"Lord and Lady Hastings have returned from their outing. It seems they bought quite a lot. Would you like to go down?" Nora asked, turning around to look at Victoria.
"What for? His return ans that I am to prepare to et with my uncle. Lord Hastings already knows that I have been busy planning. Prepare the dress I decided on," said Victoria.
"If I may speak," Nora requested.
"You may," Victoria replied.
"Are you not concerned about the turn in events? You didn’t want them to grow close, and you were to write to Lord Hastings’ mother," Nora said, hoping Victoria wasn’t losing sight of her plans.
"I don’t have a reason to write to Cecilia. I am in a good place with Dante now, and I don’t want to ruin it. Writing to his mother would only have sent out of the castle. I want to focus on my family. I know you an well by asking," Victoria said.
Victoria stood up from her chair and walked to the window to see where Dante stood. "I’m certain you have noticed how close they have beco. It hurts, but it shall hurt even more if I were to keep chasing him. If he wanted to marry , he would have."
"I have heard Lord Hastings doesn’t want a child. Perhaps he thought if he married you, he would be stealing that joy from you," said Nora.
Victoria smiled, wishing that were true. "That is not why he didn’t marry . He didn’t marry because we are only friends. I would rather never have him as a lover than lose him as a friend. If he never married and it was only at his side, then there might have been a chance."
"No," Victoria said after so thought. "I can’t fool myself into believing it would have happened. With her at his side, Dante is doing things I could never convince him to do. His mother couldn’t. I do envy her for bringing a spark back to him. I won’t win against her."
Nora pitied Victoria. It was heartbreaking to see her lady let go of a long, one-sided love.
"Will you be friends with Lady Hastings now?"
"No. I am happy she is present for Dante, but we won’t be friends. It is not her doing, so don’t think ill of her. I made mistakes in the beginning and even after I was warned. I am letting go, and as my maid, you should too. With Dante falling for her, he will punish those who harm her," said Victoria.
"There are many in the castle who favour you over Lady Hastings," Nora reminded Victoria.
"I know. They will get used to the change, as will I. The others can do what they wish, but I don’t want to see you hard, Nora. You must treat Lady Hastings with the utmost respect. For ," Victoria pleaded.
Nora bowed her head. "I am your servant. I dare not step out of line with Lady Hastings and place you in trouble. I shall be on my best behaviour, and I will let the others loyal to you know to behave."
"Good. I must get dressed and prepare to leave. We must make haste," Victoria said, sparing one last look at where Dante stood before walking away.
After getting dressed for her outing, Victoria went on a search for Dante.
Victoria found Dante standing near the dining chamber. She first took notice of what he wore.
"Forgive my words if it is rude, but are you dressed to et with my uncle? Your choice of clothing is a bit unlike you," Victoria said, curious what had co over Dante.
"Ophelia picked out a few shirts and pants for during our outing. This is what she wanted to see wear, and I am glad she didn’t dress like a jester. We will not be going to sit with your uncle. I have invited him to be here. We’ll be having so guests once he leaves," said Dante.
"You will welco him here? You are not one to like outsiders in your ho. Why did you change your mind?"
"I didn’t think of how it would affect Ophelia for us to be seen sitting alone with your uncle. The rumours about us must stop for your sake and Ophelia’s. I don’t want to create a mont for others to mock her. I hope you understand," said Dante.
"I do understand. I didn’t think of how it would appear to others. I will be more careful for Ophelia’s sake. I have already told the other ladies that the rumours about us were just rumours. It will take so ti, but eventually, no one should think we were lovers," Victoria said, saddened that it finally ca to an end.
"Now is the best ti for to search for a husband. I cannot turn to you for protection all the ti, and I want the security of having a husband. I had a few n co to speak to at the gathering, so it won’t be long before I am out of your care," said Victoria.
"As long as you behave, I will not send you away. Don’t foolishly run from my castle into the arms of anyone you do not love. I will protect you so you have the privilege of searching for a man you truly love, not a man you want to shield you. Most ladies would envy the privilege to pick. Do it well."
"I know. I won’t run from my uncle only to end up with a man who will treat far worse. Since my uncle is coming here, that ans Ophelia will sit with him. Or, did you tell her to stay away?" Victoria asked, curious if she would have ti alone with Dante.
"If she wants to, Ophelia will join us. It is a private matter for you, so she might not want to sit with us. Your uncle should soon arrive. Are you ready?" Dante asked, thinking of how much Victoria hated seeing her uncle.
"I am ready. I won’t allow him to treat as he always did. I have been planning all day, and I am ready to have a proper conversation with him. If only he hadn’t grown so close to the king, I would kill him now. Sotis I think of killing him and joining my family in death," Victoria revealed.
"You will join them in ti, but they would want you to live now. Whilst you plan to reclaim your family ho and all your possessions, think of the future you wish to have when this is all over. Find soone you can start a new family with," Dante advised Victoria.
"Is that what you are doing with Ophelia?" Victoria asked, curious what Dante’s plans for Ophelia were. "You always said you don’t want children, but that doesn’t an you can’t stay by her side. Do you think of telling her everything?"
"No, and I suggest you don’t speak of it," Dante replied. "I’ll go to the gates to welco your uncle."
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