Page 46 of The Precious Secret of a Loving Governess
Victoria wished to slip away but it would have been rude were she to vanish in that moment, so she remained as Miss Franklin led Marian to change out of her riding clothes.
“I am on my way to another engagement but thought I ought to stop by as your estate was on my way, my lord,” she replied with a beautiful smile. Victoria made every effort to not be jealous but found that she could hardly help herself.
“How fortunate we are that you should stop to see us,” the Earl noted.
Victoria nodded, fear pounding in her chest that something should give away her knowledge of the secret. What if the Earl figured it out? What if he forever blamed her for hiding it from him?
“It is entirely my own fortune. I was thrilled to be able to come here and see you. You know that I always enjoy a visit to your home and a moment to share your company,” she remarked.
Victoria was intensely aware that she was out of place among the two. The Earl seemed not to notice her presence as he engaged with Lady Ingles, and everything had turned around on her. Lady Ingles spoke to the Earl, but her glance continually moved to Victoria in a silent plea.
She would have known by now if Victoria had not remained silent. There was no reason to beg, even with those large eyes of hers that spoke her silent request.
“Where are you heading?” the Earl asked.
Victoria wondered if Lady Ingles was going to see Mr. Smith or perhaps even another man. Surely she was not, but in some ways, she felt the petty part of herself wishing that Lady Ingles would openly prove herself unworthy of the Earl.
Except that she would have hated to have seen him hurt or humiliated, and that meant refraining from wishes of Lady Ingles being exposed. No, for the time being, all had to remain hidden.
“I am seeing a dear friend, the Dowager Francesca DiMotti. You know, she was the wife of the late Duke of Friedmont. Rather scandalous, their marriage,” Lady Ingles said, whispering the last part to Victoria and the Earl as if it was gossip of some interest to them.
Victoria knew the couple well. Her father had been a friend of the Duke even when he had brought his French bride back to England. The woman now continued to live in English lands despite the loss of her husband.
It all led Victoria to wonder if Lady Ingles thought herself immune to such scandal. And yet, no matter how Victoria wished to dislike Lady Ingles, no matter how she longed to see her come to a downfall, she could not deny that the woman was lovely.
She was elegant and beautiful, certainly. But it was the demeanour and the charm that Victoria could see enraptured everyone. Lady Ingles had a talent when it came to entertaining those around her and it was difficult to dislike her.
Even with everything Victoria knew about her and all the jealousy she had come to feel, she still couldn’t help but like Lady Ingles.
It was her own jealousy that Victoria was growing to hate. After all, she thought, it made her petty and weak, two things she hated to be.
In the midst of all of the chat and small talk that Lady Ingles was engaging in, Victoria nearly lost herself in thought. But Lady Ingles snapped her out of it when she made a rather startling invitation.
“Now I should dearly love if you would both come to my party tomorrow evening. I’m hosting somewhat of a ball and would be delighted if you would join me,” she invited.
Victoria paused, unable to process the ridiculous request.
“A ball?” she questioned.
“Yes, Miss Jamison. A ball. I should love for you to come along with my lord. You shall be a special guest,” she declared, cheerily.
Victoria imagined that she would only be the subject of further gossip, the young woman whose family fell from grace. Why would Lady Ingles dare to invite her? Evidently she was assuming that it would seal a form of a bond upon the two of them. Almost as a friendship, it would lead Victoria further into silence.
Was this a bribe?
Or perhaps it was a means of assuaging her own guilt. Perhaps Lady Ingles was trying to do away with the shame that she felt by making a bigger deal about entertaining the two of them and allowing Victoria to be a greater part of things.
It seemed strange and uncomfortable and Victoria wished that Lady Ingles would do away with that entirely. What exactly was she thinking?
Of course, perhaps it was a show of friendship. Whatever the intention, it left her confused and weary. Victoria did not wish to go, but the Earl was already agreeing to it all, willingly and happily. He accepted the invitation on Victoria’s behalf as she stood silently, watching her loyalties be bargained away.
“I am delighted. I shall be sure to get you all the details and please, do arrive on time that you might not miss out on all the best cakes and treats. I rather like to reward my guests who come for the full party,” Lady Ingles laughed charmingly.
Victoria nodded, trying to form words that would not come. Whatever had possessed Lady Ingles to make this invitation, Victoria was infuriated by it and wished that she could escape this nonsense and be free of it. She wanted to find a way out. Perhaps she could pretend to be sick the following evening?
But it was too late to think of a more legitimate excuse in that moment. The Earl had already agreed for her and she couldn’t undo that. So for the time being, all seemed settled and Victoria continued to stand while the Earl and his betrothed chatted away merrily.
Finally, she could take it no longer. The laughter and looks between the Earl and his betrothed were too much for Victoria and her heart was breaking with each moment. She waited for the briefest of lulls in the conversation.
