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"I thought it would be best if I--we," she added, gesturing to Nilly and Winnie as if their presence ht protect her from Victoria’s annoyance, "paid a call to deterht yesterday"

"Indeed," squeaked Lady Nilly, her pale, slender hands fluttering at her throat "I cannot even iirl! Why, I’htht voice Her hand hovered over the plate of cinnamon-iced almond biscuits that had been summoned at the instant of their arrival--despite the fact that they were three hours early for afternoon calls "I know all about them, I do Why, I daresay, that visit to Rome put me in a state, for I’ve nary slept a wink since the trip I spend all night tossing and turning, dreas" She paused in her search for the perfect biscuit--na--to pat her hand over the saucer-sized silver and gold cross she wore pinned to the side of her bodice Its weight caused the blue floralthe scoop neckline off center just a bit

"Vampires!" Nilly had no coht in and swiped a ht from under the duchess’s poised hand "I declare, I’m certain we must have talked about this before and you’re quiteabout vampires ever since Rome! You’ve only started since I told you aboutdown in dark halls, cornering me--"

Victoria found it necessary to interrupt and, fro experience, knew that the best tactic was to co quite well today, after all Thank you for your concern I truly do appreciate it" She tried not to glance at the portmanteau Perhaps if she didn’t see it, it would leave with her mother without fuss

Lady Melly leaned forward and patted her daughter’s ungloved hand "I’hted to hear it! Now, of course, since you’ve recovered, you’ll be able to attend the Twisdale’s garden party tonight with e with my trunks--and she’ll--"

"Your trunks?" Victoria are that the pitch of her voice was sharp as a roof’s peak, but she didn’t care Her control of the situation--along with the al

"Of course, h you are aOne night is fine, especially if no one knows about it--which is possible, since I cagled to keep her composure in the face of the runaway curricle that was her maternal parent "I don’t need a chaperone I--"

"Oh, but Victoria, of course you do! You still ain," said Lady Nilly, spraying alht even catch the eye of one of the race our Society," added Lady Winnie with a faleam in her eyes "After all, you’ve already had the pleasure ofhiht have said to puncture the duchess’s--and, clearly, Lady Melly’s--outlandish hopes was forever lost as the tall white doors to the parlor opened

"The Marquess of Rockley," intoned Lettender

As one, the three older ladies surged to their feet and turned toward the new arrival Victoria steadied the tea table, then turned to greet Ja, just as unke Apparently the staff had seen to ossip, for he was dressed from head to toe as befit his station

Victoria refused to let herself look too closely, for fear that sheas Phillip’sand it was just better not to She still had his cloak and one of his tall hats stuffed in the back of her wardrobe, and she often used theht dressed as a man She fancied they still carried the scent of his lemon-rosemary pomade

By the time Victoria rejoined the conversation, James and his American drawl had been fussed over by the three ladies, and he was on the sofa between Ladies Winnie and Melly In other words, exactly where they wanted hi, "we certainly will take advantage of your hospitality whileprepared for removal--which I’m certain will take several weeks to be done properly, of course--but it simply isn’t done for her to stay under your roof without a chaperone"

"I’d be delighted to have you here," Ja hat appeared to be co to ruin Mrs--er, Lady Rockley’s reputation"