Page 57 of Not the Duke's Virgin

They arrived back at Newton House in record time. Victoria swept inside, handing her pelisse and gloves to the butler. “Where is my father?” she demanded without preamble.

“In his study, Lady Victoria,” the butler replied, his eyes downcast.

Smoothing her expression, Victoria nodded. “Please inform him we must speak at once. A rather urgent matter has come to our attention.”

“Right away, Lady Victoria.” The butler hurried off.

Victoria paced the entrance hall with short, agitated steps as Madeline hovered anxiously nearby. The waiting was unbearable. She needed answers now.

At last, the butler returned. “Lord Newton will see you in his study,” he intoned.

Victoria swept past him without comment, Madeline on her heels. She threw open the study doors without knocking.

Her father sat behind his desk, face in hands. At their abrupt entrance, he looked up, revealing bloodshot eyes and pallid, unshaven cheeks.

“Victoria.” He rose unsteadily to his feet. “I wondered when you would return. No doubt you’ve heard…”

“Enough to surmise the general picture,” Victoria said coldly. Inside, her heart ached at her father’s wretched appearance. But she could not afford sympathy now. “Does the whole ton know?”

Lord Newton’s face crumpled. He turned away, one hand braced on the mantel. “I’m afraid so,” he rasped at length. “The secret about your sister is out. The family is disgraced.”

Victoria swayed where she stood. To hear it confirmed so bluntly was a blow. Beside her, Madeline made a choked, despairing sound.

“And now?” Victoria whispered.

“It doesn’t matter!” her father snapped, rounding on her. “The damage is done. Your sister has ruined us all!”

Victoria drew herself up, outrage swelling within her. “Ruined? Our family’s worth lies not in arbitrary societal conventions, but in our character and principles! The fact that you would disown Aurora so quickly proves you care more for your reputation than for your own daughter’s well-being!”

Lord Newton reeled back as if struck. “You go too far, Victoria,” he said unsteadily. “I will not have you speak to me in such a manner.”

“I will speak the truth, whether you care to hear it or not,” Victoria shot back.

Inside, a small part of her protested at addressing her father so disrespectfully. But her anger and disgust overwhelmed all else.

“This is a catastrophe, yes,” she continued heatedly, “but not irreparable if only we stand together as a family. Casting Aurora out will only worsen the scandal.”

Her father rubbed a trembling hand over his face. “It may be too late for that. Nearly all the ton knows by now. I’ve already received several letters rescinding dinner invitations. We shall be social pariahs before the week is out.”

Every flat surface was covered with opened letters. Letters whose broken seals and engraved vellum marked them bearers of the worst sort of news.

“The impertinence! Did the Marquess truly rescind his dinner invitation by post rather than in person?”

Lord Newton let out an inarticulate roar. “Curse them all for cowardly weasels! Are they so high and mighty as to forget the meaning of loyalty and discretion?”

Victoria strained forward, skin prickling with dread. What was going on?

Another pause, more deferential murmuring. Then her father exploded again. “The Evening Postdares besmirch my daughter’s name so foully? I’ll thrash that publisher within an inch of his life!”

Ice flooded Victoria’s veins. There could only be one daughter whom the papers revealed. Aurora.

Victoria exchanged an uneasy glance with Madeline. The situation was quickly spiraling beyond their control. But giving in to despair would not help matters. There had to be a way out of this morass if only she could find it.

Squaring her shoulders, she faced her father resolutely. “Aurora did not get herself in this position alone. Someone else must be held accountable.”

Lord Newton’s face darkened. “That nobody physician. A Joseph Robinson. The man means nothing to me.”

“He may mean something to Aurora,” Victoria pressed. “Does he intend to do right by her and the child?”

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