Scandal of The Season. Christie Kelley
a life of crime. He wondered if anyone, save him, knew she was really a thief.
“My mind wonders what you know of her…and why.” His mother rose and crossed her arms over her chest. “Miss Seaton is not a woman for the likes of you.”
Anthony blinked. “The likes of me? Your son.”
“Exactly. A man who uses women for his pleasure—”
“And their pleasure, too.”
She continued as if she hadn’t heard him, “A man who has just decided that respectability is important. A man who has no real desire for marriage. A man who doesn’t seem to even respect women.”
“Now, I really must protest that last statement. I fully respect women,” he said solemnly.
“No, you do not. They are nothing but playthings to you. And I will not stand for you treating Miss Seaton poorly.” She sounded like a protective mother lioness. “Besides, Miss Seaton will not correct your position in Society. You need the daughter of a peer.”
“You have nothing to worry about, Mother. I have no intention of treating Miss Seaton with anything but respect.” And with their history, he could never do more than give her a kiss. Touching her in any other manner was out of the question. She must hate him for what he’d done to her.
“You had best not, Anthony. That young woman is a sweet, innocent lady.”
Anthony smothered a laugh. He wondered how his mother would feel about the sweet, innocent lady if she knew Victoria had stolen her daughter’s necklace.
“Victoria, she’s here,” Maggie said from the threshold of Victoria’s small office.
“Are the children all upstairs?” Victoria asked as she placed her quill in its holder.
“Yes.”
“Very well, then.” Victoria straightened her hair. “Send her in.”
She took a sip of her tepid tea and swallowed down her trepidation. Listening to the soft footfalls, her nerves tightened and her stomach clenched.
“Good afternoon, Victoria.”
“Good afternoon, Lady Whitely. Shall we sit at the sofa?” God, she hated the way her voice quivered whenever she talked to the woman.
“Yes.” Lady Whitely moved gracefully toward the worn sofa. After sitting, she patted the cushion next to her. “Join me.”
Victoria stood and slowly walked to the sofa. This woman could take everything away from her if she desired it. But not for long. Once she made it through next week, she would have enough money that Lady Whitely could do nothing to her. Somerton’s money would give her the safety and security she’d been searching for all her life.
“Sit,” she ordered.
Victoria promptly sat on the sofa. She folded her trembling hands together on her lap.
“How do you know Lord Somerton?” Lady Whitely asked directly.
Victoria frowned. Ten years ago, she had admitted to Lady Whitely that she had given her innocence to a man. But she had never told Lady Whitely the man’s name so why was she questioning her about him? Could she have seen them shopping?
“I met him a few days ago at Lady Selby’s party. It was the first time I had met him, though he is friends with Lord Selby.”
“Damn him.” Lady Whitely stared at Victoria. “You need to stay away from him.”
“Why?” she asked in an innocent tone.
“The man is a hardened rake. He will use you more so than any other man.” Lady Whitely looked away. “And do not think for a moment that he will ask for your hand in marriage. He wants nothing to do with that. He has no respect for women.”
“Of course,” Victoria murmured demurely. Just the interactions she had with him the past two days had shown her how much he’d changed in ten years.
Lady Whitely’s face was pinched and pained as if Somerton had hurt her in some manner. Perhaps Lady Whitely had an infatuation with him. It wasn’t that odd, she might be older but Somerton had his charms. Victoria knew that far too well.
“Victoria, I am not certain you recognize the significance of what I am saying. You must not under any circumstances encourage even a friendship with Lord Somerton.”
“As you wish.” And it wasn’t a lie. Victoria had no intention of encouraging a friendship or any other relationship with the man. All she had to do was tolerate him for a week. She could feign indifference around him, and hopefully he would believe she had no interest in him. Once their week passed, she would only see him at a few functions.
“I’m sorry, Victoria,” Lady Whitely murmured. “I would tell you more if I could but I cannot. Please just take my advice with this man.”
“Lady Whitely, I owe you everything and more. If you ask me not to see Lord Somerton, then I shall do my best not to. I cannot help if he is at a function of one of my friends. But I will not encourage him.”
Lady Whitely rose and walked toward the small fireplace. “If only that would stop him. Once he decides on a woman, he will do everything in his power to have her. I should hate to see you become his mistress, Victoria.”
She hated lying to her but had no choice in the matter. Lady Whitely must not discover her plans for next week.
“Lady Whitely, I will never be Lord Somerton’s mistress. Or any other man’s for that matter. I have eight children to care for. When would I find the time?” she said with a laugh.
Lady Whitely laughed softly. “Very true, my dear. They keep you very busy.” She sat back down on the sofa and finally smiled at Victoria. “How is she?”
“She is very well.”
Lady Whitely looked toward the door wistfully. “I saw her a week ago from my window. She is becoming so grown-up.”
“And more beautiful every day. When the time is right, I will find a sponsor for her. She deserves a Season and a man who will treat her well.” Victoria hoped Avis or Jennette would sponsor the child when the time came. If not, she had no idea how to accomplish such a thing. But it did not matter right now. She had to get everyone ready for her week away.
And pray Lady Whitely didn’t discover with whom she was going.
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