Violet’s maddening cousin pinched his lips together. “Best butler I’ve ever had.”
“There you are, Mr. Cockfield.” Lady Posy caught Simon just as he was about to enter the drawing room to announce that the carriage was waiting. “Do you have errands planned for tomorrow?”
“A few. What can I do for you, my lady?” he asked with a slight bow. Although he supported this young woman’s endeavor, he didn’t want to give Violet more cause for worry.
Even if she was, eventually, going to have to change her way of thinking.
“Well,” the young girl clasped her hands behind her back and rolled her lips together. “I’d like to meet with Miss Bruce tomorrow. Her brother can escort her to one of the bookshops or teahouses.”
He’d learned that Lady Posy’s dear friend Miss Bruce had followed her to London so that the two of them needn’t be apart for the entirety of the spring.
Lady Posy, he’d learned quite soon after her visit, was not going to be selecting any of the eligible bachelors Violet had in mind. Her family was going to have to find out eventually. But for now, Simon had conceded to assist Lady Posy, while at the same time ensuring she and her friend didn’t make unnecessary trouble for themselves.
“I can escort you if we leave early.” He dipped his chin. “But do attempt to enjoy yourself at dinner this evening, for both your aunts’ sakes.”
The imp grinned. “You’re my second favorite person in all of London.” She raised onto her toes to kiss him on the cheek just as Violet stepped out of the drawing room.
“You’re ready.” Violet glanced between the two of them. “Mr. Cockfield. Was that the carriage I heard?” Her voice was as cold as it had been when she first arrived.
“It is, Miss Faraday.”
“Excellent, Mr. Cockfield.” Greystone followed along with her aunt, who was walking perfectly fine on her own. “We don’t want to miss a moment of the social season,” he joked as he assisted his aunt into her cloak.
“Of course you don’t,” Simon agreed.
Perhaps it was better for Violet to despise him. She was Greystone’s cousin…
“One would think we were dragging you off to the gallows, Greystone,” Violet said, not looking at anyone but sliding her delicate hands into her gloves. “Have a good evening, Mr. Cockfield.”
“You as well, Miss Faraday.”
Convinced
The following day, Violet fully comprehended one of the reasons becoming involved with a servant was forbidden. How was she expected to eject him from her thoughts when he lived in the same house? When every time she left her chamber, she might run into him?
After the afternoon in the pub, she’d fooled herself into believing that he… cared for her.
Not in a marrying way, of course not that. But beyond their flirtations and the two times they’d kissed—in a friendly way.
And if he did possess actual feelings of affection for Violet, he would not have shown so little disregard for her request where Posy was concerned. First, she’d caught Posy kissing the man’s cheek, and then the very next morning, while sitting at her window, finishing knitting a tiny hat for one of the orphans, she’d seen the two of them riding away from the manor together for places unknown.
Alone.
It had left her disappointed and miserable. He was all wrong for Posy!
But she refused—she absolutely refused—to feel jealous of her niece.
It was high time she insisted Greystone step in where Mr. Cockfield’s association with Posy was concerned.
Not because she wished it had been she who’d slipped away with him that morning but because it was quite unacceptable for her niece to have done so.
Intent on a meeting with her cousin, Violet sent for Gwen and then dressed in one of her newer Kelly-green gowns. For added confidence, she wore her hair in a stern knot at the back of her head.
“Did you assist Lady Posy this morning?” Violet asked the maid vaguely.
“I did, Miss. She wanted to look especially pretty and even allowed me to use the iron in her hair.”
Violet’s blood ran cold, and Gwen paused. “Is one of the pins poking you?”
