Page 45 of Ravishing His Wicked Lady (The Shadows 4)

“So, tell us, Princess Victoria,” Lady Carlyle said loudly. “Did you find a man you fancy?”

Every eye turned toward Victoria. She smiled widely. “Do I have to choose during my first house party?”

“You certainly do not,” Lady Elinor said sternly. “You can have as many seasons as you need.”

Victoria’s family truly cared about her, and it made Lavinia feel warm inside.

Lavinia never had a family that cared. Well, that was not true. Matilda cared about her. But aside from the fact that she was eighteen when she’d married, now the poor woman had too many problems of her own.

And she hadn’t been there for Lavinia when she was a young girl. Back then, she had no one to rely on except for Annalise, who was a young girl herself from a loving family and who did not completely comprehend all the woes Lavinia went through.

And then there was Dane…

Lavinia expelled a deep sigh. The conversation around her buzzed while she was just lost in her maudlin thoughts.

A few moments later, men joined the room, and the conversation grew even louder.

Payne walked straight toward his wife and sat next to her. Annalise, in an unfashionable show of affection, placed her head on her husband’s shoulder, and he took her hand.

“Oh, how scandalous,” Lady Carlyle said to Victoria, who stood nearby. “I truly hope you do not think this is how most marriages in the English aristocracy are.” She averted her nose.

Victoria looked at the Paynes and shrugged. “What is so wrong with a loving relationship?”

Lady Carlyle scoffed. “Feelings are for the bourgeois. If you want to model your marriage after a perfect couple, you won’t find anyone better than the Kensingtons.”

Lavinia closed her eyes, although she wanted to shut her ears. She couldn’t listen to this.

Lucky for her, Caroline spoke loudly, commanding the attention of the entire room. “How about a game?” she said cheerfully. “I think it is time to start some parlor amusements.”

The entire room cheered, and people started suggesting games.

Victoria appeared by Lavinia’s side. “Come,” she said with a cheerful countenance.

Lavinia stood, and Victoria weaved her arm through hers.

“Let us get as far away from Lady Carlyle as we can. We do not want to sit next to her once the games start,” she whispered into Lavinia’s ear.

Lavinia tightened her hold on Victoria’s arm and chuckled. Lady Carlyle was notorious for dragging people into scandalous situations and then gossiping about it. Lavinia was eternally grateful to have a new friend like Victoria.

Annalise was constantly too tired because of her babe, and Lavinia was happy for her. As well as terrified for her. So she didn’t want to bother her too much. But she needed a companion. And Victoria was a lovely soul who made Lavinia smile.

“Thank you,” she whispered back.

“Very well, deer hunter it is!” Caroline announced.

* * *

“As host, wouldn’t you say that Lord Roth should be the first to play?” someone suggested from the crowd.

“Then I volunteer to play the deer,” Lady Carlyle said suggestively.

“Knowing how good of a hunter Roth is, this game will go on forever,” Lord Cunningham noted with a bark of laughter.

Roth sketched a theatrical bow.

It was true; he was a terrible hunter, and quite honestly, he didn’t want to play a foolish game. He wanted to paint.

Perhaps if he ensured that Victoria was entertained, he could slip away from the crowded parlor, whisk Lady Carlyle away, and spend the evening quietly.

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