The Lady's Fate (The Reluctant Grooms Volume II)

by Anne Gallagher

  “You will be half frozen by the time you arrive to your mother’s. We have no time for hot bricks or rugs.” He looked at her and smiled. “Come now, take my arm.” He opened the door and they stepped out into the freezing rainstorm.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Where is the portrait?” Ellis demanded of Manning.

  “The portrait, my lord?”

  “Yes, the portrait of my daughter and Lady Violet.”

  “Lady Violet asked me to return it to Lady Jane as it is hers,” Manning said.

  “What do you mean hers? I thought it was mine.” Ellis was at a loss. Who would give a child a portrait as beautiful as that?

  “I’m afraid not, my lord. Lady Violet painted it for Lady Jane so she would always have a remembrance of her.”

  “Lady Violet painted it? How do you know that?”

  “She told me, my lord.”

  Ellis faced the windows. The sleet formed small mountains of ice on the panes. “Where is she, Manning? I should like to thank her in person.”

  “She has gone, my lord.”

  Ellis whirled to face his butler. “Gone! What do you mean, gone?”

  “She wished to depart and was very adamant about it. She claimed she would walk home if need be and so I took it upon myself to drive her.”

  “What?” Ellis, outraged his butler would be so devious, approached him. “How do you dare?”

  “It was her wish, my lord. She seemed as overset after luncheon as Lady Jane was before, and I would not deny her. I did not wish for her to catch another fever.” Manning stood defiant, a smug expression on his face.

  “What did she say?” Ellis clenched and unclenched his fists.

  “From what I managed to glean from her babbling, she could not bear the thought of staying overnight. Said, it would be better if she left. I was under the impression Lady Baxter was at the crux of the matter.”

  Damn Georgiana! Ellis had never been a violent man, but now wanted to punch something. Hard. He dismissed Manning and sat in his chair. What had he done?

  *****

  Countess Rose Flowers took delight in seeing her daughter home, but chastised Haverlane for his thoughtlessness in allowing her to return in the storm.

  “Whatever was he thinking? Goodness me, it is enough to think we are returning to winter. Has he no care for your health?”

  Gwynnie helped Violet off with her borrowed coat.

  Her mother let out a small cry. “Where did you get that gown, Violet?”

  Violet had forgotten she had not told her mother about Lady Penny’s generosity.

  “Lady Penny arrived at Fairhaven soon after your departure. Because I have lost so much weight, and my other dresses altered as much would allow, she gave me several of her older ones. I did not think you would mind, Mother. I knew I could not write and ask for money to have new ones made.” Violet wanted nothing more than go to her room and cry herself to sleep, but sensed her mother was determined to keep her.

  “You say she gave you others. Where are they?” Lady Flowers demanded.

  “There was a misunderstanding at Lord Haverlane’s and my trunk was unloaded with Jane’s,” Violet lied. “We left rather quickly due to the storm and there was no time to retrieve it from upstairs. Mr. Manning assured me he would send the trunk round tomorrow.”

  “Well, that is just as well. Now I will not have to have you fitted for anything more than your few ball gowns, unless, pray, did she bestow one or two evening garments on you as well?” Rose sounded hopeful.

  “No, Mother. She did not and I am exceedingly grateful for what she has given me.”

  “As well you should be,” Lady Flowers clucked. “Befriended by a duchess. Bless my soul, Violet. Now I shall say you will be the talk of the Season. Let us hope she has some influence in finding you a suitable match.”

  Violet thought she might retch if she stayed in her mother’s presence one more minute.

  “Mother, forgive me. I must retire to my room. The carriage ride proved excruciating and I should like nothing more than to lie down for a bit.”

  “Very well, if you must,” her mother said through pursed lips. “But I should like to hear more about Lady Caymore during dinner. She is a delightful creature to be sure.”

  “Yes, Mother.” Violet dutifully kissed her mother’s cheek and went to her room.

  Throwing herself on the bed, she hugged her pillow and cried. Grateful her sisters were from home, she sobbed until she used up all her tears.

  Lady Georgiana Baxter. Just thinking of the woman made Violet’s heart pound unnaturally. But there was nothing for it. Haverlane was in love with her and Violet must learn to live with it. Oh, poor Jane! Whatever was to become of her? Violet could not see that woman taking a liking to the child, and Violet’s heart broke all over again. If she had to, she would beg Haverlane to allow Jane to return to Fairhaven with Mary. She and Mrs. Jeffers would be more than willing to care for her. Violet had lost all patience with Cousin Phyllidia and did not expect her back at all.

  Violet lay on her bed listening to the wind howl outside her windows. Manning had proved to be a friend, helping her sneak away from Haverlane. She wondered if he would feel any repercussions in aiding her. She also wondered if he guessed her secret. Her discourse in the carriage was nonsensical at best, incoherent prattle, but Manning had taken her gloved hand and told her all would be well.

  “His lordship has gotten himself into a bit of a blunder, but all will be made right. Do not you worry, my lady,” he had said.

  Violet hoped so for Jane’s sake. Tears started again. Oh, how she loved Jane! Less than an hour parting from her company, Violet missed her as if she were her own child. How would she get through the days without her? Jane had been her constant companion, and Violet cherished their time together. Jane was such a loving, sweet little girl and filled Violet’s days with joy and fun and laughter. Oh, she could be a minx when she wanted, but Violet would not change that about her for the world.

  There was a knock on the door and Gwynnie poked her head in.

  “Are you well? I could hear you weeping from the kitchen.”

  “No, Gwynnie. I am missing Jane. I did not think I would fall so in love with the child, but I have and now I am bereft. I know Mother wishes me at dinner, but I am not up to it. Would you tell her I am sleeping?”

  Gwynnie made a snorting noise.

  “Oh, Gwynnie, please? I beg you. I know you object to lying, and I would not ask if I did not feel so sorrowful. I am quite unequal to sitting at table and pretending to be gay. Mother will have so many questions and I just need the comfort of being alone with my own thoughts. Please, Gwynnie.” Violet understood where Gwynnie’s loyalty lay, and prayed, just this once the old housekeeper would take her side.

  Gwynnie snorted again. “Aye, well, you do look as if you been rung out, and ‘twould do no good to come down with your face puffed up. Sleep now, but I ‘spec you to break your fast.”

  Violet got off the bed and hugged her. “Thank you, Gwynnie. I shall be well on the morrow. I promise.”

  Gwynnie snorted again, closed the door, and left Violet alone. She undressed and found an old sleeping gown, snuggled into it, stoked the fire, and climbed into bed.

  Haverlane had made his choice and there was nothing for it. Violet’s last thought before she closed her eyes was of Lady Georgiana Baxter in Haverlane’s arms.

  The next day Violet awoke to unfamiliar sounds, girls talking, loud noises coming from below stairs, an uneven ticking that proved to be drops of water leaking from the window casing. Violet sighed and pushed the covers from her. She would not sleep any more and decided to make the best of her homecoming. She dressed in a rather ugly day gown gathered from her closet. The pink she had worn yesterday still lay on the chair where she had tossed it, wrinkled beyond imagining. Looking in the small mirror attached to the dresser, she tied a ribbon around her hair and pinched her cheeks. Her eyes, still a bit swollen needed a cold compress, but th
ey could wait until she escaped her mother’s interrogation.

  Violet entered the breakfast room and was grateful Camelia was the first to embrace her.

  “Oh, Violet, it is so good to see you. I have missed you terribly.”

  “And I you, sister.” Violet gave her a kiss on the cheek, as well to her other siblings and lastly to her mother.

  “Gwynnie said you were asleep last night and thought better of waking you,” her mother said, reaching for a piece of toast. “Said you looked positively done in. I am glad to see you are recovered.”

  “I am better today, Mother. It was an arduous journey and I am glad I am home,” Violet lied. In truth, she wanted nothing more than to be back at Fairhaven.

  “Well, now, sit down. Tell me all that has transpired. I should like to hear more about Lady Penny’s beneficence. How did she come to you so quickly after her departure? Had you kept up a correspondence with her?”

  Violet sat at her familiar place at the table and poured a cup of tea. Holly and Ivy ate and did not seem to care Violet was home. Camelia observed her sister with tenderness, for they were unusually close now that she had visited Fairhaven, and Violet felt her sister’s hand more than once upon her back.

  “I do not exactly know how she came to be at Fairhaven,” Violet said. “You left and Lord Haverlane departed the next day to attend His Highness. Lady Penny arrived without notice.” She did not dare tell her mother it was at Haverlane’s request.

  “I wonder why?” Rose asked.

  “I do not know, Mother, but I am grateful she did. Lady Penny has been most kind.” Violet took a piece of toast, smothered it with jam, and laid it on her plate. She reached for the eggs.

  “Pray, do not start eating as if you have never seen food,” her mother said curtly. “Have a care to watch your figure now it has lessened considerably. You shall never fit into the gowns Lady Penny bestowed upon you, and I have little money to spare for new. As it is, there is only so much I may afford for your ball gowns.”

  How could that be? She knew Haverlane had paid her mother two hundred pounds for her service to Jane. An unimaginable amount by anyone’s standards and more than generous to discount her mother calling him a miser. There should be plenty in the coffers to have dresses made. And some left over to fix the leak in her window casing.

  “Where is the money Haverlane paid for my care of Jane? Surely, you could not have spent it all on Lilly?” Her mother would think her insolent for speaking in such a manner, but Violet did not care. Sometimes her mother could be so cruel, Violet wanted to do the same to her.

  “That is none of your business,” her mother said abruptly. “I am responsible for this household and shall do with any money as I see fit. You will be well to watch your tongue, Violet.” She shook her head. “I do not know what has gotten into you. Surely, this impertinence must be owed to Haverlane.”

  Holly and Ivy stared open-mouthed at their sister. Camelia pressed her fingers to Violet’s arm.

  Her mother threw down her napkin and stood. “I have lost my appetite and I am very displeased, Violet, very displeased with your behaviour.” She stomped from the room.

  Silence reined over the table. Holly and Ivy finished their breakfast and left as well. Only Camelia remained.

  Violet reached for the eggs and piled her plate high. Surely, a plate of eggs and a single piece of toast with jam could not do as much damage to her figure as her mother assumed.

  “Mama has indeed used it all,” Camelia whispered.

  “That cannot be so,” Violet said. “’Twas two hundred pounds.” Violet put down her fork.

  “I should not have known this,” Camelia continued to whisper, “but for overhearing Mama speak to Gwynnie one night. Mama said that Lilly’s come-out dresses cost more than she expected and the hiring of carriages was money that must be spent. I know she has set aside half of the money for use as Lilly’s dowry as Mama does not want Lilly to start married life with nothing. And last night, Mama said she hoped that the gowns Lady Penny has given you could be made into ball gowns, as there is no money for new. Only I know that is a lie as the proof is in the dowry.”

  Violet trembled with rage. She had taken the position with Jane thinking she would be able to help her whole family and her mother had foolishly used it on only one of her sisters. It had all been for naught. If she had known of this sooner, she would have remained with Jane and worked for tuppence.

  “Where is Lilly?” Violet asked. “Why has she not come down for breakfast?”

  “Mama allows her to do whatever she wishes,” Camelia said. “It is not the same house as it was before you left. Why do you think I wished to be with you at Fairhaven? Lilly is not the same sister. The parties, the balls, the excitement has gone to her head. She thinks nothing of us anymore. She is demanding, insulting and sometimes may be as cruel as Mama with her barbs. I cannot wait for the wedding when we shall be well rid of her.”

  “Wedding? Lilly is to marry Welbey?”

  “Yes, it is thought, although I am not to mention it. Lilly wanted to say yes to his engagement, but Mama would not hear of it. She wishes Lilly to have one more Season. Another conversation I was privy to hear. She believes Lilly could find one better than a Viscount. I do not know what is in Mama’s mind as Welbey is head over heels in love with Lilly, as she is him.”

  Violet knew what was in her mother’s head and she could not abide it. Lady Flowers accused Violet of impertinence, but what her mother had in mind was nothing short of complete and utter disregard for the feelings of her own daughters. It could not be borne. And now, Violet would be thrust into the spotlight in the hope of catching the eye of, not a man she could love, but a fortune her mother could spend.

  “Violet, you are home at last,” Lilly said as she entered the room.

  Violet turned in her chair to see her sister draped in nothing more than a thin satin robe, covering an unusually beautiful sleeping gown. Is that what her money paid for?

  Lilly leaned down and kissed Violet’s cheek. “It is good to have you back for I have so much to tell you.” She sat in her mother’s chair and did not even glance at Camelia.

  Camelia placed her napkin on the table, pushed back her chair, and left the room without speaking.

  “Could you not even say good-morning to Cam?” Violet asked.

  “Why should I? She hates me and is jealous. I have no need for that in my life,” Lilly said with a wave of her hand.

  “That is not true. She loves you as she always has,” Violet said.

  Lilly looked at Violet and smirked. “You have not been here. You do not know anything that has happened.” She reached for the toast and jam. “Our little sister has shown nothing but contempt and disdain for me since your departure. She is indifferent when I try and engage her in conversation of all that I have done, and takes no notice of all that I try and teach her.”

  “Well, if you should speak to her in the offensive way you have just spoken to me, I cannot say that I blame her,” Violet said. She took a sip of her tepid tea.

  “Offensive? Violet, I am not offensive. We all speak this way in the ton. It is the very height of fashion.” Lilly took a bite of toast and spoke while chewing. “I have so much to tell you. You cannot begin to imagine what a whirlwind I have been propelled into.”

  “Yes, I can, and I dare say, I do not wish to be involved.”

  “Dearest, you cannot mean that.” Lilly looked aghast.

  “I do. From what I have come to understand, the ton is a place where marriages are made on fortunes and not love. Gowns must cost as much as it would to secure housing for a family of four, and now, you say, you must speak with affectations and look down upon your nose to the people who have loved you as you are.” Violet shook her head. “No, Lilly, that is no place I wish to find myself. I would rather be a penniless nanny, than a paraded peacock.”

  Violet saw tears well in her sister’s eyes.

  “You do not know what I suffer,” Lilly said
.

  “It seems to me, you suffer very little,” Violet said.

  “Oh, how can you be so cruel?” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Mama will not let me marry Welbey. He is the best and gentlest of men and I love him dearly. But Mama will not let us become engaged. She says it is because I do not know my own mind, but I do. There is no other man that I will consider, but she wishes me to stand up with you. She has said it will do us both good to be seen with each other. Do you not remember my letters? Do you not remember how I beseeched you to come home? ‘Twas so I could marry my dearest, Welbey.”

  “You see,” Violet said. “There is my argument. Mother is only thinking of herself.”

  Lilly wiped the fake tears away with her napkin. “How can you say that? She has given me everything I could wish and more for my come-out. She has done her very best by me.”

  “Yes, and upon whose back was her very best given? Have you never thought where she acquired the money for your precious gowns and carriages?”

  “She said the Queen has been very kind,” Lilly answered.

  “I am sure Her Majesty has been kind, but not in the way you think. It was my money, Lilly. The money Haverlane paid me to be his nanny that has supported your Season.”

  “That is not true,” Lilly said. She twisted a napkin over and over in her hands.

  “Yes, dearest it is,” Violet said softly. “When I asked Mother this morning where all the money had gone, she left the room without answering. Camelia told me the right of it. The money I worked for, for all of us, bought you your silken gowns, velvet wraps, and kid slippers. It was my money that paid for the carriages so you would not seem less than. Do you not see Mother only wishes to parade you around again so that you may be considered by another with a larger fortune? It is what she hopes for me now as well.” Violet stood up and gathered her dress behind her to show off her now slim figure.