“Are you two getting along any better since we have been back?” Emily asked.
Forcing a smile, Victoria answered, “Things have been quite peaceful.”
Emily chuckled. “That is not exactly what I asked, Tory.”
Giving Emily a cheeky grin, Victoria replied, “Your brother has been quite busy with his business dealings. We have not had much time to interact with each other.”
Sighing, Emily said, “You two are so stubborn. It is exhausting.”
Victoria let out a laugh, and a moment later, they reached the modiste and walked inside. The shopkeeper, a plump woman with bright green eyes and silver hair, appeared to greet them almost the second they stepped through the door.
“Mrs Radcliffe, good day to you!” the woman said, her tone bright. “I hope you have been well?”
Emily nodded, grinning politely. “Quite well, thank you, Mrs Murray. I wanted to check in on Lily’s dresses and confirm their delivery, and I wished to order a few for myself.”
Mrs Murray’s expression lit up even more. “Oh, of course! Please, right this way.”
The shopkeeper led them to the back of the shop, where Emily undressed so Mrs Murray could take her measurements. They then looked through different materials and styles, and Emily picked out what she wanted. Victoria stood off to the side, observing quietly until Emily asked her for her opinions. Though she wished she could be picking out materials for her own dresses, Victoria did enjoy helping Emily as she made her selections.
When Emily had everything chosen and ordered, they returned to the front of the shop to pay for the dresses and confirm delivery dates. Victoria and Emily were standing at the front counter when they heard the shop’s front door open. It barely registered in Victoria’s mind until a sickeningly sweet voice crossed the room and slapped into them.
“Is that you, Emily? Oh, my, it has been too long.”
To Victoria’s surprise, Emily stiffened, and her expression darkened. Taking a deep breath, Emily slowly turned, and Victoria followed suit. Who could cause such a negative reaction from Emily? Arguably one of the friendliest people Victoria had ever met?
Standing just inside the door of the shop was a petite blonde beauty dressed in a pink dress with white frills. It was a bit extravagant for Victoria’s taste, but she supposed it could appeal to some ladies.
Emily released a breath and spoke in a cool but polite tone. “Good day, Cressida. It has indeed been a while.”
Cressida. This was the woman Lord Harford had been so close to marrying? Victoria held back a gasp of shock. She was beautiful, this Cressida. Victoria could understand why a man would be drawn to her. She felt a sting of jealousy and then uncertainty as she considered her own appearance and appeal compared to this lady’s.
Had she ever really stood a chance, even in her wildest imaginings?
Cressida arched a brow at Emily.
“I had heard you were back in London,” she said. “You must be happy to be back among civilized society.”
Victoria furrowed her brow. The woman’s words were not overly rude, really, but the tone and the implications behind them were far from friendly. Victoria glanced at Emily, uncertain how she would respond.
Emily lifted her chin, and her expression remained impassive as she replied, “It is good to be back in London with my family, Cressida. Civilized society or not, I would not trade my years abroad, though. They gave me a greater appreciation for the wider world and all it has to offer.”
Victoria ducked her head to hide her grin, impressed by Emily’s calm yet pointed response. It was clear she was not going to rise to Cressida’s bait. Victoria was not so certain she would have been able to keep her temper so well.
Cressida pursed her lips, her gaze flashing with irritation. Frustrated that Emily was not responding how she wished her to?
It was clear that Cressida was struggling to maintain her composure as she turned her gaze to Victoria. When her lips curled into a smirk, Victoria felt an uneasiness settle in her stomach.
“And who is this you are shopping with today?” Cressida asked, looking Victoria up and down.
“This is my friend, Victoria Clifford,” Emily answered, her tone sharpening.
“Friend?” Cressida chuckled. “You are making friends with the help now, Emily? I can tell by how drab her dress is that she is not a lady of merit.”
“I would ask that you are not rude to Miss Clifford, Cressida,” Emily said, her eyes narrowed. “She is a dear friend, and her station is of no concern of yours.”
Cressida snickered. “Oh, Emily, you were always the most charitable person. You would find it entertaining to befriend someone so beneath you.”
Victoria swallowed, fighting back her growing anger. She knew she could not respond to Cressida’s barbs toward her. The lady was right, after all…Victoria was beneath her. She had no power in this exchange. It made Victoria sick to her stomach to think that this woman, this awful, awful woman, was the cause of Lord Harford’s unhappiness.
