For pity’s sake, what is the matter with me!
Exactly how many times did she need to be made a fool of by this man for her to use some common sense? When common sense told her that a leopard never changed his spots.
“As I have no control over Galahad’s eyes, nor care how he may or may not pretend to be feeling when he directs them my way, I refuse to be used as fodder for Olivia’s incessant teasing when I most definitely do not feel the same way!”Are my feelings that transparent? My heartbreak this obvious?Did everyone downstairs now pity her for pining for a man who had only pretended to pine back when he wanted something?
“Are you sure, dearest? Only you appear disproportionately vexed for someone who is indifferent.”
That brought her up short, because Minerva made a fair point.
In this family, any chink in the armor was used ruthlessly to tease, and the cracks in hers were clearly on display for all to see. Vee needed to rectify that if she wanted all the much-too-near-the-knuckle teasing to stop or be forever tormented like Diana had been until she and Giles succumbed to their passions. “I am positive.” She grabbed the shawl she hadn’t come upstairs for and pasted on a smile as she wrapped it around her shoulders. “I am genuinely angrier at Galahad’s deceit than I am vexed by his presence, but your point is well made.” She neededto keep reminding herself that he was still an opportunist and a liar, no matter how decent he could be sometimes with the orphans. And she needed to do whatever was necessary to ensure that both her family and Galahad knew that she was immune to his charms.
Perhaps if she was more matter-of-fact instead of mortified, all the teasing would be easier to bear? “It is done. The building is his and there is nothing I can do about it, so I suppose for the sake of family harmony, as well as to put a stop to all of Olivia’s latest futile attempts at matchmaking, I should let bygones be bygones and suffer him with the sameenthusiasmas I always have.”
For the rest of this evening, she would muster every last ounce of her bravado to get through it with good humor. “Hopefully, after a month of distance in Shropshire and the arrival of her newest grandchild, Olivia will have found something else to amuse her by the time we get back other than my continued and depressing lack of love life.”
Minerva stood and fussed over the shawl that Vee had unconsciously tied. “Poor Galahad. He looks so miserable. I cannot help feeling sorry for him.”
“Whatever for?” Annoyance still leaked into her tone when she was trying so hard to sound unbothered. “He got exactly what he set out to get.” While making a fool of her in the process.
“Did he?” Minerva fiddled with the knot Vee had tied tight across her bosom as she smiled a knowing smile. “He didn’t get you.”
“I told you, he doesn’treallywant me, Minerva.”
“Oh, be in no doubt, hewantsyou, sister.” In one swift move, she unknotted the shawl and held it open wide, then stared grinning at Vee’s cleavage. “I’ve never seen a man so tortured by a gown as poor Galahad is by this one tonight.”
Chapter Nineteen
Oh the horror! I caught Diana in bed with Giles this morning! Naked! Have given her a stern talking-to about the need for propriety and chastity. I have also made a note to visit her deflowerer’s extensive library here in Shropshire later to research all the possible reasons for my usually crotchety sister’s uncharacteristic, yet undeniable, euphoria ever since her deflowering…
—from the diary of Miss Venus Merriwell, aged 18
“Who’s up for a friendly game of cards?” As Jeremiah was already rubbing his hands together at the prospect by the time Vee and Minerva made it back downstairs, clearly he was. “After last time, now that I know that the witch isn’t invincible, I’m feeling lucky.”
“Oh, bless you.” She couldn’t resist stroking his arm as if he had said something stupid. “But if you think you finally have it in you to beat me after four years of solid defeat, Jeremiah, I am more than happy to remind you of my superior skills as a card player.” It felt good to behave normally, despite Galahad’s obvious presence by the fireplace. Not that she had looked his way, of course, but she could still feel the weight of his stare. Feel it everywhere. Even through the thick woolen shawl, which made her feel less exposed to his stormy green gaze.
“I have a better idea.” Giles used the pack of cards in his hand likea conductor’s baton. “Because I for one would like to see a rematch.” The deck pointed first to Vee, then Galahad. “The exact same rules as before, only this time, I say we up the ante and open a proper book on the outcome. With folding money rather than the stuff that jingles.”
“Ten pounds on Vee,” said Hugh instantly as if the game was a fait accompli. “She’ll have learned from her previous mistakes and is sure to trounce the upstart as revenge.” He turned to Galahad, wincing. “No offense, Galahad—but I’ll never hear the end of it if I effectively bet against my wife.”
He waved it away with a lazy smile. “None taken.”
“I’ll match you but my money’s on Gal.” Jeremiah walked to the fireplace and slapped his countryman on the back as he glared at her. “He’s the professional.”
“Mother?” Hugh turned to Olivia, who appeared to be weighing up her options carefully. “Which gladiator is yours?”
After an age, she chose. “Vee. I see the light of battle in her eyes.” At which point all eyes in the room swiveled to Giles, who was already enjoying himself immensely.
“Well, obviously it is my dear cousin Galahad, as blood is thicker than water. No offense, Vee dearest.”
“Oh, none is taken, Giles, as I shall enjoy saying I told you so when I win.” Vee looked Galahad up and down, telling herself that she would force herself to enjoy getting some revenge for Brighton and enduring all of Olivia’s teasing, even if it was petty.
“My money is obviously on my sister.” Diana smiled at Vee as if she realized she was feeling fragile. “I believe Galahad deserves a good thrashing.” Further proof that the family suspected that her heart had been hurt again.
“Oh, you can’t bet inourpot, harridan.” Giles said this as he and Hugh carried the card table into the center of the drawing room.
“Whyever not?”
“Because you have to play. This is the rematch, remember, so everything must be the same as last time.”
