She could never know those displays of affection from Simon, and thinking like that would only rob her of the magic she could have with him now.
He’d wanted to come to her chamber again, but she’d been afraid for him. But laying here alone, her resolve weakened. They would simply have to be careful.
It wasn’t as though they had time to waste.
Violet climbed out of bed and wedged her feet into a pair of slippers. She would go to him. And if anyone caught her entering or leaving his small chamber, she would simply tell them that she needed… tapers.
With a plan in mind, Violet donned a modest dressing gown, slipped out of her chamber, and made her way downstairs.
She wasn’t surprised to hear masculine laughter and general merriment floating out of Greystone’s study. As the door was partially open, she crept over to take a peek. If they’d opened the scotch as she suspected, she didn’t doubt they’d already be deep in their cups. And so long as that was the case, they wouldn’t be requiring the butler for anything.
But when she glanced inside, her anticipation faltered and then vanished.
Several of Greystone’s school chums were indeed celebrating, but there was one person she hadn’t expected.
Simon.
Cigar hanging out of the side of his mouth and a tumbler of scotch in one hand, he lounged in one of the larger chairs near the hearth. He looked perfectly at ease amongst the room full of lords. Violet froze, perplexed but also disappointed for herself. However, she wasn’t angry, and oughtn’t be surprised, really.
She stared at him from her hidden vantage point, slightly in awe that she, Violet Faraday, had been singled out by such a man.
Besides the fact that he was more handsome than anyone she’d ever known, with his mesmerizing eyes, silky hair, strong features, and mouth-watering physique, he was so much more: charming, funny, loyal, and determined to protect those around him. The list went on and on.
What would it be like, she wondered, if he was one of them? If he truly could exist in her world?
She shook her head to dispel such wishful thinking. And then sighed, terribly disappointed to have to abandon her plans to seduce him tonight.
Terribly, terribly, disappointed.
She returned to her chamber and, as she’d insisted two days ago, Simon did not steal into her chamber later that night. Or the next night. And it wasn’t at all fair to blame him for her frustration.
Because the entire household had gone to work arranging a grand engagement ball for the happy couple. Simon was busy with the additional staff, and Violet had been enlisted by Bethany to assist in sending out wedding invitations and then later, coordinating the production of fashionable table pieces for the up-and-coming engagement ball. And in addition to those projects, the Season went on with festivities and balls to attend daily.
The wedding date loomed less than four weeks away, and with surprising enthusiasm from most of the ton, both the engagement ball and the wedding promised to be pinnacles of this year’s Season.
Miss Diana, whom Violet had liked very much even before she’d become betrothed to Greystone, was turning out to be one of the most delightful persons she’d ever known. She was a little bit like Posy, free-spirited, but she was also well-grounded. And despite having been born into highly questionable circumstances, Violet believed the young woman was going to make for an excellent marchioness.
Even Aunt Iris had come around to liking her.
It wasn’t until the morning of the engagement ball when Violet took tea and went over her checklist in the morning room, that Simon found her alone.
Greystone had risen early and gone riding with Lord Chaswick, and her aunt and Posy were having a lie-in because the evening promised to be a late one.
Meeting her eyes, a light in his, Simon closed the door behind him.
“Hello, I’m Simon Cockfield. Have we met?”
The sunlight slanting through the room seemed a little brighter.
Violet resisted the urge to dash across the room and throw herself into his arms.
Because in marking the time to the wedding, she was also marking time until she was going to have to return to the country with Aunt Iris.
From the very beginning, the two of them had known this affair was temporary. If they were going to take it any further than they already had, the two of them were going to have to take a few risks.
And so, although she didn’t run to him, she did walk purposefully into his arms. And after relishing in his kiss, savoring every second of it, Violet tipped her head back and answered, “I’m not sure if we have, Mr. Cockfield. You may need to refresh my memory.”
He did, leaving both of them breathless and wanting… more. But, unfortunately, one of Greystone’s footmen could enter at any moment.
