Love's Justice (Entangled Scandalous) by Joan Avery

more years. Your writing is a gift to us all. “
    “How kind of you, Miss—”
    “Westwood. Victoria Westwood.”
    Recognition crossed his face. “My dear wife Olivia should only be here. She would trumpet your cause far and wide, until not a man standing would be ignorant of the injustices you face.”
    “That is most kind of you. I take it you, yourself, find sympathy with my possible fate?”
    “Miss Westwood, my dear Olivia has introduced me to socialists, abolitionists, and activists for women’s rights and social equality. In all of them I have found merit and enlightenment.”
    “I am pleased to hear that.”
    He nodded before adding, “Miss Harriet Beecher Stowe is now my neighbor and I admire her efforts immensely. My contributions, I’m afraid, are more entertaining than informative. She, on the other hand, is a remarkably capable and influential woman. I would never underestimate the power of women to change the world for the good.”
    “I must say that is a truly enlightened position, Mr. Clemens.” She smiled. “How long have you been in England?”
    “I’ve only just arrived here. I have been on the Continent writing essays along the way and sending them home to be published.”
    “I hope you have enjoyed your time in Europe.”
    “I am just an innocent abroad, with no expectations and no prejudices. Finding a little good and bad in most places.”
    “I believe that to be true. Well, I wish you a safe journey.”
    “And I wish you only the best, my dear woman. Only the best.” He raised the glass in his hand as a toast. “But I’m afraid I must leave you. There are far too many people here that I must see before I return to our homeland.”
    He sighed before leaning in to speak to her more quietly. “We all must do what we must do. It should matter little to us what others think. Don’t you agree, Miss Westwood?” He smiled and gave a courteous bow, then headed off toward the duke.
    Victoria watched him walk away. She was beyond flattered to speak with such an open-minded man. The small praise and encouragement she received from her celebrated countryman gave her courage. She stepped out into the room and smiled. It was beneath her to hide.

Chapter Eighteen
    She searched the room for Emily and her husband. Lord Montgomery was still in earnest conversation with William Gladstone, who listened attentively. This was no mere social conversation but rather some deeply felt issue. As Lord Montgomery finished his argument and looked up, there was a nod of agreement from the older man.
    But the earl didn’t see it. He was staring straight back at Victoria. Propriety would have called for her to smile sweetly and look down demurely, but she could do neither.
    He was handsome, no doubt, but it no longer mattered. What mattered was who he was. Was this a man she could respect? Was this a man who would respect her? Not just in the frivolous ideals of heraldry, the bows, the simple courtesies, but in the world of ideas. As one equal to another. Neither praising her for being a woman nor belittling her. How would she ever know? Lord Stanford’s threat had created a situation that endangered this man as well. How could she protect him?
    The earl’s attention shifted toward the entrance of the ballroom. He quickly excused himself from Mr. Gladstone. Suddenly her heartbeat quickened. He was heading straight toward her.
    “May I have this dance, my dear? Surely you wouldn’t deny me a dance and make an unfortunate scene.”
    Victoria didn’t have to turn around to recognize the speaker. Lord Stanford had arrived. His clammy hand on the bare skin of her upper arm made her shiver.
    She turned to refuse his request, betting he would not push her to where she did not want to go. To be confronted twice in one day was almost too much to bear. She should excuse herself to the duke and duchess and leave this very minute.
    “I’m afraid the lady has promised this dance to me.” Lord Montgomery stepped