Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,43
fingers stroking the backs of hers. “Sometimes one cannot see a wound still exists until someone jabs it.”
“But I will overcome it.”
“Of course you will.”
Mina let out a slow breath and nodded, taking her husband by the arm and leading him around the guests. Resolved she may be, but she was in no mood to leap back into the fray. Not yet.
“I will speak with Oliver,” said Simon, but Mina shook her head.
“That may make things worse. We cannot avoid the association—for now.”
“Are you certain?”
Mina nodded. “I do not like it, but we’ve already expressed our opinion on the matter. To force the issue may make her all the more appealing and hurt our standing with our son. It is only a few weeks.”
Simon sighed. “I cannot help but remember the last time you were forced to wait out your time with the Banfields. It did not end well for us.”
“It did in the end,” said Mina.
“At great cost.”
“This is different, darling. We are different,” said Mina. “I do not fear her meddling, and I will not allow her to disconcert me any further. I shall overcome it.”
“Yes, you shall,” said Simon, sending her a look filled with warmth, admiration, and such belief that if Mina hadn’t been certain before, she was now. One way or another, she would overcome whatever power Mrs. Banfield still held over her.
Chapter 16
Anyone with sense knew better than to depend on British weather cooperating with one’s plans. If one wanted sunshine, it was guaranteed to pour. When rain was needed, the skies cleared. And the rest of the time, it shifted between the two with enough frequency that one was guaranteed the best and worst weather several times in a single day.
Victoria wanted to know how the Nelsons managed for so many fine days in a row. Though there had been gloomy moments, the past sennight had left the party free to enjoy the outdoors most afternoons. Taking advantage of a particularly fine afternoon, the Nelsons laid out yet another vast spread of delectable treats. The ladies reclined in the sun—beneath tents, of course—while the gentlemen tested their fishing skills. All in all, it was quite a perfect day.
If only Victoria could enjoy it.
Mrs. Kingsley and Mrs. Thompson were seated at easels while the rest of their generation gave up any pretense of such diversions and withdrew to the far side of the canopy to gossip, unaware that Miriam and Miss Dosett had positioned themselves to be out of sight and mind but not out of hearing.
Hettie, Phyllis, and Lily were gathered round Victoria and prattled on as they painted and sketched. Victoria nodded and smiled at appropriate intervals, but having little artistic talent, she’d not bothered to feign interest in the supplies the Nelsons had provided. Being so occupied with their masterpieces and their conversation, her friends gave little notice of how her eyes drifted to Miss Banfield.
Having eschewed the blankets and chairs in favor of sitting directly on the grass, the young lady rested her watercolor journal atop her lap as her brushes moved across the paper to capture the world around her. Forest surrounded the clearing with great trees looming into the air, but often Miss Banfield’s attention was aimed at a single wildflower or insect. Once, Victoria had even found the young lady examining a pile of droppings, though what Miss Banfield found fascinating in such disgusting things was beyond her.
While keeping her face turned to her companions, Victoria’s focus was fixed upon that young lady who’d caught Mr. Kingsley’s eye.
Though not apparent at first glance Miss Banfield was a pretty creature whose features echoed her mother’s aging beauty. No doubt, the young lady chose such plain clothes and coiffures because anything fancier would hamper her explorations, but it also muted her loveliness as much as Victoria’s elaborate styling enhanced hers.
But Miss Banfield’s appearance neither placated nor stirred the aching worries that settled in Victoria’s stomach, for Mr. Kingsley’s attraction to the young lady had little to do with the outward.
It had been easy to dismiss Phyllis’s concerns about Mr. Kingsley’s wandering eye at first, but the past sennight had slowly stripped away that confidence. If Victoria were to believe the whispers, the gentleman escorted the young lady every morning as she traipsed around the countryside. Victoria gave little weight to rumors, but it was impossible to ignore how often her beau sought Miss Banfield’s company. Or his expression while deep in conversation with her. That glimmer in his eye.