The Marquess’s Ward by Elizabeth Reed Page B

blushing in response to his painstakingly keen observation of her features. She nodded, knowing that the Marquess was right: She had to keep the promise she had made. His father had been like a father to her, and she had loved him as such. He had always looked after her mother as well as herself, constantly showering them both with love, affection and presents. He had meant so much to her; the least she could do was keep her promise. It would be an insult to his memory to do otherwise! ‘My Lord I will keep my word, as you have reminded me!’
    ‘Ok, then, we will start with your lessons for tomorrow to turn you into a lady, and you have my word that I will make sure that I will be very involved with your development, as well as getting you more settled into your new home here. And when you have become a lady, we can then discuss the next steps that you would like to take for your future. Does that seem fair to you?’
    ‘Yes, My Lord. Thank you for your help,’ Victoria agreed, now feeling more positive about the days ahead. She had not expected to get the warm response that she had gotten when the Marquess had caught her red-handed stealing his silverware!
    ‘If you don’t mind, My Lord,’ she added, ‘if will you excuse me, I will bid you good night and go to my bed.’ She felt nearly overcome by tiredness with all the drama of the past hour, and wished to go to her room to think about the turn of events at more length.
    ‘Yes, that is fine,’ he responded. ‘It is very late in the day. Best that you seek rest now, so you can be up and early for the start of your lessons tomorrow.’
    Victoria turned to leave, happy that their conversation was at an end and she could escape.
    ‘Actually, I wanted to mention one thing,’ he added.
    Victoria turned back to look at him in surprise.
    ‘You can call me Nicholas,’ he stated. ‘I want you to use my name. We should be on more familiar grounds. You are not one of the servants!’
    ‘Familiar...like brother and sister?’ Victoria automatically responded to his words.
    ‘No, not like brother and sister. Your mother was my father’s mistress. I was glad she was there to give my father comfort when my own mother was no longer in existence and he came finally to his own deathbed. But I did not view your mother as my own, and I definitely do not see you as a sister! I wish you goodnight!’
    Victoria saw the Marquess hold her gaze, as he looked at her with an intensity conveying in his eyes. She hesitated and then spoke. ‘Goodnight ...Nicholas.’
    She walked back to her room in real confusion. She did not know how she should feel about the Marquess’s blunt statement about them not being like brother and sister. She wished she’d had the bravery to ask him directly: If he did not see her like a sister, how he actually did view her in his mind?

Chapter 2
    ‘G et your grubby paws off me!’ Victoria yelled.
    ‘Come on, Victoria, I saw you giving me the eye earlier on, at our group walk. Don’t tell me you’re not interested.’
    ‘You silly little man! I was just trying to be polite to you by giving you a mere friendly smile, since you are what I thought to be Nicholas’s good friend. Now get your hands off me and get out of my way, or you will be very sorry!’ she threatened, as she gripped her parasol tightly in her hand, ready to use it as a weapon if pushed any further.
    ‘Bertie, the lady asked you to take your hands off her. I would do so immediately unless you want this day to be your last!’
    Victoria turned to see Nicholas, looking like what could be only described as furious; she had never seen him so angry in all the time she had known him.
    ‘Nicholas, calm down, old boy!’ Bertie replied. ‘We were just fooling around! It was just a joke!’ He released Victoria and then staggered back awkwardly. It was clear he had had a little too much to drink, but this did not stop him from being cautious upon Nicholas’s threat!
    ‘Well, from where