Lady Farthing's Musicale
London 1841

Marcus stood up against the wall in Lady Farthing's parlor, broodingly glaring at the spectacle that was taking place before him. Whatever was Johnathon thinking? Was he even paying attention? He was supposed to be watching over her since Shannon's confinement kept her from attending the musical. Instead he had foisted her off on Lady Chambers, and her insipid daughter Sally.

The lady was a a brainless twit. If she was concerned about making an advantageous marriage for Sally, then she needed to separate the two. Otherwise the poor girl would wind up on the shelf, as she paled in comparison to Victoria. She had every man there eating out of the palm of her hands. Batting her eyes, laughing at their pathetic attempts at humor. Well... He for one was having no more of it. He would put a stop to the shameless, and frivolous display of female flirtation Victoria was putting on. Someone had to do something before one of those young pups got the wrong idea, and the chit was caught up in a compromising position. Hell, her dowry alone that Johnathon had gifted her with, was enough to entice even the most established rakes, to take a run at her.

It didn't hurt that the lady herself was extraordinary beautiful. A diamond of the first water, is what the ton would call her. Marcus agreed, she was stunning. He remembered the first moment he laid eyes on her, since she had returned to England.  She had stopped him dead in his tracks.

He had been summoned to Waverely Hall by his friend Johnathon, Viscount Waverely, Victoria's brother-in-law. He wanted some information on a certain company he was investing in. He had asked Marcus to look into it. When he arrived he had gone straight to the Viscount's study. No one had been about except for Waverleys old butler, Baxter. So he hadn't known Victoria had returned from school. As he was leaving the study, a voice stopped him in the foyer. It had come from above him.

"Still at it I see, detective. Tell me, do you ever rest and enjoy yourself?"

Marcus looked up in the direction from where the voice came, and his jaw nearly hit the floor. It couldn't be? he thought. This was no longer the child that left five years ago, to study in Paris. The same one who pledged never to speak to him again as she ran from the room crying.

She was a vision of loveliness, with her dark, curly brown hair swept up and fashioned with a black cap and red feather. The red, velvet riding habit she was wearing, fit tight around her small waist molding to every curve....curve? Marcus blinked his eyes several times to clear his mind. Victoria didn't have curves, she was a child. What was wrong with him? He quickly shook off everything, so he could think clearly enough to actually form a sentence.

"I see you are home. Welcome back. Are you finished studying abroad then?"

"Oh, yes! I'm afraid I've had enough of Paris. I've missed my home, my family. I missed you as well Mr. Jones."

For some reason the Mr. Jones made him feel like and old codger, coming out of Victoria's mouth, Her perfectly plump, soft, ruby red lips....What the bloody Hell was wrong with him? He needed to get out of there, before he lost all of his good sense.

"Thank you, Miss Victoria. We all missed you as well. How is Mrs. Edmonds fairing, did she return with you?"

"She is well thank you, and quite happy to be home. She was even happier to be reunited with Big Jack. I believe I may be losing my companion soon. However, seeing how I will be having my coming out this year, I just might find a more permanent solution," she remarked as she made her way towards him, stopping just a few inches in front of him.

The way she moved, her hips swaying ever so slightly, as she approached him . Good god it was getting hot in there. Marcus ran his finger around the collar of his shirt, pulling it away from his neck. It suddenly felt rather tight at the moment. He really needed to get out of here. Now! So he made his excuses.

"Well, I must say it's been wonderful seeing you again. However, I must take my leave. I have quite a bit of work to do. I'm glad you are home to stay Miss Victoria. I'm sure you and the family have much catching up to do," He then tipped his hat and nearly bolted for the door. Had he not, he may have embarrassed them both with one most disturbing arousal.

*****

Johnathon watched Marcus from across the room. The man was practically blowing smoke from his nostrils, he was so angry. He had to admit however, Victoria was laying it on pretty thick. In fact if he let it go much further, there could be talk, and Lord knows his family had had enough scandals to last a lifetime. He would say this for the girl, she was definitely persistent. She had been since the first day she had seen Marcus in the foyer, after he met with him. Johnathon had asked Marcus to see himself out, and a few minutes later, when he himself had left the study he had almost collided with her.

As he remembered it,
Victoria had been standing in the foyer when he came barreling out.

"Oh, Victoria!" he exclaimed, nearly bumping into her.

"So sorry my dear, I'm afraid I wasn't watching where I was going. Are you going out?"

"I am. I thought I would go for a ride in the park. I was just saying goodbye to Mr. Jones. Is he working on a case for you? Nothing is wrong is there?"

"Oh no, nothing to worry about. I just asked him to investigate a company for me. I'm thinking of investing but I know next to nothing of its owners. Was he surprised to see you? I'm afraid I forgot to mention it to him earlier, when he was with me."

"Surprised yes. However, I do not believe he was happy to see me. He couldn't wait to leave. In fact, he practically ran out of here. Do you suppose he is still angry with me? By the way I acted all those years ago?"

"No Victoria. I don't believe he was ever angry with you. Confused maybe, but not angry. He has asked about you often."

"Confused? Why ever would he be confused?"

"Marcus may be a great detective Victoria, however when it comes to females and matters of the heart, I'm afraid he's quite clueless. He never asked why, so I never brought it up again. Young ladies will have their tenders, but they usually fade as they get older. I thought it best to save you both the embarrassment when you returned home."

"I see. Well I'm afraid, dear brother, that the great detective is still quite clueless, she said, as she walked away."

"Hmmm"..Is that so, he smiled, before walking away to find his wife. Shannon was going to find this all rather amusing, he thought.

Johnathon came out of his little walk down memory lane, just in time to see a very determined, and seething Marcus making his way towards Victoria's group. Time to run interference, he mused, as he started walking towards the group himself.