Yet, was she any better? If she were made of sterner stuff and lived by her principles, she’d point at the door and tell him to get out right now. No young woman should ever have to go through what Violet had gone through.
Just as quickly, the emotion drained away. Why should she expect any better from a client? Clearly Lord Belvedere, for all his charm and winning ways, was as morally deficient as all the rest.
And besides, one only had to see how far Violet had fallen than to know that she was the last person alive who could criticize another for their morals.
Lord Belvedere shook his head, unaware of her changed feelings towards him. “No, it was my fault for asking her to be there in the first place. For asking her to marry me when I knew she didn’t want to. Standing there in the silent vestry, feeling the sympathy of the wedding guests while my own shame nearly felled me…well, it was just divine punishment.” He took another sip, then kissed the tips of his fingers in a careless gesture of gallantry towards Violet.
Violet sought for a response. She was hardly about to exonerate him if that’s what he wanted. “That sounds like an excuse to me. She wouldn’t have accepted if she didn’t want to marry you. What if she was in an accident and that’s why she was delayed?” Her outrage grew. What a terrible thing for him to have done? Gone straight from the church to Violet’s bed. Why, that made Violet implicit in causing an innocent young woman pain she did not deserve.
“Believe me, there was no accident. Mabel cried off at the last moment. She realised what I should have realised—that she should never have accepted me, and that she’d be making as big a mistake as I by trying to please our families rather than ourselves.”
His face softened as he extended his arm and stroked Violet's shoulder. “No need to look like that. No harm done. Best thing that ever happened, in fact.”
Violet frowned. She couldn’t decide whether his cavalier attitude hid a broken heart, or whether he really was as overjoyed to be free as he made out.
“Your father must have been dismayed to say the least.”
“Pater’s been dead a long while. Mother the same. No trouble from that quarter.” His smile broadened.
“So…the poor young lady’s decision to cry off has left everyone happy? What a strange state of affairs.”
“Well, not everyone was happy. My grandfather was irate, to say the least, as was hers. They share adjoining estates and thought the idea of forging the next generation to create a mighty union a capital idea.” Lord Belvedere sighed and, for the first time, looked regretful as he toyed with the pieces. “My great-aunt, alas, is inconsolable.”
Violet wasn’t sure how to navigate such strange territory. “I suppose it’s better if one doesn’t get married just to please one’s grandfather…or great-aunt,” she said slowly while also thinking of the many women who married to please everyone in their families other than themselves.
Suddenly, he became brisk. “Now, where were we? Your turn, I believe?”
Violet studied the draughts board and made her move.
“Got me! And I didn’t see it coming!” Lord Belvedere took another slug of champagne.
“That’s either because you wanted to redeem yourself by playing the gentleman and letting me win or because your wits are addled.”
He laughed as he moved one of his pieces three places. “I like to think of myself as a gentleman. I’ve not found myself in an establishment like this before. And as to my wits being addled, it is not, in fact, a sensation with which I’m terribly familiar. I like operating with a clear mind. Tonight is an exception.”
“That would make you an anomaly amongst your set.” Violet sent him a wicked smile across the top of her glass as he raised one eyebrow and clearly pondered a response. She wondered if he were the kind who was quick to anger when their manliness or any other apparent prowess was questioned, despite his assertions that suggested the contrary.
“I am an anomaly amongst my set apparently.” He gestured to his surroundings with a sweep of his arm. “Yes, it’s my first visit to a place like this, and I don’t know why I allowed Bletchley—that’s my best man—to persuade me to come here, though when I set eyes on you all objections died on my lips. But, do you know; I recognised three gentlemen. Married men, too.” He shook his head. “Now, coming to a place like this when one is married is not, in my opinion, the mark of a gentleman.”
Violet shifted position, uncomfortable with his talk. “Some of these men do not enjoy the comforts of home that they—”
“Feel entitled to?” he interrupted. He shook his head, his expression uncompromising. “Sorry, but that doesn’t wash with me. They should have been wiser in their choice of wife.”
“You do not recognise a double standard? I hardly believe you are practising as you preach, Lord Belvedere. Sorry if I sound sceptical, but don’t you think you’d have soon been back through those doors to see me as a married man if the woman you wed proved unsatisfactory in bed?”
He sent her a level look and shook his head. “No.”
“No?” Violet tried for her most artful smile in an attempt to lighten the mood.
To her surprise, he remained serious. “No. Honour and freedom are the codes by which I live. I was ready to follow the honourable path and do what Grandfather wished of me for the sake of the family. I'd have accepted my responsibility and I'd have been faithful, regardless of what it cost me. But when Mabel bolted, I was overwhelmed by the prospect of being, suddenly and unexpectedly, free.” He relaxed, his beautiful smile transforming him into the most handsome man Violet thought she’d ever seen.
“My, but I am glad it was you who came to my rescue, sweet Violet. So much so that I’m truly sorry to leave you, knowing that I shan’t be back.”
A pang of regret ripped through her. Violet couldn’t believe it. She actually wanted to welcome this man back into her arms and would have no issue telling him so? What’s more, she’d mean it, for while she’d said similar words to Lord Bainbridge, that had been paying her most valuable customer the necessary lip service. Survival talk.
“You’d be very welcome,” she said softly. And he would. In all the time she’d been at Madame Chambon’s, Violet had never met a man as charming as Lord Belvedere.
“Ah well.” He began to neaten the draughts board, placing the scattered pieces in their rightful places. Violet couldn’t keep her eyes off his hands. They were long-fingered and gentle. Well, gentle when needed, and very successful in whipping up her long-dormant sexual impulses, too. She swallowed, hoping he didn’t notice the blush that brightened her cheeks as she recalled the clearly mutually enjoyable exploits that had so recently played out upon her bed.
He looked up. “Lightskirts are forbidden in my code of gallantry, and tonight will be a single lapse before I pick myself up after the tumultuous events of this afternoon and forge ahead as the gentleman I propose to be.”
Violet ignored the taunt to her calling. “I think you are more upset about being jilted than you would allow.”
“My pride was dented, it’s true, but I am more excited about the freedom ahead of me than I am downcast at losing face.”
Violet held out her empty glass, then raised it in a toast as the foaming liquid spilled over the edge. “Here’s to your freedom, my Lord. Go forth and make the most of it for not many of us know what freedom is.”
He raised his eyebrows as if her words surprised him, stopping with the glass poised at his lips. “And what is freedom for you, my lovely Violet?”
“Choosing the man upon whom I bestow my favours.” She regretted the words the moment they were out and hoped one of Madame’s spies didn’t have their ear to the wall. Gentlemen paid a fortune to come to this house in order to feel they were the centre of the universe.
“Ah, so that’s why you’re so pleased I’m here since you invited me back, and it’s clear we like one another.” In one swift movement, he placed his glass upon the chest of drawers and pushed her back onto the mattres
s, kissing her thoroughly on the mouth while one hand skimmed her thigh.
To Violet’s astonishment, her body responded with a skittering of pleasurable anticipation right the way up her spine while her womb pulsed with desire.
Until, to her equal surprise, her pleasure was replaced by a sense of desolation when he rolled off her and stood up, casting about for his shirt which he began pulling over his head.
“You have been utterly beguiling, my delicious Violet,” he said, as his head emerged and he positioned his stiffened collar before reaching for his trousers. His light-brown eyes sparkled. He truly did look like a man who was both satisfied yet regretful to be leaving.
But surely he’d come back?
“And, dear girl, you deserve all the freedom you desire.”
“So, freedom for you is simply not being married to Miss Mabel?” Violet couldn’t let him go without knowing more. “Is that all?”
“Freedom for me is adventuring across the seas to foreign lands. I was supposed to be heading off on my wedding tour to the Continent as we speak, but I’ve a notion that Africa will suit me far better.” As he worked to slide his cufflinks into place, his expression took on a faraway look. “Yes, Africa. There’s gold and diamonds to be discovered there. Perhaps I’ll book my passage to Cape Town the moment I step out of here. I could invest in a gold mine. And shoot some lions and tigers. After all, I’m a free man now without obligations for the very first time I can remember. I can do anything I want. You have no idea how wonderful it is to say those words out loud, Violet. I’m free.”
Violet watched him in silence. Already he was leaping forward in his life, envisioning all the marvellous opportunities that stretched ahead. She felt like weeping at the vast chasm between what each could hope for from their respective futures. Instead, she murmured, “There are no tigers in Africa.”
He stopped as he slid the second cufflink home, his lips trembling with suppressed amusement. “Not only beautiful, you are also clever, Violet. I was testing you, of course. Though what would you know about tigers?”
The pounding in her head made her close her eyes. What would she know about tigers? More than he’d ever find out, she thought painfully.
“A little,” she ventured. But he was too occupied with tidying himself to attend to her properly. Finally satisfied with his appearance, he turned and put his hands on her shoulders.
“Farewell, my lovely Violet. Thank you for this evening. You brought me back from the brink.”
“But now you will never think of me again. Or visit?”
Why had she said that? It sounded bitter, and that was something she’d sworn she would never be. Not like her grandmother who revelled in it, and who’d ensured the orphans thrust upon her would never know what it was like to be carefree as their punishment for being born.
He was halfway to the door but he turned, a myriad of emotions flitting across his face. What a handsome man he was, his well-cut suit highlighting his broad shoulders and long legs, his smile boyish and heartrending. In two strides, he returned to sweep her into his arms and kissed her deeply.
A long, languid, thorough kiss that left her shaking and desperate for more when they both came up for air.
For a moment, they remained clasped tightly in one another’s arms, the only sound their heavy breathing.
After a moment, he whispered, “No, I will not return, alas. But I’ve enjoyed what we shared.” He held her away from him and gently touched her lips with his forefinger. “It was a…particularly satisfying intimacy I could never engage in with a young lady I’d only just met.”
“You just did.”
“With a marriage prospect, then.” He cleared his throat and seemed to try for a brisker, more lighthearted tone. “Well now, my clever Violet who possesses such attention to detail, it has been an absolute pleasure meeting you.” He dropped his hands and made for the door. “I wish you all the best for your life. You never know, perhaps I’ll send a postcard from the Sudan or Cairo, for I don’t expect I’ll forget you in a hurry.”
“Please address it to Miss Violet Lilywhite," Violet murmured, wanting to imprint it on his brain. “And you can always ask for me by name if you can toss out your scruples and step over Madame’s threshold. Remember, it’s Violet, not Victoria. Violet like the colour of the sunsets you dream of experiencing on the dark continent and Lilywhite because,” she touched her heart, “though my soul may seem black with sin to you, now, it was lily white when I stumbled into this house.”
A shadow flickered across his face. He looked about to question her. Then he smiled; genuine and regretful as he put his hand on the doorknob. “I’m afraid I shan’t be back, but I shall certainly relive this lovely evening with you when I recline in my chair in the heart of the African bush and gaze at the setting sun. And I’ll certainly recommend you to the more discerning of my set. Decent fellows, they are. Because a girl like you deserves the best.”
Chapter 2
When Max stalked into the breakfast parlour at ten o’clock, feeling distinctly jaded following his exploits of the night before, he was dismayed to find it occupied.
“Rather late for you to be breakfasting, Aunt Euphemia,” he remarked, for she generally rose at six and liked to eat shortly afterwards.
“I’m not such a creature of habit,” the old lady said with a clearly fabricated attempt at artlessness. Max knew she’d been doggedly sitting here for hours just so she could waylay him. As of course she’d feel obliged to do.
Not that he intended calling her out on it.
Or indulging her desire for revisiting yesterday’s events.
After helping himself to haddock and eggs from the sideboard, he took a seat opposite her then pulled the newspaper towards him before hesitating. Did he really have the fortitude to see his public shame laid out in newsprint for the world to see? No doubt Aunt Euphemia had read the article three times.
“I don’t think you should read it, Max,” she said, dabbing her eyes with her lace handkerchief before stifling a little cough she was soon unable to control.
A fortuitous interruption which might deflect her entirely from mentioning that which Max intended never to mention again. His marriage. Before, present, or future. He’d dodged a bullet and he was off to Africa to celebrate.
“I wonder if you’re well enough to be up and about, Aunt,” he said, frowning. “Has grandfather not called the doctor?”
“I’ve been consulting doctors for months and there’s nothing a doctor can do for me now, Max.” Her tone of resignation made him glance up from his food.
“What do you mean, Aunt?”
She didn’t meet his eye, but he studied her as she daintily tore a croissant in half. Her fingers had always been birdlike, but he observed for the first time that the rest of her was distinctly more birdlike than he remembered. Aunt Euphemia had never been a robust figure of health, but she’d dished out justice and hugs with the necessary strength to satisfy a young orphan boy who’d craved both.
“We all must go sometime, Max.”
He felt unaccountably panicked as he searched her face for refutation of that which she’d implied. “You’re far from old, Aunt Euphemia.” He didn’t know if he should grip her hand or what he should say. “You’ve caught a chill. We all suffer from inflammation of the lungs but you’re taking a little longer to get better this time.”
Knowing that the sadness in her smile was sympathy for him and not self-pity doubled his pain. Watching her distress as another hacking cough gripped her was unbearable.
“I’d have liked longer but there it is,” she managed, dabbing at her mouth. She looked so frail in the harsh sunlight that filtered through the window that Max felt like leaping up and enfolding her in his arms. The buttered toast he tried to swallow tasted like ashes.
“I had so hoped to see you settled and happy.”
Max nearly said that the two certainly did not go together where he was concerned but thought better of it. Aunt Euphe
mia had always been such a hopeless romantic, and if it gave her pleasure to believe Max was like any normal, red-blooded young man who aspired to marrying the ‘right’ girl, he’d do it.
“I don’t know what possessed Mabel to do what she did. That letter she sent you made no sense at all.”
Max grunted. He’d received Mabel’s hastily scrawled missive when he’d arrived back from Madame Chambon’s, but by that stage was so buoyed up by spirits—whisky and euphoria from the wonderful time he’d had with that damned fine barque of frailty he’d met there—to care a jot for Mabel’s reasons for crying off.
She’d said she simply didn’t love him as he deserved to be loved, so what was good for the goose should be good for the gander. Clearly, romantic love was more important to Mabel than Max had understood, in which case she deserved better than be bound to him for life.
Aunt Euphemia coughed delicately. “You’d have been a good husband, Max. Kind. Considerate. There are few enough men who fall into that category. Mabel has made a grave error, and I only pray she’ll come to her senses before I’m in my grave.”
“Aunt, please don’t talk like that. It was for the best!” Max reached across and patted her hand, conscious of its papery feel, tempering the alarm in his tone. The thought of not having Aunt Euphemia to come home to once he’d sown his wild oats and returned to familial duty left him bereft.
He cleared his throat. “To tell you the truth, I couldn’t be more relieved.” If only to lessen her pain, he had to reassure her that he was not brokenhearted. Which he wasn’t. He’d been piqued and embarrassed but that had quickly given way to relief. As for his grandfather, let him believe what he liked. Max felt no sense of responsibility for pleasing the old man who’d criticised Max his whole life.
But Aunt Euphemia was in a different category. Max would do anything to make her happy. He began to stroke her hand, smiling to try and erase the sadness from her eyes.
“Oh, you say it, Max, but what will you do now? You and Mabel were to be married after having known each other for so very many years. A whole wonderful world of family and domesticity has been snatched from you by her cruel and selfish behaviour of yesterday.”
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