Page 29 of Not the Duke's Virgin

Victoria tensed but managed to keep her tone light. “Oh, he was merely being polite.”

In her heart, she loathed Oliver with every fiber of her being.

“Well, I think it’s promising,” Madeline said with an approving nod. “He is quite handsome, even if his manner is a bit… severe.”

Victoria choked back a bitter laugh.

Further conversation was forestalled by the entrance of their host. All eyes turned to the Duke as he strode into the room, commanding attention without effort. Today, he wore black breeches and a coat paired with a stark white cravat, the monochrome accentuating his imposing height and bearing. He truly looked every inch the powerful aristocrat. Victoria shivered under his cold gaze.

“Thank you all for coming.” The Duke’s voice easily carried to every corner of the room. “Luncheon is served.”

He led the procession from the room in perfect order of rank and precedence. Victoria walked with Madeline, hyper-aware of Oliver’s presence just behind them. She could feel the weight of the brothers’ stares, one cold and calculating, the other seething with malice.

Victoria was seated a few places down from the head of the table, where the Duke presided over the lavish spread. Madeline sat across from her, looking rather wide-eyed at all the grandeur.

The Dowager Duchess sat beside her eldest son, looking bored and irritated. She cast an occasional scathing look over the noisy guests but mostly kept her gaze on her wine glass, which seemed to require frequent refilling by the vigilant footmen.

“Must we suffer these braying guests? Their chatter is giving me a headache,” she grumbled to her son.

The Duke sighed. “Patience, Mother. We must keep up appearances.”

Victoria’s heart sank at the sight. She had hoped the Dowager Duchess might take her side if things went poorly. But it seemed the woman was lost in her haze of bitterness and drink.

At last, the Duke set down his napkin and stood up. The gentlemen likewise rose, leaving the ladies to retire to the drawing room for tea while the men enjoyed port and cigars.

Victoria walked slowly amidst the rustling silks and satins, dreading being cornered alone. Her worst fears were realized when a hand grabbed her wrist, yanking her into a secluded alcove. She found herself pressed against the wall, trapped by Oliver’s hands on either side of her head.

“Well, my dear Lady Victoria…” His eyes blazed with anticipation. “Shall we give them a glimpse of our supposed affections?”

Revulsion rose in Victoria’s throat, but she forced herself to meet his gaze steadily. “Not yet. Your brother already doubts my sincerity. We must proceed carefully, or he will never believe it.”

Oliver’s jaw tightened, his breath hot on her face. For a moment, she thought he might strike her. But finally, he released her and stepped back.

“You had best be convincing,” he warned darkly, “or your darling sister will pay the price.”

Victoria lifted her chin in defiance, hoping he could not see her trembling. “I am well aware of what is at stake.”

Holding his gaze long enough to prove she would not be cowed, she stepped around him and continued down the corridor, her pulse racing.

Somehow, she had to maintain control of this situation, or they would all be ruined.

* * *

Later that afternoon, the guests gathered in the sculpture garden behind the manor for the first planned activity of the house party—navigating an ornate hedge maze.

“Oh, how perfectly delightful!” Madeline exclaimed, clutching Victoria’s arm as they stared up at the towering hedge walls. “I adore mazes ever so much. Don’t you, Victoria?”

“Indeed,” Victoria replied, though her stomach churned with anxiety.

A maze would provide ample opportunity for Oliver to corner her again out of sight. She must be on her guard.

Lady Harriet fluttered her fan dramatically. “Lord Henry, you simply must accompany me! I shall be ever so lost without a gallant gentleman to guide me.”

Lord Henry bowed. “It would be my pleasure to ensure you do not stray, My Lady.”

Other guests began pairing off as well to enter the maze. Victoria hesitated, unsure who would be least troublesome as a companion.

“Might I have the honor, Lady Victoria?”

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