“I suppose when we believed we were sisters it was not a matter of remark. Then when we knew we were not, we stopped seeing any similarity, knowing as we did that there was no close relation between us. So, we do not look for the resemblance,” Lillian said.
“But it is there,” Violet said thoughtfully. “Though I do not think I see it in Aunt Charlotte or Cousin Clara.”
Alexander shrugged. “I have known children who resembled neither of their parents but were the spitting image of their grandparents.”
They crossed Knightsbridge and entered Hyde Park. Alexander felt the tension rising within him as they began to see other ladies and gentlemen walking and riding. Violet patted his arm, pressing herself slightly against his side. When he looked down at her, she smiled up reassuringly. He greeted the first gentleman they came across, lifting his hat and offering a good afternoon. The next was a Member of Parliament, a member of the Tory party, but he stopped to exchange pleasantries on the subject of the weather before moving on.
A man and his wife, a Lord and Lady that Alexander recognized but whose name escaped him, stopped, and then walked on with the three for a short distance. That conversation ended with the Lord passing on his card to Alexander with a promise given to luncheon sometime during the week at a club, to discuss future business matters. Alexander felt himself gaining in confidence and the presence of Violet next to him was a significant factor in that. Then they rounded a bend in the path ahead and suddenly came face to face with Ambrose Devereaux.
Chapter 22
Violet saw the wicked smile on Ambrose’s face at the same time as she felt the tension rise in Alexander. The muscles in his arm went rigid as steel. Startled, Violet looked up at him and saw the same tension in his face that she could feel in his body.
“Well, well. Your Grace! Well met!” Ambrose gushed.
His tone was of jovial, good fellowship but the look in his eyes was that of a predator. Violet patted Alexander’s arm gently and smiled at Ambrose.
“My Lord Ambrose. How nice to meet you again. You must frequent the park often.”
“It is quite the place to see and be seen at the moment. I’m sure that will change next month, you know how fashion is, Lady Violet. I believe we touched on that subject when we dined together yesterday.”
“You dined together?” Alexander asked, without looking away from Ambrose.
The other man’s smile went a little wider, showing a hint of teeth.
“Indeed. I found Lady Violet walking down to the Corner, quite alone. I invited her to luncheon.”
Violet wondered at the relationship between the two men. They were eyeing each other like a pair of dogs, trying to decide whether to bark or bite to frighten the other away.
Is this jealousy? I have no suitor pursue me, until now. Do I have two?
“She was departing my house, I believe,” Alexander replied, matching Ambrose smile for smile. “As we are all three departing it now. And taking luncheon together. Would you care to join us?”
Whatever response Ambrose had been expecting, that was not it. His smile faltered for a moment and he looked quickly from Violet to Alexander and back.
“With regret. I have dined already.” He seemed to recover something of his demeanor, tugging on the lapels of his coat. “I have business in the House to attend to. A Bill by some upstart Opposition MP to defeat.”
Violet could almost hear the growl beginning in Alexander’s chest. He moved forward imperceptibly and she tightened her grip on his arm. She now understood. The remark about a Bill was undoubtedly aimed at Alexander. The Bill in question must be the reason that Alexander had sought her help.
I had considered Ambrose a bore but basically a respectable gentleman. Now it seems he has a spiteful streak. Not content with opposing Alexander in the House, he must taunt him in public?
It angered her to see the effort Alexander was putting into his self-control. She could almost feel the force of the anger he was holding behind his smile. But holding it he was. Beneath her own anger at Ambrose, she felt pride.
“I have had some success in that arena myself and intend to toast that success with my friends,” Alexander said, smiling brilliantly. “Let us say, may the best man win.”
Ambrose’s self-satisfied air slipped. His smile faltered and his eyes narrowed slightly, darting from Alexander to Violet and then to Lillian. His expression tightened, lips pressing together into a firm, white line. It changed his demeanor, robbing him of his elegant beauty and giving him the expression of a petulant child.
“If you will excuse us, Lord Ambrose. We will not detain you from your vital Parliamentary work,” Violet added.
Alexander took the cue to begin walking, lifting his hat to Ambrose. Violet gave a gracious nod as did Lillian. As they were walking away, they heard Ambrose clear his throat.
“I say. I quite forgot to mention to you yesterday the very reason I had asked for the pleasure of your company. A topic I wanted to discuss with you. Our conversation was so enthralling that it quite went out of my head.”
Violet heard Alexander’s sharp intake of breath as he fought to keep his annoyance concealed. She smiled gaily and turned to look over her shoulder.
“Pray tell, Lord Ambrose,” she said.
“It was concerning your late mother. I knew her, you see,” Ambrose said casually.
