Victoria sat at the breakfast table the next day sipping coffee and sorting through the morning letters. Among them was a letter in a good cream-colored envelope slightly scented with french perfume and addressed to Mrs. Van Dort in impeccable handwriting. She opened it and read the following:
My darling Cousin Victoria,
I am presently to return from my sojourn in Paris and was hoping I might stop with you, as my own home is not quite decorated. I am keenly looking forward to seeing your charming home and husband, Vincent. I have already written your parents of my tentative plans and Emil has very kindly volunteered his services in case what your parents class as a "humble" home might find itself rather understaffed to deal with company.
Love and Kisses,
Claudia.
Victoria sighed and began to write a response,
Dearest Cousin Claudia,
Actually my husband is called Victor. An easy mistake...
Just then Victor emerged in his blue dressing gown and morning-rumpled hair. "Good morning, darling." Victoria turned her face towards her husband and affectionately accepted and returned his kiss.
"See if you find it quite so good after reading this letter." She handed him the communication.
Victor scanned his eyes over the text and smirked in amusement. "Well darling, Claudia is every bit the Everglot. You I've always had my doubts about. I'm still not convinced you were not a princess left on their doorstep at a tender age."
"Princesses don't get left on the doorsteps of impoverished nobles." Victoria giggled but then felt a frown creeping to the corners of her mouth. Unless someone was misinformed. "So, shall we suffer the guest?"
"Well your parents already expect her to stay here. I expect it will be easier to have Claudia here than explain why we won't to them."
"I suppose you are right." Victoria smiled slightly. "What about Emil?"
Victor considered. "I don't care for his snobbish airs, that is for certain. Still he is undeniably good at his job and he'll make Claudia feel at home. We'll just keep him busy waiting on her so he won't pay attention to us or have time to mind..."
"Living in a highly improper household with a man who cannot go two nights without 'practicing his vows.'" Victoria got up to carefully file the letters away.
"You mean two nights or three mornings." Victor said chasing after her and wrapping his long arms around her waist.
Victoria turned around, returning the embrace and kissed him passionately. "Ms. Dunmore, keep our breakfast warm!"
My appologies for the sudden absense of this chapter. A mistake in the text prompted me to remove it, fix the error and put it up again.