Page 46 of An Enchantress for an Earl

“Indeed, I would be grateful for the chance to just sit quietly with you, and appreciate the music.”

He led her to one corner, where a couch had been placed near urns full of flowers and potted palms (both of which were the result of her father’s obsession with horticulture, and the greenhouses attached to Elbury House), and they sank onto the seat. Violet leaned against his shoulder, taking in the unique scent of him, and the muscular strength beneath his coat. She sighed with pleasure in the moment.

Then, as she simply relaxed, the music changed – not to a different piece, but in the character of the playing. Startled, she looked across the room, and gave a soft gasp. Beside Lord Greenleigh on the narrow bench, Iris sat, her fingers also moving over the keys. They played the piece superbly, two threads weaving together to carry the same melody, yet layered, each enhancing the other, adding depth to the piece in a way that Violet had not thought possible.

Somehow, their hands moved past and around each other, without tangling, without hesitation, as if they had played together for their whole lives, as if they were meant to be so.

That thought sent a shiver through Violet – was it possible? The words Iris had spoken, months ago, at that first musicale when Lord Greenleigh had played – ‘I think I’m in love’ – had she meant them, truly? Violet wished her sister happiness, but still – she was quite certain that there would be gossip about this, despite them being in a room full of people, for there was no possible way to play so without sitting pressed hard against each other.

What else might Iris do, provoked by her love of music?

She pushed that thought aside – she would address it later, would ask Iris about this the next time that she saw her, but for now, Arryn was all that mattered. Violet turned her head into the curve of his neck, and he lifted a hand to delicately stroke her face, tracing its lines with a fingertip, as if exploring every contour.

It made her want more, made her want heated kisses, despite how tired she felt. They stayed that way for some time, then rose and moved amongst the guests again, until the world outside the windows darkened and, at last, the guests began to leave.

“Might we also leave now? I fear that I am quite exhausted by the day!”

He looked at her, and his eyes sparkled with mischief, his lips curving into a wry smile.

“Exhausted? Are you sure?” His fingers trailed down her spine, and her breath caught at the sensation. “I had hoped that you might have some energy left for important matters…”

“Important matters?”

“Like the exploration of a library you have never seen before… and kisses… and…”

Violet felt heat fill her core. She licked her lips, and his eyes followed the movement.

“Are you… suggesting wickedness, husband?”

“Only of the best kind, my love.”

“Then perhaps, just perhaps, I will find that I am not so exhausted after all.”

Not long after that, they took their leave of her family, and Violet discovered that she felt almost tearful at the thought that she would no longer call Elbury House home. Her mother sniffed slightly, but smiled, embracing her daughter.

“I will make sure that the last of your things are sent to Merryfield House tomorrow – most were sent this afternoon, and Annie has gone with them, to arrange everything as you like it.”

“Thank you, Mother, for that, and everything about today. It has been wonderful.”

>>>

Merryfield House still smelt faintly musty, despite being scrupulously clean, and Arryn wondered why he had not had the place opened up months ago. But he was here now – here with Violet by his side. The staff assembled in the front foyer when they arrived, and he made the introductions, barely remembering their names himself, he had been here so rarely in recent years.

Violet had that look on her face which he had come to understand was concentration of a particular kind. She was memorising what she heard. He smiled, impressed yet again by the attention she gave to everything in life.

Once they had dismissed the staff, he turned to her.

“Shall I show you where things are, or should that wait for tomorrow?”

She smiled, and it was a smile to heat the blood.

“Most things can wait. But… the library?”

He laughed, amused, yet understanding – he would have given the same answer to such a question. He lifted a candle from the side table, took her hand, and led her up the stairs. They passed along the gallery, and the portraits of the previous Earls peered down at them, as if assessing their acceptability. At the end, he opened the door into the library, and showed her in.

She stood there, her eyes roaming the room, which was lit only by their candle and the flickering light of the fire in the grate.

“This is beautiful. So many windows for light, and the shelves so well arranged to fit as much as possible into the space. And the desk, and the couch by the fire to read on…”