“Simon—Mr. Cockfield told Greystone that he was going to have to find a new butler… He couldn’t continue living this lie… He was going to forfeit something or other… and that when he married, he wanted it to be his choice…” Violet shook her head. “And then my cousin suggested they call some sort of meeting… to take up another wager to resolve the matter.”
But the only thing that had mattered to Violet was that Simon had not wished to marry her. And that he would resign from his position because he couldn’t bear… seeing her? No, he’d said he couldn’t continue living this lie.
What was the lie?
Their affair?
“I cannot think that Greystone would not take all of this seriously. It simply isn’t like him,” Diana defended her future husband.
“I agree with Diana,” Bethany said, but then returned to where she’d been sitting beside Violet, placing her hands on Violet’s knees and squeezing. “Did Mr. Cockfield say he did not wish to actually marry you, or did he say that he didn’t wish to be compelled to marrying you? Because those are two very different scenarios.”
Violet rubbed her forehead. Greys had said… “I’m going to demand that you make her an offer,” and Simon responded by saying… “That’s the last thing I want.”
“I suppose it could have been either—marrying me or being forced into doing so,” Violet admitted. “But what about this meeting, and a wager, of all things? What’s the meaning of that?”
“It means not all is lost.” Bethany straightened.
“But how?” Almost in answer to her question, a tentative knock sounded and Lord Chaswick peered around the door. “Don’t mind me. I’ll only be a moment, ladies.” He stepped inside, crossing to his wife. “I’ve been called to Knight Hall to meet with Greystone this morning. We’ve some business to discuss, and I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”
“Would you mind staying a moment, Chase? Miss Faraday has found herself in a rather complicated situation.”
Surely she wasn’t going to tell Violet’s woes to the baron!
“With Mr. Cockfield,” Bethany added.
Lord Chaswick’s eyes widened.
“And I think we ought to do something to help,” she continued.
“Please, you mustn’t concern—” Violet tried to stop them. This was already humiliating enough!
“But of course, what is it?” he asked.
“She’s fallen in love with him.”
Mortification washed through Violet and, at this point, she said goodbye to her dignity and closed her eyes with a soft moan.
“With Mr. Cockfield?” Lord Chaswick asked.
Bethany nodded. “But I’m afraid there may have been some sort of misunderstanding… Would you mind…?”
“No!” Violet burst to her feet. “Oh, no. You mustn’t!”
But Lord Chaswick held up both hands. “Miss Faraday, please trust that I would never do anything to embarrass you.” He rubbed his chin. “But perhaps I could… unearth some truths. All sorts of nonsense going on over there.”
At such a true statement, Violet stilled. Nonsense, indeed! Hearing it acknowledged had Violet dropping back into her seat. She swiped at her eyes. She’d felt as though something was terribly off since the day she arrived. What lie had Simon been living?
Chaswick frowned and then lowered himself to his haunches in front of her. “I am going to do my best to clear up a few misunderstandings. Will you trust me to do this?”
Yet another man who wanted her to trust him. Violet glanced over at Bethany, who nodded encouragingly, and then back to Lord Chaswick.
“But first, could you tell me what happened?”
“Must you hear all of it?”
“The general details at the very least, if I’m to be of much help.” And then he tilted his head. “Are you up for that?”
All eyes in the room watched her expectantly. Could matters be any worse than they already were? “I don’t suppose it will hurt,” she conceded.
