Page 56 of Not the Duke's Virgin

With those ominous words, Oliver turned and exited the theater, leaving Simon alone on the stage. Simon mulled over the conversation as he departed into the drizzling afternoon. His brother was slipping into madness, consumed by desperation and drink. There would be no reasoning with him.

Still, that last threat niggled at Simon. Try as he might to deny it, there was one chink in his impenetrable armor. The brief flash of Victoria’s face told him his heart was not entirely hardened. But no, he had ended that potential weakness already by pushing the lady away. She was lost to him now. For the best, really. He needed no distractions from his duties.

Simon banished all thoughts of the feisty, hazel-eyed maiden from his mind. His brother was welcome to search all he liked for weaknesses to exploit—he would find none.

With that resolution, Simon continued on his way, never imagining how wrong he was. How completely one Lady Victoria Hatcher might undo all his defenses. But for now, his fortress remained intact.

CHAPTER14

Victoria and Madeline strolled arm in arm through Hyde Park, enjoying the sunny spring morning. As they walked down the path, Victoria couldn’t help but notice several heads turning in their direction, followed by hushed whispers behind gloved hands and fans. She frowned slightly, wondering what was causing the unwanted attention.

Madeline seemed oblivious, chattering on about the upcoming Season and all the balls and soirées they would attend. Victoria tried to focus on her cousin’s enthusiasm, pushing aside the uneasy feeling settling in her stomach.

As they neared the Serpentine, the whispers grew louder and more frequent. Victoria’s cheeks burned as she caught a few scandalized gasps and pointed looks. What was going on? Had news of Oliver’s horrid blackmail spread throughout the ton already? But no, that couldn’t be. Only Madeline knew of that wretched situation.

Just then, an older woman bustled over to them, her face pinched in a deep scowl. “Lady Victoria! Miss Russell! Just what do you think you are doing, parading about in broad daylight for all to see?”

Victoria blinked in surprise. “I’m sorry, have we caused some offense?”

The matron huffed. “As if you don’t know! The audacity, showing your faces here when your family is mired in utter disgrace!”

Madeline’s eyes widened. “Pardon me, but I’m afraid we don’t understand?—”

“Don’t play ignorant, girl!” the woman snapped. “It’s bad enough that your sister has shamed herself and your family beyond repair. Must you flaunt your lack of decency as well?”

Victoria paled, dread pooling in her stomach. Aurora. This was about her beloved sister. But how? They had been so careful to conceal her condition, sending her away to the country estate to have the baby in secret.

Swallowing down her panic, Victoria schooled her features into a mask of polite bewilderment. “I’m sorry, Madam, but we truly have no notion of what you’re referring to. My sister has been recovering from a persistent illness in the country. Perhaps you have mistaken?—”

The matron cut her off with a derisive laugh. “Recovering from an illness? Is that what your father is calling it? My dear, pregnancy out of wedlock is no illness, at least not of the physical kind.” She leaned in, dropping her voice. “Although I daresay it is a rather serious moral affliction.”

Victoria’s breath caught in her throat, her carefully composed expression faltering. How could she know?

“The news is all over town,” the matron continued in a harsh whisper. “Lady Aurora Hatcher, the Earl of Newton’s eldest daughter, is with child and is unmarried! Have you any idea the damage this will do to your family’s reputation? And here you are, walking about as if you’ve done nothing wrong!”

Madeline, who had gone white as a sheet, finally found her voice. “Surely there has been some mistake. Our Aurora is the model of propriety and virtue! She would never?—”

“Never?” The matron arched an eyebrow. “Then how do you explain her condition? Do you take me for a fool, child?”

Madeline fell silent, twisting her gloved hands together anxiously.

Victoria’s mind raced. How had Aurora’s secret come out? This woman spoke the truth, as much as she longed to deny it. They had been so careful, had told no one except…

A horrible thought occurred to her then. Oliver. He must have betrayed Aurora’s confidence and spread the scandalous tale throughout the ton. It was the only explanation. Her hands curled into fists within the folds of her skirt. That despicable, vile man! She should have known he would stoop to such treachery.

Outwardly, however, Victoria’s expression remained calm. “We appreciate your apprising us of this… situation,” she said evenly. “Rest assured that my father will get to the bottom of these malicious falsehoods at once. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

She took Madeline firmly by the arm and led her away down the path, her back straight and chin held high. Her cousin stumbled along in stunned silence until they were well out of earshot.

“Victoria, what are we going to do?” Madeline whispered frantically.

Victoria’s calm facade nearly cracked at the wretched despair in her cousin’s voice. But she had to remain strong, for both their sakes.

“First, we must speak to my father,” she said, keeping her tone steady despite the maelstrom of dread and anger swirling within her. “We need to get the control of the situation and quick.”Madeline gave a tremulous nod, interrupting Victoria’s grim speculations. “You’re right, of course. We should go to your father at once.”

They hurried out of the park, Victoria barely noticing the continued stares and whispers that followed them. Her mind whirled with questions. How had this happened? What were they to do now? And that despicable Oliver… this had to be his doing. She seethed, recalling his smug face. He would pay for this, she vowed. She would find a way to expose his treachery and destroy him, as he had destroyed her family!

But first, she had to speak with her father.

---