“Out,” he commanded, and all the students froze. “Out of here right now, you little hoodlums, before I call security and have you rounded up for trespassing.”

“Whoa.” The most vocal student waved his hands. “We didn’t break in. The office woman said we could be here.”

“There are no ‘office women’ allowed in the residence, and if you—”

“James.” Vic pushed off the wall and assumed the most professional tone she could muster, which wasn’t easy given the anger surging through her, both at his current interruption and the larger role he’d played in her pain. “The last time I checked, I still had the authority to invite guests into my own home.”

He froze, and his face hardened as he turned to her. “Your Ladyship. I didn’t notice you there.”

“Clearly. Add it to the long list of situations you’ve misread lately. These are film students on an estate-sponsored excursion for the artistic development of Northland’s young people. They are the future of this region. They deserve the respect and welcome commensurate with the regard in which I hold them.”

“Of course, Your Ladyship,” James said with his cold detachment. “I will take my leave.”

“Thank you, James, and while you’re at it, please inform my parents I request an audience with them at their earliest convenience.”

“I’ll inform the duke and duchess immediately, but they’re off estate today and won’t be home until this evening.”

“That’ll do. I’ll dine with them on their return.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.” Then with a short bow to her and a curt nod toward the students, he backed out of the room.

She forced a polite smile before turning to face the others, only to be met with shocked expressions.

“Erm.” Ollie bowed awkwardly. “Your Ladyship, I would like to apologise for any, or likely many, social faux pas I’ve committed.”

“I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do right now,” Helena added. “We didn’t know you were—”

She waved them off. “I found your lack of formality quite refreshing.”

“Really?” Helena asked. “’Cause I can try to curtsey if I’m supposed to, but I’m in trousers. Do you have to wear a skirt to curtsey? I could just pretend.”

“Please don’t. I sincerely hope you won’t change a thing about how you’ve spoken to me since we met. You’ve done me a great favour by treating me as you would any other person. Truly, I’ve enjoyed being part of your casual conversations more than you could possibly imagine this morning.”

They all exchanged a few nervous expressions.

“Okay. Whatever you like, Miss.”

“Call me Vic.”

One of the others laughed. “See, it’s things like that what’ll leave people not giving you the proper respect. It makes you seem totally cool and chill.”