I could to encourage him. Mama would be thrilled to see you married to a man like that. She might even forgive you your involvement with theatre.’
Victoria kept her eyes on the path ahead. There didn’t seem to be much point in telling her sister that even if her mother forgave her, Alistair’s father never would.
‘Oh, look, I think he’s seen us,’ Winifred said suddenly. ‘The young lady seems to be pulling him in this direction.’ She frowned as she squinted into the sun. ‘Isn’t that Miss Wright?’
‘I think so.’
‘He seems to be spending a great deal of time in her company. Do you think they are romantically involved?’
Victoria laughed. ‘Not at all. I chanced to meet them in the Park the other morning and I can assure you, their relationship is purely platonic.’
Winifred sighed. ‘How is it you keep running into Mr Devlin, whereas I, who diligently attend society events, have encountered him only twice?’
‘There is far more to London than ballrooms and breakfasts, Winnie,’ Victoria said. ‘I’ve told you more than once to brush up on your equestrian skills. Gentlemen like Mr Devlin enjoy riding.’
‘But I don’t like horses.’ Winifred made a moue of distaste. ‘They’re large and smelly and they bite.’
‘It was a pony that nipped you and they are notorious for being short tempered. But a sweet little mare would be just the thing,’ Victoria said. ‘You would look lovely in a dark-blue riding habit. Quite striking with your hair and complexion. You should give it some thought.’ She turned towards Isabelle. ‘Good afternoon, Miss Wright.’
‘Miss Bretton, hallo! I thought it was you. Haven’t we a perfect day for an alfresco gathering?’
‘We have indeed,’ Victoria replied. Reluctantly, she glanced at the man standing beside Isabelle. ‘Mr Devlin.’
‘Good afternoon, Miss Bretton. Miss Winifred. How nice to see you both again.’
The words were polite, but Victoria heard an edge of restraint and wondered if he was finding this as difficult as she was. Fortunately, Miss Wright was her usual ebullient self. ‘Miss Bretton, I simply had to come across and tell you the exciting news. Alistair has agreed to take me to see A Lady’s Choice tomorrow evening.’
‘But you’ve already seen it.’
‘I know, but this is to be the seventh performance and my friends and I believe Valentine Lawe will be in attendance.’
‘Really?’ Victoria hoped she didn’t look too surprised. ‘What makes you think so?’
‘We believe the number seven to be significant. Mr Lawe makes reference to it several times in the opening scenes. Elliot Black tells Elizabeth Turcott he will wait seven days for her answer, and that he will call at the seventh hour of the seventh day.’
‘So you believe it to be … a code of sorts,’ Victoria said. ‘To let people know he would be there at the seventh performance.’
‘Exactly! And Alistair has agreed to take me, even though I know he is less than thrilled by the idea. But I cannot go alone, and since we are making up a party, I suggested that you should come as well,’ Miss Wright said. ‘Surely if there is a chance Valentine Lawe is going to be present, you would wish to meet him. Perhaps you would like to come too, Miss Winifred?’
Winifred blanched. ‘Thank you. That would be … most delightful, of course,’ she stammered, ‘but I am already committed to dinner at the Roarkes’ tomorrow evening.’
‘Oh, what a shame.’
‘Yes, isn’t it?’ Winifred said, surprising Victoria with a credible appearance of regret. ‘But I’m sure Victoria and Laurence would be happy to join you.’
It was an exceedingly awkward moment for Victoria. Though she understood Miss Wright’s excitement, how could she spend an evening in the company of a man to whom she was barely speaking? Surely he would wish to have nothing more to do with her?
‘Thank you. It is very kind of you to offer,’ she said, ‘but under the circumstances, I think it best I refuse. I hate to think that word of our association might get back to your cousin and her husband.’
‘Oh, but you mustn’t worry about them! ‘ Miss Wright said. ‘I don’t care what they think and neither does Cousin Alistair. He told them as much in the carriage after we saw you at the opera.’
Victoria blinked. ‘He did?’
‘Isabelle,’ Alistair cautioned, but Miss Wright ignored him.
‘He certainly did. He told them they had no business saying what they did about you and that he would speak to whomever he pleased—’
‘Isabelle, you really do talk too much,’ Alistair said with a weighted sigh. ‘Remind me to take your former governess to task over the matter. But I think you probably should come with us, Miss Bretton. As Cousin Isabelle said, if there is any chance of meeting the esteemed Mr Lawe, surely it is an occasion not to be missed.’
Victoria hardly knew what to say. She could detect no echo of resentment in his voice, and she doubted Miss Wright’s words had been provoking enough to incite any feelings of guilt on his part. But even if the invitation had been motivated by guilt, was she willing to walk away without making any effort to apologise? ‘Thank you, Mr Devlin,’ she said. ‘I shall ask my brother if he is free, and, if so, we would be pleased to join you. Perhaps you would allow me to offer you seats in my uncle’s box.’
‘That would be most kind. But I hope you will come even if your brother does not.’
His eyes were shuttered and there was nothing in his voice to suggest intimacy, yet Victoria felt it keenly and her pulse accelerated. Before she had a chance to reply, however, Winifred interjected, ‘Excuse me, Mr Devlin, but I do believe that gentleman is trying to catch your eye.’
Victoria looked up and saw a man staring in their direction. He was standing on the terrace and, when they all turned to look, he raised his arm to wave.
Alistair just smiled. ‘Excellent. I was hoping he would come.’
‘Do you know the gentleman?’ Victoria asked.
‘Oh, yes. Lord Valbourg and I went to Oxford together, but he’s been in America these past six years, amassing a small fortune,’ Alistair told them. ‘We chanced to meet up at my club last week, after which I asked Lady Hincham to invite him to today’s event.’
‘Poor Lord Valbourg,’ Miss Wright said. ‘His mother, Lady Alderbury, hasn’t been at all well. Mrs Shepherd mentioned it over cards last week. She said it was the reason he came back to England. And to find a wife, of course.’
‘He’s not married?’ Winifred said quickly.
‘He’s been far too busy amassing his fortune,’ Alistair said. ‘But he was also travelling a great deal and that doesn’t leave much time for courting. Valbourg,’ he said as the other man joined them. ‘Glad you could make it.’
‘Sorry I’m late,’ the newcomer said. ‘I’d forgotten how crowded London streets could be.’
‘I doubt Lady Hincham noticed. Miss Bretton, Miss Winifred, allow me to make known to you my good friend, Lord Valbourg.’
Lord Valbourg was a handsome man, slightly heavier in build than Alistair, and perhaps an inch or two taller. He had dark-brown hair cut in a fashionable crop and a thoroughly warm and engaging smile. Victoria liked him at once. ‘Good afternoon, Lord Valbourg.’
‘Miss Bretton, Miss Winifred, pray forgive my intrusion into your conversation.’
‘No apologies are necessary. Mr Devlin tells us the two of you are old friends.’
‘Indeed, from our days together at Oxford.’