“Others might not be in a position to part with their horses for the afternoon that it will take to see everything retrieved and delivered.”
“Mr. Hutchinson won’t need his wagon today?” How could she even know that he wouldn’t?
“I can assure you that the wagon is not currently needed.” She tightened the bow beneath her chin. “Shall we, or should I walk? Either way, I must be on my way.”
Emory had anticipated that after he’d left the house party, that the remainder of his holiday in Laswell would be uneventful and that he’d spend it sitting in his brother’s home, most likely reading, until Liam was free to visit. However, Lady Violet was turning out to be a far more interesting distraction than any book. “I will be happy to drive you.”
“Thank you, Lord Ferrard.” She marched past him and Emory hurried to assist her into the curricle.
After taking his own seat, Emory tooled the matching bays into the minimal traffic. “It is a lovely day for a drive.”
She glanced up to the sky. “Yes, it is.” Then dropped her chin. “Follow the road to Forester Hall, then continue on, as it will lead you directly to the lighthouse.”
With that she settled back, and Emory was left to ponder Lady Violet. Lovely, beautiful, but unlike anyone he’d ever met. Her tone was not conversational, but more in a manner of being practical in response to a situation that needed to be addressed, such as when she first called at the home of his brother. There was no hint of flirtation in her manner. Further, and he could only assume, she’d rather not engage in polite conversation. She struck him as efficient, which he did appreciate since there was no doubt in her intentions or wishes.
Emory was absolutely fascinated.
However, now that he had made her acquaintance and they were spending time in each other’s company, the good citizens of Laswell may take note. It wasn’t their opinion that concerned him, but her return home when the house party came to an end. Lady Violet would then learn that he’d announced his desire to make her acquaintance, and a gentleman usually did not make such a declaration, especially after having traveled so far, without courtship being assumed. At least, after the way he’d presented himself to Lady Lucinda and Her Grace, they’d assume he wished to court Lady Violet.
Blasted emotions again. If he didn’t court her, she could be hurt and decide he found her lacking in some manner when the fault lie in him. It was because he hadn’t wanted to hurt Lady Lucinda that he’d invented his excuse in the first place.
This was why it was far easier to be honest.
He’d always been honest until today.
Damn and blast!
As much as he didn’t want to admit his duplicity, he must be truthful, as it was far more palatable than adding another lie on top of the ones he’d already told. “’O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive!’”
Chapter 4
The strange sensationsthat had developed previously—that queer stirring in her belly—had returned with Lord Ferrard.
Violet slid a glance at him to try and determine why he had such an odd effect on her being. He was quite handsome, but he wasn’t the first handsome man that she’d been in close proximity to, so it wasn’t that. Though his sapphire eyes were quite lovely. A color she’d not noted in anyone else. Not that she hadn’t seen a pair of blue eyes before, but those had simply been blue, light or dark. None of them had been sapphire.
His nose was straight and without flaw. An average nose, she supposed, and his lips were firm, or perhaps they simply appeared that way since he was not smiling but concentrating as he drove. His jaw was rather strong, without excess weight that could lead to more chins than necessary. His cheekbones were average, though defined, as if his face had been chiseled, much like a statue, as it lacked roundness or fullness that masked bone structure. Lord Ferrard was indeed very pleasant to look upon, however that did not explain her physical reaction to his person. No other gentleman who was pleasant to look upon had caused such stirrings before, so why did he?
“‘O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive!’”
Violet blinked at the unexpected recitation. “Do you enjoy Sir Walter Scott’s writings?”
He turned and blinked at her. “I apologize. I wasn’t aware that I’d spoken aloud.”
“Or are you more concerned with deception?” Itwasa rather odd phrase to mutter.
“I’ve a confession, Lady Violet.”
What could he possibly need to confess to her? They barely knew the other and simply because he was being of assistance in retrieving a wagon did not mean he must reveal a confidence to her.
“As you may be aware, I was one of the ten lords your father invited to the house party.”
The revelation was rather stunning. “My father did not share the names of his guests with me, Lord Ferrard. In fact, I’m certain my sister was kept equally in the dark until but a few hours before everyone arrived.”
“Truly?” He frowned. “Why is that?”
“Father didn’t wish to give Lucinda enough opportunity to invent excuses as to why the gentlemen chosen wouldn’t suit. She did not want the house party. It was our father who decided upon it.” Thankfully, Violet had been able to escape the uncomfortable affair. “If you are supposed to be there, why are you here?”
It was then that he explained how he’d decided that he and Lucinda would not suit and how the invention of wishing to court Violet had come about. “That is the first time that I’ve told a lie since I was a child. I always strive for truthfulness.”
