“Hmm.” Lady Scranton reached the end of the pool and started walking back toward Viola. “He is a good boy, always has been in spite of all the rumors. Never put an ounce of weight in them myself, but Society thrives on gossip and chose him as a ready mark.” She rolled her eyes. “Such is the world in which we live, as unfortunate as it may be. But there are benefits to our way of life as well, like not having to struggle in order to survive.”
“I suppose that is true.”
“Did he ever tell you how naughty he was as a child?”
Viola shook her head, her interest piquing. “No, but I am now hoping you will.”
Lady Scranton grinned. “I would be delighted.” She walked a few more steps until she’d returned to the spot where Viola waited. “He used to put jam in his brother’s pockets, salt in the sugar bowl and grease on the door handles.” She chuckled. “I once found a frog in the drawer of my escritoire. Jumped right out and into my lap when I opened it—almost stopped my heart!”
Viola grinned while imagining Henry’s younger self running about causing trouble and smiling that mischievous smile of his when his subjects fell prey to his pranks. “I wish I could have seen that.”
“Oh, it’s more delightful to hear of it after the fact than to have actually been there when it happened.” Lady Scranton’s eyes shone with amusement. Affectionately, she added, “He was always such a happy child, full of laughter and joy. The man is a little more serious, which I suppose is to be expected, but at heart he is still the rascal he’s always been, trying to have some fun.” She eyed Viola. “My fondest wish is for him to meet the right woman with whom he can have that, the sort of woman who will be his friend, his confidante, his partner in all things that matter.”
Unsure of how to respond, Viola turned and walked slowly toward the door of the room, waiting for Lady Scranton to fall into step beside her. “He is very lucky to have a grandmother who cares so much about him,” she finally said while a series of strange sensations swirled through her body.
“And he is lucky to have you,” the countess said. “Now, let us return to him and my husband before they come looking for us. I am sure Henry’s already itching to find you considering how reluctant he was to let you leave his side. And before you protest, it was etched all over his face.” She cleared her throat. “He is fond of you, Duchess. No doubt about that.”
It was impossible for Viola to quiet her racing heart and her jangling nerves and the messy state her mind was in after having Henry’s grandmother suggest she and Henry should marry. As they entered the foyer together, she drew a deep breath.
Two weeks ago when she and Henry had met for the very first time, she’d wanted nothing to do with him besides nursing him back to health. Then somehow, little by little, she’d ended up spending increasing amounts of time in his company and now, tonight, when he’d held her in his arms, her heart had felt as though it was blooming for the very first time, like a dormant bud bursting through the late winter snow to unfurl its delicate petals.
With a smile that weakened her knees and a gaze that seared her soul, accompanied by vast amounts of patience and understanding, he’d dismantled the wall surrounding her heart and become the person she longed for the most, missed the most and needed the most.
But marriage?
It terrified the hell out of her considering how fresh these feelings for him were. And it wasn’t quite love. Not yet. But it would be soon, she believed, and that made her even more scared, because what if he didn’t feel the same about her? She’d risked her heart once with detrimental results. What if that happened again?
It was a question that would have to wait to be answered, because as she and Lady Scranton approached Henry and his grandfather, Viola saw that Robert had joined them and that all three men’s expressions were strained. Instinct urged Viola to turn around and run in the opposite direction. Instead she did what she’d done countless times before. She straightened her spine and squared her shoulders and allowed her feet to carry her forward.
“Your Grace,” she said as soon as she reached Henry’s side and could take some comfort in his closeness. “I did not expect to see you here this evening, since you were not invited.”
“An oversight, I presume,” Robert said with a smirk. He gave his attention to Lady Scranton and offered a half bow. “My lady.”
Lady Scranton gave a swift nod of acknowledgment along with a clipped “Your Grace,” before asking her husband to walk her into the dance room. The pair departed, leaving Henry and Viola alone with Robert.
“Why are you here?” Henry demanded.
Robert snatched up a glass of champagne from a passing tray and set it to his lips. “I’ve an interest,” he said when he’d finished drinking. “A man ought to know what he stands to gain.”
Every muscle in Viola’s arms and shoulders expanded with a fierce urge to strike the smug look off his face. “You forget that this business is not mine alone. The Duke of Redding owns more than half since he made the larger investment.”
Robert raised an eyebrow and for a brief second, it looked as though he was going to agree with her assessment on this and leave the rejuvenation center alone. But then he said, “In that case, I shall look forward to going into business with him.”
Blood rushed to Viola’s head, drowning out sound as her vision blurred and her limbs grew weak. Her hand reached for something firm to hold on to and she was grateful to find Henry’s arm coming to her aid.
He steadied her quickly, ignoring Robert for a moment in order to ask if she was all right.
Robert snorted. “She is perfectly fine, Lowell. I never saw a finer actress than her. Can’t you see that it’s all a show?”
“You ought to leave,” Henry bit out.
“What I ought is—”
His words were cut off by the arrival of Gabriella and Amelia. They greeted Robert with the same degree of enthusiasm they might show a snake before offering to take Viola to the salon for some refreshment.
“You should go with them,” Henry told her.
“This is my event,” Viola said, rallying enough to stand her ground and show them her strength. “Ensuring it runs smoothly is my responsibility. I cannot allow you to handle all of my problems on my behalf, no matter how much I appreciate the offer.”
