Page 66 of Duke of Pride

“I have been better,” Victoria answered sincerely.

She knew her friend. Annabelle would never ask directly. She would never pry. She would listen.

Victoria would never reveal to a living soul all the incidents, affairs, episodes, and ruins she had been hoarding like a crazed collector. But unloading some of her inner turmoil…

She wanted that.

“You can talk to me.” Annabelle took her hand in her own.

Victoria smiled at her sweet friend, the one who was by her side when she entered this new world she didn’t know. The sister of the man who?—

“There are so many things,” Victoria admitted. “Everyone insists that marriage is the only option we have. I am not sure I want that.”

“And there is my brother pressuring you to do that.”

Victoria gritted her teeth. She would never tell Annabelle that one different word and they would have woken up sisters today. That she could have accepted the proposal and she would have been a duchess, her sister-in-law. Kind-hearted Annabelle would have been so happy. And Dorothy…

“Yes,” Victoria scoffed. “Both our brothers have one-track minds.”

“Have you received news from Maxwell?”

“Some letters. You know how we parted.”

Annabelle nodded. “Maxwell loves you,” she said, rubbing her huge belly. “And Stephen…”

Victoria’s eyes widened. Did Annabelle know? Could she tell?

Annabelle looked deep into her eyes. She would never expose her friend like that, even if she had seen them with her own eyes.

“Stephen is not a bad man, Vicky.”

No, he is not a bad man. That much I can admit.

“But he is too strict, too much like our father. Unyielding like a metal rod.”

Victoria’s heart clenched. She needed to deflect, dispel the heavy atmosphere, and let go of any foolish thoughts.

“Exactly like a metal rod.” She smirked as best as she could. “Which he had swallowed.”

Annabelle snorted indecently and smiled at her. Victoria plastered a smile on her face and decided to let go. Her heart would surely mend. She just needed time.

* * *

At some point, mostly to keep Annabelle happy, Victoria had to get out of her room. She had steeled her face and heart and soul to face Stephen, but he did not leave his study all morning. At least he had that much empathy to give her space.

She went through the motions. She participated in the activities she had programmed and was glad she managed to do so with enough gusto to keep her façade intact. She made small talk, took care of the details, coordinated the staff, and spared some time to check in with Mrs. Charlotte about some household matters.

She would do a thousand things more, make herself busy all day. It kept her mind off him, drowned the pain in menial tasks, and gave her a fake sense of calm. As long as he remained away. She knew well that all this elaborate illusion would crumble the moment she looked into his eyes.

“Miss Victoria.” Blackwell came closer to her. “I trust that you feel better. You were missed at breakfast. I confess it was dull without your sparkling wit.”

That was the last thing she needed. Another man making rash advances. Though he did not give her the usual flirtatious look, but a mischievous one. He could be a good distraction.

“I am sure you survived breakfast without me,” Victoria countered. “After all, you have enough wit for the both of us.”

“Yes, but just barely.”

Victoria smiled weakly. “How do you find the house party, Your Grace? I never had the chance to ask you.”

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