Page 14

Ever since that night at the charity ball, where William had dared to accost her in the garden, the atmosphere around her had shifted. The crowd of her admirers suddenly thinned, the gentlemen hesitating to approach her as if a shadow loomed over her, casting her in an eerie darkness they did not want to be swallowed by.

Naturally, her initial thought was that William had gone back on his word and revealed their marriage to all. Yet, if that was the case, she would have expected to be openly cut and publicly shamed. Instead, she found herself… almost revered? Feared?

She struggled to find the right word to describe it.

The only person who dared to dance with her was the Earl of Pembroke. And while she considered the possibility that his presence might have something to do with the unusual atmosphere surrounding her, he paid her no attention otherwise. And he wasn’t even present at most of the social gatherings.

The sound of shuffling feet had Victoria snapping her neck and looking around. The chilly wind blew, sweeping fall leaves down the street, adding to the ominous sensation.

Don’t be a fool, Victoria! It was probably one of the carriage drivers stretching their legs, or servants rushing to do the bidding of their masters.

Suddenly, she wished she’d waited inside for Uncle Bastian and Lavinia. Victoria shook her head and continued down the street, looking for her uncle’s carriage.

Click-clack. Click-clack.

The sharp, rhythmic click of heels echoed through the street. She was not mistaken this time. Someone was walking behind her. Perhaps even following her.

The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, warning her of something ominous. But before she had the chance to pick up her skirts and flee, a low masculine voice said, “Princess Victoria.”

Victoria yelped and turned, her hand on her heart, only to see a wide-eyed and quite bewildered Lord Porter before her.

“Lord Porter!” she breathed and looked around. Her chest moved rapidly with the strength of her breath.

“Apologies, I didn’t mean to startle you.” His eyes darted from side to side as if he was frightened himself.

“I didn’t expect someone to follow me out.”

“Forgive me.” He bowed low, and she dipped into a curtsy.

“No need to apologize. Is there a reason you frightened me out of my wits?” Victoria’s tone was steely. After all, this coward had left her in the gardens at her charity ball about a week ago and had never bothered to approach her since, even going so far as to avoid her. And to think she was entertaining the idea of making him her lover.

“I wanted to speak to you. I was afraid to approach you in the crowded ballroom, so when I saw you leave early, I thought it would be best to follow you silently.”

“Why is that?”

“I don’t want you to think that I was insincere in my affections toward you.”

“Why would I do that? Because you left me in the gardens alone after I had asked you to kiss me? Because you ran away with the excuse of bringing me a drink only to avoid me since?”

His cheeks were flushed, and he cast his eyes down in embarrassment. “Yes.”

“In that case, you have failed to convey how you feel, because I do indeed think your affections insincere.”

“But that’s not the case at all,” he said pleadingly and stepped forward. “However, when I went back to the ballroom to fetch you a drink, I received a note.”

“A note?” Victoria’s brows crinkled in a mask of confusion, although in the back of her mind, a clear picture had emerged.

It was William!

That bastard had promised not to let other men near her and he had gone so far as to frighten each and every one of them.

And it worked! Every potential suitor ran away like a rat from a sinking ship.

“Yes, and this note told me to stay away from you or else…”

“Or else what?” Victoria fought for composure. What did that weasel blackmail them with?

Lord Porter opened his mouth to reply, except his eyes widened even more, and he let out a shrill scream before running in the opposite direction from her.