Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,12
participate in much of it. I am anxious to see the future home of our soon-to-be Mrs. Oliver Kingsley.”
“And I am thrilled for you to meet his family, Miriam,” added Miss Caswell. “His younger sister, Lily, is quite the dear. Though a little awkward at times, she shares my passion for…”
Sophie’s thoughts drifted from the conversation as bile churned in her stomach, roiling and raging against those words. It was silly. Silly Little Sophie. They had spent one evening together some five years ago, and of course, he would be courting…marrying. If anything, she ought to be shocked that Mr. Kingsley had not yet made the matrimonial leap. But now? Here? Was she to be subjected to witnessing the only gentleman who had touched her heart engage himself to another?
Sophie had been wrong: it had taken ten minutes for her to feel completely out of place. And this was only the beginning.
Chapter 5
With a tug and a tuck, Victoria Caswell straightened her sleeves and made doubly certain her lace overskirt lay just so. Turning this way and that, she examined her figure in the mirror.
“You look exquisite,” said Hettie, coming up to stand beside her. “Next time I am in London, you must introduce me to your modiste. She flatters your figure to its fullest.”
“Certainly,” said Victoria, as she did whenever someone made such a comment. It was easier than admitting the truth, and young ladies promptly forgot such mundane inquiries, so it was of no consequence.
For her part, Victoria was not well pleased with the gown. With a month’s worth of clothes needed for the house party, she had not been free to leave any behind—even if the shoulder seam puckered no matter how many times she unpicked the stitches. Victoria stared at the ripple and knew no one else would notice, but the imperfection drove her to distraction; her work was better than that.
She took in a silent breath, allowing its accompanying peace to flow through her, and straightened her spine. Standing next to Hettie Nelson, it was easy to get fixated on surface enticements. The young lady’s dress was a mound of flounces and frills; the fabric alone cost a mint, to say nothing of the extensive labor it took to construct and maintain such a dress. Hettie’s dark blonde tresses were swept up with a veritable garden of flowers that framed her face and highlighted the rosy hue of her complexion. Everything about Hettie spoke of wealth and beauty, both of which came easily to her.
But Victoria had learned long ago there was more to appearances than such trivial things, and she would not allow them to cast a pall over her mood.
With sure fingers, Victoria adjusted one of her hairpins and examined her handiwork. There were no adornments for her hair, but a well-styled coiffure needed no additional flowers or ribbons, and Victoria’s was perfection. Though the most fashionable hairstyles demanded curls, her hair refused to see reason, leaving Victoria no other option than to resort to an intricate twist of braids instead. But with enough work, it was quite as fetching as any flowery concoction Hettie’s French maid created.
“I am certain Mr. Kingsley will be quite pleased to see you,” said Hettie with a coy smile.
Victoria met Hettie’s eyes in the mirror and matched her grin. “I do hope so.”
“I am so very happy for you both.” Hettie sighed and took Victoria by the arm.
Victoria paused just the briefest moment before replying, “It is wonderful, isn’t it?”
With a great, beaming smile, Hettie began chattering on about wedding dates, dresses, and the like as the pair strode from the bedchamber and towards the parlor. Victoria nodded and gave appropriate responses with little thought as Hettie went on and on about the forthcoming nuptials.
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Kingsley.
Only a fool would consider the deed done before any declarations were made, but Victoria felt the tightness in her chest ease with Hettie’s words. For years, Victoria had thought of and planned for this day, and it was far better than she’d imagined, for Mr. Kingsley was far better a gentleman. Her mind conjured the image of the gentleman presenting her with a ring and asking that all-important question, and her heart beat a rapid pace, sending a wave of joy and relief coursing through her. Engaged to be married to Mr. Oliver Kingsley, future master of Avebury Park.
But a shadow skittered across the golden images in her mind and settled into her stomach.