Violet cleared her throat, smoothing her skirts in an attempt to compose herself. “It was… fine. He was busy, so we didn’t have much of a chance to talk.”
“Busy?” Isadora repeated, raising a brow. “He was standing there doing absolutely nothing.”
“Well,” Violet huffed, straightening her posture, “It’s just as well. It wouldn’t have been very romantic to have our first proper conversation by the refreshment table. He likely feels the same—he must be waiting for the right moment.”
“The right moment? And how, pray tell, do you know he’s even interested in speaking to you at all?”
Violet lifted her chin, her tone firm despite the lingering blush on her cheeks. “Oh, I can tell. There are things you just… know.”
Isadora stifled a laugh, tilting her head as though considering this. “Well, I must say, Violet, you are a most patient romantic.”
Violet ignored the teasing lilt in her friend’s voice, casting one last look in the direction Lord Kembert had gone.He is interested,she told herself.He just needs time.
Isadora shook her head, biting back another laugh as she linked her arm with Violet’s. “Come, my dear. Let’s find Daphne before you start planning your wedding.”
CHAPTER 2
“It is not that I doubt your intentions, but I am simply afraid that we are running out of time…”
Violet sat alone in her room, talking to an imaginary Lord Kembert. Since he refused to do so in reality, this was the next best thing she had. Four days had passed since she had first arrived at Greymont Estate, and now, it was nearing the end of the House Party.
She knew that someone like Lord Kembert would take their time to open up to someone new. Buthowmuch more time could he need? Despite having several near interactions, they had never actually spoken.
He needs time. I must be patient. Good things take time.
A sharp knock on the door interrupted her thought process, and a moment later, her brother Jasper came barging in.
“Getting ready for the ball, sister of mine?” He took a seat behind her vanity, observing her from a distance.
Violet nodded, going back to looking at herself in the mirror.
“I am glad that you’re preparing well for it. I came to speak with you about it.”
Violet stole a glance at her brother in the mirror, and alarm bells started sounding off in her head. “Is there something that must be discussed?”
Jasper rubbed the back of his neck. Even though he was older than she was, he was still a sibling and preferred to keep their conversations light. It was awkward for both of them whenever they needed to discuss something serious.
“Well, I came to advise you if you will let me.”
“Advise me?” Violet turned to face him, a smile lighting up her face. “About attending a ball? Brother, I know I do not step out of the house much, but this is not my first ball. I am fully aware of how I should be conducting myself.”
He shook his head. “No—I am not here to discuss ballroom etiquette. Violet, I have received word that you taken interest in Lord Kembert, the Baron of Carnock. A peculiar choice, if I may add. And while that may itself be permissible, what makes it worse is that he seems to have no interest in you.”
Violet felt her cheeks heat up in indignation. “Who gave you this information?”
“Does it really matter who? If this is indeed true, then I should tell you that you must not waste your time pursuing someone who has little interest in you,” Jasper continued, now serious.
But Violet was still stuck on who was conveying her personal information to her brothers. She had made it a point to not let her brothers even catch a whiff of what her intentions were, acting coy whenever asked about her intentions for the house party. So then, who could have told them?
The realization came with a flush to her cheeks. “Isadora.She told you, did she not?” Violet hissed.
“No, no. She would not do that to you,” Jasper defended, albeit feebly. “But I might haveoverheardyour conversation earlier.”
“There is nothing to be concerned about.” Violet folded her arms in front of her chest.
“Really?” Jasper raised an eyebrow. “Because I do not think I have ever seen Lord Kembert speaking to a lady in all the years that I have seen him at events. Some even say he is not interested in them. He seems to be only interested in himself.”
Violet bit down on her lip, absorbing this new information. This was good. She wanted to know everything there was to know about him if she was to become his wife in the future.
