“Is that everything?” Lady Joanna asked as Bess and another maid carried Violet’s trunk from above-stairs.
“Yes, Lady Joanna.”
“Let’s be on our way. The coachman awaits.”
It did not take long for the trunk to be placed in the carriage, for the ladies to be seated, then driven two roads over to the Harley home.
“Dear Violet, welcome back,” Mrs. Harley greeted her, then instructed the footman where Violet’s trunk could be taken.
“I’m so very sorry for our earlier misunderstanding and my poor treatment of you.” She linked her arm with Violet’s and drew her into the parlor.
There was no misunderstanding. Mrs. Harley had kicked her out of the house because it had not been a good time for guests.
“Please have a seat and let me pour you some tea.”
All Violet could do was stare at her. What had the Tilson sisters said to Mrs. Harley. She’d never carried on in this manner before. At least not with Violet. Perhaps grandmother, but not Violet.
Mrs. Harley leaned forward and handed Violet a cup of tea, which she took hesitantly as she truly wasn’t in the mood for tea. She’d rather get settled and check on Silvia but didn’t want to be impolite either, as she wanted to remain under this roof until January sixth.
“I’m going to be honest with you, Violet.” Mrs. Harley cleared her throat as if she had something difficult to say.
“Please do. You know I value honesty above all else.”
“Yes…yes you do.” She took a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed at her upper lip.
How very odd, it wasn’t the least bit warm in this room.
“You see, as soon as I realized that my dear Silvia was ill, I also realized that Dr. Talbot would be visiting nearly daily.”
So far Mrs. Harley hadn’t said anything that Violet hadn’t already assumed on her own.
“It’s just that, well, you know, my Silvia is rather fond of Dr. Talbot.”
Violet hadn’t been aware that Mrs. Harley knew of Silvia’s infatuation.
“She hopes that he would share in that regard, and I do as well.”
“I am happy that she has your support. Has Dr. Talbot shown interest?” She hoped he had, though Silvia had only been sick two days, and it was unlikely she and Dr. Talbot had been together long enough to fall in love.
“Not as of yet, but I am hopeful, and the true reason that I asked you to leave.”
Violet straightened. “I do not understand. How could my being here hinder a potential courtship?”
“Oh, Violet,” Mrs. Harley sighed. “I feared that Dr. Talbot, being the son of an earl would be taken with you over Silvia, who is but the daughter of a solicitor, even if her grandfather was a viscount. If Dr. Talbot were to visit on a regular basis, and you were here as well, he might come to know you and thus, not give any consideration to Silvia.”
“I’ve no interest in Dr. Talbot,” Violet insisted.
“It matters not what your interest is,” Mrs. Harley insisted. “It matters where his heart is.”
She now understood. Mrs. Harley had wished to remove all competition for Silvia’s hand and saw Violet’s presence as a hindrance, a misplaced assumption, as Violet was quite certain that Dr. Talbot would not turn his attention to her. If that had been his intention, to wed the daughter of a titled gentleman, he would have called at Forester Hall, which he had not done in the six months that he’d been living in Laswell. However, Mrs. Harley behaved no differently than many mothers wishing for a daughter to be wed. It was tiring to watch in London, but this was the first Violet had encountered such in Laswell. “May I ask why you’ve now changed your mind?”
Mrs. Harley brightened. “Why, when Lady Joanna informed me that Lord Ferrard is courting you, I knew that his brother would not pursue you.” She straightened. “However, you should have gone home to Forester Park as I suggested, Violet.”
She was not about to be chastised by Mrs. Harley, who had seen her removed in the first place and all because of an ill-conceived notion. Yet, Violet decided to hold her tongue as she didn’t wish to anger Mrs. Harley since she had welcomed Violet back into her home.
“Be that as it may, everything has now worked out perfectly. You may stay here, and Silvia will welcome your company, when she is feeling up to a visit. And I no longer need fear that Dr. Talbot will cast his eye and affections in your direction.” She leaned in and grinned. “Wouldn’t it be delightful if you and Silvia, practically sisters in your friendship, married brothers?”
Violet smiled tightly and sipped her tea. Mrs. Harley was the last person that she’d ever confess the truth. Besides, if she did, she’d likely remove Violet from the house a second time.
