Lady Vivian Defies a Duke - By Samantha Grace Page 0,67
the phlox, matching Miss Truax’s snail’s pace.
“Luke tells me you are the duchess’s cousin. How wonderful that you were available to support her this past year.”
Miss Truax slanted a look at her. “You should refer to him as His Grace. It is unbecoming to refer to him by his Christian name.”
“Oh! Yes, I just thought…” She trailed off when the woman lifted a harsh eyebrow. Luke had assured her Miss Truax would become her friend, but Vivi feared they were getting off to a tenuous start.
Miss Truax stopped and faced her with a strained smile. “Forgive me, my lady. I did not intend to sound cross. I am simply trying to do as His Grace wishes.”
“What are his wishes?”
“To train you to be a duchess, of course. You have never been in society, am I correct?”
Vivi nodded; her insides were tying themselves into tight little knots. What was the lady insinuating?
“With your inexperience, you are likely to make a blunder. His Grace doesn’t want to be embarrassed, so I have agreed to coach you.”
Coach her? Why did that make her think of bits and harnesses? “I see.”
Miss Truax crossed her arms. “Lady Vivian, have you any idea who Foxhaven is? He is in line for the throne.”
Vivi snorted. Luke was as likely to inherit the crown as she was, and she almost told her companion so, but the other lady’s severe frown gave her pause.
“You must take these matters seriously,” Miss Truax chided. “How can you expect to become a proper wife when you are mocking His Grace?”
“I’m not mocking him.”
The lady wrinkled her nose. “And you are not exhibiting respect for his station either. You want to bring him honor, do you not?”
Vivi nodded sharply once. She didn’t care for the other woman’s tone or condescending manner, but if Luke thought she needed Miss Truax’s help…
She swallowed hard, trying to view her circumstances with logic rather than being hurt by his doubts in her.
“Very good,” Miss Truax said. “Perhaps we should start with you telling me about yourself. We wouldn’t want any skeletons from your past making an appearance and embarrassing His Grace.” Her eyebrows rose higher, and her smile looked suspiciously like a smirk. “The first thing everyone will want to know is the reason your brother did not allow you a Season. After all, you are becoming a bit long in the tooth for husband hunting.”
Vivi’s jaw dropped. She was hardly close to being placed on the shelf. “Uh…I’m not sure I take your meaning.”
But she did. All too well. If Miss Truax had already ascertained something in her past had kept her brother from presenting her to society, how long would it take for others to draw the same conclusion?
Two gentlemen rounded a curve headed in their direction. It was Lord Brookhaven and Mr. Collier, minus their female traveling partner. Vivi never thought she would be happy to see either man again, but what a boon to run into them at this moment.
She waved and called out to them.
“Do you know those gentlemen?” Miss Truax asked.
“I called them by name, did I not?”
The lady huffed but said nothing more.
Mr. Collier’s grin widened as the men approached. “Lady Vivian, how lovely to see you at Irvine Castle at last.”
“It is lovely to be here at last,” she lied. She would give anything to be back at Twinspur Cottage with only Luke, Lord Andrew, and Lana to keep her company. “Allow me to introduce you to my companion. Gentlemen, I’m pleased to present Miss Truax, cousin to the Duchess of Foxhaven. Miss Truax, Lord Brookhaven and Mr. Collier.”
The viscount tipped his hat then leaned his weight on his walking stick.
Mr. Collier captured the young woman’s hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “How charming to make your acquaintance, Miss Truax. Perhaps we could accompany you on your stroll.”
Vivi was wise enough not to accept invitations from gentlemen she barely knew, but Miss Truax had apparently skipped her lessons on that topic. She accepted Mr. Collier’s arm and began down the path with him.
Lord Brookhaven winced.
“We were just returning to the castle,” Vivi said. “We are expected.”
“Are we?” Miss Truax threw over her shoulder.
The viscount saved her from having to answer. “We were returning to the castle as well. I promise we will see you safely inside, my lady.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Vivi couldn’t explain the reason his promise felt reassuring. Perhaps because he wasn’t deep into his cups this afternoon and he had a kind light to his