Violet scrubbed a hand down her face. Posy was her niece, for heaven’s sake! This dear, sweet, firebrand of a girl was a daughter to her!
“I won’t say a word. Oh, Posy, I could never hate you. You are not a disappointment—never a disappointment. You are… absolutely perfect, just as you are.” She is Posy! And the only disappointment Violet had was in herself. She’d been so busy planning Posy’s life that she hadn’t truly listened to her. And she was also scared and a little sad. Because such a love changed everything. Posy and Miss Mallard could never marry, or have children, or…
They would have to hide their love.
But Posy could have love. And that was more than Violet hoped for herself. Because at the end of the Season, Violet was going to return to Blossom Court with Aunt Iris, and Simon would remain in London, butlering and all the other things he did that she didn’t really understand.
Orchestra music floated from the house, across the lawn, reminding her that privacy was not completely assured.
They did not have time for a lengthy discussion. When Violet had come outside, she’d noticed other couples lingering in the garden. Any of them could get the idea to seek out the privacy of the small hut at any moment.
But before going inside, she needed to make herself clear.
“I am not disgusted. I will always love you, Posy, no matter who you love.” She blinked back unexpected tears and then shook her head. “But for now, I think it’s best we return to the house. We will talk tomorrow?”
“I did promise Lord Shortwood the supper dance.” Posy grimaced, making Violet chuckle.
And, ironically enough, the two young women could return to the ballroom together. So there was nothing untoward about two ladies walking in the garden with one another. And because ladies partnered other ladies all the time, the girls could even dance together if they wished to.
“I’ll follow shortly,” Violet said. Because despite her acceptance of this, she needed a moment to compose herself, nonetheless. She was not disgusted or disappointed in Posy, but there was a part of her that was… devastated.
Posy stepped forward and into Violet’s arms. “Thank you, Aunt Violet. Thank you for not hating me.” Posy’s voice broke.
Dear God, how long had Posy known this about herself? How long had she been hiding this secret? Violet couldn’t even begin to imagine the torment Posy had felt, or she might fall apart completely. “I could never hate you,” she said again, her voice thick.
Posy didn’t release her right away, and so Violet squeezed her dear, sweet girl even tighter.
“I could never hate you,” she repeated. Posy would face many challenges in her life, which made it even more important that Violet not add to them.
“I’m sorry, Miss Faraday,” Miss Mallard said, sounding more than a little tentative. “But thank you…”
Violet shook her head. “It’s fine. And… You needn’t be sorry.” She would do what she could to support them both. They were certainly going to need it. “We’ll all talk another time.”
Once the door closed behind the two girls, Violet closed her eyes, trapping sobs in her chest. This wasn’t the end of the world.
And Simon knew. Violet could share her concerns with him.
But for now, she needed to return to the ball. She needed to put on that brave face she’d told Miss Jones about and pretend her heart wasn’t aching.
Only aching, not broken.
With a brush of her skirts, Violet touched her hand to her hair and stepped outside. The moon still hung in the sky, the stars still twinkled, and the fragrance from the flowers was sweet and refreshing.
Posy was in love, and the object of her love seemed to love her back.
It would not be unexceptional for Posy and her friend to live together as spinsters. Ladies traveled together. They helped one another dress. Why, it was likely far easier for two ladies to have an affair than it was for a single woman to dally with…
A butler.
Violet exhaled. She needed to find Simon. He would send her one of his looks, maybe even offer a reassuring word, and she’d be fortified to endure the remainder of the evening.
Because it was a celebration!
But just as her calm returned, when she turned the corner that led back to the terrace doors, for the second time that night, she was shaken to the core.
“Violet.” His voice was unmistakable.
And at this shock, for the first time in her life, Violet fainted.
