Her grandmother harrumphed.
“You did manipulate, Grandmother,” Lucinda reminded her.
Oh, she hated that her grandmother had managed to manipulate not only Lucinda but herself. Though, Violet couldn’t be angry because she and Emory were to marry. “I should warn Honora.” Their younger sister would attend her first Season this spring.
“Honora will do fine without my assistance,” Grandmother insisted.
“At least our brothers were free of your interference,” Violet grumbled.
At that, grandmother laughed. “You have so little faith. Who do you think brought Wesley and Miranda together, dear?”
Grandmother had been present in Hollybrook Park when she accompanied Wesley to discuss the wrecking of a Bocka Morrow ship on the shores of Laswell.
“I’ll make certain to warn my siblings of your underhandedness,” Violet teased, not really angry with her grandmother.
“Warn them all that you’d like, but I fear they will be on their own to find a perfect match.”
Alarm rushed through Violet. “Are you well, Grandmother?”
She smiled. “I am simply tired and cannot go about as I once did, but I am happy that the two of you are to marry fine gentlemen.” She stood, leaning heavily on her cane, more so than usual. “I am going to retire to the dower house and hold my great grandson, then, I will finally rest.”
Finally rest? Had grandmother not been sleeping well.
“All is as it should be. All that I’ve waited for has come to be. Be well and know that I love you.” She paused and turned back to them. “No matter what may occur, you must promise that you shall marry in haste.”
“We are barely betrothed,” Lucinda argued.
Grandmother snorted. “Your husbands don’t wish to wait, and I’m certain neither do you, so do not pretend you aren’t eager. Therefore, as soon as the Special Licenses arrive, you will wed immediately.”
“Are you worried something might happen to prevent our marriages?” Violet asked.
“We have no control of our future,” Grandmother reminded them. “Remember, I was to marry my love, but we waited for the banns, and because of our delay, we never had our wedding day.”
Captain Jonathan Vail had perished with his ship when it crashed upon the rocks during a storm. He’d been sailing to Laswell to marry Grandmother.
“Marry at your first opportunity, and do not letanycircumstance deter you,” she ordered.
“Yes, Grandmother,” Violet and Lucinda answered in unison.
With a nod, her grandmother turned and quit the room, her back more hunched than usual. As she gained the corridor, the butler appeared and offered his arm before he escorted her from the house.
Violet looked to Lucinda. “She’s behaving in a strange manner.”
“She seemed to tire as soon as word of the birth arrived,” Lucinda offered. “I’m certain it is because she had to play chaperone to a house party and a number of bachelors. After she’s had a night’s sleep in her own bed, Grandmother will be herself once again.
Lucinda was likely correct, and Violet put her concern aside and turned to Emory. “Can I assume that my father gave his blessing?”
“He did.”
She hadn’t thought she’d been worried of her father’s response, but realized she was relieved to hear that it had gone well.
“Would you care for a stroll in the gardens?” he asked.
“I would like that very much.” Violet came to her feet and allowed Emory to escort her outside. However, as soon as they reached the shelter of tall hedges, he stopped and drew her close.
“I’ve always believed that I’d know my wife in the span of a few conversations. However, I didn’t account for not recognizing her when I was not concentrating on looking for a wife. I do believe, however, that my heart already recognized you that first day after we’d spent the better part of the afternoon driving around the country collecting clothing for the servants.”
Violet recalled their first meeting, of looking into his eyes, the timbre of his voice, and the warmth to her body and queer sensation in her stomach. “Mine did as well.”
