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Victoria wanted to protest, but she could see it was not something her mother was willing to argue over. Sighing, she went towards the drawing room, following her mother’s quick pace. Maybe she should get this over with, and then she could leave. It was probably her parents saying they had forgiven Blackmore, and they were going to be friends again. Victoria didn’t know how they could do that and disrespect her brother like that.
Whatever they wanted to do was not going to have anything to do with her. She wouldn’t allow it.
Her father was sitting in his usual chair by the window, looking out at the perfect view of the bay. But from his expression, he didn’t look as though he was marvelling at the scenery; he looked to be deep in thought. As if he was prepared to deliver big news that wouldn’t be well-received.
Just seeing him like that made Victoria want to run away again.
Taking a deep breath, she headed toward her father and kissed his cheek.
“Papa.”
“Where did you go, Victoria?”
“I went for a walk. I didn’t want to be around Lord Blackmore.”
Lord Selkirk sighed and shook his head.
“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. But this conversation did include you as well.”
“You know I don’t want any part of that, Papa.”
“Well, you’re going to have to.” Selkirk gestured towards a nearby chair. “Won’t you sit down?”
“I think I’ll stand.” Victoria folded her arms. “What is it you want to tell me? That you’ve forgiven Lord Blackmore and his family for not turning over his son after what he did?”
Her father’s hesitation was enough. Victoria’s heart sank.
“You haven’t! Papa!”
“Blackmore says he’s tired of the friction between us, and he wants us to bury the hatchet, so to speak.” Selkirk glanced at his wife, who was standing just off to the side. “He also had a proposal for us. One that we’ve accepted.”
Victoria didn’t like this.
“What proposal?”
“That you marry Sebastien.”
For a moment, Victoria thought she had misheard. Had they really…? She stared at her father before looking at her mother.
“Is that true? You accepted?”
“We did, Victoria.” Her mother didn’t blink as she looked back. “You’re getting to an age where you’re too old for marriage, and you need a husband….”
“I don’t want to marry into that family!”
“You don’t really have a choice. Not when you’ve never had any prospects.”
Victoria felt her rage bubbling up. She didn’t like being reminded that she had never had a suitor, nor had any gentleman shown any interest in her once they found out what family she came from. Her brother’s murder had left a shadow over them, and nobody wanted to be involved in that. It was frustrating, but Victoria had accepted it.
She had suspected that her parents would arrange a marriage for her, just so they knew her future was secure, and they wouldn’t have to worry about her if anything happened to them, but to that family? They had to be out of their minds.
She shook her head.
“No. Absolutely not.”
Selkirk sat forward and reached for her.
“Victoria….”
