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  Could his appearance at the ball be the reason for Susan’s sudden headache? Had she flirted with him before the death of her husband? Was that the reason Sir John had accepted the racing challenge that had ended so tragically?

  “Is your headache worse, Susan?” Valeria asked, looking round for Lord Waterford.

  “Oh, no. It’s fine, thank you,” she murmured.

  “Here is the carriage now,” called Lord Waterford, reappearing at that moment and helping in first Susan and then Valeria.

  Valeria sank back in the carriage with a feeling of deep relief.

  For once she did not mind leaving a ball early. The thought of having to deal with Sir Peter claiming her for dances already promised would be too much – particularly when she thought how Lord Waterford would react.

  Valeria accompanied Susan up to her room and saw her safely into the protective arms of her elderly maid.

  Afterwards, rather than going to her own bedroom, she returned downstairs with a vague idea of sharing a chat and perhaps a glass of wine with Lord Waterford.

  She wondered where he would be.

  Valeria tried the salon where they would gather if no guests were present.

  It was empty.

  So tried the drawing room, but it too was empty.

  Then Valeria noticed that the French doors out onto the terrace were slightly ajar.

  Moving across the room, she arrived in the garden just in time to see Lord Waterford disappearing through the gate that led into the Park.

  Where could he be going?

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Valeria could only think that he had arranged an assignation with someone.

  She recalled the intimate way he had spoken with Lady Mere and then mused about her reputation.

  Could he be going to visit her? Could Lady Mere actually be waiting for him in Green Park?

  She was conscious of a sick feeling in her stomach.

  Wishing she had gone to bed, she went upstairs.

  All the time she was trying to give Mary, her maid, a lively account of the evening, Valeria could not banish the picture in her mind of the pretty and effervescent Lady Mere talking with a seemingly enraptured Lord Waterford.

  It took her a long time to fall asleep that night.

  *

  The days leading up to Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Celebrations grew more and more filled with activity.

  Susan recovered from her headache overnight and there was no recurrence.

  But Valeria noted that Sir Peter did not attend any of the other functions they had been invited to.

  She did not know whether she should be relieved or disappointed.

  What concerned her more was looking out to see if Lady Mere was present and, if so, would Lord Waterford be dancing with her?

  Twice Valeria noticed her, looking more attractive than ever at every ball and several times she did see Lord Waterford dancing with her.

  Quite soon she became aware that Society appeared to take for granted that an engagement between her and Lord Waterford would be announced at the Waterford Ball.

  Too late she realised that she had made an error in accepting his invitation to stay at Waterford House.

  Susan’s presence meant that the arrangement was perfectly respectable, but if no engagement emerged at the end of the Jubilee Celebrations, Society would assume that she had been found wanting or draw the conclusion that she had turned Lord Waterford down. In either event her reputation would be badly damaged.

  For Valeria this was the least of her worries.

  *

  Standing at her window one night after yet another ball, Valeria suddenly saw Lord Waterford emerge from the drawing room windows.

  He walked into the garden and left through the gate into the Park. In a moment he was swallowed up by the darkness of the trees.

  It was as if pincers had seized hold of her heart and tightened around it.

  He must be on his way to another assignation with the seductive Lady Mere.

  Valeria sank into a chair, her head in her hands.

  After a moment she straightened and told herself to forget what she had seen.

  After all, whatever he chose to do was Lord Waterford’s business.

  She already realised that he was no longer interested in making her his wife. And had she not refused to consider marrying him anyway?

  It was quite easy enough to tell herself this, more difficult to slip into sleep.

  In the morning she looked at Lord Waterford as if he was a new species that had just been discovered.

  She saw his courtesy towards his sister, twittering in a distressed manner over some detail of the buffet for the Waterford Ball that was now to be held on the very night that Queen Victoria’s Jubilee was celebrated.

  When Valeria gently intervened with a suggestion that a Yorkshire pie might be introduced into the menu, she gloried in Lord Waterford’s quick look of appreciation.

  “A Yorkshire pie? What, pray, Valeria, is that?”

  “Why it is a boned goose or turkey, stuffed with a boned duck, then with a chicken, ending up with whatever small bird can be found. The slices of differently shaded meats make a most unusual effect.”

  Susan clapped her hands together.

  “You are so clever, Valeria! Charles, don’t you think that sounds quite the thing?”

  Lord Waterford smiled.

  “I do. And I agree with you that Miss Montford is indeed clever.”

  Valeria found herself blushing.

  “Charles, Valeria means to visit textile shops this morning to choose suitable items for The Castle. You will accompany us?” suggested Susan.

  “What?” He then started in what to Valeria seemed a guilty manner. “No, I am afraid I have other business on today. I feel sure that you don’t need my advice anyway.”

  Suddenly for no very good reason, Valeria recalled the deserted house on the Waterford estate for which Lord Waterford had refused to declare his plans.

  What if he was planning to use it for assignations with the Lady Mere?

  Maybe even to install her there?

  Perhaps this morning he was planning to meet her in some safely public place to make the final arrangements.

  “This is the last task I need to undertake,” Valeria said in a tone that was almost a challenge, “as everything else I need to find for the interior decoration of your castle has already been ordered.”

  “Excellent,” he remarked, but he sounded offhand.

  Valeria felt a sense of defeat.

  No one had said anything about her accompanying Lord Waterford and Susan when they returned to The Castle after the Jubilee Celebrations.

  Susan seemed to take it for granted that she would, but Valeria knew that the invitation had to come from Lord Waterford.

  He had said nothing.

  She was astonished at how bleak the thought was that she would not be returning to The Castle.

  Lord Waterford stood up.

  “I wish you success with your morning’s errand. I look forward to seeing you in time for the Berkeley Square Reception we are invited to this evening.”

  Valeria watched his lean and casually elegant figure disappear, surprised at the depth of her disappointment that she would not have his company again until the evening.

  As she waited in the hallway of Waterford House for Susan to join her, her mind was torn with emotion.

  Had she, in spite of her initial antagonism, begun to fall in love with Lord Waterford?

  Surely not.

  Where were the waves of passion for Sir Peter?

  No, her feelings for Lord Waterford were for a man whose companionship she had learned to enjoy.

  She admired his intelligent conversation, quiet wit and his sympathetic way of ensuring that life ran smoothly for those he cared about.

  “Valeria, my dear, disaster!” Susan appeared all of a fluster. “The chef is inspired by your idea of Yorkshire pie and now insists on discussing other delights w
ith me urgently this morning.”

  “Never mind, Susan, I can easily do it on my own.”

  “But no footman can be spared to accompany you, nor any maid. Making sure the house is ready to entertain so many tomorrow is taking every pair of hands available.”

  “Perhaps I should not take your carriage, then, I can find a hansom cab, I’m sure.”

  Susan was shocked.

  “My dear, of course not! It’s bad enough that you have to go alone.”

  “Nonsense, I only have the one destination, it could not be simpler. I will soon be back here, my work done.”

  “You are so efficient, Valeria,” murmured Susan. “I look forward to your return.”

  Valeria went out to the waiting carriage.

  She did not notice the figure of a man a little way down the street, half hidden behind another carriage.

  As her carriage paused to take its place in the mêlée of traffic in St James’s Street, the man then flagged down a passing hansom cab and gave instructions to follow.

  Arriving at the shop, she told the coachman when to return. She had allowed enough time not to be rushed, but she finished her ordering earlier than she had expected.

  She had noticed some interesting-looking shops as she had arrived, so she then decided, despite the lack of a chaperone, to have a look.

  No sooner had she emerged into the street than her wrist was seized.

  “Now I have you,” crowed Sir Peter Cousins.

  Shocked, astonished and immediately realising that she was not at all pleased to see him, Valeria attempted to pull her arm away.

  “Let me go,” she cried. “How dare you accost me?”

  But she found herself pulled around a corner into a narrow side street. At its far end was a Church surrounded by a small graveyard.

  “Here we can talk,” hissed Sir Peter, his voice tense as he dragged her towards the graveyard.

  Valeria opened her mouth to scream and then closed it as she thought of the scandal that would ensue if anyone did come to her aid.

  After all Sir Peter might just want to talk to her.

  Still trying to break free from him, she found herself helpless in his strong grip.

  The churchyard was deserted.

  Inside its tall iron gate, Sir Peter released his hold on her, only to pull her back into his arms and kiss her passionately.

  Despite her initial horror at his attack, a familiar hunger began to run through her veins that swept away her frustration at the loss of Lord Waterford’s courtship.

  At least Sir Peter said that was in love with her and if he lacked Lord Waterford’s courtesy and kindness, the fact that he loved her surely made up for these defects.

  “Oh, Valeria,” Sir Peter sighed, raising his mouth at last from hers. “How I have longed for this moment. The days I have hung around Waterford House hoping to see you emerge without a keeper!

  “And now I have you, I am not going to let you go. You are the most tantalising, gorgeous creature I have ever known. My gambler’s soul yearns for you.”

  Valeria gazed into his dark eyes, her heart beating erratically.

  “You mean we shall be married?” she breathed.

  Suddenly he dropped his arms.

  “Marriage!” He gave out a high-pitched scornful laugh. “What on earth gave you that idea?”

  She staggered with the suddenness of her release and the fire in her veins turned to ice.

  “I – don’t understand,” she stammered. “You – said you loved me!”

  “I said I wanted you, that I longed for you. You do things to me no other woman has ever done. There is some terrible magic in your eyes, your mouth, your body.”

  Valeria was filled with sudden anticipation.

  “Why, then – surely you would wish to marry me?”

  “Oh,” he added with a touch of desperation. “Had you money, had you a large fortune, why then, yes, I would marry you like a shot.”

  “Money! Is that all you can think of?”

  “I cannot afford to marry a bride without wealth.”

  “Lord Waterford can.”

  The words were out without any thought.

  “Ha!” His eyes glittered. “So, you have intention in that direction, do you?”

  “Lord Waterford – ”

  Valeria started then paused, trying to make sense of the situation she found herself in. But her mind was like a mouse going round and round in a tiny wheel, unable to find a way out.

  Sir Peter leant against the fence, a sneer on his face.

  “Waterford is a devious hypocrite. Don’t believe him if he says he loves you. Have you not seen the way he sneaks out of the back gate of his mansion late at night to assignations with his mistress?”

  Valeria unconsciously put a hand to her breast.

  Her heart was beating so fast she thought that she would fall senseless to the ground.

  So, it was true!

  Sir Peter’s sneer vanished.

  He drew her to him again.

  “Give up all thoughts of Waterford. He can never make you happy the way I can.”

  Valeria pulled away, the abruptness of her move taking Sir Peter by surprise.

  “You disgust me,” she raged. “You accuse Lord Waterford of deviousness, yet you expect me to come away with you like – like – a floosie! You have no honour, sir.”

  She ran through the churchyard gate, pulling it shut behind her with a clang.

  By the time Sir Peter managed to open it again, Valeria had reached the street and run back into the shop.

  The assistant immediately came forward.

  She took a deep breath.

  A few moments later the Waterford coach arrived and she then walked steadily out of the shop, not glancing to right or left as she stepped into the carriage.

  As she sank back onto the buttoned cushions, she felt as though she had been pushed through a wringer like a piece of washed clothing.

  All the exciting emotions that being kissed by Sir Peter aroused in her had vanished.

  The very thought of him filled her with disgust and even to think of the excitement she felt in his arms made her feel degraded.

  All he wanted was to make her his mistress! How could she ever have imagined that they could be man and wife?

  Then she recalled how he called Lord Waterford a ‘devious hypocrite’.

  Sir Peter must have been in Green Park watching Waterford House night after night.

  How, she wondered, could she ever have thought the man attractive? How had he managed to arouse her so profoundly?

  Valeria had no answer to these questions. She could only blame herself for being so misled by him.

  She suddenly felt very humble.

  She remembered her initial dislike, hatred even, for Lord Waterford. That was because he made her feel less than the woman she was convinced she was.

  Now she was beginning to feel deflated because she had overestimated her own worth.

  She had been convinced that Sir Peter loved her and would ask her to marry him. Instead he had professed that without any money she was nothing more than a desirable object for his bed!

  The fact that he had stirred her responses in a way no other man ever had only made it worse. How could she have been so shallow as to fall for a man merely because of his physical attractions?

  No wonder Lord Waterford had decided he was no longer interested in marrying her!

  Next she must face his assignations.

  It just had to be true. Lord Waterford had actually met his love in Green Park, hidden amongst the leafy trees.

  It was a most thoroughly despondent Valeria who alighted from the carriage at Waterford House and thanked the coachman.

  She looked up at the steps leading to the front door and wondered whether she should leave and return home.

  Then she remembered that her father was staying with Lady Braithwaite and their house had been closed up until after the Jubilee.

  Also she knew th
at Susan was relying on her help with tomorrow’s ball.

  Finally the thought of never seeing Lord Waterford again was suddenly more than she could bear.

  Soon their relationship would be at an end, but in the meantime she wanted to enjoy a last dance with him.

  Valeria mounted the steps determined to be at her most captivating until she actually left Waterford House – for ever.

  *

  Prepared to report on her morning’s work to Lord Waterford, Valeria found that he had disappeared.

  He did not appear for luncheon and, when Valeria and Susan were ready to leave for Berkeley Square, a note arrived from Lord Waterford presenting his regrets that he was unable to accompany them to the Reception.

  “Arriving without an escort is too, too degrading,” Susan huffed despairingly. “How will I ever live it down?”

  Valeria’s spirits fell lower than ever.

  The Reception went smoothly. Their hostess only raised one eyebrow as Susan gave her brother’s apologies.

  “A shame, but never mind. But we look forward so much to your ball tomorrow night,” she murmured, leaning forward to kiss Susan’s cheek and then offering her hand to Valeria. “It will be the event of the Season.”

  Susan lamented all the way home that expectations of their ball were running far too high.

  Valeria tried to comfort her.

  “You have made the very best arrangements anyone could. It will be a triumph, Susan.”

  “You will do the flowers tomorrow morning before we go to the St. Paul’s ceremony?”

  “Of course I will,” Valeria assured her.

  The flowers and three florists arrived very early in the morning. Valeria was all ready for them and soon they were hard at work.

  “Oh!” exclaimed Susan later, arriving just as the last flowers were secured in place. “It all looks perfect.”

  Valeria agreed that the effect was magical, but she could not help feeling sad.

  Tonight’s ball would mark the end of her friendship with Lord Waterford and she was slowly becoming aware that he had captured her heart.

  Without realising it she had fallen in love with him!

  “Come,” called out Susan, “we must leave for St. Paul’s.”

  Valeria went to her room to dress herself for the big occasion and chose her most stunning afternoon gown with a matching hat.