“I am saying that desire is the ficklest part of a romantic relationship. It comes and goes on a whim, and I’ve rarely seen ‘love at first sight’ last after the marriage vows are spoken. The happiest and most loving marriages I’ve witnessed are ones where attraction came because of the affection they developed for one another, rather than existing on its own.”
Mr. Gadd moved as though to argue, but Miss Templeton held up a warning finger and continued.
“Do you think only the empirically beautiful have loving marriages filled with that passion you prize so highly? Or that every homely husband or wife is bound to a partner who feels no stirrings for them? Or that every love is bound to grow cold and die when age robs their bodies of their allure and vitality?” she asked.
Not waiting for his response, she continued, “I will not ever believe such a wretched thing. I have seen it with my own eyes. Most couples do not feel that spark of awareness the moment they meet; they come to know and respect one another, and from that grows affection. If nurtured, it can blossom into a love far stronger and longer-lasting than anything ‘love at first sight’ can produce.”
Drawing in a sharp breath, Miss Templeton straightened. “So, no. I do not care in the slightest what my beau looks like because I know that what is attractive to my eyes may not be what others deem lovely. And what I once considered unappealing can become something achingly beautiful if I do not cling to the arbitrary and ever-changing standards the world sets.”
If Arthur had been uncertain in his feelings for the lady, there were no such doubts now. Miss Templeton spoke with such passion, not holding back her feelings in the slightest as she defended her idea of love without flinching. She believed every word of it, and Arthur couldn’t help but wonder if she might come to think his unremarkable features and bald head were not merely deficiencies to overlook but breathtaking.
Was it too much to hope?
Mr. Gadd shook his head with a sigh and a slight smile, his gaze turning to the crowds around them. “You are an odd one, Vi.”
Miss Templeton stood there for a long moment, watching him with steely eyes before casting off his arm. Shoving her mug at him, she said, “I must take my leave. I hadn’t intended to stay this long, and I should be on my way.”
The anger in her expression was clear for everyone to see, but as the lady turned away (ignoring Mr. Gadd’s weak apologies and pleadings for her to stay), Arthur saw another emotion hovering beneath the strong exterior. Her eyes shone with the pain of Mr. Gadd’s thoughtless words as they sank into her heart, carving a path of destruction that Arthur knew would linger for some time.
Not even the strongest could bear to hear another laugh so openly about courting them without feeling the sting.
“She is so defensive at times. Such a hot temper,” said Mr. Gadd with a sigh as she strode away with her head held high as though the conversation hadn’t bothered her in the slightest.
Arthur stared after the fellow. Had he not seen it? Though he didn’t doubt the flare of temper was genuine, it was a clear byproduct of her aching heart. But it was little wonder when the gentleman had so blatantly and rudely labeled her unmarriageable to the vast majority of men, for few in the company were taller than Miss Templeton.
Glancing between the lady and Mr. Gadd, who took the opportunity to stroll off the opposite way, Arthur found himself torn between wanting to chase after the former and to plant afacer in the latter. Mr. Gadd deserved a good setting down, and though Miss Templeton had delivered a firmly worded one, the gentleman required a more thorough lesson about how to treat a lady—even “a sister” deserved more respect.
“Miss Templeton,” he called, following after—though she didn’t slow.
*
Of any person she knew, Dr. Vaughn was the only one Violet would tolerate seeing at present, but even his sweetness of temper wasn’t what she required. With Osborn’s words bouncing about her mind, Violet wanted nothing more than to disappear into her home and nurse the wounds infecting her heart.
It was one thing to cast off the catty remarks of angry ladies, none of whom she knew beyond a nodding acquaintance. It was another thing altogether to hear a friend laugh at the very thought of courting her. Violet had known since the beginning that Osborn had not the slightest inkling of interest in her and hadn’t nursed any secret tendre for him, but even the thick walls she’d placed around her heart couldn’t withstand his tone, his words, and his expression.
Men wanted dainty ladies. Someone who could gaze adoringly up at them. Who was light enough to scoop up into their arms and carry them about like a doll. No man in his right mind would ever choose a woman who, at best, could be described as “sturdy.”
Just the thought of courting her was so hilarious that Osborn could hardly speak. A jest too good not to share. And Violet Templeton was a sensible creature who knew she possessed no attractions to catch a gentleman’s eye. She wouldn’t find it offensive or disheartening to hear her deficiencies bandied about so openly. No, she would find it amusing.
Violet rubbed at her forehead as her feet carried her out of the churchyard, but even above the noise of conversation, laughter, and music, she heard Dr. Vaughn calling after her ashis footsteps followed. His hand brushed her arm, and though she longed to ignore it, Violet couldn’t ignore him.
“Gadd is a fool,” said Dr. Vaughn as he came to a stop before her.
“Yes, but even a fool can be right at times,” she replied in a tone that was far more bitter than she’d meant. Drawing in a deep breath, Violet pasted on a smile and added, “In truth, I knew he felt that way about me. His delivery left much to be desired, but nothing he said was a surprise or untrue.”
“Don’t be ridiculous—” The gentleman’s words halted, and when she glanced at him, she found Dr. Vaughn’s brow scrunched as he fought to find the proper words. “He…doesn’t speak… Not every man… He’s a fool…”
Despite all the frustration bubbling through her, tenderness caressed her heart with gentle touches as Violet watched him struggle for words. It had been so long since Dr. Vaughn had fought his timidity in her presence, but clearly, the sentiment returned in full force as he strained to find the proper consolations to offer.
“That is kind of you, but you needn’t puff up my vanity,” she said with a wan smile. Of their own volition, her eyes lowered to the ground, and Violet forced her head up again. “I am not a fragile flower to wilt from a few careless words. I know who I am, and I learned long ago not to look to others to validate my worth.”
Just saying the words aloud helped to rejuvenate her. With each, the strength of her convictions flowed through her, bringing with it the memories of a dozen hard-won lessons; each built one atop the other, helping to build the foundation upon which she stood. Violet Templeton was not lacking simply because she was not a gentleman’s ideal.
Dr. Vaughn watched her with a gaze that pierced through her walls, delving far deeper into her than she cared to have him see. More and more, he seemed to look beyond the surface she presented, and Violet didn’t know whether to be flattered or fearful of such a pointed look.
“I do not require marriage or romance to be content,” she said, clinging tightly to that truth. One could be quite happy even when one did not get everything one desired, after all. “Things have been trying of late, but I have done my best to create an enjoyable life rather than waiting for something or someone to appear and be the source of my contentment—and I will continue to do so regardless of what anyone thinks of me or what comes next.”
Drawing in a deep breath, Violet allowed that certainty to wrap around her, settling into her heart to help wipe away the last of the sting Osborn’s dismissal had left.
