Fairest of Them All (Marriage by Fairytale Book 4)

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “We shouldn’t mention the curse when His Grace is here,” Viola spoke up. “If you want to mention how money is no substitute for love, that is fine. But I’m afraid if you bring up the curse, he’ll lose interest in you.”

  “I suppose there is no reason to mention it,” Tabitha said after a moment. “It doesn’t affect me. It only affects my step-father and the lady he marries.”

  Viola would point out—again—how silly this whole thing was, but she didn’t want to detract from what she was trying to accomplish. “Let’s talk about something else. Why don’t you tell His Grace what you’re interested in? See if you can find some common interests with him.”

  Tabitha turned her attention back to the butler. “Allen, I just discovered the best chocolate I’ve ever eaten. In fact, I had two boxes brought up to my bedchamber when I returned home today. Do you have a deep love of chocolate, too?”

  “I can’t think of many people who don’t like something sweet,” the butler said. “I like chocolate. I’m not sure if I’d take two boxes of it to my room. My weakness is custard.”

  “For me, it depends on who makes the custard. The cook we have now does a good job of it. We had a cook before you came to be our butler, and his custard was too runny. It never tasted right.”

  “Then I’m fortunate I came under your step-father’s employment after the new cook started working here.”

  Tabitha laughed. “You are. There were other things the other cook couldn’t seem to get right, no matter how hard he tried. But he was the only one who was willing to live so far in the country.”

  Viola tapped her fingers on the chair. She doubted the Duke of Edmondstone would be interested in chocolate or the qualifications—or rather the lack of qualifications—the old cook used to have. What she needed to do was find an angle that might interest him. After a moment, she cleared her throat to get their attention.

  Tabitha stopped listing out some of the old cook’s mishaps in the kitchen and turned to look at her.

  “Perhaps we should stick with things that have to do with London,” Viola said. “We don’t want to lose His Grace’s interest.”

  The butler straightened up. “I forgot we were doing this for the Duke of Edmondstone. What do you think he might say? Maybe it would help if he contributed something to the conversation.”

  “Yes, that’s a good point,” Viola replied. “Let me think…” She ran through some possible topics then settled for one. “His Grace is the cousin of Lady Pruett. That would be someone he and Lady Tabitha both know.”

  “I don’t know her,” Tabitha said. “I only talked to her at Hyde Park, and that was because you were with me.”

  That was true. Perhaps that wasn’t the way to go. “Well,” Viola began after a long moment, “you can always discuss the weather. It’s usually a good way to start a conversation.”

  “All right,” the butler said and clasped his hands in a serious manner. “Lady Tabitha, what do you think of the weather?”

  Tabitha glanced out the window. “Nothing of interest is happening with it.”

  “Lady Tabitha,” Viola sighed, “the point is to be pleasant. Say it’s nice.”

  Tabitha turned her gaze back to the butler. “It’s nice.”

  For a moment, no one said anything, and then the butler said, “Oh. I suppose it’s my turn. Um… Yes, the weather is nice.” He took a good look out the window. “The sun’s out. There are only a couple of clouds in the sky. The sky is blue. It’s the kind of blue that reminds me of the color of the drapes in your step-father’s bedchamber, though I don’t think he’s ever been in that room.” He cleared his throat. “Of course, His Grace wouldn’t add that last part. He’d probably say something like the blue reminding him of a jewel or someone’s eye color. Perhaps his mother has, or had, blue eyes like that. Do we know if his mother is still alive?”

  “No, but you did a wonderful job of answering as him,” Viola said then looked expectantly at Tabitha.

  “I prefer rainy days,” Tabitha spoke up. “I enjoy the sound of the rain as it falls on the window. One of my favorite things to do on a day when the rain is really coming down is to bundle up in a blanket by the fireplace and read a book.”

  “So, you like it when it rains cats and dogs,” the butler replied.

  “Cats and dogs?” Tabitha asked.

  He glanced at Viola. “Are you used to the expression ‘raining cats and dogs’?”

  “I’ve heard it once or twice, but it never made any sense to me,” Viola said.

  “Oh,” he began, “in that case, I’ll explain it. There’s a book called the Complete Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation. It’s an old book. I can’t remember the author’s name off the top of my head, though I have a copy in my room. Anyway, the author used that expression in it.”

  “I’ve never heard of that book,” Viola said.

  “I haven’t, either,” Tabitha added. “Is it any good?”

  “It’s hysterical,” he replied. “It’s a satire on how the upper classes talk.” He stopped and glanced between them, eyes wide. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to insult anyone.”

  Tabitha leaned toward him in interest. “Are you saying that there are books that poke fun of the noble classes?”

  His face went bright red, so Viola answered for him. “Yes, there are. There are even cartoons that do this.” Eyebrows raised, she looked at the butler. “Do you have any of those?”

  His face turned an even brighter shade of red, something that surprised Viola since its color already rivaled that of a tomato. “The hours can get long. I read to pass the time. I assure you that I have nothing but the utmost respect for the noblemen and noblewomen. I don’t take any of it seriously.”

  “So, you do have some cartoons!” Tabitha wiggled in excitement. “Will you bring some in so we can read them?”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Viola told her. “While I have no problem with satire, it might not be wise to read that sort of thing.”

  “Why not?” she asked. “It sounds like fun. I haven’t had a good laugh in a really long time. So many of the things I’ve had to read are much too serious.”

  “Your step-father married me with the understanding I would do everything possible to see that you marry a suitable gentleman,” Viola replied. “I’m not sure a nobleman will be happy if you share some of the satire with him. He might get offended.” She gave the butler an apologetic smile. “In my experience, titled gentlemen are sensitive. A lady has to be careful in what she talks about.”

  “Your step-mother’s right,” the butler told Tabitha. “I’ve seen a few good servants released from employment for saying the wrong thing. It’s best to be careful.”

  “But I’m not going to talk to the Duke of Edmondstone about any of the satire you show me,” Tabitha insisted. “I can keep my mouth shut about certain subjects. I’m not a dunce.”

  “No one’s implying you’re a dunce,” Viola hurried to assure her. “You’re a very intelligent lady. It’s just that when someone’s nervous, some things can slip into a conversation without them meaning it to.”

  “I’m not nervous about tomorrow’s visit,” Tabitha replied. “I assume it’ll be boring.”

  “You could be wrong,” Viola said.

  Tabitha sighed. “Even if it’s not, it won’t be nearly as fun as the conversation we’re having now.” She gestured between her and the butler. “I’m enjoying this kind of conversation immensely. There are no set rules. We’re just saying what’s on our minds. If I say something inappropriate, it doesn’t matter. No one in the Ton will care what I say to Allen.”

  “Allen is the butler, and you should care,” Viola said. “Everything you say matters. It doesn’t matter who you’re talking to.”

  Tabitha’s shoulders slumped. “This Season is going to be absolutely dull.”

  “You can’t assume that,” Viola replied.

  “How can I not assume it?” Tabitha asked. “The ball
itself was tedious.”

  “You’ve never been to a ball where the Marquess of Dodsworth is in attendance,” the butler said. “I heard he once took off his shirt in front of the entire room.”

  Viola gasped, but Tabitha’s eyes lit up. “He did?” Tabitha asked.

  The butler nodded. “Everyone was talking about it for the longest time. He did a lot of scandalous things. One time, he even jumped up to a chandelier and swung on it.”

  “Why did he do that?” Tabitha asked.

  “The butler who was in attendance of the ball said he got upset when a group of people said the poor went around begging like a bunch of monkeys,” he replied. “He was trying to show them that the real bunch of monkeys were in the room.”

  Tabitha looked at Viola. “Is there any chance the Marquess of Dodsworth will be at the next ball?”

  Viola couldn’t believe Tabitha would ask such a question. She couldn’t even believe the butler would tell her all of this. She stood up. “No, he won’t. He’s been banned from all of the balls. He’s not even allowed to have one of his own. The last I heard, he and his family moved outside of London because enough people insisted he leave. Very few people will associate with him.”

  Tabitha didn’t hide her disappointment. “He sounds like a marvelous gentleman.”

  Before Tabitha got the wrong idea, Viola added, “He’s already married.” She waved for Tabitha to stop asking about him. “I think we’ve practiced enough.” God willing, tomorrow’s conversation would go much better than this one. She glanced at the butler. “Thank you for helping us. You may return to your duties.”

  He hurried to rise to his feet. “My apologies. I won’t mention the Marquess of Dodsworth again.”

  “It’s all right,” Viola replied. He was just a butler. He couldn’t be held to the same standard as a titled gentleman. The Duke of Edmondstone would lead the conversation in a much more dignified direction.

  Tabitha waited until the butler left the room before she said, “I enjoyed speaking with Allen immensely. None of the other servants are so matter-of-fact with me.”

  “That’s because they have to treat you as a noblewoman,” Viola replied. “You’re the daughter of a duke. You’re not a commoner.”

  “It almost seems like commoners have more fun. They can laugh about things, but we can’t.”

  “That’s not true. We can laugh. We just have to make sure what we laugh about is approved by the Ton.”

  She grimaced but didn’t argue.

  “I promise that things will be much more exciting once a gentleman asks to be your suitor,” Viola said, hoping to give her some encouragement. “Right now, we’re going through the initial stages of meeting potential suitors. That part can be tiresome. I have no doubt you’ll have your pick of several gentlemen. It’ll be fun to choose the one you want most.”

  Though she didn’t seem all that enthusiastic about it, she said, “I suppose.”

  “Oh, it will be. In a way, I envy you. You were able to maintain a conversation with everyone you danced with last night. You made eye contact with them and smiled, too. That’s all good. It makes gentlemen feel like what they have to say is important. That will better your chances for marriage.”

  “So you keep saying, but it all seems silly to me. Nothing I did or said at the ball was sincere.”

  “Sincerity will come as you get to know them better.”

  “It will?”

  Viola offered her a reassuring smile. “Of course. The more you talk to someone, the better you get to know them. I think a part of your unease stems from fear. I don’t blame you. Marriage is one of the most important things that can happen to a lady. But I’m here to help you.”

  At first, Viola thought Tabitha might say something to diminish her enthusiasm, but Tabitha surprised her by saying, “I know you want me to have a good marriage. It’s what my step-father wants for me, too. I just hope you’re right and that these gentlemen will become more interesting as I get to know them better.”

  “Out of all the suitors you’re bound to have, there’s got to be one who’ll excite you.” Encouraged by the fact that Tabitha no longer seemed to be resisting her, Viola added, “After His Grace comes by for a visit tomorrow, I’ll take you to a shop that makes the most beautiful fans. Then I’ll teach you how to use the fan to communicate with me and other ladies.”

  “You can communicate with a fan?”

  “You can. The way you hold it, how far you spread it out, and how you tap it means different things. Gentlemen don’t know this. It’s a secret between the ladies.”

  Tabitha’s eyes twinkled. “It sounds like a secret language.”

  “It is, and it’s necessary you never tell a gentleman. Not even your future husband or son.”

  “The more I hear about it, the more intrigued I am. I swear that I won’t tell a word to any gentleman, regardless of his association with me.”

  “Good. Tomorrow, we’ll get one for you.”

  “In the meantime, we’ll have some more of that chocolate. Care to share some from my box?”

  “I’d be delighted.”

  Tabitha hurried out of the room, so Viola went to find the butler so that they could have some tea while they ate. Perhaps, just perhaps, she and Tabitha might have something of a friendship after all.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Evander glanced up from the book he was trying to read in the candlelight. He picked up the pocket watch from the desk and saw a half hour had passed. Most of the time, the hours didn’t pass so slowly. One day often blended into another until they all seemed to merge together. The passage of time had ceased to exist for him, and it would have been completely lost to him if it hadn’t been for Tabitha. Having to see that she found a husband had forced him to be aware of the years as they passed. He’d promised his first wife he would do everything possible to see to her daughter’s happiness.

  But today, he had another reason for being aware of the passage of time. Viola would be back this evening. Even as he thought about it, his pulse raced with excitement. It’d been so long since he experienced something as wonderful as a lady’s embrace. Ladies were soft and gentle. They had a way of making everything bad fade away. Viola had been no different. She’d managed to make him feel connected with the world again. More than anything, he wanted to return to the state of bliss that she’d brought him to last night. All of it had been wonderful. Holding her, talking to her, making love to her…

  He checked the time again. With a shake of his head, he set the pocket watch back down and straightened up in his chair. It was a little after four. He didn’t expect Viola until around eight. That gave him four hours until he could be with her again. But first, he was hoping to speak with Tabitha. He’d sent a letter down to her that morning. He couldn’t imagine what could be taking her so long to come up here.

  Maybe she’s tired of dealing with you. You’ve avoided her for most of her life. Your curse killed her mother and every step-mother she’s had up to now. Maybe she’s reached the point where she can’t take it anymore.

  She had been resistant to him marrying Viola. Perhaps the decision to do it anyway was now catching up to him.

  A series of knocks came at his door. He set the book down and jumped out of the chair with relief. That was Tabitha’s knock.

  He opened the door and smiled. “I’m glad you came up here.”

  “Well, you did send a letter saying you wanted to speak with me about something important,” she said.

  She didn’t seem upset with him. That was a good sign. She was upset the last time they’d spoken.

  He shut the door and pulled up the chair to the desk. Once she sat in it, he went to the other side of the desk and sat down.

  “I heard you went to your first ball last evening,” he said.

  “Yes,” she replied. “Viola did a good job of making sure my dance card was full. I didn’t have a moment to myself. I was dancing all evening. I met more gentlemen in a single evening tha
n I saw when Viola took me for a walk through Hyde Park.”

  “I know it’s overwhelming, but the goal is to help you find a good husband.”

  “Viola says that all the time. You don’t have to do it, too.”

  He paused. “Are you still angry that I married her?”

  She sat back in the chair and sighed. “No. I actually like her. I tried not to. I don’t want to get attached to someone else who’ll look at your face.”

  “I won’t let her look at my face,” he interrupted, his voice soft. “I haven’t shown her where anything is in this room. She doesn’t know where the candles or matches are, and she doesn’t know where the armoire is hiding the window. She also can’t see anything when she steps into this room because of the door at the bottom of the stairs. That ensures everything stays dark when I let her in.”

  Tabitha stiffened. “You let her into this room?”

  “I had to talk to her about you.”

  She studied him, and he could tell she was trying to decipher just how close he’d gotten to Viola.

  In an attempt to shift her attention, he asked, “How did the ball go? Did you meet anyone promising?”

  She blinked in a way that let him know the tactic had worked. Her mind went directly to the new topic. “No. All of the gentlemen were boring. They only wanted to discuss the weather and what was going on in London. There was nothing of substance in any of those conversations.” She held up her hand before he could reply. “And before you say it, Viola already explained that this is the way such conversations are supposed to go until I get to know these gentlemen better.”

  Not hiding his surprise, he admitted, “Yes, that’s what I was going to say.”

  “I suppose you and Viola spend time up here comparing notes so that no matter which one I’m talking to, I’ll get the same response.”

  “It’s not quite like that. I think both of us understand the process of finding someone to marry. You don’t go up to a stranger and start talking about your most personal experiences. You begin with something pleasant that everyone can agree on and then you—”