Victoria slowly removed her hand from her mouth. “I have never made a recommendation for a friend. I was worried that Mrs. Weston would not work out with Sarah.”
“She is perfect.” Elizabeth wondered why Victoria seemed so relieved. It was just a governess. Elizabeth remembered having three different ones when she was a child.
“Victoria, you will not believe this but the duke insisted on an outing to Whitechapel with the older girls the other day.”
Victoria’s brows furrowed. “Why would he insist on taking them there?”
“To show them the poverty of London, and how dreadfully we treat our poor. But as we drove past a pawnbroker’s shop, a woman walked out of the store. She looked exactly like you.”
Victoria’s face paled slightly, but then she said, “How odd. You must have been mistaken since I never go to that section of town.”
“I figured as much. I just thought it fascinating that there is another woman who looks so much like you.”
“Perhaps she is my long-lost twin,” Victoria said with a laugh.
If her laugh hadn’t sounded so forced, Elizabeth might have believed her. It could not possibly have been Victoria. But Elizabeth hadn’t convinced herself of that yet.
“How are the plans for the ball?” Victoria asked, effectively changing the subject.
“Good, but I’m getting nervous.” Elizabeth waited while a footman brought in tea for them. She poured a cup for them and handed one to Victoria.
“The ball?” Victoria reminded her.
“Yes, of course.” Elizabeth added some cream to her tea. “I have never planned a ball by myself.”
“You will do wonderfully.”
“Will you come? Please?” Elizabeth already knew the answer but hoped that for once her friend would disregard Society.
“You know I cannot. I am not one of you,” Victoria answered with a nonchalant shrug.
“You are the daughter of a vicar. Surely, there must be a lord in your background somewhere? That is all these people care about.”
Victoria smiled and shook her head. “No lords that I am aware of.”
“Come anyway?”
“I cannot. But I want you to tell me all about it next week.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes. “Please do not remind me that it’s only six days away.”
“If you need my help, please, just let me know.”
“Thank you, dear friend.” Elizabeth wanted desperately to tell someone what she’d done with Will. The secret was driving her mad. But of all her friends, Victoria was the last one she could mention an indiscretion to without getting a long lecture on the sin of sexual congress before marriage.
This was one secret she had to keep to herself.
Will opened the door before the butler could reach it. He hadn’t felt this invigorated in months, maybe even years. For the first time, his life had direction. He knew what he was going to do now.
After taking the steps two at a time, he opened the door to his room. His valet walked in behind him.
“Good evening, Your Grace.”
“Good evening, Stevenson.” Will removed his own jacket while his valet opened the linen press. “Is there an engagement tonight?”
“The opera, Your Grace.”
“Of course. We are to dine here, though, correct?”