“But it’s possible not to know!” Valeria burst out, realizing that this was what had been really troubling her. “We thought for years that Richard was decent—a bit temperamental, certainly, but all right, really. I never would have imagined that he would involve himself in anything criminal. And when I think back now on the way he always treated me—as if he mattered so much more than I did—”
She broke off, her voice shaking.
Her aunt sat down beside her in the window. “You’ve learned a great deal from your experience with your brother, haven’t you?” she asked quietly. “Don’t you think you’d recognize it the next time someone treated you badly, if it happened?”
“I have no idea,” Valeria said. “I feel like I’m still discovering hidden things in my memories of Richard—things that seemed harmless or insignificant at the time. It’s only now that I’m understanding the pattern of his behavior.”
“You needn’t be afraid,” her aunt said. “I’ve been entrusted with your care, Valeria, and I won’t allow anyone to court you without evidence that he is a suitable, respectable gentleman.”
“And the two I met tonight?”
“They have been friends of your cousin’s for years,” Aunt Alberta said. “They are more than trustworthy. Now, Lord Harlston—he’s a Marquess, you know. Very well thought of in Society. He might be exactly the sort you should be with. A very good match. Did you like him?”
“He was charming,” Valeria said, remembering the way Lord Harlston had spoken to her. Shehadliked him—but she had felt a little out of control in his presence, too. It had felt as though saying that she liked him might commit her to something she didn’t want to do. It still felt that way.
Then again, maybe that feeling was coming from the expectant way Aunt Alberta was looking at her now.
“I believe he was quite taken with you,” Aunt Alberta said.
“He didn’t ask you if he could court me, did he?” Valeria found she was dreading the answer.
“No,” Aunt Alberta said, gazing at her quizzically. “He didn’t. Did you want him to?”
“No,” Valeria said quickly.
“Because if you’re interested, Duncan can certainly find out how he feels about the matter.”
“No, Aunt Alberta,” she said. “I’m not interested. In fact, I’d like to prolong the time before I enter into a courtship as much as possible.”
Her aunt frowned. “I see,” she said.
“I’m sorry.” Valeria felt horribly guilty. “I know that means I’ll be imposing on your hospitality—”
“No, no, you mustn’t worry about that,” Aunt Alberta said. “Earlington Manor is your home, as long as you have need of a home. But I do worry about you, dear.”
“You worry that if I don’t marry quickly, no one will have me at all.”
“You heard the things Lord Milton said tonight,” her aunt said quietly. “Of course, he was wrong and cruel to say them. But I’m afraid he may not be easily silenced, and his version of events—that you aided Richard in his crimes—may spread quickly around.”
“Will people believe it?” Valeria asked anxiously.
“Some will. Some will not. But those who do will not only avoid you themselves, but will also spread unkind rumors about you. The best thing we can do is to give the ton something else to talk about by matching you with the most eligible gentleman we can as quickly as possible.”
“I suppose that makes sense,” Valeria said quietly.
“I understand if you don’t feel prepared,” Aunt Alberta said. “But I suggest you give the matter serious thought, and get yourself ready as quickly as you can. Because the best thing we can do, truly, is to find you a match before these rumors get out of hand.”
Chapter 10
Thomas reflected, as he walked in the door of the pub, that he really wasn’t feeling up to this evening at all.
As was so often the case, it was Henry who had persuaded him to come out. Henry was always trying to convince Thomas and Duncan to come out to the pub, and Thomas thought that if he could have had his way, he probably would have spent every evening here. It wasn’t that he was a hard drinker. It was just that Henry really loved to socialize.
Even now, he was surrounded by a crowd, and all of them were laughing. Thomas stood by the door and took them in for a moment. Somehow, although Henry was the youngest member of the group, he had managed to place himself at the center of it. It couldn’t have been more clear that the others were hanging on his every word.
Well, he is a charmer, Thomas thought wryly.You can see how a lady would fall for him.
If only Lady Valeria hadn’t been the one to whom he had applied his charms…
