“Nonsense. What could be wrong with two friends enjoying each other's company?”
“That is not our situation, and well you know it.” Victoria planted her hands on her hips. “And I'm going to have to ask you not to play your silly games with me in front of Neville anymore. It isn't right.”
He held up his hand as if making a solemn vow. “No more games in front of Neville.”
“Thank you.”
“Although I did convince him to call you Miss Lyndon, did I not?”
Victoria let out a sigh. She was beyond annoyed with him for that afternoon's antics, but her sense of fair play demanded that she thank him. “Yes, Robert, I do thank you for your intervention with Neville yesterday, but—”
He waved his hand. “It was nothing, I assure you.”
“Nevertheless, I thank you. However—”
“The boy needed a firm hand.”
“I agree with you, but—”
“It is really too bad that I had to be the one to do it, as that task ought to fall to his parents.”
She planted her hands on her hips again. “Why do I get the idea that you are trying to stop me from speaking?”
“It may be”—he leaned casually against the doorjamb—” because I know you're trying to dismiss me.”
“Exactly.”
“Bad idea.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“I said it's a bad idea. Most inadvisable.”
She blinked in aggravation. “It is quite possibly the most advisable idea I've had in a long time.”
“But you wouldn't want to be deprived of my company,” he returned.
“That is precisely the end I am trying to achieve.”
“Yes, but you'll be miserable without me.”
“I am quite certain I can judge my own emotions with greater clarity than you.”
“Would you like to know what your problem is with Neville?”
“Would you like to tell me?” she asked, with no small amount of sarcasm.
“You don't know how to be stern.”
“I beg your pardon. I am a governess. I make my living by being stern.”
He shrugged. “You're not very good at it.”
Her mouth opened in consternation. “I have spent the last seven years working as a governess. And in case you don't recall, just yesterday you said I was quite good at it.”
“At the lesson plans and that sort of thing.” He waved his hand nonchalantly in the air. “But discipline—Well, you'll never excel at that.”
“That is not true.”
“You've never known how to be properly stern.” He chuckled and touched her cheek. “I remember it so clearly from before. You would try to scold me, but your eyes were always too warm. And your lips always turn up just a bit at the corners. I don't think you know how to make a serious frown.”
Victoria eyed him suspiciously. What was he up to? He had been so furious with her yesterday morning when he stole into her room. But since then he'd been positively congenial. Utterly charming.
“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.”