He was determined to protect Valeria, and to make sure she didn’t have to do anything that would make her uncomfortable.
I’ll just have to find a way to distract Mother from her ambitions, that’s all. And I’m the only one who can do it.
Chapter 9
Valeria sat in the window seat in her room, looking out at the moonlight overhead. This had been her favorite thing to do back at home, too, when life had felt difficult or overwhelming. She had always known that she could retreat to her room, tuck herself into her window seat, and feel safe from everything.
For some reason, it wasn’t working tonight.
Maybe it was because all the dangers had changed. Richard was out of her life, it was true, but there were new men to contend with, and Valeria didn’t know how she felt about them or whether she could trust them.
What did Lord Woodsford want? Could he really have meant to seek a courtship with me?
She couldn’t imagine that anyone would want such a thing with her. After all, she had been disgraced. Lord Woodsford had defended her at dinner—but what if he had only been trying to win her over?
So what could he want from me, then, if it’s not really romantic in nature?
Well, there were all kinds of things a gentlemanmightwant.
I was right to push him away, then. I can’t trust him enough to let him get near me. And that’s saying nothing of the other one—what was his name? Lord Harlston. It was clear enough that he wanted something, too.
There was a knock on the door. She sighed. “Come in, Charlotte.”
The door opened—but it wasn’t Charlotte. It was Aunt Alberta.
“I’m sorry, dear,” she said quietly. “May I come in?”
“Of course,” Valeria said. “I’m sorry. I expected Charlotte.”
“Shall I fetch her for you?”
“No, it isn’t necessary—but do you know where she is?”
“In the kitchen, having her dinner with some of my maids,” Aunt Alberta said. “I always serve my staff late in the evening, you see, so that they may feel free to finish off whatever wasn’t eaten at our dinner.”
“Oh,” Valeria said, surprised. “I never thought of doing such a thing.”
“That wasn’t the way Richard managed your household?”
“No,” she said. “A separate meal was prepared for the staff. Usually not…” She blushed.
“Not what?” her aunt asked gently.
“Well… not a very good one,” Valeria admitted. “Some bread and cheese, occasionally some fruit. I used to let Charlotte share my evening tea, because I knew that what she would get to eat in the kitchens wouldn’t be as good as what I as given.”
“That was kind of you,” Aunt Alberta said.
“I should have done something,” Valeria said. “I knew we were throwing away leftover food from dinner every night. I should have told Richard to give it to the staff.”
“Do you think he would have listened to you?” Aunt Alberta asked.
“Well, I might havetried,at least.”
“You might,” Aunt Alberta said. “But you mustn’t be too harsh with yourself, Valeria. You were only a girl for most of the time you spent there. You’re barely a young lady, even now.”
“I still could have talked to him,” Valeria said miserably. “I could have done something. I could have at leasttried.”
“This isn’t about what the servants had to eat in your brother’s home,” Aunt Alberta said wisely. “You know they were fine. You’re upset because of the things Lord Milton said do you. You think you’re being judged according to Richard’s actions.”
