Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,109

years in a constant blur of such goings-on and never faltered despite the lateness of the hour. Yet now she felt thoroughly fatigued. It settled on her like a wet cloak of felted wool. If she were to look in the mirror, she was certain to see dull eyes with dark rings beneath them.

What little light and life she’d had before the commencement of the ball had drained, leaving her with only enough strength to remain standing. Even escape seemed impossible, as Victoria would be forced to climb stairs to reach her bedchamber, and that was beyond her.

From across the room, she felt his attention. Though bound to Mr. Flemming’s side at present, Elijah turned his gaze in her direction every few moments, telling her as clearly as any words that he wished to be at her side. And Victoria didn’t know whether to smile or cry at that.

“And how are you faring tonight?” Mr. Kingsley’s question gave Victoria a start, and she cursed her slow wits that hadn’t noticed his approach.

“I do apologize,” he said with a grimace. “I wasn’t quiet when I approached.”

“I fear my thoughts were too occupied to notice. It is not your fault. How is Lily?”

Mr. Kingsley tucked his hands behind him, a grim expression pulling at his features as he sighed. “Our parents escorted her home.”

“That is for the best.” Pressing a hand to her stomach, Victoria shook her head. “You must know I never intended for Phyllis or Hettie to do such a wicked thing.”

“Of course not. You’d never condone such behavior. Though I do wish to thank you for defending my sister as you did.”

Victoria’s eyes widened. “Why wouldn’t I? Lily is a dear and doesn’t deserve that. I only hope it does no lasting damage, though I fear it will not be the end of it for Phyllis. She seems bent on blaming you and Lily for all the ills of the world, and I fear the fracturing of our friendship will only add to it.”

Her stomach sank, though she could not tell if it was dread or disappointment wreaking havoc there. The emotions were too mixed to differentiate, and Victoria had not come to any conclusions about whether or not she wished to heal the breach. Their friendship had lasted for some years, but Victoria did not desire a closer acquaintance with someone who would do such a thing. And for her part, Phyllis seemed pleased to make the break in its entirety.

“But where is your Miss Banfield?” asked Victoria, wishing for a happier subject.

Mr. Kingsley’s brows lowered, his mouth pulling into a frown. “Mr. Littleton was impudent enough to ask for a dance.”

Victoria gave a halting chuckle. “Consider yourself fortunate. She is resplendent tonight, and most of the gentlemen desire to stand up with her, but many are too cowardly to ask while you are standing beside her, staring daggers at them.”

His scowl loosened a fraction before easing away entirely when he met her gaze. “But I did not only come to thank you for your assistance tonight.”

“Oh?” Victoria gave a vacant smile; she did not know what had him so intent on speaking with her, but she suspected it was not an entirely pleasant subject as his lips pulled into a worried frown.

Stepping closer, he lowered his voice. “You’ve been out of sorts ever since we broke with each other.”

Holding onto her placid smile, Victoria gave an airy wave of her hand. “I—”

But Mr. Kingsley shook his head. “Whatever else may have happened, Miss Caswell, I do count you as a friend, and I don’t like to see you so…” His brows grew tight as he searched for the word. “…overwrought.”

Victoria’s nerves were strung tight like the strings of a violin, pulled to near breaking, and the slightest pressure of a bow would be their undoing.

“You acted as my confidant when I needed it most. Might I do the same for you?” he asked. “Perhaps together, we might find a solution to your troubles.”

Shoulders dropping, Victoria let out a low breath. “Not all problems have solutions, Mr. Kingsley.”

“True, but when I was on the precipice, a good friend of mine stepped forward to pull me back—regardless of how determined I was to throw myself over it. With some rather unflattering descriptions of my intelligence, if I recall correctly,” he said with a smile.

A chuckle broke through her tension at the memory of that conversation. “True.”

“And if I were to hazard a guess, your problem is in connection to