He smiled at her and the expression transformed his face. The dark brooding, almost haunted, expression that seemed his natural demeanor, melted away and his eyes came alive. Once again, Violet found herself smiling quite unconsciously, the expression drawn out of her in response to his.
“Actually, my reason for accepting the invitation extended by my good friend and countryman, the Viscount Holmesley, was to ask for your aid, Lady Violet,” Alexander said.
They had been drinking tea and dining on cucumber sandwiches. Violet had nibbled hers delicately, occasionally sipping her black, unsweetened tea. Alexander had taken a large amount of food and begun to eat but then stopped himself. His eyes occasionally went to his plate as though he wished to begin eating again. Violet wondered what had bothered him, ifhe found the food not to his taste perhaps. She put the thought aside as she focused on his words.
“I should be happy to help in any way that I can,” she said.
“I am working on a Bill with some allies within the House of Commons. It is facing stiff opposition from the Tories in the House of Lords,” Alexander explained. “My role is to champion the Bill and ensure it is approved by the Lords so that the Commons may enact it.”
Violet nodded, failing to see how she could help in such an enterprise but wanting to be polite.
“The problem I have is that as a Scotsman, only relatively recently come to England, I feel like a foreigner. And I am seen as such by my peers. It hurts the cause of the Bill because I do not know the etiquette and customs expected of me.”
Alexander was speaking in a rush and looking about himself several times. Seated next to him was the Viscount Quarterman, his wife next to him, and the Baroness Hopper opposite. They were involved in a conversation involving the Holmesleys and were turned away from the Duke, Violet, and Lillian.
He is uncomfortable with the idea of being overheard. Perhaps, embarrassed that he must ask for such help. After all, he is confessing an ignorance of things everyone in this room learned with their mother’s milk. It would be like confessing to being illiterate.
“Violet is just the woman to speak to in that case, Your Grace,” Lillian enthused. “She is an acknowledged expert on etiquette and customs. Why, she is often consulted by those who have been summoned to Court, to ensure they do not disgrace themselves in front of the King.”
Her voice was loud, earning a curious glance from Quarterman, a tall, thin man with bushy eyebrows and a face that appeared to have been chiseled into existence. His eyes met those of Alexander, and the Duke scowled until he turned away.
“I see the problem,” Violet said quietly.
“I just cannae stand everyone knowing my business,” Alexander said in a low, fierce voice.
“Then perhaps we three should convene at the library when our other guests have gone. Then we can talk in private and I can help in any way I can,” Violet suggested.
Again, the contagious smile. It was boyish and bright, tearing away the gruff outward display to reveal the innocence beneath.
“Aye, lass…I mean…” Alexander growled under his breath. “I mean…yes, Lady Violet. That would be perfect. Thank you.”
The rest of the luncheon passed by quickly. As the company moved to the drawing room for coffee and conversation, the Duke excused himself to examine the paintings hung in the LongHall outside. George took Violet aside as the other guests took seats and made themselves comfortable.
“My good friend, Edward, the Viscount Quarterman has given me some rather disturbing news,” George said with a deep frown.
“Oh? Whatever is it?” Violet said.
“That you have offered the Duke of Lorchester a private meeting?”
“With Lillian in company. So we will not be unchaperoned. It is perfectly acceptable for a man to be in company with two women, I can assure you.”
“That is not my concern. My concern is a public perception that you are close to…that man,” George said with passion. “He is a notorious rake and drunkard!”
Violet’s eyes widened. “Then why did the Viscount Holmesley bring him here?” she asked.
“I do not know but I am not happy about it. Perhaps because they are countrymen. They are friends by all accounts. But Lorchester has been seen in the lowest of establishments in Cheapside, Whitechapel, and Mile End. He is a gambler and a rogue of the worst order!”
Chapter 5
Alexander glanced again at the clock on the mantel. It had not moved significantly since the last time he had glanced at it. Time was slowing, flowing by with the consistency of tar. He had returned to the drawing room after what seemed an appropriate amount of time spent perusing the artwork. It meant little to him, lacking much knowledge of art, but he found himself drawn to landscapes. It depicted a world he had never known, a paradise that he had dreamed of as a boy but had believed would always be out of his reach.
The conversation in the drawing room was one he had little interest in and not much to contribute to. Lillian Ravendel kept him company, asking him questions of Glasgow that seemed odd for a young lady. He assumed she was simply trying to draw him out on subjects that he would be knowledgeable on.
I would be more comfortable in a dockside tavern with a mug of ale and a game of dice. The people would be more honest and the only knives to fear would be steel ones. I cannot defendmyself against verbal blades that I cannot see coming or even tell that I have been wounded by.
The hardest part of the afternoon had been achieved. Lady Violet, the famed expert on English society etiquette, had agreed to his petition and would help him.
Perhaps with her tuition, I will be able to defeat the Earl of Godstone and send the Bill back to the Commons with its teeth intact. Do some bloody good. The only good I have done since becoming Duke.
