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

by Anne Gallagher

  Violet glanced up and found Haverlane’s countenance full of concern.

  “Mr. Manning was very kind.”

  “Yes. So I heard.”

  Violet could not think of a suitable reply and remained silent, listening to the horse’s hoof beats.

  “Tell me, is your family in good health?” he asked.

  “Yes, my lord, thank you. They are all in excellent health.”

  “And did they miss you?”

  “Yes, my lord. My sisters and I had a lovely homecoming.” Now they knew of their mother’s plans, their bond had become even stronger.

  “I assume now that you are in Town, you are beginning to look forward to the Season?”

  “My sister Lilly has explained the intricacies of the months ahead. She has assured me it is all a matter of finding the right acquaintance.”

  “Yes, the right acquaintance.” Haverlane nodded in agreement. “And now you know my sister-in-law, I believe she is all the acquaintance you shall require.”

  “Her ladyship has been most kind.”

  “People are talking of her ball already. It promises to be a great success,” he said.

  “Lady Penny expects His Highness to attend.” Violet smiled. “I should so like to see him again. His presence shall indeed make the night a triumph.” They approached the lane that led down to her house. “Oh, please stop the coach,” Violet said.

  Haverlane banged on the roof. “Whatever for?” The coach came to a stop.

  “I do not wish my mother to know you have driven me home. Scenes shall arise unpleasant if she should see your carriage.” She also did not want him to see the ramshackle dwelling she lived in. The blush she exuded fell to her toes.

  “I see.”

  The tiger opened the door and folded the step down. Haverlane jumped out of the carriage and waited for her. He took her hand in his and helped her down. Holding it, he brought it to his lips.

  “I look forward to our next meeting, Violet.”

  Jane stood in the doorway of the coach. “Jane kiss Imma g’bye?”

  Violet stepped away from Haverlane. “Yes of course, dearest. How could I forget you?” She enveloped the girl in a great hug and kissed her soundly on the cheek. “You be a good girl for Mary now. I shall see you on Thursday when we have another outing with Aunt Penny.”

  “Aunt Penny, Tursday,” Jane said, and then looked at her father. “Imma kiss Papa g’bye?”

  “No, dearest,” Violet whispered, stunned the child would remember such a thing. “We may only do that at Fairhaven. And it must remain a secret. Promise?”

  “Pomise,” Jane said.

  “Very well, I shall see you on Thursday. Good-bye, Mary, good-bye, Jane.” She turned to Haverlane and dropped a short curtsy. “Good-bye, my lord. Thank you for the ride.”

  “It was my pleasure, Violet.”

  Violet walked quickly down the lane and turned when she arrived at her door. Haverlane still stood outside the carriage. He raised his hand. Violet raised hers, stepped into her house, and leaned against the door inside. She would never get over him.

  Chapter Twenty

  The weeks until Lady Penny’s ball caught Violet up in a whirlwind. At the modiste, upon finding the day of the ball also coincided with Violet’s birthday, Lady Penny would brook no refusal and engaged the modiste to make her several gowns. Violet remained unaware Haverlane paid for them.

  As the Season drew nearer, Violet accompanied Penny and Jane to fittings, and luncheons, and now the weather had broken, rides in the Park, trips to the museum, and ices at The Bainbridge Hotel. At Penny’s at-home afternoons, Violet was greeted with civility and politeness, and Society ladies were not at all what she had imagined them to be. Lady Olivia seemed especially fond of her and chose to sit with Violet whenever they met.

  Violet could not tell if Lilly, or her mother, was more jealous of her newfound popularity.

  Throughout the course of the weeks leading up to the ball, Violet had not seen Haverlane once. And although Violet never asked, Penny told her Haverlane was still very much involved with the Prince’s affairs.

  It had also never escaped her notice he remained attached to Lady Baxter. Society women gossiped incessantly, and made small wagers on who would form an attachment during the new Season. Several times, she heard Haverlane and Lady Baxter’s name mentioned. Violet had no misgivings about her state. Her only desire was to look upon his handsome face once more.

  On the day of Lady Penny’s ball, Violet’s nerves could not be more on the surface of her skin. She would finally see Haverlane again! Violet went through the motions of chores, eating, resting, bathing, dressing, with a smile on her face she could not contain. Lilly and her mother thought she was excited for the festivity. Violet let them think that. She cared not one whit for anything other than the sight of Haverlane.

  Penny had sent an invitation to her mother for the three of them to attend a small before-the-ball party. Several carriages lined the street in front of Caymore House and they had to wait their turn to disembark from the hired hackney.

  Finally, the carriage door opened and Mr. Quiggins bowed. “Countess Flowers, Lady Lilly, Lady Violet, welcome to Caymore House.” He handed them down in order.

  Lady Flowers led them into the great entry where a footman took their wraps. Another led them to a large drawing room that Violet had never seen before. Small groups of people stood around the room. Haverlane was not among them.

  Penny greeted them cordially, and introduced her mother and Lilly around the room. Violet knew all the women as she had met them during Penny’s at-home afternoons. Their husbands were charming and complimented her gown. However, when she met Haverlane’s father, the Duke of Chesnick, her composure suddenly left her. The Duke’s face was as hard and intimidating as the rockiest crag on the north coast. It explained where Haverlane acquired his formidable character.

  Lady Olivia beckoned as soon as the introductions finished and Violet felt comforted the old woman had taken a liking to her. It seemed all eyes were upon her as she crossed the room, but had no idea why.

  “That gown certainly becomes you, child,” Lady Olivia said.

  Violet bobbed a curtsey. “Thank you, Your Grace.” She glanced around the room again for Haverlane.

  “Are you looking for someone in particular?” the dowager asked.

  “No, I am just admiring the grandeur of the room,” Violet lied. “I do not think even Her Majesty’s apartments are quite this magnificent.”

  Lady Olivia snorted. “My Fuzzy always had his eye on the finer things in life, luxury, and opulence his only prerequisite. Would you believe he paid over five thousand pounds for the chandelier alone? A waste of money in my estimation.”

  “Oh, but it is so beautiful,” Violet said.

  “A brace of candles in plain silver sticks could accomplish just the same.”

  Lady Marion walked toward them. Violet bobbed another curtsey.

  “Violet, I should hardly know you,” she said. “Where ever did you get that gown?”

  Violet could not decide if Haverlane’s mother insulted her, or truly wanted to know. “Madame Rochelle is the modiste, Your Grace,” Violet said.

  “Well, it becomes you,” Lady Marion said and walked away.

  “Very good parry to her thrust, my dear. I believe you may have won that round.” Lady Olivia banged her cane on the floor.

  Much to Violet’s surprise, a birthday cake appeared for her. Everyone raised a glass to her health and happiness and wished her their warmest felicitations. Violet was touched beyond measure. None of the members of her family had remembered her birthday. After they had eaten cake, Lilly and Violet excused themselves.

  “Forgive me, dearest,” Lilly said. “I am ashamed of myself to have forgotten your birthday. Mama has been so decidedly focused on tonight I have not had a moment to think otherwise.” They were on their way to the withdrawing room to check their gowns one last time before the ball began.

 
“It is of no consequence,” Violet said. “I know you are looking forward to seeing Welbey again.”

  Shown to a guest bedroom, the sisters stared at themselves in a mirror.

  “Oh, Violet,” Lilly said. “You are stunning.”

  Violet looked in the cheval glass and gasped. The person who gazed back was no longer a girl, but a beautiful young woman. The gown, white silk outlined with dark green velvet ribbons on the skirt and across the neck, shone with an effervescence that touched Violet’s cheeks and gave her an ethereal glow. A dark green velvet ribbon encased her throat and she wore small pearl earbobs. The gown had taken Violet’s breath away at the modiste’s, but here, now, seeing it on in the full-length mirror, her hair done up, Violet could only gape at her reflection.

  “Is it really me?” Violet asked her sister.

  “Oh, yes. And you will surely catch the man of your dreams tonight,” Lilly giggled.

  Violet sincerely doubted it. Haverlane maintained his attachment to Lady Baxter.

  With one last look in the mirror, both girls made their way back to the second floor.

  Penny and the Earl of Greenleigh appeared at Violet’s side.

  “I should like to be placed on your dance cards this evening. I ask you now as when the other gents arrive, I shall never receive position.”

  “My lord, that is very kind of you,” Violet said, trying to control her blush.

  “Lady Violet, do allow me the honor of your hand for the first,” Greenleigh said. He looked at Lilly. “And you the second, if that is amenable to you, my dear?” He bowed.

  “Why yes, of course, my lord. I would be honored,” Lilly said.

  Quiggins appeared by Penny’s side. “The guests have begun to arrive.”

  Penny called to her husband, William, who took up his stance at the doors to the ballroom. Lady Olivia slowly walked to a tall stool, which had been placed at the edge of the doorway. A recent accident had left the duchess with a sore leg and the stool allowed her to lean and not stand for the tedious task of greeting the four hundred or so people who had received invitations.

  “I wish you to stand beside me,” Lady Olivia said to Violet.

  “Your Grace?” Violet had to protest.

  Penny interrupted. “Oh, yes, it is your birthday, dearest. You must allow me to present you to some of the guests.”

  Countess Flowers gave Violet a severe look.

  “Of course,” Violet said. She took up position at the end of the receiving line next to Lady Olivia. Lilly and her mother walked away, her mother complaining that Lilly should have been asked as well. Violet prayed Penny had not heard.

  Violet curtsied and smiled through greeting at least two hundred people. The musicians began warming their instruments, but still there was no sign of Haverlane. Violet wondered if he should ever arrive.

  “Brummell, how nice you could attend.” Violet overheard William say and clapped a fastidiously dressed man on the back. “Of course, you know my wife’s lady aunt, the Duchess. And this is Lady Violet Flowers, an especial friend of Penny’s. Do wish her happy birthday, Beau.”

  The man bowed over Lady Olivia’s hand. “You are looking every bit as lovely as the day we first met.”

  “And you are every bit the flatterer, Brummell,” she said.

  “Lady Violet,” he said. “It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. Many happy returns.” He took Violet’s hand, kissed it, and looked into her eyes. “The accounts of your loveliness are nothing in comparison to what I behold before me.”

  No one had ever said such things to her before and Violet found her knees losing their steadiness. “Thank you, Mr. Brummell. You are most kind.”

  “Pray, if your dance card is not full, I should like to be reserved for the waltz,” he said.

  “Forgive me, Brummell, Lady Violet has already given me the honor.”

  Violet looked up and found Haverlane smiling at her.

  “My lord,” she whispered. A thousand hummingbirds took wing in her stomach.

  Haverlane took her hand and kissed it. “You are captivating this evening, Violet.”

  “Thank you, my lord. That is very kind of you to say.” She prayed she did not embarrass either of them. She thought she might cry from happiness.

  “It is not kindness, but the truth. You shall bewitch and bewilder every man here.”

  Her hand trembled in Haverlane’s and she tried to look away, but could not. His grey eyes held hers and she found not another soul in the entire room, although it bubbled and buzzed all around her.

  “I am sorry I missed your birthday celebration,” he said.

  “And that is my fault, I’m afraid,” said a voice behind Haverlane.

  Prince George stood with two gentlemen dressed in the first stare.

  Violet dropped into a deep curtsey. “Your Highness.”

  “Dearest, Violet,” the Prince said jovially. “As it is your birthday, may I wish you my sincerest congratulations. I should never have imagined you to grow up and become such a beguiling creature. Had I any notion, I would have chosen you for my bride.” He took her hand and brought it to her lips.

  Violet smiled. “Your Highness, you flatter me with your kindness.”

  “Nonsense.” He took her hand and fitted it into the crook of his arm. “Come, walk with me. I should like to know how you are getting along. It has been an age since we last talked.”

  As Violet walked with the Prince, she could feel every set of eyes in the room on her and she thought she might faint from the scrutiny. Not ever in her wildest dreams of this night, had she ever thought she’d be walking with the heir to the throne. They made a complete circuit around the room and when they reached the small dais where Penny had placed four chairs, Violet stopped.

  “Have you grown tired of my conversation, Violet?” he asked.

  “No, Your Highness, by no means, but I believe the dancing must commence and the musicians will not do so until you are seated. Lady Penny has made an especial place for you and your friends.” She waved her hand to the chairs.

  “Has she now? And pray, what little bird has told her my fondness for chairs at a ball?” He looked at the four, very-well-made, gold velvet chairs that sat on the platform. A mischievous smile lit his eyes.

  Violet blushed and curtsied. “Forgive me, Highness. I may have made mention of it only to put Lady Penny at ease. Your comfort is all that she desires.”

  “Join me for a moment until my friends beleaguer me.” He escorted her to the chairs.

  Violet sat perched on the edge of her seat, her eyes automatically searching for Haverlane. She could see the entire ballroom. Her mother with Lilly, looking pleased for a change. Lady Olivia, Penny, and William still stood at the door greeting guests. She knew most of the faces pointed in her direction wondered who she was. She could not help her previous obscurity. She found Haverlane across the room staring at her, a smile on his face. She returned it.

  “Tell me, is your dance card full?” George asked.

  “It is, but I am sure one of the men would gladly give up their place for you.”

  George took her hand and patted it. “My precious girl, now it is you who flatter me. As much as I would surely love to give you a bit of a twirl, I fear I would crush your toes.” George leaned over and whispered. “I only ask, as Greenleigh seems to be hovering.”

  “Lord Greenleigh has graciously asked for the first dance,” Violet said.

  “You have turned his head as well, I see.” George smiled. “Very well, very well, go along with you.” He waved his hand in the air and the musicians struck the first chords.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Penny informs me you know His Highness well,” the Earl of Greenleigh said. He stepped away from her in time to the music.

  “Yes,” Violet answered as the steps drew them closer. “He took a liking to me when I was a child.”

  “It seems his fondness has the room spinning.” He stepped back and stood.

  �
��Whatever do you mean?” she asked.

  “Everyone is talking about your turn about the room”

  “I do not understand why. He is just an old friend,” Violet said. She stepped back and stood.

  Greenleigh looked at her oddly. “My dear, do you have any idea how many people wish to be friends with the Prince?” They clasped hands and circled each other.

  “He is everything that is amiable. I do not understand why it would be so hard.”

  Greenleigh laughed. “You are charming. It is no wonder Penny admires you so.”

  Violet thanked him for the compliment. They finished the dance without speaking again, and Greenleigh took her to her mother. She had not even a moment to speak when the Earl of Brunswick claimed her for his dance.

  For the next hour, as Violet was led from the floor, another gentlemen waited for her hand. Her mother refused to let her decline any of them fearing a snub later. Finally, the musicians took a much-needed break. Violet found herself quite parched and made her way through the crowd to the refreshment table across the hall.

  Penny swept up to her. “Dearest, you are the hit of the evening. Everyone is talking about you. You are this Season’s Incomparable.”

  “I do not know why,” Violet said. And she didn’t. Always overlooked by Society and her family as being unequal because of her plumpness, Violet grew increasingly incensed that all it should take now was a fancy gown and a fine figure to make people take notice. As if such things made a difference to her standing. She remained the same person inside. She was still the Earl of Duncan’s daughter.

  “Look at you! You are stunning and have made even the veriest of beauties green with envy.”

  “Well, I am sorry for it then.” Violet placed her cup down.

  “Whatever do you mean, dearest?” Penny’s eyes were wide.

  “All these people see is the outside of me. None have given to take my quarter on the inside. The ladies are jealous because I am dressed in the loveliest of gowns and dancing every dance and they are not. The men are scrambling to attach themselves to my dance card because they think I’m pretty. No one has even bothered asking about my pursuits or interests. Why even one gentleman tried to persuade me he was in love with me. And we had only just met.” The attention made her sick.