Wedding Violet (Fair Cyprians of London Book 4)

by Beverley Oakley

  “He lost a lot of money at the card table.” When she raised her eyes, she looked ashamed. “Hugo doesn’t gamble as a rule. But he was put under a lot of pressure, and he believed he couldn’t lose.” She shrugged. “We all make mistakes and I forgive him but…” She let out a sob. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get over the grief of losing him.” She put out her hand and gripped Violet’s arm. “You’re so strong, Violet. An inspiration. Truly you are. When Lord Belvedere raises your veil to kiss you in the church, I shall be the one to cry. You’re so much stronger than I could ever be.”

  Chapter 11

  With his hands thrust into his pockets and his shoulders hunched, Max headed into the wind at Mabel’s side. A stiff breeze was blowing, whipping the trees and sending shivers down his spine. It was not walking weather but clearly, Mabel had something important to say.

  Which Max was dreading.

  Beneath a spreading oak, they stopped, and Max stared morosely into the murky river, wondering what dreadful thing Mabel would say.

  “Well, here we are, alone at last, Max. You must be very angry with me.”

  He shrugged, glancing at her. “I wasn’t sure what to think, to tell you the truth.”

  “Your grandfather was certainly angry, as was mine.” She shifted a little so that she was standing right before him.

  Max stared down at her, meeting her sparkling green eyes in her plain, pale face.

  Her mouth turned up pertly. “Do you want to kiss me?”

  The last thing he expected was her trill of laughter a second later. “Oh, Max! What a dreadful actor you are. You should have seen the horror on your face. Now I know I did the right thing by leaving you standing at the altar. I just promised our grandfathers that I would do my best to patch things up between us.” She rubbed her hands together to warm them in the cold. “I swore I would do all in my power to salvage whatever might be salvaged, and now I can confidently report back that nothing can be.”

  “I didn’t mean to be rude or hurt your feelings,” Max said gruffly. He didn’t like being called a terrible actor when everything he’d been doing the past two weeks had been acting.

  “Max, I’ve known you almost my whole life, and you are such a dear friend. I’d do anything for you, you know that, except make you marry me—even though you’re probably the only offer I’m ever going to get.”

  “Now, don’t say that, Mabel,” he protested.

  “Well, I’ve hardly garnered much interest from other male quarters, and we both can say quite honestly that I am no oil painting.”

  “You have the most beautiful eyes, and you’re the kindest person, Mabel.” He meant it. “I don’t want to see you moulder away and bear the brunt of your grandfather’s ire.” Nor did he want to marry Mabel.

  “Neither do I, but worse would be living with a man who is in love with somebody else.” Mabel put up her hand to stop him speaking. “Your aunt spilled the beans before I’d even stated the reason for my visit. Poor Miss Thistlethwaite never looked more awkward in her life than when her brother started discussing the possibility of a match between us going ahead after all. So, do tell, Max; what does she look like, and how has she managed to capture your heart when no one else could?”

  “I wouldn’t say no one else—”

  “Lord Max, you’re notoriously hard to please. She must be very special indeed. What’s her name?”

  “Violet Lilywhite, and you’re right; she is very special.” Max found himself smiling just to speak of her. “She’s very strong and brave, and she’s also the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She deserves someone who will give her only the best.” He couldn’t look Mabel in the eye as he added, “I’m not sure I’m that man, though.”

  “Well, you’ll have to do what is required if she’s already agreed to marry you.” Mabel looked fit to burst with excitement. “So, clearly you’ve put aside that concern. Miss Thistlethwaite told me you’re eloping. Don’t worry; I’ve promised not to say a word, but it is rather thrilling news, you know, and not at all what I expected of you. Except that, now I think about it, you would fall for a woman who was beautiful, adventurous, and who needed you.” She bit her lip. “Funny, when I put it like that, I’m none of those things, so I really should have come to my senses long before. But you, Max, you’ve been in love with her for some time, I gather? So, my non-appearance in church finally gave you the impetus to act and to follow your heart. Good on you, I say!”

  Max ran a finger around the inside of his collar which was feeling far too tight. It seemed wrong to meet Mabel’s enthusiasm with more lies. And yet, everything he’d said about Violet was true.

  Mabel squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry; your grandfather won’t know a thing until it’s all gone ahead, and you and Miss Lilywhite are safely married.” She put her head on one side and considered her childhood friend. “Do you know, Max, you look far too handsome in that unreliable, scoundrel-ish way that so many women do seem to fall for, and yet you are the most noble, honourable, dutiful man I know. Miss Lilywhite is a very lucky young woman.”

  A squall of light rain pelted them amidst the leaves carried on the breeze and they both turned back to the house.

  Max suddenly felt very humbled. “You know, Mabel, you deserve better. I hope you will be happy.”

  Her smile was confident as she tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, and they trod the damp grass up the small hill to the neat Georgian brick house where so much speculation would no doubt be going on inside. “I’m much happier now that I know I did the right thing,” she said.

  Now back in her neat black skirt and bodice, Violet felt a different person as she trod the stairs at Miss Thistlethwaite’s side for the final fitting of her wedding gown.

  While they waited for Madame to emerge from the workroom beyond, the older lady could barely contain her excitement. “You will look radiant, my dear! I can’t wait to see Max’s face when he beholds his beloved looking like the answer to his dreams.” Her hacking cough stopped Violet from telling her fondly what a dear, sentimental creature she was.

  With some concern, she accompanied Madame to the changing room to be helped out of her garments and into the crackling ivory silk creation with its shimmering trimmings and its exquisite lace veil.

  Even she gasped as she stepped in front of the looking glass in the large, lofty viewing chamber while everyone gazed on.

  “My dear girl, I’ve never seen such a sight for sore eyes!” Miss Thistlethwaite exclaimed. “You are even more the beauty. How I shall miss you.” She brightened. “However, it’ll only be for a few short months. I am determined I shall still be around when you return from your wedding tour so I can hear how you enjoyed Venice. How I longed to visit Venice when I had the strength.”

  Violet managed a smile. How she hated this escalation of lies. What had started out as a means of gratifying Max’s beloved aunt was turning into an increasingly cumbersome charade.

  Unable to answer, she kept her gaze trained on her reflection. The intricately embroidered and pleated train was a dashing counterpoint to the low, lace-edged neckline, while the sculpted bodice with its 19-inch waist would be a reminder of Violet’s heyday. She had to regard the striking image before her in these terms for Max was not the one being pleased here. This was an extravagant show for Miss Thistlethwaite’s benefit.

  Funded by Miss Thistlethwaite.

  “You’ve become very dear to me these past two weeks.” The old lady raised her hand and touched Violet’s cheek while she supported herself with the other on one of the bolts of fabric lining the walls of the room. “You’re a good girl, Violet, and Max deserves you. I know you’ll be happy together just as I knew in my heart that he and Mabel weren’t suited, for all that I love Mabel like a daughter.”

  She coughed again, and Violet regarded her with concern. Miss Thistlethwaite had taken Violet on trust. Out of the goodness of her heart, she had transformed Violet, believing only the best.

  And all the whi
le the old lady was dying.

  Violet closed her eyes while acid stung the back of her throat, and a wave of self-revulsion powered through her. No, Max didn’t deserve her, and Miss Thistlethwaite certainly didn’t deserve to be taken advantage of by a money-grubbing street girl.

  Violet could hardly describe herself any better than that.

  “Why, Violet; you’re as sentimental as I am. Look at those tears in your eyes.” Miss Thistlethwaite sent her a watery smile. “I will have to decide whether you are crying for happiness at becoming Max’s wife or pleasure at seeing how beautiful you look.”

  The irony of her pronouncement was too much for Violet. With as much dignity as she could muster, she practised an elegant sashay about the room while she struggled for words.

  “I don’t deserve any of this, Miss Thistlethwaite,” she said eventually, when she’d come to a stop in front of her benefactress. Helplessly, she skimmed her sides with her hands, delicately touching her fine veil with its rich edging of lace. “You have been so very kind and there’s no way I can repay you—”

  “Please, Violet; I did nothing that wasn’t to please myself. I’m only glad that I’ve been able to bring happiness to those I love most in this life.”

  She looked so distressed that Violet knew it was pointless to go on. In two days, she and Max would meet secretly at the little church, where his aunt and Charity would be waiting as witnesses, for the marriage that was designed solely to give Max his freedom, and his dying aunt a moment of pleasure and relief.

  Violet felt very burdened by her secret knowledge though it was some small consolation that, in truth, Miss Thistlethwaite could hardly take her money to the next world. Nor was Violet benefitting financially from her largesse, she had to remind herself. She’d not own the beautiful gown. Much as she might like to possess such an exquisite garment, it would feel like stealing if she secreted it away with her to Madame Chambon’s. For where else could she keep it? Madame Chambon would purloin it the moment Violet brought it inside, and she could hardly ask Lord Bainbridge to safeguard it for her until such time as he’d formalised the offer he’d agreed to. No, not even then, for Violet needed her own little bower to keep her things safe.

  Dear lord, it was all so sordid.

  “Please, Violet; you are happy, aren’t you?”

  Miss Thistlethwaite’s anxious question intruded and Violet turned, forcing her eyes to shine with some emotion that would give her the comfort she needed.

  “I am happy. Who could not be wild with happiness if they were to be marrying Max before the week is out? I must be patient, mustn’t I, Miss Thistlethwaite. I suppose I keep worrying that something will go wrong.”

  Immediately, she wished she hadn’t said it for that only put the fear into Miss Thistlethwaite’s own delicate breast.

  “Don’t you fear on that score, my dear. If my brother got wind of this, I would fight for your happiness as I never did for my own. I’m no longer the timid dormouse I once was but a fearsome proponent of the love match, believe me!”

  Violet smiled at her fierce pronouncement, and was still smiling as she and Miss Thistlethwaite made their companionable way home, enjoying the fine weather to take a detour through Green Park.

  Her past fears dissipated with the grey clouds that had accompanied them to her fitting. Miss Thistlethwaite truly did find real pleasure in her little exercise and, as long as it was sanctioned by Max, what did it matter that they wouldn’t go ahead with it? Violet had done nothing wrong other than agree to what Max had proposed.

  Max. She tried to banish his image from her mind.

  “Just stop a moment. I think I’ll sit down for a bit.”

  Violet turned and saw that Miss Thistlethwaite was holding her side; her breathing laboured. She helped settle the old lady on a park bench. Couples strolled companionably through the park; children played by the water’s edge, and ducks quacked nearby. Everyone looked supremely contented as Violet scanned her fellow park dwellers. However, even as the old lady got her breath, her grey pallor was troubling.

  “Home is less than five minutes’ walk. I’ll be right as rain in just a minute.” Miss Thistlethwaite tried but failed to sound light and unconcerned.

  Violet heard the clock chiming the hour, and her anxiety grew. She needed to be back at Madame Chambon’s now, and Madame was a stickler for timekeeping.

  Miss Thistlethwaite misinterpreted the extent of Violet’s concern. “You have your work to go to, my dear. Just leave me. I can make my own way back. Truly I can.”

  It was tempting. Violet hesitated as she weighed up whether to make her way directly towards Soho or to see Miss Thistlethwaite all the way home. But the old lady’s hacking cough made up her mind.

  “I’m going to fetch someone,” she said, panicked suddenly by the flecks of blood she saw on Miss Thistlethwaite’s handkerchief. The sun had gone behind a cloud, and the temperature had plummeted in just the past five minutes. She wished she had something warmer to put around Miss Thistlethwaite’s shoulders.

  Hurrying towards the crescent of townhouses where Max lived and that was, fortunately, only a few blocks away, she felt her own heartbeat begin to race. Max would hardly be pleased if she showed her face in his respectable drawing room for what he might consider a flimsy excuse.

  She could, perhaps, leave a note.

  But what if there was a delay and Miss Thistlethwaite was left waiting even five minutes longer than she need be.

  When she reached the black wrought-iron railings of the handsome, white-painted dwelling, Violet wasn’t sure whether to take the stairs down to the servants’ basement entrance or knock boldly on the front door.

  She swallowed nervously as the deferential nod of the butcher’s boy decided her. If he considered her good enough to enter by the front door, she was not going to join him on the journey below. She was dressed neither as a whore nor a servant. She’d be received by the butler; she was sure of it.

  Two minutes later, with that ordeal behind her, she waited in even more trepidation as the parlourmaid knocked on the drawing room door to announce her.

  And she was fully braced for Max’s surprise—or was it shock?—when she was admitted.

  What she wasn’t expecting, however, was to become the focus of not just Max, but an elderly gentleman and a plain but pleasant-faced young woman.

  “Forgive me the intrusion, but I am a friend of Miss Thistlethwaite,” she explained, before elaborating on the nature of her visit. “I couldn’t leave her alone, unattended, without seeking someone’s assistance, yet I have another important engagement I must meet.”

  She glanced at Max when she said this and saw the telltale clench of his jaw. He knew exactly what she meant, and she suddenly longed for him to stride across the room and take her in his arms before declaring to the gathering that he’d decided to make her his wife.

  In name, and in reality.

  Of course, it didn’t happen. However, he did thank her, and then announced to the man whom she was not surprised to learn was his grandfather, and to Miss Dulwich—whom she was certain was the infamous Mabel—that he’d accompany Miss Lilywhite to his aunt.

  “That was a clever way of garnering my attention,” he remarked when they were alone and walking briskly towards the park, though it seemed Max didn’t believe Violet was motivated by concern for his aunt until she told him she really did have to go.

  The furrows between his eyes deepened. “I thought this was a ploy for us to be together.” He sounded genuinely disappointed.

  Violet laughed as she pointed towards the gated park. “Go to your aunt, Max. She needs someone to help her back home, and I can assure you Madame Chambon would not think that a good enough excuse to keep me from earning her the diamonds and furs needed to add to her consequence.”

  Her tone was light, but the set to Max’s mouth was grim as he suddenly gripped her hands.

  “I care for you, Violet,” he muttered. “Is there nothing I can do to help you es
cape that dreadful woman’s clutches?”

  “You’re marrying me tomorrow.” Violet strove for lightness as she tossed back the thick brown ringlet that fell over her shoulder. “And you’re paying me well for it. Now, good night and send my good wishes to Miss Thistlethwaite for I should have been at Madame Chambon’s ten minutes ago.”

  Chapter 12

  Max was glad to find only the ladies when he returned to the townhouse for the old men had left for their club. It was, he decided, a good sign. If they’d suspected anything between Violet and himself, his grandfather would have had no compunction in grilling him on it in front of everyone.

  “Miss Lilywhite is very lovely, Max,” Mabel remarked with a sly look as he accepted the tea she poured him. “Where did you meet her?”

  “At a mutual friend’s establishment. She is a very modern young lady and believes a chaperone unnecessary since she works for her living.” It was easy to trot out the lines he had ready. Not so easy when Mabel asked him, “Are you very much in love with her?”

  He barely knew what to say, and Mabel laughed when he had to tip the tea from his saucer back into his teacup.

  “I hope you’re less clumsy as an escort,” Mabel said. “Miss Lilywhite looks as regal as a queen. I can’t believe she has not been snapped up already and must work for her living.”

  “My understanding is that her family hails from Middlesex. Ruislip, I believe.”

  Max sent a sharp look at his aunt. “She is estranged from them,” he said quickly, “and they will not be coming to the secret ceremony.”

  “Ceremony!” Mabel gasped. “Why Max, you sly thing! You’re going to elope? Goodness, your grandfather—”

  “Must not suspect,” he shot back.

  Mabel’s sudden blush and Aunt Euphemia’s evasive look prompted him to ask suspiciously, “They made no remark about my accompanying Miss Lilywhite part way home? I’d have made such an offer to any unaccompanied young lady; they must surely know that.” Nervously, he straightened his collar. “You won’t say anything, will you, Mabel?”