Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,85

said Victoria, sidling up to the elder of the brothers. “How do you find Essex?”

Tucking his hands behind him, Mr. Charles Dosett slanted a look in her direction. “It’s lovely country, though I miss Town.”

Breaking into a wide grin, Victoria looked at him from under her eyelashes; she hoped it was as demure as she intended it to be, for she’d never excelled in such coquettish behavior. “It’s a shame we haven’t met in London before, though I am very pleased to make your acquaintance now.”

Mr. Dosett’s brows rose as he examined her. Reaching a hand around, Victoria intended to rest a hand on his arm or some such nonsense, but her heart shuddered at the thought of it. Not only for her own sake but for that of her friend. This was Phyllis’s beau. If not in fact, it was near enough to the truth that Victoria could not ignore the betrayal rife in even this mostly innocuous conversation.

But neither could she stand to pass by another opportunity. The Season was over, and when the Caswells returned to London, most of the eligibles would be gone until next year. Miriam would make her grand entrance then, and Victoria needed to be better positioned to assist her.

Mr. Dosett said some inane thing to which Victoria could not turn her thoughts, but she smiled and replied in kind, allowing the conversation to wind its merry way through a wasteland of nothings.

Victoria’s insides felt as though they were tearing themselves apart. Her head and heart waged war one against the other, pressing their point home with equal fervor. Her family needed this. Her sisters were relying on her. Eligible bachelors were not plentiful enough for her to turn her back on a possibility simply because Phyllis had set her cap at him.

But Victoria did not want to be that lady. The huntress. Every ballroom and parlor sported at least a few of them as they prowled society for their husbands. Such ladies had no loyalties but to themselves, and Victoria shuddered at the thought of joining their ranks. Was that what she had become? Desperate? Conniving? Heartless? Duty may ease the pain of sacrificing a loving marriage for her family’s sake, but Victoria doubted it could do a thing for her if she gave up her very self.

“Miss Caswell?” Mr. Charles Dosett held out a cue. Though he did not broadcast his interest as clearly as Mr. Banfield, Victoria recognized the spark of appreciation in his eyes.

Chapter 30

“I do apologize, but I fear I promised to go walking with Miss Nelson, and it completely slipped my mind.” The words flew quickly from Victoria’s lips as she took a step towards the door. The lie came easily, but such little white lies to cover social niceties were so easy to spin.

“Do stay, Miss Caswell,” said young Mr. Peter Dosett.

“It is always more interesting with a lady in the game.” Mr. Banfield spoke off-handedly but with a tone that made it sound the barest bit wicked.

The elder Dosett brother straightened, his gaze turning to the doorway as he addressed the newcomers. “Miss Nelson. We were just discussing you. And Miss Thompson, how delightful for you to join us this afternoon.”

Victoria tensed, her muscles clenching as she fought to relax. Though her original intention had been anything but innocent, there was no reason for her to feel ill at ease anymore. Turning to face the doorway, she smiled at the pair; Phyllis met it with a cold look, but Hettie’s brows were pulled tight with a question in her gaze. Phyllis’s eyes darted between Victoria and the elder Dosett, who stood too near for Victoria’s comfort, even if he was a respectable distance away.

“Miss Caswell was telling us you plan to go for a leisurely walk,” said Mr. Banfield, running his fingers along the wood of his cue with a calculating grin. Victoria let out a huff. Could the fellow not say a thing without giving it some undertone?

“A walk?” Phyllis murmured, not moving her gaze from Victoria.

“But that seems like a waste of time,” said Mr. Charles Dosett, abandoning his place by the billiards table to stand at Phyllis’s side; the lady relaxed a touch, the hardness in her gaze softening before she turned her attention to him.

“Only in the wrong company,” said Phyllis with a coy smile that was far more natural and appealing than anything Victoria had managed.

“Ah.” Mr. Dosett smiled and leaned closer. Not enough to raise brows but enough to