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“I’m fine,” Victoria croaked. She cleared her throat, gingerly getting herself off the floor. “I’m fine, Abigail. Just give me a moment.”
“What happened in there? You’re not hurt, are you?”
Victoria pushed herself to her feet and took a moment to get her balance. Her whole body hurt. She wasn’t a little girl anymore. That window seat was not somewhere she could sleep anymore. Limping over to the door, Victoria unlocked it and stepped back to let Abigail in. Her maid looked at her state in confusion.
“What was that thud? I thought you’d dropped something.”
“I guess you could say I dropped myself.” Victoria stretched her dress. She could feel her corset digging into her ribs. “I take it Mother has asked you to check if I’m coming down to dinner.”
“She has, but she’s also rather busy. The Viscount and Viscountess are talking with Lord Blackmore.”
Victoria frowned.
“Abigail, Lord Blackmore died.”
“I know, but this is the new Earl. Rafe Mowbray. He’s now inherited the title.”
Oh. Victoria had forgotten about that. She was still half-asleep. She rubbed at her eyes.
“Am I needed downstairs? I don’t really want to meet with that man.”
“You’re not needed for their conversation, but Lady Selkirk wanted me to get you ready for dinner.” Abigail gestured at her mistress’ hair. “And I think your mother might be upset if you go downstairs in your state.”
“My state?”
Victoria went to a mirror and saw that her hair was flat on one side and sticking up on the other. It was not a good look at all. Victoria groaned.
“All right, I’ll make myself presentable. But don’t make my corset so tight, please. I’m sure I’ve got bruises on my ribs from it now.”
“Whatever you want, miss.”
It didn’t take long to change dresses and loosen the corset to the point where Victoria could breathe, and it wasn’t digging into her sides. She was feeling really sore after sleeping in such an awkward position. Corsets were not meant to be slept in.
Abigail changed Victoria’s hair, brushing it out before braiding it and twisting it up to pin it onto her mistress’s head. Once she was done, Victoria did look more presentable. Simple enough for dinner with her parents. And, hopefully, just them. Victoria didn’t want to be in the same room as Blackmore.
It was a shame that he hadn’t been convicted for his crime. Then he wouldn’t be here to take the title. It was something he didn’t deserve.
“You look a little better, Miss Victoria.” Abigail stepped back and nodded. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been dragged over rocks.” Victoria’s head was throbbing, which wasn’t helped by the pins Abigail had stuck in to keep her hair up. “Lord Blackmore isn’t joining us for dinner, is he?”
“As far as I know, he isn’t. There was no mention of it.”
That was something. Victoria didn’t think she would be able to hold her tongue if Blackmore was present for dinner. Her parents might be content to entertain him, but Victoria wasn’t going to. She wasn’t that insane.
Heading downstairs, Victoria heard voices coming from the drawing room. She recognised her father’s voice, but then there was one that sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it. That had to be Blackmore. They were probably in a deep conversation over something. What they were discussing, Victoria had no idea. It was too muffled for her to hear properly.
She got to the bottom of the stairs and pondered what she was going to do. Was she going to enter the room and find out what they were talking about? Or should she leave it alone? There was a good chance she was going to find out shortly.
Victoria had no intention of being in the same room as Blackmore, but her curiosity wouldn’t let her walk away. She began to tiptoe towards the door. Perhaps she could press her ear to the door and find out what was happening.
“What are you doing, Victoria?”
Victoria gasped and spun around. Lady Selkirk was coming out of the morning room, looking at her daughter in bemusement. She had been caught.
“I…I was going to see what Father was doing.”
“He’s currently with Lord Blackmore. It’s best that we leave them to it.” Her mother beckoned her over. “Come in with me. You can keep me company until your father is finished.”
