening so dreadful," Bernadette said. "I feel as if I have ruined any enjoyment that you might derive from this ball. We should be leaving."

"Nonsense," he said quietly. "The evening is yet young."

"I know," Bernadette said, "but given what I have just revealed to you, I feel as if I—well, I would not wish to make the night awkward for you. And I beg of you, My Lord, please tell no one about this. I have tried so hard to keep Victoria's reputation unsullied, and I wish for it to remain that way. I have confided in you only because you suspected me, rather plausibly, of ill-intent. And because you deserved to know."

"I will tell no one."

Of course, he would not. Even if he did not believe Bernadette, asking questions about Victoria's interactions with other men would lead to rumours about her, the sort that no young lady wanted attached to her name.

If Bernadette could just prevent Victoria and Lord Bedford from speaking to one another, at least until Victoria was safely wed to Lord Ardenridge, everything would work out fine for Bernadette.

"I beg your leave, My Lord," Bernadette said, curtsying.

"Of course, My Lady."

The song ended. Across the room, Victoria curtsied before Lord Ardenridge. Bernadette paused and offered the lord a sympathetic pat on his arm. He grimaced. "I am terribly sorry again, My Lord," she said. "Both for Victoria's behaviour and for my long-held silence."

Bernadette kept her pleasant smile as she strode across the ballroom to retrieve her wayward stepdaughter, but inside, she was a tempest of fury. She needed to push harder and do more. It was obvious that Lord Ardenridge was not charismatic enough to win Victoria's affections on his own, which meant that Bernadette would have to do even more to ensure that this relationship flourished.

"Victoria," she said.

Her stepdaughter looked at her with wide eyes. "Yes?"

"We must be leaving at once," Bernadette said.

"That is unfortunate," Lord Ardenridge said. "Is something amiss?"

"Nothing at all," Bernadette replied. "It is only that I am feeling a little ill, and I wish to return home. Perhaps, you might wish to come to call tomorrow? Then, you and Victoria can continue your conversation. Both of you look as though you were having a very exciting time."

"Of course," Lord Ardenridge said. "I will see you then."