The Rest Falls Away Read Free Page A

Tutpenney—despite his unfortunate name.”
    â€œTutpenney?”
    â€œBelieve me, he looks better than his name sounds.” Gwendolyn sighed and added, “And I was greatly looking forward to dancing with the Viscount Quentworth before the tragedy.”
    â€œTragedy?”
    â€œDid you not hear?” Gwendolyn grasped her gloved arm, and Victoria looked down at her, surprised to see that the woman’s eyes had widened in worry. “He was found dead on the street near his home. It looked like he’d been attacked by some animal that mauled his neck and shoulders. But there was a strange marking on his chest that couldn’t have been left by an animal.”
    Gwendolyn had Victoria’s full attention now. “What kind of markings? And how would you know of this? Surely your mama or father wouldn’t have told you this.”
    â€œNo, of course you are right. But my brothers aren’t terribly prudent about their topics of conversation once they’ve had a few glasses of brandy, and I’m not so shy about listening in on their talks. That’s the only way I get to learn anything interesting.” She looked at Victoria from under her sandy eyelashes as if to read her reaction.
    â€œIf I had older brothers—or any brothers—I would likely do the same,” Victoria told her with relish. “As it is, I must rely on my Aunt Eustacia—whom most everyone believes is batty in the head, but who is really quite…enlightening. What kind of markings?”
    â€œOh, yes…the markings were three Xs on his chest. And I don’t believe he was the first victim with this kind of mark—” Gwendolyn likely would have continued, but she was interrupted.
    â€œVictoria,” came a shrill voice laced with barely concealed excitement, “may I make an introduction?”
    â€œI’ll excuse myself for now, Miss Grantworth,” Gwendolyn told her. “The Duchess of Farnham is heading this way to collect you, and there is Lord Tutpenney, looking ever so lonely. Enjoy the rest of your coming-out.”
    Victoria turned to see Lady Winifred beaming an expectant smile in her round, dimpled face. “May I present my sister by marriage, Lady Mardemere, her husband, Lord Mardemere…and his cousin, Lord Phillip de Lacy, Marquess of Rockley.”
    The persistent chill over the back of her neck eased. Victoria felt a sudden burst of warmth spread over her skin, from cheeks to neck to bosom. She held off the urge to look down and see if her skin had colored darker than her pale pink gown.
    â€œMy pleasure, Miss Grantworth,” Lady Mardemere was saying. “What a lovely turnout for your debut! Your mother must be very pleased.”
    â€œShe is indeed,” Victoria replied before turning to curtsy for Viscount Mardemere. “I have hardly had the chance to meet everyone myself.”
    And then she was looking up into the deep-set, dark eyes of the Marquess of Rockley.
    Lady Gwendolyn had not exaggerated. Well-turned did not begin to describe the man who stood before her, raising her gloved hand to his lips. He stood as tall as any man in the room, his rich brown hair gleaming with strands of gold as he tipped his head to press a kiss to the back of her hand. “If you have not yet greeted everyone, may I dare hope there might be a dance left on your card?” His voice matched his looks—clean, calm, smooth—but his eyes carried a different cadence. Something that made her feel very warm. And also, he seemed faintly familiar. Had they met?
    â€œThere is indeed a dance still available, but it is one of the later ones. After supper…if you intend to stay so long.” She looked at him from under her lashes. Victoria did not know where her boldness came from, but it did not appear to dismay the marquess.
    â€œI shall be at a loss to occupy myself until then since you will surely be otherwise engaged,” he