“The path does not have to be smooth. Indeed, I expect it will be quite bumpy. But at least you are now taking a first step.”
“And yet, I cannot help feeling as though I am betraying Jillian.” His eyes were a deep, turbulent blue as he leveled his gaze on her. “I have stuck you in the middle of the fray, haven’t I?”
“I can always bow out of the planning if it looks as though my assistance is not working out.”
He shook his head. “No, Viola. You are never going to be the problem. I think my stumbling to your doorway three nights this week is no coincidence. I did not come here to unburden myself to your father. It is you I wanted to see. You, with your sharp tongue and brutal honesty, is what I need. Think of yourself as my guardian angel.”
“No, my lord.” This was too much of a responsibility for her. She wanted to stay on his good side because she needed to think of her future and wanted a solid reference from him if she hoped to find a position as cook in a fine household. But to have him think of her as his very own angel? Someone to nourish his aching soul? “You are feeling generous toward me because I have just provided you with one of the most delicious breakfasts you have eaten in years.”
He laughed. “All right, that must be the reason.”
She hoped so for both their sakes.
She was not blind to how men responded to her, although she truly did not think she was prettier than any other young woman in Ardley. She dared not think he was looking upon her as his angel for unmentionable reasons, that he was famished for some form of nourishment other than an occasional breakfast from her.
She silently prayed she would be able to handle him. He knew how to behave in a civilized manner, but on the inside he was a raging beast because he was so hurt and angry.
A wounded bear.
And yet, he was so handsome on the outside, he made her heart ache.
Viola cast him a pained smile back. “When do we start?”
“As soon as possible. This is the right decision and I do not want to think too long about it or I will change my mind.”
“I agree. The sooner we get underway, the better. Let me tend to my father first, see that he is fed and made comfortable after he gives his morning sermon. Then I will come up to Ardley Hall. Is that all right? Shall we say about noon today?”
“Yes, that will do.” He appeared to want to say more, but merely gave a nod. “I had better make myself presentable for your visit.”
She watched him stride out of her kitchen, and then hurried to the window to watch him make his way through the gate and onto the road to his home. Presentable? Ha! That man would look magnificent even if he were dressed in rags.
His home was a grand manor situated just up the hill from the vicarage, a cozy house despite its size and elegance. She had visited several times with her father over the years, more so when Lady Jillian was alive, and fully understood why the viscount missed his wife so much. She had made Ardley Hall a happy place for him and all who visited.
“Oh, Viola. What are you doing?” She closed the kitchen door and went on about her business, trying to finish as many chores as she could manage in order to take her mind off him and this house party she had foolishly agreed to help him plan.
She assisted her father in readying himself for the morning’s church service, and then made certain he was comfortably settled in his study after the service. It was his habit to immediately work on the following day’s sermon while that spiritual fervor was still fresh on his mind. “Papa, I won’t be gone long. Mrs. Bligh will bring in your lunch shortly. Do you want me to wait until she does?”
Her father cast her a doting smile. “I shall be fine, child. Go run your errands.”
She tucked a shawl around his shoulders and made certain his tea and freshly baked scones were within easy reach. He had grown so feeble, she wanted something nourishing always within his grasp. It did not matter that his midday meal was on the way. He hardly ate anything these days, so he needed all the encouragement possible. “It isn’t so much an errand as a stupid agreement to help out Lord Ardley. I don’t know how I let him talk me into this foolishness.”
Her father laughed. “You ought to feel honored. It means he trusts you above all others.”
She rolled her eyes. “Then he has terrible judgment, doesn’t he? I don’t know the first thing about society or the marriage mart.”
“But you understand people, Viola. This is what he is relying on you for. Is this not what you told me? That he needs to be set on his right path.”
“With the right woman by his side.” She shook her head. “How can I know who is the proper mate to his heart? This is someone he must choose for himself. What if he already found her in Lady Jillian and will never find this same bliss again? Is it wrong for all of us to force him into someone else’s arms?”
“Child, you are not forcing him. He is the one seeking a way out of his misery and has asked for your help. Who knows? In helping him, you might also find your own path forward. He is not the only one stuck and refusing to move on.”
“Papa, are you referring to me?”
“Yes, as you well know. Squire Haworth’s son has shown quite a bit of interest in you. Why are you so resistant to his advances?”
She sighed. “No man is going to steal me away from you. Not George Haworth or Lord Ardley. Oh, Papa. I do wish I had refused Lord Ardley’s request.”
He patted her hand. “Is it so bad that your path and his are intertwined at the moment?”
