Page 68 of Not the Duke's Virgin

Her father’s face only hardened further. “Best for her? Marrying some insignificant physician will ruin her prospects completely! I am thinking only of her future.”

Victoria hesitated. Time to change tack. “Father… does it not seem strange, this sudden benefactor enabling Aurora to flout your will so?” She watched him closely. “I cannot believe she did not divulge the details to you unless she felt you would not approve.”

The Earl waved a hand dismissively. “Likely some distant relative looking to make amends. It changes nothing.”

Pressing further, Victoria said carefully, “Could it be someone with… ulterior motives? The timing seems quite convenient.”

That gave him pause, doubt flickering in his eyes. Victoria held her breath.

But then he shook his head. “Preposterous. You have become too suspicious, daughter.” Straightening, he said firmly, “No, I will put a stop to this at once. It is for the good of this family.”

Despair swept over Victoria as she recognized the implacability of his stance. As a last resort, she tried once more. “Please, Father, do not make any rash decisions. At least consult with me upon your return.”

He sighed impatiently. “Very well, if it will put your mind at ease. But my resolve will not change.” Taking up the letter he had been writing, her father melted wax to seal it with his signet ring. “There. I have written to the estate manager that Aurora is expressly forbidden from marrying until I arrive.”

Victoria’s heart sank. She opened her mouth to continue pleading with him, but just then the butler entered to inform them the carriage was prepared for his immediate departure.

Her father waved her off. “I must be on my way. Upon my return, we shall discuss this matter further.”

With that, he strode out of the study, letter in hand.

Victoria remained frozen for a long moment after he left. His highhanded actions, defying Aurora’s clear wishes, galled her. And she still suspected some outside interference from the Duke, though she had no proof.

What should she do?

Mind made up, Victoria hurried to intercept her father before he departed. She caught him just as he was climbing into the carriage.

“Father, wait!” she called breathlessly.

He turned back impatiently. “What is it now?”

Victoria lifted her chin. “I ask you again to reconsider this course. Forbidding Aurora will only lead to greater unhappiness.”

Her father’s look turned stern. “We have already been over this. My decision is final.”

Anger and frustration boiled up in Victoria. “But you cannot control Aurora’s fate! She has the right to make her own choice.”

“That is enough!” he snapped. “You forget yourself. Get in the house at once.”

But Victoria would not be silenced this time. “No, I will speak! Can you not see this will only drive Aurora away? You must accept that she can decide her future.”

For a moment, she thought she saw his stern facade waver. But then his mouth flattened into a hard line. “My word is final,” he bit out. “Do not test me further.”

Her father sat back in the carriage and rapped sharply for the driver to depart.

Victoria stood motionless, watching until the carriage disappeared down the drive. The bitter tang of defeat filled her mouth.

CHAPTER18

Victoria had failed to sway her father from this disastrous course. And if her suspicions about Simon’s interference were correct, matters were even worse than she had realized.

Slowly turning back to the house, Victoria considered what should be done next. If only she could learn more about this mysterious benefactor! Inside, she found Madeline hovering anxiously in the hall. Victoria quickly relayed what had transpired with her father.

“He will not listen to reason,” she finished despairingly. “But I am now certain someone means to manipulate events, and I fear what it portends.”

Madeline wrung her hands. “Oh, dear. What will you do?”

Victoria paced, thoughts churning. If this was Simon’s work, his aims eluded her. But she knew with sudden conviction that she could not stand idly by.

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