“Then you managed to remain free.” She was happy for Lucinda because while Violet had once believed marriage would be dreadful, she had now amended her assumption to be that marriage would be dreadful without love, especially if it were to a gentleman who only sought power, funds, and control.
“I did choose someone.”
Violet settled onto the settee and reached for the pot of tea. “It cannot be both. Either you chose a lord, or you didn’t.”
“She chose Mr. Caleb Copeland, an American from Louisiana,” Grandmother answered. “He escorted his great aunts to the house party.”
It was then that she remembered that he’d been the one to plant Eardly a facer. Already Violet liked him, and she’d not even met him yet.
“He is who I had truly chosen for Lucinda,” her grandmother announced.
“The house party was your idea?” Lucinda asked.
“Yes, with your father’s permission, of course.”
Lucinda narrowed her eyes. “Who was responsible for the guest list? You or father?”
“That was me as well dear.”
Their grandmother was without shame.
“Why not simply invite him, alone, instead of making me endure the presence of those lords?”
“Because if it were only Mr. Copeland, and if you knew what I was about, you would have hidden from him. Instead, I gave you ten reasons to hide, which put you where you belonged and with Mr. Copeland. I do believe it all worked out perfectly.”
Violet would need to remember that Grandmother was not to be underestimated. However, it made little difference, as she’d not need to fear grandmother making a match for her.
“Did I hear that Lord Ferrard is meeting with my son?”
“Yes, he is,” Violet acknowledged. “However, unlike Lucinda, I’m certain you could not have foreseen that Lord Ferrard would ask for my hand after my sister rejected him.”
“There, you are wrong.Youare the reason he was invited.”
“That’s impossible. You could not have predicted what would become of me and Lord Ferrard after he left Forester Hall. Besides, if he was intended for me, you’d not have allowed me to leave.”
It wasn’t possible that her grandmother knew what would happen, no matter how much she insisted.
“Oh, Violet, you so underestimate me. Lord Ferrard watched you, often, in London, and I feared he’d not gain an introduction because he was too much of a gentleman and too cautious to follow you into a garden where you were alone. I knew that you’d flee to Silvia’s as soon as the house party was announced. Lord Ferrard’s brother is the local physician. I simply needed to get Lord Ferrard to Forester Hall. I then suggested that Lucinda interview him that first morning and knew that she’d send him on his way. He’d visit with his brother, and there was a chance of meeting with you, though it would have been arranged if necessary, but I assumed you’d be in his path because Silvia would use any excuse possible to be near Dr. Talbot.”
Violet gaped at her. “What if we hadn’t met? What if I would have returned home because of the measles and Lord Ferrard would have already left?”
“I knew you wouldn’t have.”
“Did you know that he was telling a falsehood about wishing to meet me when he gave the excuse of why he and Lucinda wouldn’t suit.” She glanced to her sister. “He didn’t wish to hurt your feelings with rejection.”
Lucinda snorted then laughed.
“He’d not have said it if it hadn’t already been a thought, even if he wasn’t aware,” her grandmother insisted. “Remember, I noted how often he watched you in London, though I’m not certain he is even aware that he did so.”
“He wished to spare Lucinda,” Violet argued because that was what Emory had told her.
“I believe that was what he thought at the time, but if a part of him wasn’t intrigued, he would have never named you.”
“She is correct.”
Violet turned to find Emory standing at the entry to the sitting room.
“You’ve intrigued me for two years. Otherwise, I would have found another excuse to be gone from this place.” He came forward and took her hand in his. “I might not have ever approached you had I not been manipulated by Her Grace.”
