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Chapter Five
Vicky’s ears strained to hear any further evidence of Ashford Northcott’s arrival while trying to appear as though she were engaged in the conversations flowing around her. She had discovered early in her debut that it was possible to smile and nod as others spoke, and no one would realize that she wasn’t actually paying the least bit of attention. It was very rare that anyone actually ever asked a question to which they expected an elaborate answer. In this way, she had developed a reputation for being an excellent conversationalist. She smiled to herself as she thought of it. Thetonwas rather ridiculous. She wouldn’t be in the least bit disappointed to leave it behind, for the most part. Which was why her sister’s idea of wedding a gentleman who was not a noble had been such a good idea. When her mind quickly flitted to thoughts of Mr. Ashford Northcott, Vicky ignored it.Anyone but him, she thought with a shudder she tried to suppress.
Which left her wondering why she was still trying to ascertain if he had, in fact, arrived. She had thought she heard his voice briefly, after the crunch of wheels had been heard in the drive. But then silence had followed, and she had thought perhaps she had conjured him with her senselessly circulating thoughts.
Returning her attention to the matters at hand, Vicky tried to focus on the conversations swirling through the room. While it was rare that anyone asked her thoughts, it did happen on occasion, and it would not do to be caught out for not paying attention.
“But Madame Celeste is the bestmodistein Town, to be sure.”
“Surely, you could tell that Lady Caroline had used Monsieur Gallante as her dancing instructor.”
The conversations hadn’t changed much since she had been caught up in her own thoughts, Vicky reassured herself with a slight smile.
“Lady Vigilia, might I have your assistance for a moment?”
The expression on Georgia’s face was hard to interpret as Vicky set aside her needle and thread and came to her feet.
“Are you all right?” Georgia asked.
“Perfectly fine, why do you ask?” Vicky appeared puzzled.
“It seems to me as though your mind is a thousand miles away.”
Vicky shrugged. “Neither Sarah nor Mary are terribly interesting, to be honest.”
“But we did agree that their brothers might be good matches for you.”
“True, but both of those gentleman have yet to arrive,” Vicky pointed out and then interrupted, as Georgia was about to admonish her. “And any gentleman who would listen to his sister’s complaints about his love interest might not be the independent, successful gentleman I am looking for.” She paused for a second while scrutinizing her friend’s face. “Besides, it is very unlikely they are in the least bit aware that I am not deeply fascinated with all they have to say. I have been very careful to hide my disinterest. How did you know?”
“Have you forgotten that I’ve known you since we were in the nursery?”
Vicky grinned. “You will never allow me to do so. Now, what did you wish me to assist you with?”
“Oh nothing, I just wanted to check on you.”
“Well, if you don’t want to draw attention to my inattention, you had best come up with something, my dear, since you called me over here on the pretext of needing my assistance.”
Georgia laughed. “Perhaps, I can merely claim I have forgotten, and everyone will smile indulgently and consider that I have lost my mind by being with child.”
“It seems to me you use that excuse almost as often as you claim that being with child shouldn’t affect you or your circumstances in the least. It hardly seems fair that you are trying to have it both ways.”
Georgia grinned and shrugged, clearly not in the least bit repentant.
“No one has noticed anyway, so you needn’t trouble yourself over it. But if you really need something to do, you could run tell the housekeeper that we’re likely to be a few more for tea this afternoon.”
Vicky frowned. “Why do you say that?”
“I’ve heard at least one carriage, possibly two or three arrive. Since the butler hasn’t come for me, I’m assuming they were gentlemen arriving. So, whatever the housekeeper has planned isn’t likely to be enough if a few gentlemen join us. I would rather have far too much than not enough.”
“Very well, my lady,” Vicky replied with a small curtsy that caused her friend’s giggle to follow her from the room.
Hurrying through the large house as quietly as possible, Vicky was torn between hoping she didn’t encounter Ashford and wishing to catch a glimpse of him, if he had indeed arrived. She shook her head at her own foolishness. Georgia wasn’t the only one losing her mind, but at least she had a better excuse.
“Lady Vigilia, what a pleasure to encounter you.”
Vicky’s step faltered slightly as she turned toward the gentleman addressing her.
“Lord Bertram, what a surprise to come upon you.” Vicky hadn’t even known the viscount had been invited. She almost frowned as she wondered if Georgia knew the man was there. Vicky had never told her friend expressly how very uncomfortable Lord Bertram made her, but Vicky had thought she had seen the final list of invitations, as she had been the one to write them out.
