“But of course.” Although Violet couldn’t imagine any lady’s head not being turned by Simon.
Whom she’d asked to speak to alone.
“As you wish.” Violet hugged the memory of those words. And that kiss…
“Has something happened?” Bethany narrowed her eyes almost suspiciously.
“I… I…” Violet couldn’t bring herself to confess that she’d kissed the man working as the butler in her cousin’s home. “Do the solicitors sincerely believe they’ll discover evidence to prove Captain Thompson’s death?”
Bethany blinked but then shook her head, catching up with yet another change of subject. “My husband thinks it’s possible. He said tongues tend to loosen when a fortune’s involved.”
Violet nodded, vaguely noticing that Greystone had arrived and was deep in conversation with an older gentleman while Miss Diana Jones stood off listening.
“Do you still love him, then?” Bethany leaned forward to voice her question.
“Mr. Cockfield?” Violet started.
“Good heavens, no. Captain Thompson.”
She was asking if Violet still loved Christopher. Years had passed since she’d been able to summon his countenance. It was a rare moment that she had a memory of the way his blond hair fell forward. Or how his eyes crinkled when he’d smile.
“I don’t know.”
“Is that why you’ve never married?” Bethany had lowered her voice, and the two of them were practically whispering now.
“Yes. No.” Violet didn’t know. “It all happened a very long time ago. I’m a completely different person now.” She’d been so terribly naïve back then. “I wish they’d leave it be.”
“Of course you do. Will you forgive me for bringing all of this up? I’m here, if you ever wish to speak to someone.”
Violet didn’t even realize she was upset until Bethany’s hand squeezed her wrist.
Duke opening investigation into disappearance.
Simon closed the paper and tossed it onto his desk. He was going to have to look into the matter himself.
He remembered the rumors that surrounded Captain Thompson’s death. He’d met the fellow on a few occasions and besides that, news of a duke’s nephew going missing had caused quite a stir. It had been common knowledge that the young lord hadn’t gotten on well with his family and the gossips hadn’t left that detail alone. Was it possible the rumors were true? Could the man have staged his own disappearance?
It hadn’t made sense for a captain to go missing like that. The conflict at Maratha had been resolved with nearly all the territory in question under British control. Simon remembered Greys being concerned about his cousin, who’d lost her fiancé, but at the time, both he and Greys had been young and distracted by the management of their own affairs.
Simon stared at the headline again.
There must be some legitimate doubt if Thompson’s uncle was investigating. Was it possible that Violet’s former fiancé could reappear to claim his inheritance? It was more plausible, Simon thought, that some imposter would attempt to come forward.
Either way, all of this was bound to upset Violet. And he was growing rather fond of her.
One moment, she was all starch and vinegar, and the next, yielding and eager. A cauldron of passion brewed inside her. Which stirred him, to say the least, even as he recognized that she was…
Vulnerable.
He doubted even Greystone, who was distracted by his own romantic affairs, noticed that about her.
Simon rubbed his hand along his chin.
After mourning Thompson, Violet could easily have returned to London for another season. And yet, she’d kept to the country to raise her orphaned niece. Had she returned, Simon had no doubt she would have landed a respectable husband.
Which was what she wanted for Posy now. Violet was almost desperate for Posy to find the happiness she’d given up on for herself.
And that would be commendable if Posy was of the same mind.
