Victoria moved her attention on to the dancers, feigning interest in them instead. "Do not be asinine, Alice. I'm not the least interested in Lord Melvin and nor is he in me."
"I believe the same may not be said for his lordship."
"What about a certain lordship?" their older sister Elizabeth, Countess Muir, asked, joining them and kissing them both in turn on their cheeks.
Victoria clasped her sister's arm, having not seen her for several months since they resided most of the time at Muirdeen, their Scottish estate.
Alice nodded in Lord Melvin's direction. "Victoria has sparked the interest of a certain marquess. Although instead of a rogue, which I'm sure you would agree with me make the best husbands, he seems more righteous."
Elizabeth grinned at Victoria. "There is nothing wrong with righteousness. Henry wasn't a rogue, far from it, and he's simply delightful to be married to."
"That is true, and really, I suppose Callum wasn't either. Not a rascal one in any case. So there may be hope for our Lord Melvin after all."
Victoria stepped away from her sisters, pinning them with disapproving glares. "You forget my husband was the worst of men. Whoring his way around England and the continent. There is no 'our Lord Melvin,' and you must stop saying such things. I noticed his unease and merely commented on it. You're reading too much into my observations."
Elizabeth tossed Alice a knowing smile. "Of course, dearest, but that does not mean all men are the same," she said, her voice cajoling.
"I'm going to find Isolde. You two are impossible." Victoria strode off, locating Isolde beside her mama. Her sister’s husband—who doted on his wife to the point of nauseating regularity—winked at Victoria when she came up to them. She bussed his cheek and then her sister’s. "We need to disown our other two sisters, they're impossible."
Their mother raised her brow, looking over to where Alice and Elizabeth talked and laughed amongst themselves. "What have they done to you, dearest? Do you wish for me to speak to them?"
Victoria shook her head, knowing her grievances with her siblings weren't so very bad. That they teased her over a man she herself was curious about did not help. She didn't like everyone knowing her secrets. She had not thought mentioning Lord Melvin's unease would cause such curiosity. Or the fact of seeing him with a woman would disarm her so very much. After the death of her husband, she had promised herself a life of doing whatever she wished. No more husbands to make fools of their wives. The desire to travel and a life of adventure awaited her. Having children and a spouse did not.
"It is nothing, Mama. Do not trouble yourself."
Her mama studied her a moment before one of her friends waved her over to join them and she excused herself.
"Tell me you're staying at Dunsleigh for several weeks. I do not think I can stand being here with only Alice as a neighbor to keep me company."
The disappointment on Isolde's face told Victoria that she was not staying long. "We are for home next week, my love. But you may come with us if you like. We should love to have you if you wished for a little diversion. Wiltshire is very lovely this time of year."
"I best stay with mama. She'll be alone here should I go anywhere, and with Josh abroad, I had better not go too far away. But thank you, maybe Mama and I can both come and see you for a week or two before Christmas."
"That would be lovely," Isolde said.
Happy with this plan, Victoria spoke to guests as they socialized about the room. The evening was a success and in full swing by the time supper was served. Victoria stood at the threshold of the supper room doors, content to watch those who were hungry eating. She reached up and massaged her nape when a prickling of awareness skittered across her skin.
She turned and found Lord Melvin several paces behind her. His unease at the crowded supper room visible on his pinched features. Victoria took pity on the man, going into the room and picking several favorite dishes of hers before quitting the space.
"Lord Melvin, how good to see you tonight. I have some supper for you if you would like a repast."
He gazed down at the plate of food, and it seemed to break the spell of inactivity that plagued him. "Oh, Lady Victoria, I thank you. You did not have to do such a service for me."
"I'm a hostess here this evening with my mama, my lord. It is only right that each of our guests is cared for."
He took the plate, his fingers grazing hers at the interchange, and Victoria started at the feel of his gloved fingers against hers. He was warm, with strong hands that made her feel a little odd. A little too curious for her liking.
"It's crab cakes and lobster in jelly. They're my first choice at any ball. I hope you like them."
His lips tilted into a half smile. Victoria sensed that when relaxed, this man would open up like a flower. Not that she viewed most men as plants, but with her at least, right now, the fear that lurked in his dark-blue orbs had dissipated.
"I do thank you," he said again.
She stayed with him with nowhere else to be for a time, content to wait for supper to end and the dancing to begin again. "I have not seen you tread the ballroom floor this evening. Do you not like to dance, my lord?" she asked him.
He chewed and swallowed one of his crab cakes before answering, "I do enjoy dancing, and if you are not otherwise engaged, would you dance the next set with me?"
"The next set is to open with a waltz. Do you waltz too, my lord?"
"I have been known to on occasion," he drawled, his
