Page 58 of Not the Duke's Virgin

“I hardly know or care,” her father bit out. “Even if they married, the damage is already done. Her reputation is ruined beyond salvaging.”

Victoria clenched her jaw stubbornly. “I refuse to believe that. If Mr. Robinson marries her before her condition becomes obvious…”

But Lord Newton was already shaking his head. “It’s far too late for that. Nearly all the ton knows of her shame. There will be no pity or understanding, you know Society well.” His voice turned bitter and bleak. “No, her only hope is to travel abroad, someplace remote, and have the child away from prying eyes. Then, in a few years, we may be able to reintroduce her to Society as a widow…”

“A widow?” Victoria cried. “You would have her give up her child, the man she loves, just to save face?”

“I must think of the family’s future!” her father thundered. “Your future, Victoria! Who will marry you now, with this scandal attached to your name?”

Victoria drew herself up, an icy glint in her eyes. “Any man worth having at all would not be deterred by circumstances outside my control. If this ruins my prospects, so be it.”

Lord Newton paced agitatedly, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. “You are young, you know not what you say. In time, you will see I aim to secure the best future for us all.”

Victoria crossed her arms. “I know that I will not stand silently by while you ship Aurora off like a criminal, forcing her to give up her child, and pass the babe off to some stranger! How could you even consider something so heartless?”

“Because I must!” Lord Newton exploded. “Have you any idea of the pressure on me? The scandal your sister has brought down upon this family?” His chest heaved, face mottled. “You judge me for securing our future, but you have not an inkling of the precarious reality of our position!”

Victoria fell silent, stunned by her father’s uncharacteristic outburst. For the first time, she noticed the sheen of desperation in his bloodshot eyes, the unhealthy pallor of his skin. This was not merely wounded pride over damaged social standing—he was terrified.

Her anger faded slightly, replaced by dawning understanding. She thought back on all the years of hearing him obsess over their family’s mediocre rank and lack of funds compared to so many peers. How he drove his daughters relentlessly to make the best matches possible.

It had always seemed the action of a social climber.

CHAPTER15

The next morning after breakfast, Victoria hurried up the stairs, anxious to escape the chaos unfolding in the entrance hall. Footmen darted back and forth, delivering the steady stream of letters that had flooded in all morning. Each one, she knew, contained bad news—cancellations, lost invitations, friends turning their backs on them. Her father roared and raged with each new missive, cursing Aurora’s name. Victoria could not bear to remain downstairs, helpless, listening to such bile spewed about her beloved sister.

Safely in her bedchamber, she collapsed on the edge of her bed, head in hand. This was a nightmare from which she desperately longed to wake up. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly? Now their family teetered on the verge of ruin, thanks to Aurora’s indiscretion being exposed so publicly.

A soft knock interrupted her brooding. “Victoria? May I come in?” Madeline’s muffled voice called tentatively.

Victoria raised her head. “Yes, do come in, Maddie.”

The door creaked open, and Madeline slipped inside. Her gentle face was creased with worry as she joined Victoria on the bed.

“Oh, Victoria, today has been simply wretched,” she said with a sigh. “Have you seen the papers? The gossip columns are having a field day. They’re calling Aurora every filthy name imaginable.”

Victoria’s stomach churned. She had been avoiding the papers, afraid of what poisonous untruths they contained.

“Let them print whatever they wish,” she said with more conviction than she felt. “The people who matter know Aurora’s true character. This scandal will pass in time.”

“Will it?” Madeline twisted her hands in her lap. “Society can be so unforgiving about such things. Even if Aurora marries the babe’s father, tongues will still wag for years. We may all be tainted by association.”

Victoria winced, the unspoken truth striking deep. As much as she longed to deny it, she knew their family’s reputation was indelibly damaged. Aurora’s good name was shattered beyond repair. Which meant her prospects…

A sick sensation settled in her chest. She had enjoyed the admiration of many potential suitors last Season thanks to her wit, beauty, and status as an earl’s daughter. Now those gentlemen would flee like rats from a sinking ship. She would be lucky if even the most odious fortune hunter would consider her now.

The bleak realization threatened to overwhelm her. She jumped to her feet, pacing in agitation. “This cannot be the end for us,” she burst out. “There must be a way forward somehow. We are not without options.”

Madeline watched her worriedly. “I wish I shared your optimism. But I cannot conceive how we can recover from such a blow. Unless…” she trailed off, looking hesitant.

Victoria paused her restless movements. “Unless what? Speak your mind, Maddie.”

Madeline took a deep breath. “Forgive me for suggesting this. But if you were to make a very advantageous match, to someone of great status and means, it could begin to rehabilitate the family name.”

Victoria resumed her pacing, considering her cousin’s suggestion reluctantly. As much as the thought of being forced to accept such a distasteful arrangement galled her, she recognized the sense in Madeline’s words. If she were to marry an aristocrat of high rank, one whose position was unimpeachable, it could silence some of the uglier gossip.

She shivered, loathing the notion of being trapped in a loveless union for status alone. But to save her family, she would make that sacrifice. She must start seriously considering potential matches and wealthy, titled gentlemen right away.

---