“It isn’t proper that you remain at the inn. You are still young, and to be honest, naive to the world,” Lady Esther offered gently. “We must protect you from unworthy gentlemen.”
Violet was so tired of being dismissed on account of age and being a female. “I am not naive.”
“You must admit that you don’t always see a person or a situation as others do.”
“That doesn’t mean I’ve interpreted anything incorrectly,” Violet argued. “If my father insists that I return, then he can come for me.” With that, she turned on her heel and marched into the inn, soundly closing the door behind her.
Yes, it was immature of her to do so in the middle of a disagreement, but she also knew that there would be no end, as the maiden sisters would continue to insist on her returning and Violet would refuse to do so. They’d be at the same impasse as they were now if they argued for two hours, and she wasn’t going to waste any more of their time or hers.
Further, she was getting angry, which irritated her, as she was always reasonable. She’d been angry at people and situations before, but the emotion could also cause a person to behave in an irrational manner or say something they shouldn’t, and therefore, Violet removed herself from the situation before she became the irrational party. She’d never behaved unreasonably in her life, and she wasn’t going to do so now.
“How was your stroll with Lord Ferrard?” Bess asked as she hurried over.
Violet took a deep breath before addressing her maid. After all, Bess wasn’t the cause of Violet’s current exasperated state and should not receive the brunt of Violet’s frustration. “It was pleasant. We walked down to the beach.”
“Such a lovely day for it, it is.” Bess smiled and then her lips dipped into a frown. “But you were to remain within the village where others might see you, such as strolling along the shop fronts,” Bess nearly scolded, which did nothing to help soothe Violet’s irritated state.
“You need not worry, Bess,” Violet assured her. “My grandmother sent two of the sisters Tilson to watch over. One will be here each day to supervise Lord Ferrard’s courtship of me.”
Bess put a hand to her breast and sighed. “I’ll have you know that this brings me a good deal of comfort.”
“I’m certain that it does.” Violet answered as politely as she could muster when she’d like to tell the lot of them that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, seeing to her reputation, and that no one need look out for her. Instead, she held her tongue and simply nodded with every intention of retiring to her chamber where she could blessedly be alone. Being in Laswell with her maid, several maids, and the Tilson sisters was nearly as stifling as being in London. However, she much preferred their interference to returning home, which Violet absolutely refused to do.
Chapter 9
Emory wasn’tcertain what to make of Lady Violet’s departure. He may have only met her just yesterday, but the irritation that flashed across her features was surprising to witness. In all his observations in London, she’d always been calm, contemplative, sometimes bored, but never angry or irritated.
“Oh, dear,” Lady Joanna muttered. “We should have expected her refusal.”
“We hadn’t anticipated her not to be at the Harleys’,” Lady Esther reminded her sister.
“Her Grace will not be pleased,” Lady Joanna added.
“Don’t tell her,” Emory offered. His suggestion was as much for himself as Lady Violet. There were still eight gentlemen vying for Lady Lucinda’s hand when only one could win. What if one of the others managed to win Lady Violet’s heart before Emory’s courtship of her came to an end? He wasn’t ready to relinquish her to another just yet.
The thought brought him up short. If another gentleman had gained any other woman’s attention before Emory had made a decision if they’d suit, he’d moved on easily enough. However, with Lady Violet, it would be damned disappointing, and he’d not have it.
“I don’t feel right not informing Her Grace,” Lady Esther argued.
Emory understood her concern. After all, he had two younger sisters, and if they had made a similar decision to remain within an inn instead of returning home, even if they were surrounded by servants, he’d haul them from the premises. However, his sisters didn’t have the same intelligence, maturity, or sensibility as Lady Violet.
“You had your rebellions, though much more adventurous than staying in an inn,” Emory reminded them. “I’ve heard the stories and know more than I probably should,” he admitted. “Let this be Lady Violet’s rebellion and adventure, safely surrounded by servants, and in the village where she was raised and where the residents know her.”
“Perhaps Lord Ferrard is correct,” Lady Joanna stated after a moment. “If Lady Violet returned, the others may wish to court her. That would never do as their hearts would not be true, sister.”
“Yes. It pains me to admit.” Lady Esther frowned. “After their discussion that first night, and how they compared the sisters, I’m confident that none of them are worthy of Lady Violet.”
That first night! “You listened to the conversation in the billiards room?”
“Yes,” they agreed in unison. “It is one of the reasons we are present, besides acting as chaperones.”
“How? I didn’t see you.”
Lady Esther giggled. “His Grace has a number of secret passages. We were out of sight, but not out of hearing.”
Thank God he’d not said anything against Lady Violet.
“They are greedy lords that want a duke’s daughter as a wife,” Lady Esther admitted. “They don’t know Lady Violet or understand her, nor will they ever bother to try.”
