“He took everything?”
“Almost. Felix took to hiding money from Papa. He hid a thousand pounds, and it was enough to keep the family surviving until Papa passed.”
Isabelle studied the woman across from her and for the first time, she noticed the slight gauntness to Victoria’s cheeks and the distant look in her eyes.
Yes,I will stay, but it will only be to set Victoria free from this wretched life.
Eight
Stanton smirked as he walked into Felix’s study. “Your new little ward is quite the woman. I heard about the dressing down she gave Lord Townshend in the park the other day.”
Felix groaned and leaned back in his chair. “I am convinced that she will be the death of me. I do not know what to do about her.”
“I would have made sure everyone was watching. Townshend has needed someone to take him in hand for a long time. Pity that I was not there to watch, truly. Next time Miss Alden decides to verbally spar with the members of theton, you will have to send someone for me immediately.”
“I will do no such thing.”
Stanton laughed and sat down across from him, picking up the small vase Felix had bought his mother for her birthday. “When will you be in London for the season?”
“Soon. I have been traveling back and forth and I am growing weary of it. I cannot continue this way for much longer, but I think there is a detour I shall have to make first.” Felix glanced out the window to the garden where Victoria and Miss Alden were sitting on a blanket on the grass.
Miss Alden tipped her head back and laughed at something Victoria said. There was something about the way she smiled when she was happy that made Miss Alden even more lovely. It would be effortless for her to attract a suitable husband if she tried. She would have callers lining the halls of his home in London.
A small part of him wished she would not.
The gentlemen of London would not appreciate Miss Alden’s sense of humor or her quick tongue. His mother was right about that. Under the weight of men who thought themselves important, her light would grow dim.
And it would be my fault.
Stanton placed the vase back on the table. “You should spend time allowing the woman to relax. You have brought her to your duchy and forced her in front of one man after another since she has arrived. Now you intend to move her to London without giving her a moment to adjust to life in England?”
“I suppose I did not consider it quite like that.” Felix watched as Miss Alden held up her sketchpad and wiped a bead of sweat from her brow.
A thin smear of charcoal was left in the wake of her thumb. Victoria laughed and pointed at it before smudging a charcoal line beneath each eye. Edith would not be happy when she saw the two of them but for now Felix would allow them to have their fun.
Victoria was several years removed from childhood, but those years when she had been growing into a beautiful young woman had been filled with nothing but hardship.
She deserved to have some fun.
Miss Alden deserved a bit of enjoyment as well. Once she was married there would be no time for laughing in the sun with her friends. She would be busy raising children and keeping house.
Stanton cleared his throat. “If I did not know any better, Windham, I would say that you were enamored with Miss Alden.”
“I am not.” Felix forced down the lump in his throat. “She is under my protection and I am keeping watch over her. After the show she put on in the park, I need to ensure that she is a suitable companion for Victoria.”
“If that is what you wish to tell yourself.” Stanton crossed one leg over the other and draped his arm over the back of the couch. “However, I believe you should consider taking her as your own wife. Miss Alden does seem to be the only one who is not swayed by your moods.”
“I do not havemoods.”
“Oh, but youdo.” Stanton reached for the bottle of brandy sitting on the table beside him and poured a small glass. “She does not seem deterred by them though. That is a woman who rushes headfirst into a storm.”
“And once more I will tell you that if you are so fond of Miss Alden, you should make me an offer for her hand.”
Stanton sipped the brandy. “I would not risk your wrath, Windham. We have been friends far too long for that.”
“There would be no wrath. I am merely looking to get Miss Alden married so her father will send me the sum he owes.”
“If you were to marry her, you would get both her dowry and the sum he is paying you to keep her here and find her a husband.”
