The guests laughed at Southill's comment. Victor turned back to Diana. "What is your preference?" he asked.
"I think I will go to my room and rest in order to be refreshed for dinner," Diana said with a too bright smile. Her painted lips matched the deep red of her hair. She really was a striking woman and would make a fine duchess. At least that's what his father had told him. Diana touched Victor's arm, something she'd made a habit of late-touching him in small ways-as if she were already laying claim to him. This irked him, but how could he complain? He would soon propose to her.
"You want me to look my best, don't you?" Diana quipped in her cheerful voice.
"Indeed," he said, giving the expected reply. Everything with Diana was expected, planned, dutiful. Everything about her was bright and cheerful, as if only roses bloomed in her life. Just once he'd like to have a conversation with her that moved beyond the latest fashion, who of the ton was embroiled in scandal, or which duke or earl was renovating his estate.
"We will miss you on the lawn," Hudson said. Always to the rescue. "Are you sure you won't join us?"
Diana turned her smile upon Hudson, and it seemed more genuine. "Thank you, but I am quite sure."
Hudson nodded. "Very well, then. We shall look forward to seeing you in a few hours."
The men rose as Diana stood. She made her way toward the house, and before Victor could turn to Lady Juliet, who had also shared their lunch table, Hudson had already spoken up.
"What about you, Lady Juliet?" Hudson said. "Do you care to join us on the lawn?"
"I'd love to." Her blue gaze flitted to Victor, then back to Hudson.
When Victor had first caught sight of her in the drawing room upon arriving, he'd known it was her, even though he could only see her back. Her honey-gold hair color was unmistakable, even pinned into an intricate coiffure. Her peach-colored gown made her look like one of the roses from a royal garden. And when he reached the small circle of women she stood in, he had a hard time keeping his gaze on Diana and away from Lady Juliet's sloping shoulders and creamy expanse of skin.
How he'd love to get her alone for a few moments for a private conversation. She'd only written him one letter and had not revealed much. He had many questions, but he had been cautious about corresponding with her through the mail; therefore, he hadn't dared ask her anything that would prompt her to write him again.
Hudson took Lady Juliet's arm, and the three of them began the walk to the north lawn. It appeared as if Victor's money had been put to good use. The estate was in excellent condition, the gazebo rebuilt, the luncheon delicious, and Southill looked half decent in new clothing.
"There's the man I've been wanting to speak to." Southill drew Victor away from the main group walking toward the lawn.
"Hello, Southill," Victor said. "Have you picked out your heiress yet?"
Southill chuckled. "There are a few potential women here." He turned his appraising blue gaze upon Victor. "It seems I am in your debt, although I am still unsure of the motivation behind your generosity."
Victor shrugged. "Let's just say I'm willing to give a man a second chance. We go back a long way, and I was thinking we should let bygones be bygones."
"All right, then," Southill said. "I'll take you at your word. In the meantime, after the ladies have retired to their rooms tonight, we'll be commencing in the library for a game of cards."
Victor tried not to show his surprise. Surely, Southill remembered the single rule Victor had set forth-no gambling at the house party. If there was one way for things to get out of control, it was this.
"I'm afraid I've brought some work with me," Victor said. "With all the festivities during the day, I'll be burning the midnight oil as it is."
Southill scoffed. "You know everyone wants to see you in action. You're a legend, Victor Roland."
"That may be so, but I'm making some changes."
Southill laughed in disbelief, and a few heads turned in their direction.
Victor gave a polite smile while trying to hide the fact that he was gritting his teeth. He might be an accomplished gambler, but playing against Southill had been what started this all. Not that Victor regretted meeting the lovely Juliet, but it also pained him to watch a woman such as she having to find a husband in a matter of two weeks in order to escape the pending ruin of her own brother.
"You know me," Victor continued, "gambling is always a serious affair. I wouldn't want one of these poor chaps to have his pockets upended by dawn." Victor's smile was as fake as the ones Diana regularly doled out. "Besides, I've promised a special woman I would stop all serious gambling."
Southill's brows shot up. "Do you happen to be speaking of Lady Diana Allen?"
Victor didn't answer, just kept his smile in place. No gentleman could argue against a promise given to a woman. Then Victor called to one of his friends who was behind him. "Catch up, my friend."
Laurence Talbot increased his pace, and once he reached Victor's side, Southill had gone on ahead. "You weren't kidding," Talbot said in a low tone. "The elite of the ton is here, and Lady Juliet is enchanting."
Victor swallowed against the sudden dryness of his throat. Talbot had been specifically invited because Victor felt he was a viable husband candidate for Lady Juliet. If that was the case, why did Victor feel the urge to say something critical of Lady Juliet to put off Talbot?
"She has asked genuine questions about my shipping business," Talbot continued. "Not every lady of the ton would want to be saddled with a man of business, even if I am well-off. But Lady Juliet is different, like a breath of fresh air."
Victor couldn't agree more, but his heart had started a slow thud when he caught sight of Lady Juliet smiling at Hudson. They stood apart from the main group on the lawn. Her lips weren't the garish color of Diana's, but a more natural color, which contrasted beautifully with her fair skin and dark lashes. And Victor knew he wasn't the only gentleman in the party studying their hostess.
Lady Juliet laughed at something Hudson had said, and Victor's mood blackened. Here he was, on a lovely summer day at a beautiful estate, and hot anger pulsed through him. Victor exhaled, clapped his hand on Talbot's shoulder, and said, "I think you would be a good match, my friend. I'll be sure to throw a few compliments your way when I'm in conversation with her."
"I would be most grateful," Talbot said.
Victor strode away before the man could continue in his litany of gratitude, because in truth, Victor felt like slamming his fist into something hard. He wished Diana hadn't gone to her room to rest. He could use her by his side to keep his focus where it should be. He'd planned for Lady Diana's presence to act as a continual reminder to Victor of where his priorities were and how he should be focusing on his future.
In fact, to serve as further reminder, he'd kept his father's most recent letter in the inside pocket of his jacket. Victor didn't like to think of the harsh words the missive contained, but he'd forced himself to reread them in the carriage ride to Southill Estate. His father had revised his will so that even if he was dead, Victor would still have to marry Lady Diana in order to inherit the dukedom.
Victor exhaled, his gaze drawn once again to Lady Juliet as he waited for his next turn at bowling. It was two hours into the game, and he had yet to exchange a personal word with her. She was by far the most enchanting woman at the house party, and Victor wasn't basing his opinion on facial features or her figure, but on what Talbot had alluded to. She was a breath of fresh air, and the more Victor observed her, the more he was convinced that breathing would always be easier around her.
"How is your father faring?" a voice said, cutting into Victor's thoughts.
Victor looked over at Talbot. "His health has taken a recent decline," Victor said. "He still insisted that I come to the house party." It wasn't exactly true. His father's letter had only insisted that Victor make good on his proposal plans. Weddings took time to plan, especially that of a future duke.
"Ah, Lady Diana is looking very well, I must say," Talbot said with a broad smile.
Victor nodded. "She is indeed. I am a fortunate man, and soon to be more fortunate."
Talbot chuckled and began to speak of one of his ships that was apparently undergoing a renovation, but Victor had noticed that Lady Juliet had separated herself from her group and begun to walk toward the stables. Victor frowned. Where was she going? And why? Surely she didn't mean to brush down the horses? The thought made him smile to himself, and although Talbot was mid-story, Victor interrupted.