Violet sighed. “That fiancé I mentioned… was Lord Percival’s son. I was engaged to Captain Thompson—before.”
Bethany’s brows raised almost to her hairline and then she winced. “Oh, Violet. I didn’t realize. I’m so sorry. You must think me utterly insensitive to have brought all of this up.”
“But you didn’t know. And it was a very long time ago.”
Bethany stared at her, looking sad and pitying. “Were you terribly heartbroken?”
“I was. Heartbroken, that was. And no need to apologize.” For the first time, Violet had the oddest desire to discuss all of it with another person—someone who’d not been involved.
Was this because of the decision she’d made earlier? Because it all seemed to be happening so fast and she was…
Afraid.
She was afraid to go forward but also afraid not to. And she wasn’t about to change her mind now.
Because she liked Mr. Cockfield.
Simon.
“Have you met Lord Greystone’s butler?”
Bethany blinked at the abrupt change of subject. “Mr. Cockfield?”
“Yes. He’s a most unusual butler. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Um, I’m not sure… How so?”
Violet warmed to this particular subject. “He is not at all humble, as most servants are. There is an edge to him, almost as though he’s not the person he portrays himself to be.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” Bethany’s gaze strayed around the room. “Whoever would he be, if not a butler?”
“Why, he could be anyone! A highwayman? Or a gang leader, hiding out from the law?”
This suggestion sent Bethany laughing. “You have a very active imagination. Mr. Cockfield? A highwayman?” But when Violet didn’t laugh, she leaned forward. “Is there some sort of problem?”
Violet slid her gaze around the room. Such surroundings couldn’t ensure their conversation would be private. “I don’t know.” And then Simon’s entreaty that she trust him, along with her own cousin’s lack of concerns, made her feel as though she was being disloyal… “He is nothing like any butler I’ve ever come across.”
“Violet.” Bethany took her hands. “If you’re worrying about Lord Greystone, you are worrying over nothing. I am quite certain your cousin vetted him thoroughly before allowing him into his household. Especially with you, Posy, and your aunt residing there this spring.”
“I suppose.” Violet stared over Bethany’s shoulder where Lord and Lady Chaswick’s butler moved about the room, stopping to speak quietly with one of the footmen.
She couldn’t help but compare the man to Simon. Simon’s presence filled the space he occupied. He was commanding but could also be rather sweet. Just like his kisses, and the way he moved his hands down her arms…
She shivered.
“He hasn’t done anything wrong, has he?” Bethany asked.
Inappropriate? Scandalous? Most certainly.
But wrong?
“No.” Violet exhaled, suddenly finding it most difficult to describe Simon Cockfield. “He manages the staff well enough and performs his duties as required, but… He is only selectively proper. And he is terribly good-looking. Far too good-looking for a butler! But it is more than that. He is not at all… well, butlerish. One could more easily imagine him a lord than a servant.”
“You find Lord Greystone’s butler to be good-looking?” Bethany was all smiles again.
This was all Bethany took from Violet’s concerns? Even so, it made no sense to dissemble. “Don’t you?”
“Well, I suppose he’s fine enough…” Lady Chaswick glanced around the room. “But I am far too enamored with Lord Chaswick for my head to be turned by any other man.”
