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

by Anne Gallagher

  “Good God, Violet, where have you gone?” Lilly asked.

  Violet sank onto her seat. “I lost my weight caring for Jane, and then I became very ill with a fever last month. Did Mother not tell you?”

  “She said you were ill, but did not tell me this. If I had known I would have gone to you straight away.”

  “Dearest, from your letters, I could not believe you cared for anything other than a ball,” Violet said.

  Lilly grabbed Violet’s hand. “You may think me insensitive, but you will see, once you make your come-out, how enticing that life can be. And if I had known how truly ill you were, I would have left even Welbey to be with you. You must believe me.”

  “I do. But it is over and done. Let us not speak of it again.”

  They were silent for a few minutes and then Lilly spoke.

  “Dearest, do you truly think Mama wishes me to give up Welbey and make a better match?”

  “I believe if I may snare a richer husband, she will leave you to Welbey.” Violet hated to say such a thing about her own mother and the truth hurt. “But you know our mother does not think as highly of me as she does you, so if my prospects are poor, rest assured she will do everything in her power to point you in another, wealthier direction.”

  “You are certain?” Lilly asked.

  “Yes, dearest, I am, so you best pray mightily to the Father in Heaven that I may find both love and money in my quest to catch a husband. Otherwise, I cannot say what will happen to us.”

  Perhaps her mother was right and Lady Penny could introduce her to someone worthy. She may not love that person the same way she loved Haverlane, but if it would save Lilly from a life without Welbey, and secure her a place in the world her mother wished, it was the least she could do. She still had Camelia to consider.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Manning sent the trunk containing Violet’s gowns later that afternoon. Rose, Lilly, and even Camelia, oohed and aahed over the delicate cloth and intricate beading. Rose held a light green silk gown up to Lilly.

  “Oh, dearest, this goes so well with your coloring.”

  Incensed her mother would give away her only gowns to her sister, it took everything in Violet’s power not to snatch the dress from her mother’s hands.

  “Mama, this is Violet’s gown,” Lilly said. “I have more than enough of my own.” Lilly winked at Violet.

  “Yes, but none as fine as this. Violet, you have not the coloring, I think, for a dress this shade of green,” Rose insisted.

  “Mama,” Lilly argued, taking the dress from her mother. She held it up to Violet’s face. “It brings out the color of Violet’s eyes. I should not like it when my sister will look very fine in it.”

  “Well, then how about this one? Surely, Violet should not like this one.” Rose held up the gown Violet had dreamed of wearing when she saw Haverlane at Lady Penny’s ball. Ivory satin, with an overlay of violet lace, the neckline low enough to be considered de rigueur, but not so low as to cause men to sneer. Dark purple ribbon outlined the neck and hem, and a wide purple ribbon enclosed the waist and formed a trailing bow in the back. It was the loveliest gown she had ever seen and had kept it wrapped in the fine lawn Penny had packed it so not to get dirty or wrinkled. Her mother peeled the lawn away as if it were nothing more than paper.

  “Mama,” Lilly voiced her dissatisfaction. “That gown was made for Violet. I should look the veriest fool for wearing it.” She reached into the trunk and pulled out an off-white creation with the tiniest yellow beads sewn around the neckline and yellow satin ribbons at the waist and hemline. “Now this is something I could wear.”

  Violet smiled. She could see Lilly in it when she walked down the aisle with Welbey. “I do not look well in yellow, so the dress is yours,” she said.

  Rose harrumphed. “Well, it seems my opinion does not matter.”

  Violet shared a look with Lilly and knew they both thought the same thing. Their mother’s opinion did not matter in the least.

  Talking in Violet’s room after breakfast, they had re-forged their bond as sisters and formed the view their mother was not looking out for their best interests. Lilly also apologized to Camelia and they all shared their thoughts on their mother’s recent behaviour.

  They agreed Lady Rose was jealous of their come-out, as she had never had one. Thinking the Earl of Duncan, who was close to the King and Queen, would get her into the world of the aristocracy, Rose married him blindly, not knowing he had little money behind the title and her meager dowry had only lasted long enough for one Season as his wife. Raising children one right after the other left Rose little time to see or be seen by the right people. After his tragic disappearance, though the Queen had been kind and allowed them to remain in their house on the Palace grounds, the only money the family had was the recompense afforded the title of Keeper of the Flowers. With seven mouths to feed, it did not go far.

  It seemed to Violet her mother was now trying to gain entry to the ton through her daughters, perhaps maybe even daring to make a match of her own. Now that her child rearing days were behind her, and was still a considerable looking woman, she had nothing to lose.

  At the bottom of the trunk, Rose found several calico day dresses. Pulling them out, she said, “I wonder where the duchess found use for these.”

  “Lady Penny told me she enjoyed the pursuits of gardening and training horses equal to watercolors and the pianoforte. She did not wish to ruin her fine gowns in the dirt and mire and wore those,” Violet said. She loved the printed calico dresses for they reminded her of Fairhaven and Jane.

  “An unusual girl to be sure,” Rose mused. “Well, these should serve you well, Violet, in your day to day chores. We’ll save the silks and satins for your come-out.” She dropped everything back in the trunk as if they were soiled. “Now, I believe a call is in order. After putting these things away, find something suitable to wear and we shall present a card.” She waited for acknowledgement.

  “First I must return the coat I borrowed from one of Lord Haverlane’s servants,” Violet said.

  Her mother put her hands on her hips. “Why? Where is your own?”

  “Jane had an upset stomach from the carriage ride and became sick all over it. I threw it away.”

  “You what?” Rose screeched. “How could you be so careless? As I told you this morning there is no money for anything new.” Rose’s cheeks turned red and a throbbing vein stood out on her neck.

  “She may borrow one of mine, Mama,” Lilly spoke up. “I have two.”

  “Well, as I said, put these things away, carefully. Be ready to leave in a quarter hour.” She turned on her heel and walked away.

  Violet stared after her. If she had not given her promise to Lilly, she would marry the first man who asked, wealthy or not, if only to get away from her mother.

  Violet trembled as they made their way to St. Stephen’s Park. She prayed Haverlane would be from home and Jane would not hear her voice. As much as she wanted to visit the child, she would not do so with her mother in attendance.

  She pulled the brass knocker and Manning opened the door.

  “Lady Violet….

  Violet put her finger to her mouth and shushed him. In a whisper, she said, “Mr. Manning, thank you for delivering my trunk. I have only come to return the coat I borrowed yesterday. Pray, do not let Jane know I have come. My mother waits in the carriage and I am not at my leisure in which to visit with her today. I shall come another day when I have more time.”

  “As you wish, my lady.” Manning took the coat.

  Violet ran down the stairs and gained the carriage before he had even shut the door. She glanced once more at the house as the horses stepped off and thought she saw Haverlane peeking out the window.

  Caymore House stood four stories high in Grosvenor Square. Rose alit from the carriage and sucked in her breath. She glanced down at her gown and shook out her skirts. Violet noticed the gown was new. Rose looked at Violet. “I wish you had attired
yourself properly. Lady Penny is the Duchess of Caymore.”

  “Yes, Mother,” Violet said. She didn’t think Penny would mind what she wore, as it was her old. They walked to the door and Violet let the knocker rise and fall twice.

  A rather fearsome looking butler opened the door. “Yes,” he said. He looked the two women over.

  Violet could tell he thought they were common and should use the back door.

  “Would Lady Penny be in to receiving? I am Lady Violet, and this is my mother the Countess Flowers.”

  “Please come in. I shall enquire.” He bowed as he opened the door to let them pass.

  Standing in the great entryway, Violet looked around at the posh surroundings. Marble tiles on the floor, busts of old Roman emperors, and exquisite hothouse flowers arranged in crystal vases lined the highly polished tables.

  The butler walked down the hall, his footsteps echoing as he disappeared into the cavernous building.

  “I wonder how many rooms this has,” Rose whispered.

  “Twenty-five, I believe. The entire second floor is the ballroom,” Violet whispered back.

  Rose was about to comment when Penny walked down the hall.

  “Violet, Lady Flowers, what an unexpected surprise. Please, please, come in.” She swept up to them, her hands extended to Violet. She kissed her on the cheek and shook hands with Rose.

  “Forgive us for imposing,” Rose effused, “but I could not wait to tell you how grateful I am for your bestowing such kindness to my dear Violet. There are not enough words to thank you for your magnificent gift of the gowns.”

  “’Twas nothing and the least I could do for one of my especial friends,” Penny said and linked arms with Violet. “Let us come in to the sitting room. My mother and lady aunt are here and we are writing invitations for the ball.”

  “We have no wish to disturb you,” Violet said.

  “Nonsense. This is a welcome respite from the drudging task.” She led them into a large, but cozy room, decorated in bright yellow wallpaper. “Maman, Aunt Olivia, may I present, the Countess Flowers and her daughter, Violet. Lady Flowers, Violet, this is my mother, Honoria, Duchess of Olmstead, and Lady Olivia, my dearest aunt, Dowager Duchess of Caymore.”

  Rose and Violet sank into deep curtsies.

  “This is the girl I was telling you about, Maman,” Penny said. “Please do come in, sit down.” Penny turned to the butler who hovered at the doorway. “Mr. Quiggins, do be so kind and have Cook make us a tray of something sweet.”

  He waited for the women to hand him their coats and set off on his errand.

  “So, you’re the gel Haverlane had as his nanny, are you?” Lady Olivia said. Her perusal of Violet’s borrowed dress made Violet shrink just a little.

  “Yes, Your Grace,” Violet answered. She had heard tales of the great and powerful dowager and her tongue, tied itself in a knot.

  “How did you fare?”

  “Very well, mum. Lady Jane is a delightful child,” she said. Glancing at Penny, the young woman smiled at her.

  “Such a shame about Anne.” The old woman clucked and looked to Penny’s mother.

  “Tell me Lady Flowers, how does Her Majesty fare?” Lady Honoria asked Rose.

  The women sat, took tea, and ate the delicious sweet cake Mr. Quiggins brought them. The older women discussed people Violet and Penny did not know.

  Presently, Penny stood. “Come, Violet, let me show you the ballroom.”

  “Do not be too long, mon petite chaton. We must have these finished by the end of the week,” Lady Honoria said.

  As they walked upstairs, Penny said, “I am so glad you called. I love my mother and my aunt dearly, but they always talk of dead people. In writing the invitations, I think I have learned the whole of Brook’s Peerage by heart.”

  “If you wish, I could come and help you. I do not know any dead people,” Violet said. I do not know many live ones either, she thought.

  Penny laughed. “That would be lovely. Do you think your mother would allow it?”

  “My mother would entail me to you as a servant, just to thank you for the gowns.”

  “She was pleased then? I was afraid she would take it as an affront.”

  “Oh, no. She was more than pleased. She feels there is no need now to have any made for my come-out.” They arrived at the ballroom. Violet stood in amazement. She had never seen anything as opulent, or as large as this. Why, her entire house could fit into this one room.

  “Oh, that is not right,” Penny said. “Surely, you must have something special made for your first ball, which, by the way, is mine. Aunt Olivia finally managed to threaten Lady Berringbourne for the night.”

  “Yes, Haverlane told me. He said you acquired a very fine orchestra as well.”

  “Have you seen Haverlane?” Penny asked as they entered the ballroom.

  Violet looked at the floor. “I saw him briefly when we returned.”

  Penny led her to a circle of chairs near the elegant windows and tugged Violet down to the gold velvet. “Tell me what happened. You look overset. Surely, he was glad to see you.”

  “He was embracing Lady Baxter when Jane and I arrived.” Violet placed her fingers on the bridge of her nose to quell the tears.

  “He what? Violet, I am sure you are telling me the truth, but I simply cannot believe it. Pray enlighten me with the details.”

  Violet took a deep breath and began her tale. When she had finished, Penny took her hands.

  “Oh, dearest, I am so sorry. I had no idea things with Georgiana had progressed to that. I’m sorry you had to see it. With your tender heart it must have come as a great jolt.”

  “Luckily I had no idea who she was. Actually, at first I thought she might be Cousin Phyllidia. I only found out she was indeed Lady Baxter when Haverlane requested my presence at luncheon.”

  “And what happened then?”

  “I told him if he were to continue to see that woman, he should be discreet and not do so in front of Jane. She was very upset to see the two of them embracing. That is when he assured me he would never be found in that position ever again with Lady Baxter.”

  “I see. So what did you say to that?”

  “I told him I had lost my appetite and left the room. I had intended on staying the night for Jane, but after that, I snuck out of the house and went home.”

  “You snuck out into the storm! Violet, what were you thinking? You could have caught your death.”

  “’Tis all right. Mr. Manning found me in the kitchen as I was making my escape and took pity on me. He drove me home in the cabriolet.”

  “Oh, Violet. I am sorry. I never imagined Haverlane foolish enough to entertain in his own home. Is Jane better?”

  A flood of tears poured down Violet’s cheeks. “I do not know. I cannot see her and I miss her desperately.”

  Penny brought her arms around Violet in a comforting hug. “There, there, now, shush, everything will be all right. I shall take it upon myself to go and see Jane this afternoon. I will find out how she fares.”

  “Oh, would you? Could you? When we stopped this morning to drop off the coat I had borrowed, I would not let Mr. Manning tell her I was there. My mother has said my nanny days are over and there is no good reason for me to see her anymore. Oh, what am I to do? I knew I should never have allowed myself to get so attached to her, but I could not help myself.”

  “Who could not become attached to Jane? She is a very sweet child. And I know she loves you as much as you love her. It was very evident at Fairhaven how you doted on one another.” Penny patted Violet’s hand. “Now, come, dry your eyes. Let us go downstairs and I shall tell your mother I cannot do without you. You will come and help me tomorrow.”

  Violet dried her eyes and stood. “You are the very best friend I have in the whole world.”

  “And you shall never be without my friendship. Now come.” Penny stood. “Let us rejoin the old ladies.” She giggled. “I perhaps should not insult them for someday we
may be their age.”

  Violet laughed as well. It did her heart good to think Penny would see Jane that very day and she would have somewhere to be other than under her mother’s thumb tomorrow.

  On the way home in the carriage, Rose could not stop remarking on the amiability and great affection Penny had shown Violet.

  “You should do well to take great care in attending her, Violet. One false move and she could blackball you from Society.”

  “Yes, Mother.” Violet wished Penny would blackball her mother.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Manning knocked on the open door to Ellis’ study. “Excuse me, my lord. Lady Penelope requests a moment of your time.”

  “Yes, of course, send her in.” Ellis stood.

  Penny came through the doorway dressed in the first stare, with ribbons and beads adorning her light blue gown. However, the look on her face was anything but bright.

  “Penny, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?” He kissed her hand.

  “I must speak with you, Haverlane.” Her tone hinted at extreme irritation

  “Tea?” he asked.

  “No. Thank you.” Penny stood behind the sofa clutching its back as if she would suddenly take flight around the room.

  “Thank you, Manning. I do not wish to be disturbed.” Ellis dismissed his butler.

  After Manning closed the door, Ellis leaned back against his desk and folded his arms across his chest. “What do you wish to discuss, my dear?”

  “Ellis James Dalton Smith, how could you be so absolutely blockheaded?”

  Ellis, aghast his perfectly amiable sister-in-law would now be shouting at him like a virago, did not want to ask why she thought so. “To what are you referring?”

  “Georgiana Baxter,” she spat. “How could you receive her in your own house? Have you completely lost all of your senses?”

  Ellis’ stomach hit the floor. “How do you know about that?”

  “Never mind how I know. I just do. Now what is the meaning of having that…that dressed up doxy here? And poor Jane, witnessing your affection.” Penny began to pace. “What in God’s name were you thinking? And if you tell me you are entertaining thoughts of marrying that vile snake, I shall disinherit you from my family. I love you like the dearest brother I have never had, but Ellis, this cannot be borne.”