Violet shook her head. It wasn’t worth thinking on as she’d simply become irritated, which served no purpose whatsoever.
Further, what she had experienced earlier had passed, therefore, it was not attraction, but merely an anomaly. She would return and report to Bess that the belongings would be retrieved and get on with her earlier plans of visiting the bookshop.
Except, it wasn’t just the servants from Forester Hall who were in need.
“I’ve already deliveredthe belongings to your male servants at the assembly hall,” Emory said as he pulled his brother’s curricle to a stop before the inn. Lady Violet had been standing on the walk, and he assumed that she’d been waiting for him, or perhaps the timing was such that he’d arrived as she was either leaving or arriving to check on her servants.
“Thank you,” Lady Violet offered as she began to retrieve the satchels before he could come around and assist her.
“Allow me,” he insisted. “I should carry those for you.”
“It’s not necessary, Lord Ferrard. I’m perfectly capable of carrying satchels.”
He simply blinked at her. No lady of his acquaintance had ever unloaded a carriage, and most would leave the task to a footman, which they currently did not have.
“Did you suffer from measles as a child, Lord Ferrard?” she asked as they reached the entry.
“No. I have not.”
“Then you should remain here, as we don’t know who inside might be infected and not yet showing symptoms.”
The last thing he wanted or needed was to contract measles, though it would be the perfect excuse to hide in his brother’s home, thus unable to court Lady Violet. On the other hand, he had no desire to become ill.
While she carried the satchels into the inn, Emory drew out the portmanteau that had been at the bottom and set it beside the entry.
“I thank you, Lord Ferrard,” Lady Violet stated as she retrieved the remainder of her servants’ clothing. “If you’d be so kind as to wait, I’ve another favor, if it will not be too much of an inconvenience.”
Emory couldn’t imagine what request she would make next. “I’ll wait, Lady Violet.”
She emerged only a few moments later, her light charcoal pelisse buttoned to her neck, velvet grey bonnet with the ribbons tied beneath her chin, and within her gloved hands she held a piece of foolscap.
“How may I be of assistance?”
“My father’s servants are not the only ones in need,” she announced. “While you were traveling to and from Forester Hall, I visited the other inns and the assembly hall and now have a complete list of servants and households from which they hail so that I can retrieve their items as well.”
“You?” Emory couldn’t imagine how many homes she’d need to visit. While Laswell was a quaint village, it wasn’t small either. He was certain that there were several households without servants this day. Further, shouldn’t those same households see to the delivery to their own servants. Unless it hadn’t occurred to them that there was a need, which might be possible. It hadn’t occurred to him until Lady Violet brought the matter to his attention.
“Yes, well, I had hoped to prevail upon you to drive me out to the lighthouse. I’m certain that Mr. Hutchinson will allow me the use of his wagon and horses. However, if you are unavailable, I understand as I gave you no warning of my intentions.”
Did he hear her correctly? “You’d drive the wagon?”
She blinked at him. “Why yes. I’ve driven a wagon previously, Lord Ferrard. It is really not so difficult.”
She’d driven a wagon! The daughter of a duke! “When and how often have you driven a wagon?”
“I am not at liberty to say, but often enough” she assured him. “Mr. Hutchinson knows well my skills and will have no concern with me having charge of his cattle.”
“A wagon would make the task quicker and easier.” However, he had no intention of allowing Lady Violet to drive the wagon, especially alone. It just wasn’t done.
“Where might we find Mr. Hutchinson or the lighthouse?”
“He is two miles out of town and up the coast.”
Emory had just come from that direction. “Near your home?”
“Yes.”
“Why not borrow a wagon from someone closer?”
