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Montgomery and currently Lord Chancellor of the Exchequer. But you’ve already met, I believe.”
    He laughed, delighted, clearly in good humor, then quickly turned and left with his wife.
    Victoria stood paralyzed by her failure to recognize the very man who controlled her destiny.

Chapter Seven
    Victoria followed Lord Percy’s retreating figure. She flushed and panicked. How had she not recognized the man who held her fate in his hands? He must think her an idiot or a dolt. At the least, aloof and disinterested. She sought some avenue of conversation that would clear the air that hung heavy with Lord Percy’s departure.
    “Don’t mind Percy. He enjoys other people’s discomfort,” the judge said.
    “That is a cruel thing to say about one’s friend,” Victoria said, protective of the Percys, who had been kind to her.
    “It was not meant to be cruel, simply honest.”
    Perhaps Lord Montgomery’s attractiveness had momentarily betrayed her. He was, after all, a man who upheld all the antiquated laws of this antiquated land.
    “And you value honesty above all else?” Victoria asked.
    “And you don’t?”
    “Yes, of course, but not when it harms the feelings of good friends.”
    “You would lie then, to protect whom?” He stared at her intensely.
    “I would lie to protect no one. But one shouldn’t always speak the truth. One can withhold the truth to save a friend from hurt.”
    “So do you find you do this often, withhold your feelings?”
    Victoria was incensed by the nature of the conversation. The man seemed impervious to feelings, his own or anyone else’s.
    “My lord, I fear I am doing so this very moment.”
    The comment hung in the air between them. Neither spoke.
    “Montgomery! There you are. I knew I’d find you.”
    Victoria took a step back, unsure of herself.
    “Mister Prime Minister. It’s good to see you.” Lord Montgomery extended a hand to the tall, swarthy-looking man who approached. The Prime Minister was seventy-five years old, but he still exuded a youthful exuberance.
    “Why have you been monopolizing this beautiful young woman? Don’t tell me someone has finally caught your eye?”
    Victoria could again feel herself blushing deeply and inwardly cursed the reaction.
    “Prime Minister, may I introduce Miss Victoria Westwood. She is an American come recently to London. Miss Westwood, may I present Benjamin Disraeli.”
    The dark-haired man bent over her hand as she extended it.
    “Mister Prime Minister, I am honored.”
    “No, my dear, it is I who am honored. It is always an honor to be introduced to a woman of charm and beauty.”
    “I think you speak a little prematurely.” Victoria laughed. “You can have no knowledge of my charm or lack of it.”
    Disraeli smiled broadly. “All women are charming, in my opinion, and you, my dear, are extraordinarily beautiful.”
    Victoria smiled. “I am no longer in doubt about why you are a great favorite of the queen.”
    “I will share a little secret with you, Miss Westwood. When my colleagues ask for advice on how to handle the queen, I tell them…” He drew close, conspiratorially. “First of all, remember she is a woman.”
    Victoria reaction was quick and passionate. “And all women need to be, or rather, can be easily ‘handled’ as you say?”
    The prime minister was momentarily taken back by her response. Then his features softened. “In your case, my dear, it seems you are the exception.” He bowed his head in deference before extending his hand to Lord Montgomery.
    “Montgomery, good to see you. We will talk after the New Year.” Then he set off to greet another group of guests.
    “Do you always make it a habit to insult the leaders of government?” The hint of a smile on Lord Montgomery’s face seemed to belie the meaning of his words.
    Flustered by all that had just passed, Victoria shook her head. When she finally found her voice, she said, “I did not mean to insult him. Do you think I have done