“We shall make every attempt,” he returned. Then he faced the door, where Tompkins somehow magically stood. “Do escort the squire and his wife out. Good day.”
Virginia had plastered a smile on her face. She watched the couple hurry out. Devlin strolled to the door and closed it so that they were alone. He faced her, no longer smiling, his expression strained.
He stared speculatively. “You are a good player, Virginia.”
“But?”
“But as I said last night, you are forever outspoken.”
She did not want to be berated now. “You like my outspoken ways. You said so.”
“You are my dear good friend, Virginia, not my mistress. This is polite society, not a gaming hall. You almost gave the squire an apoplexy.” He turned abruptly away.
It was almost as if he did not like his own rules. “I’m sorry, I had no idea I was to mince words. Will you excuse me, Devlin? I didn’t sleep well last night and I think I am going to lie down.” She avoided his eyes.
He didn’t answer, as he was avoiding looking at her, too.
That was fine and she went to the door, trying not to hurry, though she was so upset she had to flee so she could rationalize away her distress and boldly continue their game. His words halted her in her tracks. “We leave for my Greenwich home tomorrow,” he said.
Now what? she wondered, her heart tight with worry. She shrugged, not looking back.
And as she left, he added, “I am sure there will be more callers, Virginia, so prepare yourself.” His tone was oddly grim.
Finally she gave in and fled.
“VIRGINIA, DO COME MEETLord Aston and Mr. Jayson.”
It was about five o’clock in the afternoon. Virginia’s smile was plastered with sheer willpower upon her face. There had been four other callers since the Pauleys, three couples and the village parson. There had been five teas, five conversations, five long and interminable acts. Five smiles, five kisses and perhaps fifty “darlings” exchanged between them both. Sometime between noon and now, her heart had frozen over, all emotion simply replaced with one, dread. Virginia stood frozen on the threshold of the parlor, all three men staring at her.
The two gentlemen who had come to call seemed to regard her far too eagerly. Devlin’s expression was inscrutable, although she sensed his impatience. How dare he be impatient with her? she thought, the first flurry of anger stirring. She was doing her best to play her part in the damnable bargain she had once thought ingenious. She had not known how much it would hurt.
Devlin was suddenly at her side. “Darling, are you ill?” he asked, his tone filled with concern.
She could not look at him. “I am fine…darling.”
He slipped his arm possessively around her. “Lord Aston, Mr. Jayson, may I present my dear friend Miss Virginia Hughes of Sweet Briar, Virginia?” he said politely.
The two men rushed forward, then Lord Aston, a blonde with brown eyes, bowed over her hand. “I am so pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Hughes.”
She felt as if she were in a dream; this was simply too much to bear. Then she realized that Aston still held her hand. Suddenly she felt like a bone being fought over by two dogs—or a whore being passed around. She tried to dislodge her hand and failed.
“My uncle is the Bishop of Oxford,” Aston said with a grin, his gaze penetrating. “Have you ever been to Oxford, my dear? I should love to show you the country if you ever happen by that way.”
Virginia swallowed and said, “I should so love a tour of Oxford, my lord, if ever the opportunity arises.”
He grinned eagerly. “Well, perhaps when Captain O’Neill is called back to duty, you can extend your stay here at Wideacre. Do you ride, Miss Hughes? We have some fine horses.”
“I ride,” she said mechanically.
“Oh, do let me introduce my good friend, Ralph Jayson,” Lord Aston exclaimed.
“I thought you’d never stand back,” Jayson grumbled, but he flashed Virginia a roguish grin. He lifted her hand. “I am enthralled to make your acquaintance, Miss Hughes. And while Aston may be a bishop’s nephew, I own several factories and mills. I have a wonderful home just south of London, and the next time you are in town, you must call, or come to one of our balls.” His dimples deepened.
“I should love to,” Virginia somehow managed. She knew what these men wanted. They wanted to use her the way they thought Devlin was using her, they wanted her in their beds.
“My balls are infamous,” Jayson added almost conspiratorially. “Prinnie usually attends.”
Virginia had no idea whom he was speaking of. “Prinnie?”
