“I apologize, my lord,” she said, inclining her head. “I did not mean to cause offence.”
“And yet you still will not answer my question,” he grumbled. “Should I take that to mean you do not wish to be alone with me?”
Victoria thought she should feel some relief that he was coming to such a conclusion on his own, but she knew she had to be cautious all the same. Alvin did not appear to be someone used to being told no, and he would likely react badly to such a situation.
“It is simply not appropriate, my lord,” she said in an even tone. “I am only a nanny, after all. You are a gentleman. Much higher in station than I am.”
That was not true, though, she suddenly thought. She was a lady and equal to Alvin and Edward. If she could show that…prove she was of equal standing, then Edward would not face a scandal by marrying her.
An idea clicked in her head. The ball. The masque ball that her Aunt Henrietta had told her about. She could go, as Henrietta had begged her to, masked and unknown. Then, at the right moment, she could reveal herself to all and prove herself an equal to Edward.
It was a dream, really. One that had not seemed possible before but now was within her reach. All she had to do was find the courage to go through with it.
“Miss Clifford? Are you listening to me?”
Blinking, Victoria looked up at Alvin, who was frowning down at her, clearly irritated.
“Oh, I am sorry, my lord,” she murmured, offering him a shallow curtsy. “I was lost in my thoughts, and I apologize. What were you saying?”
He released a long breath and muttered, “Never mind. It is not important.”
Victoria’s stomach twisted with concern, but she was careful not to let it show. Alvin was unpredictable when he was upset, and she could not tell what he might be thinking just by looking at his expression.
Lily’s laughter filled the air, snapping Victoria from her worry. She latched onto the excuse her charge presented.
“I am sorry, my lord,” she quickly said. “I should be paying attention to Miss Lily. I do not wish for her to wander off accidentally.”
Alvin glanced at the little girl, still playing with the ducks, and nodded.
“Yes, you should go back to your duties,” he slowly replied, turning his gaze back to her. “I will call on you another time. Perhaps when you are less busy.”
That was the last thing that Victoria wanted, but again, she knew she had to be careful with her response.
“It would be my honour,” she said with a shallow curtsy. “Good day, my lord.”
“Good day, Miss Clifford,” he grumbled.
Turning, she hurried over to Lily, hoping that Alvin did not follow her. When she stole a glance back in his direction, she was relieved to find him walking away. Releasing a long breath, Victoria returned her focus to Lily and the happiness that she had been feeling just minutes before. Once Edward returned, they would go home, and she would forget all about this unfortunate encounter with Alvin and Cressida.
Neither of them truly mattered in the end. Not now that she and Edward were committed to being together.
***
“My dear, I am so happy you decided to attend the ball after all. It is going to be such a magical evening!”
Victoria smiled at Henrietta and chuckled softly. It was the day after Edward’s return and proposal, and she had requested some free time so she could go to Henrietta and tell her she had decided to join her for the masque ball. Her aunt was so excited she was nearly shaking with it.
She had insisted on taking Victoria out to purchase a new dress and mask, and Henrietta had taken her to her favourite seamstress shop to pick out materials and such. At that moment, Victoria was standing on a pedestal while the seamstress took her measurements. There were several bolts of cloth unwrapped and laid out around her as they decided on the design of her gown.
“I am sure it will be memorable,” Victoria agreed. “You are being far too generous, though, Aunt Henrietta. An entirely new dress? Are you certain it is not too great of an expense?”
Henrietta tsked and insisted, “Not at all. Do not fret over the cost, my dear. I have no daughter of my own to spoil, so allow me to do so for you.”
Grinning, Victoria sighed and said, “All right, all right. I will not argue, aunt. I am so very grateful, though. Thank you.”
“You are most welcome,” Henrietta replied, holding up a sample of blue silk and running it through her hands. “Besides, we must have you dressed in the finest possible gown to catch the attention of the gentleman who will be in attendance. You might find yourself a husband yet.”
Victoria covered her mouth with her hand, hiding how wide her smile grew. She had not yet told Henrietta about her engagement to Edward. She wanted to wait until after she had surprised him at the ball. Once that had happened, then she would be more than happy to tell Henrietta and the rest of her family about her impending marriage.
