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The marquess ran his gaze down her length before turning back to his niece. “Where have you disappeared to?”
Victoria threw a quick glance toward Lavinia. “We were chatting, and I suppose we completely lost track of time.”
Lord Roth’s gaze returned to Lavinia, and she lowered her eyes to his waistcoat. She could hardly stand still under his burning perusal.
“And what were you two chatting about?”
“Love,” Victoria said innocently, and Lavinia’s cheeks might as well have been on fire, they burned so hot.
“Really?” His voice was lower than usual, and Lavinia felt butterflies rioting in her stomach.
She cleared her throat. “Well, Victoria is looking for a love match. It is only natural that our discussion veered in that direction.”
“And you are not?”
Lavinia finally met his eyes. Her entire body trembled, but she felt confident in her answer. “I am not.”
Victoria looked from the marquess to Lavinia and back again. “Well, did you want something particular from me, or were you looking for me for no reason?”
Lord Roth turned his hard gaze toward his niece. “I am to chaperone you, Victoria. I need to know where you are at all times.”
Victoria, the soft-mannered lady that she was, rolled her eyes. “Then I shall go and make myself known at the assembly, shall I?”
She bobbed a curtsy and hurried away.
There was a charged silence between the marquess and Lavinia as they both refused to either move or speak.
“I trust you slept well?” he finally asked, and Lavinia squirmed from the inside.
“Very well, my lord.”
He gave a sharp nod and turned toward the disappearing Victoria. But before he could take a step, Lavinia grabbed him by his sleeve.
She had a plan to execute. She couldn’t tarry.
“Apologies,” she said and winced.For more than you will ever know.“I wish to speak with you. In private.”
He looked at her hand and then raised his gaze to her face. “We are in private. If you wish to speak, now is—”
“No.” She shook her head vigorously. She needed time to direct the gossips to where they’d be meeting, so they would be caught in time. “Not now. Not here. But meet me in the gardens in half an hour?”
He looked at her suspiciously for a moment before his gaze fell to her lips. Did he think she was proposing an assignation? Well, in a way, she was.
“Very well. In half an hour,” he said and walked away.
