by Beth Byers
The woman who had sized up Jack and found him desirable was Fanny Browne, with her husband, Michael, next to her. Violet nodded to them all and learned they were all going to the same oversized blend of hunting lodge and hotel.
It was in the Lake District near Scafell and was said to have rather a lot of lovely outdoor activities. Jack had been immediately intrigued while Violet didn’t care as long as it was far, far, far from Lady Eleanor.
Though Vi would have just as soon gone back to the country house and loved on Victor’s babies until they were big enough to tell her to go away, Victor had been ordered to bring the little twins and Kate to his mother-in-law with the threat of dire consequences.
Violet listened to the chatter while she recovered from her nap. She felt rather as though her head had been dipped in wool and suspected that she needed more sleep than a short nap on the train. She tried to laugh when the others laughed, but she yawned more often than not. She was being taken down by the dreams again. After the murder in the country house followed by a break-in where Victor’s twin babies had been at risk, she hadn’t slept well for weeks.
Vi was sure that Jack had dragged her to London to see if it would help, and when it didn’t, he was dragging her back out again. She had little doubt he’d drag her around the countryside with the wholesome air and the beautiful sights until her body remembered how to sleep at night. Perhaps by then they could go back to the country house and be there when the babies returned.
The train ride finished before Violet could slide fully back into sleep, and she was encompassed with gathering her things and getting off the train. “I want a cool bath,” Violet told Jack. “A nap, ginger wine, and something cold. Ice cream? Lemon ice? I’m not picky.”
“You are too,” Denny said. “She wants chocolate ice cream. Several scoops. Have it sent to my room, and I’ll hand deliver to Violet, so she doesn’t have to quibble with the servants.”
“I could go for one of those as well,” Jovie answered, winking at Denny. “Order one for me too.” She hooked her hand through Violet’s. “Walk with me, would you?”
Violet blinked in surprise, but she followed Jovie off the train. As they stepped down into the station, each of them carrying a leather satchel that university students used, Jovie said, “Your friend Ham…”
Violet waited.
“…he’s a bachelor?”
Violet nodded.
“He’s entirely unattached?”
That was the rub, wasn’t it? Violet was rather sure that Hamilton was very much attached. The object of his affection, however, had fled the country after Ham had sidestepped her, given that Rita was ridiculously wealthy and he was a working inspector.
“It’s complicated,” Violet said with a shrug. “I can’t give you the details, but he’s not a safe bet.”
Jovie nodded. She seemed to be seeing something that no one else could. Instead she added, “He’s rather manly, isn’t he? Like your Jack. They feel…dangerous…in my head.”
Violet considered what Jovie was saying and found herself more baffled that this near stranger was speaking to her of Jack’s attractions.
“All men are dangerous in my experience,” Violet said quellingly. “Give them the right set of circumstances and any of us are quite dangerous. Women are much the same.”
Jovie shrugged Violet’s statement off. “There’s just something about fellows like Jack and Ham. The rest of them feel like paper dolls. I enjoy a vital man.” At Violet’s expression, Jovie laughed and then patted her cheek lightly. “Don’t worry. I heard your warning about Hamilton, and I’d never step into another woman’s place. I’m sure my mother would prefer I was not many things I am, but of that sin, she can feel assured.”
Violet didn’t have a reply other than a sarcastic snort, which she held back as she didn’t have a full read on Jovie. She looked about for the objects of their conversation and found them standing with Jovie’s friends near a uniformed man. Jack waved her over and Violet told Jovie, “We’re being beckoned.”
Violet started that way but turned back when Jovie didn’t. She took in Jovie’s expression and said honestly, “Ham is taken in all the ways that matter, as far as I can tell.”
“I’m guessing what you can tell is pretty valuable.” Jovie’s mouth twisted, but she winked at Violet. “It was a passing fancy. Or maybe a passing wish. I have been finding the gents in my general association to be wanting in the extreme. I suppose I was hoping for the marvelous hand of fate.”
“I don’t blame you for being interested in this group of friends. It’s not just Hamilton who’s a good friend to have. We all are.” For good measure, Violet added, “Me especially. I’m wonderful. A joy to the world really.” Having a new victim for her favorite joke was nearly as fun as seeing her twin’s eye twitch when she used it again. “Well, this was a little awkward and a little fun.”
Jovie choked on a laugh. “I’ve already decided to focus on the fun.”
“I suppose we should be friends then,” Vi answered as they reached the autos. They moseyed too slowly, having to pause and wait for a school group with a long string of students. When they made it past the children, they discovered that the first auto from the lodge had left with the two expectant mothers and their spouses. The second auto had left with the other couple from Jovie’s group of friends.
As they were getting into the final auto with Ham and Jack, Jovie ducked down, covering her head, and said, “Oh! Michael said they weren’t coming.”
“Who?” Violet asked. There was still too much of a crowd for anyone in particular to stand out, and it was obvious that Jovie did not wish to be seen.
“Gervais and Ricky!”
“Random gents? I need details.”
Violet played with her wedding ring as Jovie hissed, “Is it safe? Can they see me? Why am I hiding? They’re going where we are going. Even if I successfully hide from them now, they’ll find me later.”
“The auto is moving,” Ham told her. “Who are you hiding from?”
“A couple of blokes from my school days. I tend not to come to these getaways when they do.”
“Why?” Ham asked, eyes narrowed. Violet could see the alert protector ready to step in.
“They seem to think I’m theirs for the taking whenever they decide they’re done with their bachelor ways.”
“Why?” Violet demanded, instantly disgusted and furious.
“Because everyone else paired up among our friends, so that must mean I’m theirs. Especially after Pamela and Michael got married. No one really expected that, so they lost one of their two easy resolutions for when their mother’s nagging gets too much to bear.”
Ham leaned back and closed his eyes. Jack’s gaze was fixed beyond the window. They were bored, but Violet had to admit to herself that her own group of friends had become a little boring as they had settled into their lives. Lila wasn’t there to enjoy the gossip with Violet and when she was, it was all babies.
“We need to have a party,” Violet announced over Jovie’s description of Gervais.
“Oh,” Jovie said.
“No offense,” Violet told her. “I prefer my gossipy stories to be told where I can see the victim. In a sort of loud whisper that can be overheard by the subject.”
“That does sound fun,” Jovie said, “and I do hate Gervais and Ricky. Perhaps I can go to this party.”
“Agreed.”
Chapter 3
“What do you like to do?” Jovie asked as she adjusted her dress and hat from diving down to hide.
It would take at least an hour to motor to the lodge where they were staying, and Violet was already sweltering in the auto. She motioned Jack to crack the window and glanced at Jovie.
Almost stupidly, Violet said, “I don’t know. The usual stuff.”
“She writes,” Hamilton told Jovie. “Pulp novels with monsters or detectives or ingénues with otherworldly beauty and innocence.”
“She buys clothes.” Jack smil
ed at Violet. “She torments her siblings, enjoys chocolate, is something of a brilliant business woman, and interferes endlessly.”
“Oh!” Jovie grinned at Violet, glanced at Hamilton and announced, “I am looking for the position of a new dearest friend. Is she free?”
“Only if you don’t mind her sister, sister-in-law, Lila, and Rita sharing the position.”
“Do they all like each other?” Jovie asked rather seriously.
Hamilton paused and then answered rather seriously as well. “I suppose we’re all a bit of a family.”
“So yes?” Jovie asked.
Together, the others answered, “Yes.”
“That does sound nice,” Jovie said, and Violet felt certain that there were underlying emotions that went with it. Was it because her own family was lackluster? Or perhaps there was some oddness among Jovie’s friends? It wasn’t as though any of them had waited for her or looked after her. Vi paused as she considered upon that. None of Vi’s friends would have left any of the others behind alone.
Even, Violet thought, the gents. The girls would have made sure their friends were gathered up and had a ride before letting an auto leave, and the gents would have made certain it was so. Violet felt a flash of sympathy if Jovie’s friends weren’t of the same caliber.
Vi asked, “What about the folks you’re traveling with? How long have you known each other?”
“Since our earliest days,” Jovie said rather cheerily with whatever momentary sadness completely hidden. “Michael is my cousin through my mother. Fanny and I shared a room throughout our school days. Pamela was just across the hall from us or just down the hall. You know how it is. Lyle was Michael’s roommate. We’ve been each other’s pockets for so long I don’t remember what it is like to not have them around.”
That Violet could understand. Jack, however, drew her attention to the window and Violet leaned forward to see the pretty bird Jack pointed out. The conversation turned from friendships to the countryside and then to the upcoming long weekend in the country.
“I’ve been here at least a half dozen times,” Jovie told them. “There’s a rather thrilling scramble from Scafell to Scafell Pike, but it’s not a good choice for the uninitiated. Lots of other excellent places to wander about and just an excess of sheep.”
“Sheep?” Hamilton asked with a smirk and Jovie shrugged.
“I’ve always loved them. Baaaah is just a delightful noise for an animal to make. Do you like animals?”
Hamilton nodded. “Who doesn’t? Vi has two excellent little spaniels and I’ve been considering getting a bulldog.”
“Really?” Violet demanded, instantly knowing that she’d be finding one for Ham.
“Just need to decide what to do with the fellow when I’m working out of town.”
“Leave her with us, of course. Or Beatrice. Beatrice loves dogs and misses the spaniels when I’m not about.”
“She has rather a lot to do without me adding to it.”
“Ham,” Violet told him seriously. “If you don’t leave your dog with us when you go, I’ll be offended. Or at least leave her with our staff. I love her already. Will you name her Daisy?”
“I’m getting a male.”
Violet grinned at him wickedly and it seemed that Jovie could read Vi’s mind for she echoed Vi’s expression.
Hamilton glanced between the two of them and then at Jack.
“Don’t look to me, old boy,” Jack told Ham. “You know I can do nothing.”
Violet winked at Ham who sighed.
“Holmes was an excellent name,” Jack observed.
“I could have a Moriarty,” Ham said.
“What about an Irene?” Vi suggested with amusement.
“Why must it be a girl?” Ham demanded with a scowl.
“Because you’re fixated on a boy.”
“I had a boy as a child,” Ham told Vi. “Had to leave him behind to go to the war and he wasn’t around when I got back.”
Violet clutched her chest and then she reached out, taking Ham’s hand. “Moriarty it is.”
“That’s too hard to say,” Jack interjected. “What about Watson?”
“Bloody hell,” Ham groaned. “Isn’t this my dog?”
Vi’s expression was wicked again when she answered. “It’s a family dog. And he’ll need a sister.”
Ham groaned again and dropped back against his seat to close his eyes while Jovie’s laughter filled the auto. A moment later, Jack handed Ham a lit cigarette. “I think you need this.”
“By Jove, I do.” Hamilton didn’t open his eyes more than a sliver to light the cigarette and then he closed them again, breathing deeply. “I think your wife might drive me mad.”
“She’ll drive us all mad,” Jack said.
“But I’ll certainly put you all in a very nice home,” Violet told them. “I might even keep up your cigarette supply. If you keep a civil tone in your mouth.”
Before anyone could reply, the auto turned up a narrow road and they all shifted to look forward.
“Oh,” Violet breathed and Jovie nodded happily.
“Isn’t it lovely?”
It looked like the earl’s country estate if it were made of logs instead of stone. It was ridiculously large with a roof of red plank and encircled with a wide, covered porch. The garden around the lodge wasn’t a sculpted masterpiece but wildness contained. Violet gasped again, taking in the carved wooden gargoyles that added the most surprising charm. There was ivy growing up the side of the building towards a series of deep, wide-set windows. They looked to each have a window seat, and everything about the place proclaimed itself to be a peaceful, arboreal haven.
“I love it,” Violet told Jack. “We should have one of these.”
“Or you could just come visit this one like other people,” Ham suggested. “Not even your father has bought a lodge.”
“She’s not normal,” Jovie inserted and Violet laughed.
“My father would be much more trackable if he had but one hunting lodge instead of a series of them. But we’ll come back to this one?”
Jack’s grin was there at the edge of his lips and his wide shoulders shifted slightly. “If you’d like.”
“She might hate it,” Ham said to Jack. “We haven’t even gone in yet.”
“She won’t,” Jovie said as Violet said, “I won’t.”
Jovie added, “Oh, I do need a lover who uses the phrase, ‘If you’d like.’”
“Everyone does,” Violet agreed, laughing at the stoic expressions on both Ham and Jack’s faces.
Violet was handed out of the auto a few minutes later by Jack while Ham handed out Jovie. They both stretched luxuriously. “Is this place as wonderful as it looks?”
A breeze hit them, whipping through the trees, and Violet closed her eyes in sheer appreciation.
Jovie nodded simply. “The rooms are comfortable, the food is amazing, the walks and rambles are always delightful. It’s a bit of a dip into the wholesome and wonderful, but then you come back and find a hot bath. There are even hot springs to float in.”
“Yes,” Violet told Jack. “All of that.”
“You can also make an appointment with a masseuse for a massage while you’re here—even daily.”
Violet was already nodding. She was going to do that too. She was going to do all of those things. “Hike, long soak in the hot springs, masseuse, dinner, cocktails.”
“Sold,” Jovie said. “I suppose I better run on up and locate my friends. Possibly switch my room away from them if Gervais and Ricky are about. I have heard Gervais’s mother has been aggressively mentioning grandchildren.”
“His mother?” Ham asked.
“That sound of disgust is delightful,” Jovie agreed. “His mother is the provider of the allowance.”
Ham’s snort followed Jack and Violet into the hotel where they were greeted with cold lemonade. Violet took her glass, a seat in the massive foyer, and refused to move until she’d finished her drink. The c
eilings were tall with fans circulating the air. With the large windows and the lodge standing under the trees, the place was so much cooler that Violet felt certain if she could only have a cool bath, she’d probably survive.
“Jovie darling,” Violet told her. “It has been a pleasure, but a cool bath is singing an intoxicating lullaby.”
“Oh,” she said, “I think I hear it. Dinner?”
“Nine o’clock?”
“Delightful,” Jovie said.
Ham watched her go and then turned to Violet. “You make such interesting friends. It’s like people just want to tell you their secrets.”
“It’s my eyes,” Violet told him. “They’re very trustworthy.”
Her gaze moved over him, showing a flash of her worry, and he reached out and pressed a kiss on her forehead. “I feel as though I’ve gained a wonderful sister.”
“Careful,” Violet said with a grin, “Victor calls me a pretty devil.”
Ham turned to follow the porter to his room, but paused. “Is she all right? Have you heard from her?”
Violet didn’t need him to tell her that he meant Rita. “She seems down, but she’s seen some amazing things.”
Ham frowned. Before he got too far from her, Violet said, “You could fix that.”
Ham didn’t turn, but he didn’t shake his head either. She glanced at Jack, who told her, “You should leave it alone.”
“He loves her,” Violet told Jack. He didn’t reply. Her head tilted at him, but he was unmoved.
“You draw your cool bath. I’ll order ices to our room.”
“Send Denny some chocolate ice cream,” Violet suggested.
“I know you were the one behind the too-small suit.”
Violet grinned evilly. “That wasn’t because I care what size he is. I just like watching Lila torture him.”
Jack shook his head in bemusement as Violet turned and followed their porter up the stairs.
Chapter 4
The Lake District might be more country than London, but Violet dressed with London fashions in mind, not disregarding the heat, however. Her dress was short, sleeveless, and pale cream with matching beads covering it. She put on a long strand of pearls and earbobs but left off the rest of her jewelry. When she turned from the mirror after applying a light layer of mascara and lipstick, she found Jack nearby, looking very handsome.
