In that, Emory agreed with them. Most of the gentlemen invited wanted a connection to a duke, wealth, and someone to beget heirs, and it really didn’t matter which daughter they married.
“Eardly is the perfect example in thinking of her as someone he could manage, which shows how little he knows of Lady Violet.” Lady Joanna harrumphed.
“Lady Violet is the least manageable of the duke’s daughters,” Lady Esther continued. “She does as she pleases and only acquiesces to her grandmother and father when the request is reasonable, or when she doesn’t want Her Grace upset. Lady Violet has made many concessions in London, but rarely does at Forester Hall or in Laswell.”
“Yet, it’s not safe for her here,” Lady Esther said after a moment. “Not with Lord Eardly about. Besides, the house party is small, certainly not the type of crush she wishes to avoid in London.”
“To Lady Violet, eight lords is a crush,” Lady Joanna reminded her sister.
The comment intrigued Emory. “She does not like people?” Perhaps that was the real reason she disappeared into quiet gardens.
“You’ve much to learn about Lady Violet, Lord Ferrard,” Lady Esther sighed. “It is not for us to speak of, but it isn’t people that Lady Violet does not like. It’s being surrounded by strangers, or even acquaintances when there are too many, which there undoubtedly are at any function during the Season, as you well know, which is why she escapes at the first opportunity.”
“Yes, the Rickett’s ball, her first Season, I recall it well,” Lady Joanna nodded. “So pale, quiet, clutching her fan with such force her knuckles turned white, until she turned and fled into the gardens.”
Many misses were nervous at the beginning of their first Season, but what they are describing went beyond simple nerves.
“We’ve said too much,” Lady Esther quickly said. “But know that she is unlikely to change, even in marriage,” she warned Emory.
As theirs was not a real courtship, thus there would be no marriage, it was not a concern. Yet, he couldn’t help wondering why groups of people caused her to flee. Though, there were several times that he wanted to run from societal events, but he suspected his reasons were far simpler than Lady Violet’s. However, they were still strangers in her home, and if she returned, she’d most likely spend the next days hiding in her chamber if what the Tilson sisters said was true, and he’d not want her to suffer. “Lady Violet is safe within the inn,” Emory insisted, without knowing for certain. “She should be allowed to remain.”
“She has only female staff,” Lady Esther argued, then turned to her sister. “We will call on Mrs. Harley to see if Violet may return. Perhaps if we prevail upon her, she might agree.”
Lady Joanna linked her arm with her sister’s. “Come along Esther, we’ve a call to make, but we must hurry, as Her Grace is expecting us before supper.”
“Wait!” Emory called. “Have you suffered from the measles?”
Lady Joanna laughed. “At our age, there is little we’ve not suffered, Lord Ferrard.”
Lady Violet watchedthe sisters Tilson and Lord Ferrard from her chamber window and wondered how long they were going to be in discussion. She needed them to leave so that she could go about the business she’d planned for this afternoon.
What had Lord Ferrard been about when he kissed her fingers? It had taken her by surprise, as had the heat that spread up her arm from his hand within hers, and she’d hoped that he might wish to kiss her lips instead of her fingers.
It had been a fleeting thought that had shocked her, and in hindsight was happy that he had not done so, as she’d forgotten the Tilson sisters were also present. Had he kissed her, they would have reported back to her father and grandmother, who would have assumed the courtship was much more than it was and expect Ferrard to make a declaration. This served as a reminder that they must be careful. Lord Ferrard had been wise in kissing only her fingers. It helped convince the sisters that the courtship was true, but did not skate near impropriety, thus allowing them to decide that they would not suit when January sixth arrived. Therefore, he’d only done so for their benefit and thus, Violet should read nothing further into his actions.
When their discussion ended and the trio finally walked away from the inn, Violet let out a breath, then quit her chamber and returned to the tap room.
“Are you going out again?” Bess asked.
“I need to visit Bockham’s Book Shop and shan’t be long.” She’d not gotten the opportunity yesterday as the shop had been closed after they returned from making their deliveries.
Without waiting for an anticipated argument from Bess with regard to having a chaperone, Violet marched out of the inn and up the street and entered the bookshop. Taking in a deep breath, she inhaled the scent of leather and books and almost immediately calmed.
“We’ve received new volumes on the latest agriculture practices, Lady Violet,” the proprietor greeted her.
“Lovely, Mr. Bockham.” She thanked him and walked to where such books were shelved. She also noted a new volume on gardens. These would do nicely as it would occupy her time in a productive manner while she remained at the inn.
After she paid for the books, Mr. Bockham wrapped them for her and Violet exited the shop, pleased that she’d now have something to fill her time that would both be beneficial and enjoyable, only to nearly collide with a man. His arms grasped her elbows to steady her, and Violet looked up into the cool, brown eyes of Lord Eardly. “Excuse me.” She pulled away.
He did not let go of one elbow. “Are you injured?”
“I am not, and I apologize for bumping into your person.” She pulled on her elbow again, but he kept a hold with just enough pressure so that she couldn’t break free, but not enough that it caused pain.
“I am glad to have met with you again, Lady Violet.”
“To what purpose?”
“As I explained earlier,” he said slowly as if she had difficulty understanding. “I wish to call on you.”
