Still, was that happy ending gone forever? And more to the point—did she want it to be?
CHAPTER TWELVE
VIOLET WAS NOTHING short of enchanting.
James could scarcely take his eyes off her, dancing with yet another lucky partner. This new Violet, an enchanting blend of the woman he once knew and the woman she had become, was irresistible. This was the woman he wanted, the woman he was determined to have. It was clear to him that they belonged together. Certainly he had nearly three years to win her heart but three years was a long time and he’d rather not waste any more of it.
“How poor are they that have not patience, Lord Ellsworth.”
James’s gaze jerked back to the duchess. “Shakespeare?”
“Very good.” She considered him for a moment and he resisted the urge to squirm like a child. “You know, when one is a duchess, one expects whomever one is speaking to, to pay a certain amount of attention.”
“My apologies, Your Grace. I don’t—”
“You were watching your wife.” Neville’s mother waved off his apology. “You can be forgiven for that.” Her gaze shifted back to Violet. “She’s turned out quite nicely, don’t you think?”
“I do indeed.”
“If one cared to look all those years ago, one could see the potential in her. Even you.”
“I was something of an idiot in my younger days.” No doubt the duchess had known Uncle Richard just as the duke had. One did wonder how often his marriage had been the topic of conversation among people he didn’t know. “I didn’t realize you knew Violet.”
“I didn’t. But I have been aware of every young woman who has entered society for the past ten years.” She smiled. “I have five sons, you know.”
“Of course.”
“She has acquired great polish in these years of your separation. And it’s obvious, at least to me, she has a kind heart, as well.”
He nodded.
“There have been rumors about her through the years as she has traveled abroad. She was a married woman after all, and dalliances are not uncommon, especially when a couple has long been apart. There have been rumors about you, as well. We know the veracity of the gossip about you.” She glanced at James. “Do you believe what’s been said about her?”
The very idea that Violet had been with other men twisted something inside him. Still, he would be the worst sort of hypocrite to condemn her for it. Aside from his own behavior, he had been the one to let her go. The one to say she could do as she wished. If he wanted to move forward with her, he needed to leave the past—both their pasts—behind them.
“Quite honestly, I don’t think it matters.”
Her Grace smiled slowly. “Excellent answer. It appears you have grown up after all.” She shook her head. “There was a time when the possibility of that seemed extremely remote.”
“I’m glad you approve.” James chuckled. “Do you know everything about everyone?”
“Yes,” the duchess said simply. “I make it my business to know. Being a leader of society is not nearly as easy as you might imagine. I have three daughters-in law who keep me informed as well.” She paused. “And I knew your mother.”
“Did you?”
The duchess nodded. “We were at school together. She was a good friend and I miss her to this day.”
“I had no idea.”
“There’s no reason you would have. You were very young when she died.” Her Grace again turned her attention to Violet. “She would have liked Violet.”
“I think so.”
“I know so.” She watched Violet for a moment. “There has been recent talk about you and your wife, you know. Oh nothing untoward, but speculation about why the two of you appear to have reconciled. Some of them—about money and position—are quite unkind. About you but more so about her.”
He should have expected something like this. “Thank you for telling me.”
“See that you don’t do anything to increase those rumors.”
“I shall do my best.”
“Well, that will have to do then won’t it?” The music stopped and the duchess waved to Violet to join them.
“I was just telling your husband how radiant you are tonight.” The duchess beamed. “Why, I daresay there are few gentlemen here who do not want a dance or a word with you.”
Violet laughed. “Dear Lord, I hope not. I’ve scarcely had a moment to breathe all night.”
“Alas, Her Grace is right.” James sighed dramatically. “I’ve only managed one dance with you myself.” He lowered his voice in a confidential manner. “It’s not easy having a wife as brilliant and lovely as Violet.”
“Such a wife is to be cherished, Lord Ellsworth. And she does need to know she is cherished.” The duchess eyed him thoughtfully. “You would do well to remember that.”
“I have no intention of ever forgetting.” He smiled at the duchess then turned his smile to Violet. A blush colored her cheeks, probably due to nothing more than the exertion of dancing and the heat in the room. Nonetheless, his heart skipped a beat.
“The two of you make a striking couple.” Her Grace smiled smugly. “But then I always thought you would. I do so love it when all is well in the end. When a tale ends with happily ever after.”
“I daresay it’s not quite the end yet.” Violet shrugged in an offhand manner. “Who’s to say what will happen next? Uncertainty is part of every breath we take.”
“But I assure you, Duchess,” James said with a smile, “happily ever after is well worth whatever it may take to get there.”
“There you are, Violet.” Violet’s mother joined them, accompanied by Lady Dalrymple. “And Your Grace,” she added as if surprised to see the duchess. James would have wagered otherwise.
“Margaret, Eloise,” the duchess said pleasantly. “I must say you have outdone yourself, Margaret.” She glanced around the ballroom. “This evening is an unqualified success.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” Lady Cranton beamed with pride. “I wanted to mark the engagement of our children with all the splendor it deserves.”
“Yes, well, you have certainly accomplished that.” The duchess smiled.
It all seemed rather pretentious to James’s way of thinking, but then admittedly, what did he know about throwing a ball?
“One does want to make one’s mark on the season,” Lady Dalrymple proclaimed. “Especially with an engagement. Why, you would hate for it not to be as perfect as possible.”
“Perfect, like so many things, is in the eye of the beholder, I believe,” the duchess said smoothly.
“Yes, of course, Your Grace. I simply didn’t want anything to go wrong. Unlike other similar events in the past.” Lady Cranton’s lips flattened into a disapproving line.
James could feel Violet tense beside him, but a serene smile remained on her face.
“However, Violet and James have promised to be on their best behavior for this evening,” Lady Cranton added.
“I don’t recall promising anything of the sort,” Violet said with a pleasant smile. “I didn’t think it was necessary.”
“It’s been quite lovely thus far.” The duchess’s gaze shifted from mother to daughter.
“We wouldn’t want a repeat of the last engagement party Violet attended.” Lady Dalrymple cast Violet a chastising look.
“Goodness, Eloise, that was a very long time ago,” Her Grace said firmly. “And needn’t be mentioned tonight.”
Violet’s mother ignored her. “Promise or not, you wouldn’t want to ruin this ball as you did James’s engagement party. And his engagement as well for that matter.”
Violet froze.
Why in the name of all that’s holy was the woman bringing that up now? Hadn’t they put that behind them? Although, perhaps this was his opportunity to come to her rescue. To defend her
. To be her knight. Her hero.
“That was entirely my fault, Lady Cranton.” He met her gaze directly. “Violet was simply caught up in my own mistake.”
“If I recall correctly, it didn’t look like it was entirely his fault,” Lady Dalrymple said under her breath.
“And yet—” a hard note rang in his voice “—it was.”
“Nonetheless, it did appear there was a great deal of enthusiasm on both sides.” Lady Dalrymple grimaced. “And then, of course, there was the slap.”
“Which I deserved,” he added quickly and slanted a glance at Violet, the very picture of calm composure.
“Regardless,” the duchess pointed out, “it was a mere kiss. And really insignificant in the scheme of things.”
“An engagement was ruined,” Lady Dalrymple murmured. “I wouldn’t call that insignificant.”
“I would call it fortunate.” James smiled at Violet who paid him no attention whatsoever.
“Why, if it hadn’t been such a dull season,” the duchess continued, “I daresay it wouldn’t have made any impression at all. It does seem to me, all has turned out well.”
“That’s very kind of you to say but it was a dreadful scandal.” Lady Cranton’s eyes narrowed. “The incident wasn’t bad enough but after James did the proper thing and agreed to marry her, she fled the country and has been doing God knows what with God knows who ever since!”
“Lady Cranton,” James said sharply. Violet hadn’t so much as twitched, but she was definitely paler than she had been a moment ago.
His mother-in-law continued without pause. “She does exactly as she pleases. She’s entirely too independent to be the least bit respectable. Why, we’re lucky, Your Grace, that you have been willing to overlook my oldest daughter’s shameful behavior and allow your son to marry my dear Caroline.”
The duchess frowned. “Good Lord, Margaret, I do think you’re being rather harsh.”
Violet’s mother raised her chin. “I daresay I haven’t been harsh enough. I’ve welcomed her into my home whenever she’s deigned to return to England and I included her tonight, which might well have been a mis—”
“That’s quite enough,” James said sharply.
Violet laid her hand on his arm. “That’s not necessary, James. I am more than capable of speaking for myself.”
“It is necessary. It’s more than necessary. And it’s past time, as well.” James aimed a hard look at Lady Cranton. “Your daughter is a woman I am proud and honored to call my wife. Indeed, I consider myself the most fortunate man here. No, in all the world.”
“James.” Violet’s brow furrowed.
He ignored her. “If you cannot treat her with the respect due her, she shall not call on you again and you will not be welcome in our home.”
“Then perhaps it’s time you took your leave,” Lady Cranton snapped.
“It seems to me, Mother, that the strain of the evening may be playing havoc with your sensibilities.” Violet lowered her voice and leaned toward her mother, her smile unfailingly perfect. “If we leave now, it will be noticed and remarked upon, thus creating the kind of gossip I’m confident you wish to avoid. And Caroline’s perfect evening will indeed be marred. I will not have this evening ruined for her.”
Lady Cranton glared. “I daresay—”
“No, Mother, you won’t say another word.” Violet’s voice was cool and collected, but anger flared in her eyes. The woman really was magnificent. “James and I will stay until an appropriate hour. At that point and not before, we shall take our leave.”
“Nicely done, my dear,” the duchess murmured.
“Now, if you will all excuse me, I see someone I simply must speak with. It is an excellent party, Mother. You are to be commended.” She favored the duchess with a genuine smile. “Your Grace.” She turned to the other ladies. “Mother. Lady Dalrymple.” She turned and made her way through the crowd in a serene and undisturbed manner.
“That was uncalled for, Margaret.” The duchess glared. “I must say I am most disappointed in you.”
“With all due respect, Your Grace.” Lady Cranton straightened her spine. James wouldn’t have thought it possible. “You do not have daughters. You have no idea how difficult an unruly daughter can be.” She cast James a scathing look. “And apparently their husbands are no better.” She adopted an overly bright smile. “Now, if you will excuse me, there are things I need to attend to. Duchess.” She nodded and moved off, her manner nearly as dignified as her daughter’s. James did hope it was nothing more than coincidence and not an indication of traits shared by mother and daughter.
Lady Dalrymple’s eyes widened and she looked after her friend then back at the duchess. “Your Grace.” She bobbed a curtsey and fled.
“Good Lord.” The duchess sighed.
“Rethinking your alliance with this family, Duchess?”
“Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do. My poor Neville is head over heels for Caroline. But they aren’t married yet,” she added, then raised a brow. “You did well to defend Violet.”
He tried and failed to resist a smug smile.
“However, it might have been a mistake.” She shook her head. “Women who have taken care of themselves don’t always appreciate when a man deigns to do it for them.”
He frowned in confusion. “That makes absolutely no sense. I would think she would appreciate it. I certainly would.”
“For a man who has a certain reputation with women you know absolutely nothing about us.”
“I was trying to be, well, her hero.”
“Lord save us from men trying to be heroes.” The duchess rolled her gaze at the ceiling. “Still, it was sweet in a misguided sort of way.”
“Thank you?” Surely the duchess was wrong. Surely Violet would appreciate his coming to her rescue.
“Shouldn’t you be going after your wife? Despite an impressive display of civility, I suspect she was somewhat upset.”
“Yes, of course.”
“And James.” The duchess smiled. “I believe you’re right. You might well be the most fortunate man here.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” He grinned. “I know.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
VIOLET MADE HER WAY across the ballroom in an unhurried and serene manner, a smile fixed firmly on her lips as if she were concerned with nothing more significant than her next partner. But a multitude of emotions swarmed in her stomach and her head. She needed a moment alone, to breathe deep and wait for the shaking of her hands and the trembling deep inside her to ease.
Violet departed the ballroom as gracefully as she could manage and headed toward the library. With its endless shelves and distinct scents, reminiscent of unknown lands and unimagined adventure, the library had been her favorite room as a child and a sanctuary when she grew older. The broad leather sofa at the far end of the room positioned to face the fireplace was where she had curled up to delve into a newly discovered story. The leaded glass doors opened to a small balcony where she could imagine being the kind of spirited heroine girls in Victoria’s England she could only dream about. A sanctuary was certainly what she needed now. The library was blessedly close to the ballroom, as well.
She slipped into the room, closed the door behind her and collapsed against it. Dear Lord, what was wrong with her? One would have thought those dreadful dinners with her family in recent years would have prepared her for Mother’s unpleasantness tonight. But this was different. This was in front of everyone who had witnessed her mistakes, her past humiliation. And God help her, it was indeed an engagement party and any observers would surely draw a connection between this party and another six years ago.
No, making her escape was the smartest thing she could do. Even if fleeing made her feel as if it were indeed six years ago and all the confidence and refinement she’d acquired was nothing more than a thin veneer
to shatter with a word from her mother.
“Thank goodness it’s you,” a voice sounded from the far end of the room and Caroline’s head appeared above the back of the sofa.
“What are you doing here?” Violet asked.
“Oh...” Caroline patted her hair into place. “Nothing of significance, really.”
A muffled masculine laugh sounded from behind the sofa back.
Violet gasped. “You’re not alone, are you?”
“My, you are perceptive, sister dear.”
“Good God, Caroline, what were you thinking?” Violet rolled her gaze toward the ceiling. She raised her voice. “Come along, Neville. Now that I’m here we can all leave together and no one will be any the wiser.”
“One problem with that.” A handsome young man popped up beside her sister on the sofa. He grinned with unabashed amusement. Violet remembered that grin. She had fallen in love with that grin. That was James’s grin. “I’m not Neville.”
Violet glared at her sister. “You do remember this is your engagement party?”
“Don’t be silly. Of course I do.”
The young man scrambled off the sofa, then helped Caroline to her feet.
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me.” Violet drew her brows together. “What are you doing?” Stupid question, really. It was more than obvious what they had been doing.
“Should I leave?” the young man asked Caroline, grabbing his coat off the arm of the sofa and shrugging into it.
“That’s probably for the best.” Caroline smoothed the wrinkles in her gown.
“Oh, it’s definitely for the best,” Violet snapped.
He smirked, then took Caroline’s hand and raised it to his lips, gazing into her eyes as if she were the only woman in existence. Dear Lord, the man was good. “Until next time.”
Caroline giggled.
“There will be no next time!” Violet scowled. “She’s about to be married.”
He sauntered toward the door, pausing beside Violet. He really was shockingly handsome. “I can overlook that.” He flashed her that wicked grin and took his leave.
The Lady Travelers Guide to Happily Ever After Page 15
