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Quickly, Julius held a finger to his lips
.
In front of him, Victoria sighed loudly and began picking at the lace on her sleeve. “Indeed, but I quickly grew weary of him. No offense, Withy, but your friend is deadly dull.”
“Victoria!” scolded Amelia, flicking him an anxious look.
He shook his head and again held a finger to his lips. He was enjoying this.
“I do apologize,” said Victoria with blatant insincerity, “but even you must admit that it is quite a challenge to conduct a proper conversation when the other person is only willing to talk about plants and flowers.”
“Victoria, I really think that—”
“Perhaps you should teach him how to hold a proper conversation with a lady, Withy,” Victoria went on, ignoring her. “I’m sure he would benefit from a lesson in charm from you.” She tossed her head, dislodging a white star of Jasminum sambac. The tiny flower fluttered to her feet.
Julius bit back a laugh as Withy’s eyes widened. It was time. He stepped forward, crushing the bloom beneath his foot before Lady Amelia could see it and wonder. “Dear me. Has someone been less than charming to you, Lady Victoria?”
With a yelp, Victoria swung about, her cheeks aflame. “How long have y—” She stopped and looked around at the others guiltily. “No, no of course not, my lord. I—I was merely commenting on the general rudeness of people in this day and age.”
He watched as Amelia’s smile turned sly. “Lord Cavendish, how lovely of you to join us. Victoria was just telling us that you enjoy botany. Do tell us all about it.” She patted the seat next to her. “Victoria, you may sit beside me here.”
He began to expound on the subject of tropical vines in great detail. He talked for a quarter of an hour before Victoria finally interrupted.
“Why are we sitting here talking about plants when I hear music?” She stood and, as good manners required, Withy rose with her. Immediately, she latched onto his arm. “Kind sir, pray tell me one more dance won’t ruin my reputation?”
“Wouldn’t you rather a new partner?” said Withington, his eyes gleaming with humor.
“Not at all!” she replied at once. “I long for no other partner but you, dear Marquess.” She towed him away with all haste.
Julius knew she had no real interest in Withington. He was nothing more than a sacrificial lamb, a means of escape.
“Reckless little fool!” muttered Amelia.
He looked at her, surprised to see that her face was full of wrath. Curiosity took hold. Since almost the moment they’d met, Victoria had talked about this woman, boasting of her fine qualities and beauty. An unmarried lady with a beautiful unwed sister would, in most circumstances, speak of her far less favorably and do everything in her power to keep a suitor as far away from her as possible. Victoria had seemed determined to do just the opposite. The question was why.
“My lady?”
Without a word, she took the arm he offered and they began to walk.
“Your sister seems quite fond of Withington,” he ventured.
“She is young and impetuous.”
Her flat, unfriendly response would have ended the conversation with any other man, but he needed information. “A quandary, to be sure, as you also seem…interested in the Marquess,” he prompted gently, hoping.
She stopped, and her hard blue gaze pierced him. “My only interest is in making certain he doesn’t take advantage of her youth and inexperience.”
He felt a flush rise to his cheeks. It seemed Victoria had reason to fear discovery not only by her father, but by her sister as well. “It is only a dance, my lady.”
“It is a good deal more than that, I assure you.”
“Oh? How so?”
“The evidence is irrefutable, my lord. I was taking the air outside by the garden entrance a short while ago when I saw them emerge from the maze. They had clearly been…” She stopped, and he saw that she was blushing.
He had no doubts about Withy’s trustworthiness. Obviously, Lady Amelia had witnessed something—he would find out what, exactly, later—and had made an assumption. “You were spying on her.”
She flushed again, but her chin lifted defiantly. “I do not like to say it to a veritable stranger, but my sister is simply incapable of good judgment. Despite her apparent age, Victoria remains childlike. Her mind has never properly matured. That is why I keep such close watch over her.”
