Page 13 of An Enchantress for an Earl

Arryn sat back, allowing the stack of papers to drop to his desk. This research really was turning out to be quite fascinating. The ingenuity displayed by some of the methods which had been developed to potentially make a bank note ‘unforgeable’ was amazing. The one he had just been reading about, invented by a Mr Ibbetson, seemed to hold the best hope of being effective, without being inordinately expensive to implement.

Before he wrote up his report for his father, he would step back from this for a day, and then read it all again, to be sure that he had understood it correctly. He was certain that he had, but still, it was best to be sure. Then, if his father took that report to the committee, and they agreed, perhaps the forgery problem could be solved, sooner than expected.

It was a pleasing thought, only tarnished by the fact that his name would not be attached to that report.

For the thousandth time, he internally chastised himself for the fact that he simply could not accept the teaching of untruths. Why could he not be like other men, and simply let things like that pass? He did not know, but he had come to accept that he could not, that some inner devil drove him in those moments, forcing him to act, to speak.

Now, however, if he could at least provide his father with the material necessary to move the committee’s purpose forward, that might be some reparation for him having been sent down.

He tidied the papers into a meticulous stack, then put that into his desk drawer and locked it. Tomorrow was soon enough to revisit it. Tonight, he had another of those damnable social occasions to attend. As he rose from his chair, his mind went back to the soiree a few days before, when he had literally run into Lady Violet Gardenbrook. Something about her reactions that evening had stayed in his mind, like an object irritatingly placed on the wrong shelf.

She had not been herself, not at all, and he wanted to know why. He did not like things out of place, did not like things not going as they usually did. And Lady Violet was quite confusing enough as her normal self, without confounding him further by behaving so very differently. It was almost as if she had been afraid – but of what?

Perhaps she would be at this evening’s musicale?

The thought stopped him, hand on the door – why was he even considering where she might be? He had resolved to avoid her, to make certain that the tidy order of his world was not disturbed by her, yet here he was, wondering if she would be at an event? Almost… hoping… to see her? He was obviously going mad. There was no other explanation.

>>>

Lady Ormondston smiled as they entered, and curtsied to her father.

“Your Grace, I am so glad that you, and your family, were able to attend.”

The Duke took her hand, always the gentleman, even if he found the woman obnoxious, as Violet knew he did.

“Lady Ormondston, I must apologise for our tardiness…”

“It is nothing, Your Grace. In fact, your timing is perfect, for we are just about to begin – if you will join the others in the large parlour, I will introduce our first performer but minutes from now.”

“Of course.”

Violet followed her parents through the door of the parlour, in which chairs had been set up facing an area where a magnificent pianoforte and some other instruments awaited. Almost all of the chairs were full, and Thorne tugged her, and Iris, to one side.

“There, there are three seats there – I am sure that Mother and father will find seats as well. Let us be quick.”

Unwilling to draw anyone’s attention, Violet let herself be guided into the seats. Iris followed Thorne’s direction without even looking – her eyes were all on that pianoforte, and a small sigh escaped her – Violet knew that iris was internally praying that whoever was to play might actually be capable of doing so well.

She settled herself, and only once her skirts were neatly ordered in the cramped space did she look to her left.

Dark amber eyes met hers, and a wry smile twisted Lord Merryfield’s lips. Had Thorne planned this? Violet half suspected so – she would have words with her brother later! Merryfield’s whispered words came softly to her.

“Good evening, Lady Violet.”

“Good evening, Lord Merryfield. Do you enjoy musical entertainment?”

She wondered if he did, what manner of music he preferred – it was not something she had imagined him caring for…

“That rather depends on the music, Lady Violet. I have attended some musicales where the… style… of performance was not really to my taste, I must say.”

She found herself grinning at him, amused by his attempt at politeness, when she could well imagine what type of performance he might have suffered through. With luck, this evening’s would be better.

They said nothing more, for Lady Ormondston called for everyone’s attention.

“My dear guests, our first performance this evening will be from my daughter, Lady Anna, who I am pleased to say will be accompanied by Lord Greenleigh. We have not had the pleasure of hearing his playing for over a year, but now that he is past his mourning, we may have that delightful experience again.”

She stepped to one side, and Lady Anna and Lord Greenleigh took their places. Beside Violet, Iris shifted in her seat, and whispered close to Violet’s ear.

“I have not met Lord Greenleigh, nor even heard of him before now! If he plays half so well as he looks, then he is a man I will wish to meet.”