“Am I correct?” he asked, breaking into her thoughts.
She leveled a shrewd state in his direction. “You're trying to seduce me again, aren't you?”
Robert wasn't eating or drinking anything, but he choked nonetheless, requiring Victoria to give him a hearty whack on the back. “I cannot believe you said that,” he finally said.
“Is it true?”
“Of course not.”
“So it is true.”
“Victoria, are you listening to a word I am saying?”
Before she could reply, a knock sounded at the door. Victoria instantly panicked. She threw an agonized glance at Robert, who responded by putting his forefinger to his lips and grabbing the plate of cake as he tiptoed to her wardrobe and climbed in. Victoria blinked in disbelief as she watched him squeeze in. He looked most uncomfortable.
“Miss Lyndon! Open this door at once!” Lady Hollingwood sounded most displeased. “I know you're in there.”
Victoria ran to the door, silently thanking her maker that Robert had been rude enough to lock the door behind him. “I'm so sorry, Lady Hollingwood,” she said as she pulled the door open. “I was taking a nap. I often do while Neville is at the stables.”
Lady Hollingwood's eyes narrowed. “I am certain I heard you speaking.”
“It must have been in my sleep,” Victoria said quickly. “My sister used to tell me that I kept her up half the night with my mumblings.”
“How perfectly bizarre.” This was said with disgust, not interest.
Victoria gritted her teeth into a smile. “Was there anything in particular you wanted, Lady Hollingwood? An update on Neville's lessons, perhaps?”
“I shall quiz you on his progress on Wednesday, as is our habit. I am here for a far graver reason.”
Victoria's heart dropped. Lady Hollingwood was going to dismiss her. She had seen her with Robert. Perhaps she had even seen him enter her room not ten minutes earlier. Victoria opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn't think of any words in her defense. At least none that Lady Hollingwood would pay heed to.
“Miss Hypatia Vinton has taken ill,” Lady Hollingwood announced.
Victoria blinked. That was all? “I trust it is not serious.”
“Not at all. A putrid stomach, or something of the sort. It is my opinion that she will be well by morning, but she insists upon going home.”
“I see,” Victoria said, wondering what this had to do with her.
“We are now short a lady for my dinner party tomorrow evening. You will have to take her place.”
“Me?” Victoria squeaked.
“It is the worst of possible situations, but I cannot think of any other course of action.”
“What about this evening's dinner? Surely you'll need another lady.”
Lady Hollingwood fixed a supercilious stare on Victoria's nose. “As it happens, one of my male guests has offered to escort Hypatia home, so we will be evenly matched. It is no use angling for another invitation, Miss Lyndon. I do not want you bothering my guests any more than necessary.”
Victoria privately wondered why Lady Hollingwood had bothered to ask her if she was such an embarrassment. She murmured, “It was only a question, my lady.”
Her employer frowned. “You do know how to comport yourself in polite society, do you not?”
Victoria said frigidly, “My mother was every inch a lady, Lady Hollingwood. As am I.”
“If you disappoint me in this endeavor, I shall not hesitate to throw you out. Do you understand me?”
Victoria didn't see how she could do anything but understand her. Lady Hollingwood threatened to dismiss her every other day. “Yes, of course, Lady Hollingwood.”
“Good. I don't suppose you've anything to wear.”
“Nothing suitable for such an occasion, my lady.”
“I shall have one of my old frocks sent up. It shall fit you well enough.”
Victoria declined to mention that Lady Hollingwood was a good stone heavier than she. It just didn't seem in her best interest. Instead she opted for a noncommittal, “My lady.”
“It will be a few years out of style,” Lady Hollingwood mused, “but no one will comment on it. You are the governess, after all.”
“Of course.”
“Good. We will be serving drinks at eight, and dinner thirty minutes thereafter. Please come at twenty-five minutes past the hour. I do not want my guests to be forced to socialize with you for any longer than is necessary.”
Victoria bit her tongue to keep herself from speaking.