The Marquess’s Ward by Elizabeth Reed Page A

he cared very little for her actually being there, as he hardly spoke any words to her, apart from greeting her and acknowledging her presence on the few times they bumped into each other, which wasn’t often in a house filled with so many rooms and halls.
    He also was often out on some excursion or another, including his visits to London to catch some of the Season’s events and attractions. When he did come back to stay at his country retreat, he often brought back some of his boisterous, pompous friends for his entertainment and amusement, and it surprised Victoria to see that he indeed had a fun light side and a sense of humour, just not with her. At these times, when his friends would visit, Victoria would keep mostly to her rooms. The Marquess not offering any formal introductions; no doubt he was ashamed of her presence, which stung Victoria and made her feel even more strongly about her plans to leave his home as soon as possible!
    ‘So if you have all you need, why then are you in such a hurry to leave?’ The Marquess’s words were confused.
    ‘I just don’t belong here, that is all!’
    The Marquess looked at her with interest, as if he were analysing something in his head. ‘Ok, let me put it another way: Do you have a plan for where you are going? How are you going to survive, especially now you no longer have my valuables in your possession?’
    ‘I hadn’t quite worked that out as yet. I am sure I will land on my feet. There are many opportunities.’
    ‘Come on, Victoria. You cannot think I am just going to just let you leave this house in the middle of the night without a good reason. You are my ward and a made a promise to my father and your mother: a promise I intend to keep to the best of my ability.’
    ‘What is the point of you keeping to your promise? They are both not here anymore. Your father’s dead and my mother is on her extended travels—where is anyone’s guess! I don’t know why you even bother to pretend to care about my welfare. Surely it would be an easier life for you and myself if I just went!’
    She thought she suddenly saw the Marquess’s face soften. Any trace of anger he once had gradually started to disappear.
    ‘Look,’ he said. ‘I know I haven’t been great at helping you settle in here. My mind has been preoccupied with adjusting to my father’s departure as well as having to adjust to taking on my new role and duties. But that is no excuse... I know you must be grieving too. My father was like a father to you also, even though he wasn’t your birth one, and I know, as you say, your mother is now currently on her extended travels, so you must feel like you have no one left who cares for you!’
    Victoria listened to his words, holding back her tears, as he pretty much summarised what she was desperately feeling.
    ‘I guess what I am trying to say,’ he continued, ‘is that I do care about you, and you are not alone. But I understand you need your independence also. Your mother wanted me to turn you into a lady, so you could take a different route to the one she had to take.’
    ‘I care nothing for becoming a proper lady. That is my mother’s wish not my own,’ she said stubbornly.
    The Marquess walked up to her and lifted her heart-shaped face with his one finger. She was conscious that he was getting more visibility of her face and was able to look directly into her eyes.
    ‘It was my father’s wish too,’ he said. ‘My father stated that you had agreed to do it, did you not?’
    ‘Yes,’ Victoria said nervously, feeling now rather flustered as she looked at his sensual full lips and his penetratingly beautiful dark eyes. ‘I told him I would....He was on his deathbed. I felt compelled to say it. How else could I respond to his request?’
    ‘Then you must keep your word, as I will mine!’ He dropped his finger, but continued to stare at her, his eyes deepening as he moved his gaze down her face to her lips.
    Victoria could feel herself