Not my sister. In our hearts, perhaps. But in reality, we are cousins, not sisters. And reality cannot be ignored no matter how one might wish to.
“Come in, Lilly,” Violet called.
A door led from her bedroom to the small sitting room that adjoined the corridor. Lillian’s room was on the opposite side of the hallway. Tomorrow night it would be Violet’s turn to steal across the carpet of the hallway to Lillian’s room. Tonight it was her cousin who made the dash in her nightdress. Violet heard the door open and close and the soft footsteps of her cousin coming into the room.
Lillian also wore her nightdress, barefoot having already removed her stockings. She sat herself on the end of Violet’s bed, sitting cross-legged. There was a book tucked under her arm.
“You were conspicuous in your absence for most of the day,” she said. “I thought we had discussed lunch.”
Violet stopped brushing, catching Lillian’s eye in the mirror. “Did we? Oh, I am sorry, Lilly. I was unexpectedly detained.”
Lillian raised an eyebrow and Violet giggled. “The Earl of Godstone ran into me at Hyde Park Corner and invited me for lunch.”
Lillian’s face lit up and she put the book down on the bed, cupping her chin in her hands. “Do tell!”
“There is nothing to tell,” Violet replied. “He is a gentleman. We dined while talking of many things. Including but not limited to his house, gardens, estates, and money. Quite tiresome actually.”
“He is astute with money. His investments in the markets are famous. Many watch to see what he is buying and selling. And he is wealthy. More wealthy than when he inherited, so they say,” Lillian said.
“And charming,” Violet put in, resuming her brushing.
“Yes, that too. But, honestly, an ugly man who is capable of making money is far preferable to a handsome fool. You know what they say about a fool and his money,” Lillian replied. “So, will you be dining with the Earl again?”
“Hardly,” Violet said. “He is considerably older than me,” she continued, vocalizing her earlier thoughts.
“By a quarter of a decade. Hardly unusual in this day and age,” Lillian said. “Besides, an older man is more accomplished. He has more experience of the world.”
Violet found her thoughts wandering back to Alexander. It had been her intention to write to him that night, arranging their second meeting and lesson. She wished to recruit his help as soon as she may, so wanted him to feel indebted to her. The frolics of the afternoon were still at the forefront of her mind, though she was determined not to lose herself in that way again.
“Well, if you would like I could arrange an introduction for you,” Violet said.
She watched Lillian’s reaction in the mirror. Her cousin pursed her lips, smoothing at the front of her nightdress, then looking towards the window. Violet frowned as she put down the brush. She turned in her chair.
“Lillian?” she said. “Would you like me to arrange an introduction?”
There was something in the other woman’s behavior that had Violet intrigued. And a little excited. Lillian had shown no previous interest in either men or being matched with a man. This was the furthest that such a conversation had proceeded. The furthest that Lillian had allowed it to proceed. She was reluctant to talk of men and marriage because she lacked so much confidence. Given a balance sheet or a discussion about trade, shipping, or other such commercial matters, Lillian could talk with confidence and knowledge. But she believed that it was beyond her to act in such a way that a gentleman would be attracted to her.
“Of course not, Vi. Not as you clearly have first claim to the man,” Lillian said.
“You speak as though he is a mining prospect,” Violet replied with a giggle. “I merely accepted an invitation from a gentleman who desired company over luncheon. I deemed it prudent in order to maintain my standing within social circles and that of my family. It does not do to have a man as well connected as Lord Godstone to be feeling aggrieved. But I have no interest in that direction.”
Lillian looked at her askance. “Really? Why-ever not? I cannot claim any knowledge of my own in this area. It is your expertise, not mine, after all. But it seems to be that he would be an eminent match. And does a gentleman really invite to luncheon a lady that he meets on the street? He must have met many such ladies today.”
Violet put down her brush and walked over to the bed, sitting beside Lillian, and folding her hands through her cousin’s arm, hugging her.
“Lillian. I do not have my eyes on any man at the moment,” she lied. “I am content to skirt the peripheries of those eligible gentlemen of the Ton, playing the game and keeping our family respectable and well regarded.”
And truth be told I have as little confidence as you, my dear Lilly. And how can I look to my own future when my past and present are so uncertain. I have no solid foundation from which to build. But you are different. And, I fear your window of opportunity is closing.
“Lilly. I will arrange an introduction and the Earl will be fascinated by you. And you, he. You are right, he is both handsome, accomplished, and wealthy. I can vouch for his interest in ships. I endured a half an hour conversation on the subject today.”
Lillian smiled, blushing prettily.
“And if he prefers fair hair to dark?” she asked, looking down.
“He will prefer beauty and intelligence over just one of those things,” Violet said modestly, thinking her gifted with intelligence.
“Oh, Vi! You are the embodiment of both. The paragon of womankind. And with a gift for our complicated, bewildering social customs. You should open a finishing school, you would be educating the daughters of the crowned heads of Europe in no time at all.”
