“I have transgressed the rules of our society,” Violet finally admitted.
“Been led from the straight and narrow by a rogue,” Alexander corrected.
“No,” Violet replied. “I have done my fair share of leading. I am not a helpless sheep. We have led each other astray.”
“We have,” Alexander replied, still watching Violet.
“We must take steps not to allow it to happen again.”
“Oh, Vi! Whatever for. If you are meant to be together then what is wrong with doing just that. Being together!” Lillian exclaimed.
Alexander looked as though he were giving the idea credence.
“It is not that simple, Lilly. I have agreed to help Alexander master the rules of the Ton so that he may…”
“Play them at their own game,” Alexander put in.
“Yes. If you want to put it that way. And he has agreed to help me find out who my father is. Or was,” Violet finished. “I cannotfulfill my part of the bargain if I am dragged into a scandal. And being found to be fraternizing with a man while both of us are unmarried would be just that.”
Lillian huffed. “I don’t see what is so wrong. If you were married, no-one would think twice.”
“Because there are things a man and a woman may do as husband and wife which they may not otherwise,” Violet said with incredulity. “I hope that these questions do not indicate that you are doing something you should not?”
“Of course not,” Lillian said, blushing deeply. “There is no man that has caught my eye yet. And besides, I would be more interested in learning about business than finding a husband.”
“Aye, I wish I had a head for it. I must entrust the management of my estates to others and have no way of knowing if I’m being swindled,” Alexander said.
Lillian looked up suddenly from her drink, eyes bright. Violet opened her mouth to speak but Lillian got in first.
“If you would allow it, Your Grace. I could manage your estates for you,” she said eagerly.
“Absolutely not. That is not a woman’s business, Lilly,” Violet said.
“Why?” she demanded. “I can do the job and His Grace could trust me not to rob him blind. This could be our quid pro quo. Do this for me and I will keep your secret for you.”
Chapter 20
“Then it's settled!” Alexander exclaimed, thudding his mug to the table enthusiastically.
The material proved no match for his grip or the force with which he brought it down. It cracked and milk began to ooze out across the table. Violet leaped to her feet but not before Lillian reached a drawer containing cotton tea towels. She reached for the top one in the drawer just as Violet did. Their eyes met.
“Would you really blackmail me, Lilly?” Violet whispered.
Lillian let go of the towel and bit her lip. She looked thoroughly ashamed, which Violet was relieved to see. She had hoped that her cousin’s words had been a spur-of-the-moment thing, said without thinking.
“Of course not. You know I love you as my sister, Vi. No matter that you insist on calling me your cousin. I feel in my heart thatwe are more than that to each other. I would never give up your secret nor do anything to hurt you,” she said.
Alexander cleared his throat. He had risen from his seat and was wiping his hands on his trousers. “I had no doubt, lassie. Have no fear,” he said.
“Nor did I,” Violet put in quickly. “You just took me by surprise, Lilly.”
Lillian took the tea towel and returned to the table, mopping up the mess.
“Mrs. Jameson will be in quite the tizzy when she finds one of her mugs has been broken. I will tell her that I was clumsy from sleep when I came down to the kitchen,” she said.
“I will say that I was with you and we were being foolish,” Violet said, refusing to let Lillian carry the blame alone.
“I meant what I said. That was an offer from the heart,” Alexander said, looking earnest. “I do not trust the man I have working for me. But I have neither the wit nor the experience to challenge him. I am used to dealing with threats with my fists. I cannot deal with this kind of threat in the same manner.”
