Keep the Season from being boring
He’s a butler. Once it’s over, it’s over.
Feel alive
I’ll learn the truth about myself
Regrets if I don’t
* * *
Cons:
Would have to keep the affair hidden
Possible Scandal (even though I’m old)
He’s a butler. Society would never forgive me.
Greystone would never forgive me.
I may not like what I learn about myself.
I might be hurt.
I might regret it.
He might reject me.
* * *
“Rather warm today, don’t you think?” Lady Bethany Chaswick’s friendly voice had Violet slamming her book closed even though she was pleased with the interruption.
Because she liked Lady Chaswick, a young woman who had married one of Greystone’s friends very early in the Season. She was a pretty and friendly lady who seemed ridiculously happy with her circumstances even though her wedding had been a somewhat rushed affair.
“You’re looking lovely today.” Violet went to rise. “I’m afraid I don’t have Posy with me this morning.”
“Don’t get up. I’ll join you.” The young baroness took the seat beside Violet. “I’m on my own this morning as well. Chaswick and I were… interrupted.” An enigmatic smile danced on her lips. “And then he was called away. After that, I was in no mood to just…sit. Since my maid is busy with Diana and Collette, I decided some fresh air might help my disposition. I never imagined so much effort would be involved when I suggested bringing the girls out. I ought to have realized that they hadn’t the training my sister and I had growing up.”
“They’re lovely girls, though.” Lady Chaswick was one of the first friends Violet had made since coming to London. She’d been transparent with Violet, discussing the challenges she and her husband faced in introducing two illegitimate ladies into the ton.
But as to the first part, Violet was confused. “Interrupted? Were you arguing?”
“Oh, no.” Lady Chaswick blushed. “Not arguing.”
Violet required a moment to comprehend what the other woman meant.
“Forgive me. I forget that you are an unmarried woman.” Lady Chaswick changed the subject. “How are matters progressing with Lady Posy?”
Violet straightened her back. Yes. She was unmarried.
“The same, I suppose,” she answered, her mind suddenly filled with so many questions.
In the daytime? “She is still incorrigible…” Violet fumbled to answer before trailing off. She was older than Lady Chaswick but suddenly felt ridiculously naïve and… left out.
Lady Chaswick, waving her fan below her chin, began regaling Violet with a very detailed description of the gowns they’d ordered for her younger sisters-in-law and then shared a few insignificant morsels of gossip.
She was obviously embarrassed by what she considered to have been a faux pas.
