Page 31 of The Lord Next Door
Of course she would realize that his praise was an afterthought. But thinking about her wardrobe made him realize that she would need to shop for more soon. The gown she wore today was suitable for his business acquaintances, but what if on her own—and with more money to spend—she chose garments that would make the directors’ wives feel inferior?
“Victoria, tomorrow I am free after mid-morning. I shall accompany you to the dressmaker’s.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Surely that is too much trouble.”
“No, I insist. It would give us the opportunity to be together.”
At a dressmaker’s shop? That excuse couldn’t possibly make sense to her, but she only nodded her assent.
“My lord, your generosity is overwhelming,” she said quietly.
“Generosity? But you’re my wife. I promised you a wardrobe, and you shall have it. I hope you won’t mind not having anything new for Bannaster’s dinner.”
She stopped eating. “Bannaster’s dinner? Do we have an engagement?”
“Tomorrow evening.”
“I heard about it at the Hutton luncheon, though not the exact date. If you don’t mind, my lord, I’d like as much notice as possible when you’ve accepted an invitation.”
He clenched his jaw, reminding himself that as his wife, she deserved more consideration. “I’ll make sure my secretary discusses everything with you.”
“You can’t tell me yourself?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
She lowered her gaze and continued eating, not even angry at his thoughtlessness. He realized that he liked spending time with her, that her conversation was never dull. But then again, hadn’t he been enthralled by even the words she’d written in a book? Now he was able to regard her freely, and he found himself watching her lips. He’d kissed those lips last night, if only for the briefest moment. They’d been so soft, her breath so sweet. Like her disposition. Surely she knew that his family was not looked upon well, yet she didn’t seem to judge him for it.
“My lord, forgive my mother for not joining us this evening,” Victoria said. “She is feeling rather unsettled in a new house.”
“I understand.”
“Where is your father?”
“His illness often prevents him from leaving his room.” David couldn’t look too long into her eyes, knowing that his relief would show. Soon enough, she’d realize that the earl’s absence made everything easier.
“How ill is he, my lord?”
“His heart is failing. He lost the use of his legs some time ago. He is not a well man, though doctors cannot tell us how much time he might have left. Don’t be surprised if you don’t see him all that much. He has his own nurse to see to his needs.”
“But I am his daughter by marriage. I would enjoy getting to know him.”
“Victoria, let me be honest. My father is unhappy with the decline in his health, and he has managed to make the household suffer for it.”
“Oh surely—”
“He is the reason two housekeepers quit. He’s not an easy man to get along with.”
“I understand that, my lord, but I can’t live in his house and not speak to him.”
She moved food around on her plate for several minutes but didn’t eat it. David knew she was not finished with the subject, but before he could think of another one—even the weather—she spoke.
“Wilfred,” she said to the footman, “that will be all for now.”
David arched an eyebrow and waited for the servant to leave.
“My lord, when you were pretending to be Tom, you told me you didn’t have a father.”
