Chapter 23
CAROLINE
The next day, Lady Moreland called. We’d met earlier in the season, when she was still unmarried, but we hadn’t formed a close friendship. The last I’d heard, she and her new husband had been away from town on their wedding trip.
Rumor had it that her father had arranged a match for her—followed closely by whispers that she had been ruined by Baron Moreland, one of the Legends.
I’d been one of the few who hadn’t believed those rumors.
She’d always struck me as a dutiful young woman and not the type to engage in risky behavior.
But perhaps such things ran in the family.
Her brother was also a Legend—the Marquess of Rexford.
As I made my way to the drawing room to greet her, I couldn’t help remembering the speculation that had taken place under this very roof when many of the eligible young women in town for the season had visited en masse.
I was of the mind that her marriage to Baron Moreland came about because of his long acquaintance with her brother.
They’d probably known each other for some time before deciding to marry.
She was standing by the drawing room’s front windows, gazing out onto the street.
When I entered the room, she turned to face me.
Victoria Moreland was one year younger than me, but I’d always been struck by how composed and mature she seemed.
Looking at her now, it was impossible to miss the happiness she exuded.
Perhaps her marriage had been a love match after all.
Her dark hair was up in an elegant chignon, and her blue eyes almost gleamed with amusement. I couldn’t understand why I’d been named the diamond this season when she’d also been newly out in society.
I dipped into a small curtsy. “It is a pleasant surprise to see you here. I’ve asked the staff to prepare refreshments.”
She smiled warmly at me. “Lady Fredricks was gracious enough to invite me.”
I wanted to groan. What exactly was Auntie planning?
I waited for her to take a seat on the settee before joining her. There was something in the way she was examining me that left me unsettled.
At a loss for what to say, I chose to be direct. “I’m surprised to see you here. I’d heard that you were on your wedding trip. My felicitations on your marriage, Lady Moreland.”
She sighed, a blissful look coming over her face. “Yes, the trip was wonderful, but far too short.”
I was surprised by the pang of envy I felt.
What would it be like to be happily married?
I couldn’t fathom it. I certainly didn’t have anyone who could put that dreamy look in my eyes.
No one who actually wanted to marry me, that is.
I was beginning to suspect that Kendrick would be capable of accomplishing that feat.
“Did Lord Moreland need to return to London on business?”
She shook her head, her smile holding a hint of something I couldn’t name. “Not exactly. We decided to return after my brother sent word about the situation in which you and Viscount Kendrick now find yourselves.”
I winced. “I wasn’t aware that information was widely known.”
She put a hand on my arm. “Oh, no, not at all. The Legends are very strict about keeping their secrets. But…” She shrugged. “They are as close as family and are very loyal to each other. If one of them is in need of assistance, a call goes out to all of them.”
Her words sent a thread of alarm through me. “I’m not a threat to Lord Kendrick.”
She shook her head. “I might have chosen my words poorly. I meant that if anything of note happens to one, then word spreads among them. They take care of each other.”
I couldn’t help but wonder what that would be like since my own brother by blood was more concerned with taking care of himself. He’d had absolutely no qualms about handing me over to settle a gambling debt. That wasn’t the behavior of someone who cared about his family.
“How much were you told?” I asked.
“I don’t know any of the details. Just that your brother gave you to Lord Kendrick after losing at cards.” She leaned forward. “So, what does that mean?”
“Not what you’re thinking.”
She smiled. “What am I thinking?”
I laughed. If anyone could understand what it felt like to be mixed up with one of the Legends, it was this woman.
And since I had no other allies aside from Kendrick, I decided to confide in her.
Her brother was a Legend, and she’d married another one.
Like my friend Diana, Victoria Moreland would know how to keep a confidence.
I explained everything to her. How Lord Penham had made it clear for the past year that he wanted to marry me and that I had no desire to marry him.
How I’d managed to avoid coming out last year, but that Aunt Augusta had dragged me to London this spring.
She already knew that had led to me being crowned the diamond of the season.
She shook her head. “You could have anyone. Before your brother’s actions—” her face crinkled with disgust “—was there anyone else you wanted to marry?”
I sighed. “No, actually. I don’t wish to marry at all.”
Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “No one?”
I shook my head.
“What about Lord Crandle or Lord Worth?”
I shrugged. “They’re handsome enough.”
“But…”
I shook my head. “Nothing. I feel nothing when I’m with them.”
She looked away. “Perhaps that is a good thing.”
I narrowed my eyes, trying to understand what she meant.
She must have seen my confusion, because she went on to ask, “What do you know about the marriage bed?”
Her question took me by surprise. “I know the barest details about what’s involved. It sounds unpleasant.”
Her smile was soft. “When you’re with someone you care about, the opposite is true.”
I couldn’t help thinking about the way Kendrick had kissed me and how some instinct I hadn’t known I possessed had come to life when his arms were around me. Beyond that kiss… I couldn’t imagine it.
But since I was confiding in Victoria, perhaps I could ask for her advice.
After all, I was sure that was why Auntie had invited her.
“He hasn’t admitted it, but Kendrick and I believe that my brother was hoping Kendrick would ruin me.
And then Penham, with whom my brother is very close, would be able to swoop in and rescue me. ”
Her mouth tightened into a disapproving line. “What is it with men trying to force us into marriages we don’t want?”
I nodded in agreement. “Lord Penham is so smug. It’s insufferable.” I tried to imagine having to endure the marriage bed with him, but my mind shied away from picturing that ordeal. I shuddered.
Victoria was watching me carefully now. “What exactly is happening between you and Lord Kendrick?”
“Nothing.” I tried to keep my tone neutral, but the look on her face made it clear she didn’t believe me.
“Nothing?”
“Nothing of note. We have formed an alliance of sorts.”
That got her interest. She leaned a little closer. “Tell me about this alliance.”
“Well, when I reach my age of majority, I will be able to take control of my dowry.”
“Is that customary?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know, but my parents set it up that way.”
“Perhaps they didn’t trust your brother.”
“Aunt Augusta said the same thing. If they thought they couldn’t trust him to take care of me, then they would have wanted to ensure I had a means of taking care of myself. But still, I’m sure they didn’t think I would want that money for my independence instead of to secure a husband.”
“No. They probably wanted to ensure that you made a good match. You are very beautiful, and I can certainly understand why you were named the diamond.”
I forced back the urge to protest, since I knew very well what people saw when they looked at me. “I wish it had been someone else. In fact, I’m surprised it wasn’t you.”
She shook her head. “It matters not. We need to think about what we’re going to do now.”
“Lord Kendrick is going to keep other men away from me, and when I come into my inheritance, I shall pay off the debt my brother owes him.”
She tilted her head. “How old are you now?”
I sighed. “It is still more than a year away, but I don’t think he’s in dire need of that money.”
“Does your brother hope to have some of that money for himself?”
“I think so, but he has other assets. And he needs to learn to stop gambling away what he has.”
She leaned a little closer. “So, your alliance with Viscount Kendrick—tell me, how do you feel about him?”
I could easily see him in my mind’s eye. His dark brown hair framed a face that would have most women swooning, and his blue eyes always held a hint of amusement. He had an air about him that had one thinking he was on the verge of doing something outrageous that would have tongues wagging.
He could have any woman he wanted. What a pity he was determined to remain a bachelor. “He doesn’t want to marry me.”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t believe he would. He had an encounter with his mistress earlier this year.”
A pang of irrational jealousy went through me. “What type of encounter?”
“Do you read The Mayfair Chronicle?”
I shook my head. “No. Should I?”
“There is a column written by an anonymous author who likes to speculate on the latest gossip surrounding the Legends.”
“Well, that explains why everyone talks about them. They have to get their information from somewhere.”
She nodded. “Kendrick’s last mistress let it be known that he intended to marry her, and that story made it into the column.”
My mouth dropped open, and a strange feeling in my stomach left me unsettled for a moment. “Was that true?”
Victoria shook her head. “No, but she was hoping to force his hand.”
I couldn’t help laughing at the woman’s ridiculous attempt, and Victoria joined me.
“It was the height of foolishness,” she said after a moment.
I sobered suddenly. “If she knew him at all, she wouldn’t have bothered.”
Victoria’s expression turned sad. “I don’t know him very well, but I imagine that experience was enough to sour him on the idea of marriage.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not looking to marry.” I forced myself not to look away.
“My husband wasn’t looking to marry either.”
I shook my head. I refused to allow myself to consider what she seemed to be implying. To do otherwise would only lead to heartbreak.
Victoria’s gaze was steady. “I believe we should get to know each other better. I’d like to keep an eye on this situation myself.”
I could certainly understand why Moreland had fallen in love with this woman. I liked the idea of becoming friends, which meant I needed to be completely honest with her. “I believe that my aunt invited you here today hoping to entice you to promote a match between me and Viscount Kendrick.”
She smiled softly at me. “I can’t force him to do anything he doesn’t want to do.”
“I wouldn’t want you to. And I have no illusions that he’ll want to marry me.”
She nodded firmly. “Whatever happens, it is always good to have additional allies. At the very least, I can help keep you safe from Lord Penham.”
I smiled widely and rang the bell for tea. “I will never say no to another ally.”