If he did, he owed it to his readers to bring it to their attention. But if he didn’t, then who else would protect the diners of London?
Victoria pondered that important question as she rested her hands in her lap and waited for her food. Perhaps there was something she could do.
I owe it to everyone who has a cultured palate to take up the cause.
Chapter Four
The following morning Victoria was seated at her writing desk, still mulling over the great spice war and what role she could possibly play in it, when a knock came on her bedroom door. She narrowed her brows. Who would be coming to see her at this early hour?
Her maid, Mary, was already here, quietly tidying up a few things on the dresser. And if Lady Coco Kembal had successfully managed to sneak back into the house sometime before dawn, she would still be tucked up in bed, so it couldn’t possibly be Victoria’s sister.
Victoria and Mary exchanged a look of unease as the door opened and the Duchess of Mowbray swept into the room. Victoria caught sight of the gold colored gown which her mother had draped over her left arm.
She is up to something.
“Good morning, Victoria darling, lovely to see you. How was last night’s dinner with Matthew?” said Lady Anne. She glanced momentarily at Victoria’s maid and coolly announced, “You may leave us. Thank you.”
Crossing the floor, she carefully lay the gown on Victoria’s bed, fussed with it for a moment, then turned to face her daughter. The second the click of Mary closing the door behind her echoed in the room, the duchess let out a happy sigh and smiled. “Well now.”
Worry had Victoria clenching her teeth. Lady Anne rarely grinned at anyone without there being something on her agenda. It was even more rare for her to sigh with joy.
Why did she bring me that gown, and why did she dismiss Mary?
“I think it’s high time you and I had a little talk,” announced the duchess.
Ice formed in Victoria’s veins. Her mother had given herthe talklong agowhen her courses had first arrived, so it couldn’t bethattalk. Victoria shuddered recalling what had been one of the most awkward moments of her life. She couldn’t think of any other great mystery of the universe which her mother should feel the need to impart.
“Yes, Mama?”
Her mother held out her hands and as soon as Victoria had taken them, the duchess pulled her daughter to her feet. Lady Anne’s gaze took in Victoria’s pale blue dress.
“Is that one of your new gowns?”
Victoria nodded. She wasn’t in any sort of mood to explain to the duchess that she knew full well it was, and that she’d been the one who had instructed Mary to select it for today. As soon as the gowns had arrived from the modiste, Lady Anne had insisted Victoria tried them all on. From the moment they’d left the shop, she hadn’t stopped mentioning the new clothes to Victoria, telling her she had to wear them. She’d also offered plenty of not-so-subtle hints about her daughter making more of an effort with her appearance and deportment.
Mama is up to something. She is never like this with me any other time.
The duchess ushered her over to the nearby cheval mirror. Victoria’s mind was working at a feverish rate while the duchess gave her new blue and white floral gown a thorough looking over. She could think of a dozen reasons why her mother wanted this private tète a tète, and none of them were good.
Had Lady Anne discovered the truth of her daily custard bun habit? Or perhaps Richard had let slip that his sister’s pin money was keeping his wallet flush.
Oh god, please don’t let her have read my private restaurant reviews.
“It’s a lovely gown, but I’m not sure if it’s what we need,” said Lady Anne, after a long moment of silence.
Need? Need for what?
“What do you mean?” replied Victoria. She took a slow, deep breath, readying herself for whatever was about to come out of her mother’s mouth.
“Why for getting you back into society. It’s time we set to the task of finding you a suitable husband.”
Husband?
“Is there any particular reason for this sudden haste? I mean, it’s well past the formal season. And if the rumors about Queen Charlotte’s health are indeed true, then might it appear somewhat impolite for us to push ahead with a marriage campaign at this time,” stammered Victoria.
She’d thought that with Gideon and Augusta’s recent marriages, the duchess might wish to take a break from family weddings. Now it seemed that her mother was just beginning to hit her stride and was looking for the next of her children to throw into the arms of wedded bliss.
Why not one of the boys?Richard could certainly benefit from the steady hand of a wife. Or at least his long-sufferingpurse would. And what about Matthew? He was a year older than her.
