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

by Anne Gallagher

  Violet noticed a posy of violets tucked behind larger vases of daisies and orchids. She snatched the card her mother had obviously overlooked from the middle of the small purple flowers. You outshine any gem God has created. The card was unsigned, but Violet knew who had sent them. Violet lifted the posy from its cup of water and sniffed. Violets meant faithfulness. She thought of his words again. I should never let you go.

  Did Haverlane truly care for her? Or was it simply about Jane? Was he really trying to gain Lord Axminster’s approval for a business affair by way of his daughter? Still, it should not matter to Violet because she had nothing compared to Lady Baxter. Then what were his kisses about? Why did he say such things to her? You have me undone. What did it mean? Or was she letting her overactive imagination run wild?

  Violet turned to her sister. “Have you any plans for the day? Is Welbey taking you out?”

  “No,” Lilly said. “His mother wishes him to attend a fete to which I have not been invited.” Lilly sniffed at a bouquet of gardenias.

  “Shall we go for a walk then? I have the need for some fresh air. Perhaps Camelia would like to accompany us.” Violet wanted to clear her head of the confusion she felt over Haverlane.

  “That is a splendid idea, Vee,” Lilly said. “I should like a walk very much.”

  The girls gained their mother’s approval and set out for Hyde Park.

  Walking in the spring sunshine buoyed her tiredness from last night’s dancing. Lilly and Violet told Camelia all they did and Camelia alternated between pouting and smiles.

  They walked along the path toward the river and found a bench to sit. Watching the riders trot down to the edge of the track, Violet found she waited for Haverlane. She did not know why, she had no idea if he even rode in the morning, but she held her breath nonetheless and scrutinized every large grey horse she saw.

  Mr. Garrick, Mr. Foley, and another man, walked toward them. The men stopped and paid their respects. Introductions were made to Camelia and Viscount Donnington, and they all shared a brief conversation about the events of the ball last night.

  Mr. Garrick placed his hand gently on Violet’s elbow. “Would you care to walk apace?”

  Violet took his arm, and they walked further down the path. The others followed several feet behind them.

  “I should like to say, Lady Violet, you are the brightest star to eclipse our little galaxy this Season,” Garrick said.

  Violet glanced at him, noting the pleasant look around his eyes. Handsome in a casual way, she could not help compare him to Haverlane. She had learned from Lady Penny, Garrick was the third son of the Earl of North, and had done a turn with the Navy until Trafalgar, when he resigned his commission. His father, keeping in mind the injuries he had sustained at sea, gave him the estate of Crompton to manage. Lady Penny also said, if Garrick would wed, his father would entail him the estate as a wedding gift. Garrick was considerate, kind, well read, and a very good dancer.

  Violet, bypassing his compliment, asked, “Tell me Mr. Garrick, where is Crompton?”

  He indulged her questions and while she listened, Violet thought he might indeed make a good match. She would have to think on it more, when she was alone, but for now, even with the unsightly scar on his neck showing his wound clearly in the daylight, she thought him quite respectable.

  “It sounds lovely, Mr. Garrick,” Violet said absently.

  “Would you care to see it? Perhaps I could arrange a house party. I could invite your sister and Welbey, of course. Donnington has formed a small attachment to one of Welbey’s sisters. I’m sure we could persuade Foley and Hardley, especially if my own sister would tear herself away from London to attend. What say you? Shall I put it together?”

  Violet had no idea how to respond. She knew Lilly had attended a house party with Welbey’s people last fall and her mother had sent Gwynnie with her as chaperone. Lilly had said it was lovely to be so alone with the one you love, without so many sets of prying eyes. Yes, Violet thought, it was lovely to be at Fairhaven with Haverlane.

  Violet realized Garrick was waiting for her answer. “Forgive me, Mr. Garrick. I do not know what my mother would say. I shall have to ask her.”

  A thunder of hooves had them turning at the sound. Two horses raced down Rotten Row. The rider of the roan was a man. The rider on the bay was a woman, a sharply dressed woman in a red jacket and jaunty red hat! It couldn’t be, but yet it was. Lady Baxter had been the same woman Violet had seen the day she rescued Jane! There could be no mistaking that hat. She had been the cause of Jane almost drowning.

  Having no thought for Mr. Garrick, Violet turned away from the horses’ fury and walked quickly back up the path toward her sisters. No matter what Haverlane may have promised Violet did not want to see or be seen by Lady Baxter.

  “Lady Violet, where do you go in such a hurry?” Garrick called.

  Lilly and Camelia turned to meet her.

  “Come sisters, the hour grows late and Mother will worry.” Violet clasped Lilly’s hand.

  “Surely not,” Lilly said.

  Violet tugged her sister’s hand. “We must go.”

  Lilly pouted. “Are you sure, dearest?” She whispered in Violet’s ear, “Has Mr. Garrick said something to upset you?”

  “No, I just wish to go home. Now.”

  “Very well,” Lilly said.

  The sisters said good-bye to the men and Violet hurried them through the gates of the park. She turned once and saw Lady Baxter laughing at something the man on the horse said to her. Oh, the woman was turning into the bane of her existence. She haunted her in the ballrooms, and now, here in the park. Would she ever be able to escape?

  They made it home, with Lilly still quite vexed. Violet would somehow make it up to her.

  Violet was of mixed emotions as she descended from the carriage in front of Lord and Lady North’s. She would see Haverlane, perhaps even dance with him again, but Lady Baxter clouded Violet’s happiness. And now Lord Greenleigh also confounded her. He sent another glorious bouquet and her mother had already started planning the wedding. Violet steadfastly denied the sincerity of his forming an attachment to her, but her mother refused to hear it.

  They wound their way through the receiving line and entered the first of two ballrooms. Lilly found Welbey and her friends and they made Violet welcome in the group. Mr. Garrick remained by her side, his preference for her company overwhelming her. She did not see Penny or Lady Olivia, so she remained with her sister.

  Dancing with Mr. Garrick later in the evening, she spotted Haverlane, Lady Baxter on his arm. She stumbled in her step and bumped into the lady next to her. Regaining her composure, she smiled at Garrick.

  “Forgive me, I seem to have a pebble in my slipper,” she said.

  “Allow me to escort you,” he replied, taking her arm and leading her off the floor.

  Garrick led her to a chair, off the main corridor. Violet removed her slipper, shook out the non-existent intruder, and placed it back on her foot. She smiled.

  “Thank you ever so much, Mr. Garrick. Your gallantry becomes you.”

  She said it as a light compliment, but Garrick’s countenance turned sober.

  “I hope you know, Lady Violet, that I hold you in the highest esteem.” He took her hand and raised her from the chair. Holding her hand in his, he brought it to his lips and kissed it. “I meant what I said this morning in the park.”

  Violet took a step back, removing her hand. “I do apologize for my sudden departure. I had completely forgotten that I needed to help my mother.”

  Garrick stepped forward, his body mere inches from Violet. She smelled his cologne and almost wrinkled her nose.

  “Allow me to finish our conversation then. I cannot help feel you are becoming my heart’s desire, and it would please me exceedingly, if…” He paused, faltered for words. “I should like to ask your mother permission to pay my addresses to you,” he said in a rush.

  “I’m afraid that permission lies with
me,” said a deep voice behind Violet.

  She turned and found Haverlane there, his face dark and brooding.

  “I am the family’s closest male relative,” Haverlane said. He looked Garrick up and down and Violet saw, although Garrick was a large man, he shrank just a little.

  “I see,” Garrick said. “Well then, may I call on you to discuss it?”

  Haverlane looked at Violet. “I believe that is up to the lady.”

  Violet could not believe Haverlane had placed her in such a spot. She did not want to hurt Garrick’s feelings if she declined, but she also did not want to accept his singular attentions just yet. She still had not thought the idea of marrying him all the way through.

  “I…uh…I,” Violet stammered. What could she say?

  “Haverlane, darling, I’ve been all over looking for you.” Lady Baxter appeared to the right of Garrick.

  Violet wanted to melt into the floor. After this morning, she vowed wherever Lady Baxter happened to be, Violet would avoid her. Now, the cunning witch was appearing, as if by magic, to taunt her.

  “I am taking care of family business, Georgiana,” Haverlane said. He nodded to Violet and Garrick. “Tomorrow, Garrick. St. Stephen’s Park. If you would excuse us.” Haverlane took Lady Baxter by the arm, and walked back to the ballroom.

  Violet sank into the chair. What a muddle she had made.

  “Forgive me, Lady Violet,” Garrick said. “I had not realized Lord Haverlane is a member of your family. Had I known, I would have paid a call to him first.”

  “We are scarcely related. Our mothers are second cousins once removed,” Violet said. She stood and faced Garrick. “Mr. Garrick, I appreciate your compliments. However, I will explain my mother wishes me to accept no particular attentions from gentlemen at this time. It is not that you are disagreeable in any way, it is just her wish for my sister and me to experience the Season without encumbrances.” Violet prayed that her words did not sound as harsh to him as they did to her.

  Garrick seemed as if to say something, and then changed his mind. “I see.”

  “This is not meant to discourage you, only to allow Lilly and I to make our way a little in Society before we are wed. My mother wishes us to have a greater familiarity with all that life has to offer.” Violet looked down at her shoes. “She is a forward thinking woman and does not wish us to make the same mistakes she did.” She looked up at Garrick. She hoped he didn’t see the lie.

  “Thank you for your explanation, Lady Violet. I can well understand your mother’s opinion, and I take no offence. I only hope that when the time is right, you and I could come to a better understanding with one another.”

  Violet stood up. “It would be a pleasure, Mr. Garrick. Now, will you escort me back to the ballroom? I would not like my mother to become concerned.”

  Garrick held out his arm. He returned her to Lilly where Viscount Donnington waited to take her hand. Violet glanced around the room for sight of Haverlane, but did not see him. She sighed. Perhaps it was just as well he had gone.

  *****

  “You do not need to follow me around like a fishwife, Georgiana,” Ellis said. He paced in front of the painting he had used as an excuse to show her to get her alone. “Countess Flowers is my mother’s cousin, and her daughters have no male guardian. I have taken it upon myself to act in that quarter. There is no reason or rhyme for your jealousy.”

  “Then why did you allow Violet to become your nanny?” Georgiana asked. “Haverlane, darling, she is far too beautiful for such an occupation. Tell me the truth. I shall not hold it against you.” She looked at him with a petulant expression. “Did you have a go with her? Is that why you’re so protective of her now?”

  Ellis seethed with fury. This was the second time in as many days he wanted to kill Georgiana Baxter. However, he knew if he showed any outward appearance of his anger, Georgiana would use it against him, or Violet. The last thing he needed was for anyone to think he had bedded Violet, truth or not.

  Ellis threw back his head and laughed. “Do not be absurd. Violet Flowers does not appeal to me in that way. She is only a girl.” He sobered. “Truthfully, I feel sorry for the chit. Her mother is a bit of a shrew and has treated Violet very badly in the past, which if you must know, is one of the reasons I asked her to be Jane’s nanny. Get her out from under her mother’s thumb. ‘Twas nothing more than simple familial munificence.”

  “Then why do you allow Jane to call her Imma?” Georgiana asked.

  “What does that have to do with anything? Tis only a name Jane has called her since they first met.”

  “It means Mother in some obscure language. The only reason I should know is my brother studied languages at Oxford and used to tease my own mother with it. I do not think it is right that Jane should call her nanny by such affectionate terms.”

  Ellis thought it extremely fitting, but said nothing.

  “And darling, you dance with her.” Georgiana pushed out her lower lip. “What does that say about your relationship? What does that say about our relationship?”

  “I only dance with her so that others may see her. She is reticent by nature, and would stand all night in a corner if she had her own way. Her mother wishes to marry her off. I am merely showing the merchandise in its most beneficial light.”

  “That is not true, Haverlane, I have seen her dance with many men. Yet you always choose the waltz, of all things. You know it is my favorite.”

  “Georgiana, now you are being petty. Surely, a woman of your beauty and charm would not begrudge my little cousin a waltz. Moreover, I always save the supper waltz for you. That is more important than the first. Now come, you are being particularly tiresome on this point and I will not have you acting like a spoiled child. Let us return to the ball so I may see if my cousin did indeed, decide if she would accept Garrick.”

  The sole intention of why Ellis had followed them in the first place. He had been watching Garrick fawn over Violet and wanted to know if she reciprocated. Ellis doubted it, but there was something different about Violet tonight, and he wanted to know what it was.

  *****

  Violet saw Haverlane approach. The dance on the floor had just ended. She knew he would ask her for the next and Violet did not know whether to accept his invitation or not. Lady Baxter’s threat from two nights ago still echoed in her ears.

  “Our dance, I believe, Violet.” Haverlane held out his hand.

  His handsome smile won her over, and Violet placed her fingers in his.

  Swirling to the music, Haverlane asked if she had allowed Garrick’s attentions.

  “I told him my mother does not wish any gentlemen’s particular notice this early in the Season,” Violet said.

  “Yes, but that does not answer my question. Do you wish for him to pay his addresses to you?”

  “Mr. Garrick is all that is amiable and good-natured. He is well read and thoughtful, has a pleasing countenance, and I find him rather witty.”

  Haverlane twirled her to the other side of the room. “That is a fine list of all his qualities, Violet. However, how do you feel about him?”

  Violet moved through two turns before she answered. “I do not know, my lord. I do not have the luxury of feeling with my heart. I must think what is best for my family. Mr. Garrick is a fine young man, with a pretty estate and a good income. His family connections are solid and although he will never inherit his father’s title, that is not important to me.”

  “It sounds as if it is. I remember a young girl who was horrified at the thought of not marrying for love. Where has she gone?”

  Violet looked at him. “Sometimes we must put away what we want for the betterment of others. You told me yourself, marriages in the ton are not based on love. I finally see now what you meant. If I may save Lilly from a fate without Welbey, that is what I will do. My mother is already mounting a campaign for poor Camelia when her turn comes. I do not wish to have Cam go through what Lilly and I have.”

  Haverlan
e said nothing for the remainder of the dance. Violet wanted to cry. Her happiness in his arms had palled with their conversation. Oh, how she just wanted to scream at him, “It is you I love, there could be no other.” But she could not.

  As they left the floor, he said, “Do you think you could spend time with Jane one day this week? She has been asking for you.”

  “Yes, of course,” she replied. “I will have to figure something out, perhaps in a few days time, if that is all right with you.”

  “You are always welcome,” he said. He brought her to her mother’s side, bowed and departed.

  Violet sighed. Perhaps Lady Penny was right. Haverlane was indeed a complicated man.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The weeks passed in a blur. Violet danced all night, and now summer had arrived, accompanied her sister and mother to various picnics, parties, and luncheons during the day. Greenleigh and Mr. Garrick alternated taking her for drives in the park during the fashionable hour. Viscount Hardley took her for ices at The Bainbridge Hotel, and Viscount Winsbarren escorted her on an outing to see the Elgin Marbles.

  Stared at, flattered, gossiped about, her opinion regarded, her company sought, Violet did not know what to make of it. They had labeled her ‘Incomparable’.

  Every Thursday, however, Violet went to St. Stephen’s Park to sit with Jane for an hour or two. It was the only place she ever felt like herself. Cousin Phyllidia, Violet found out, was not expected until the middle of summer and Jane would go with her back to the country. Violet wished she could go too. She would miss Jane and their Thursday’s together, but was consoled Jane would be with Mrs. Jeffers and Mary. Violet knew their time was short and cherished every moment she spent in her company.

  Every night she danced with Haverlane and found uncommon happiness in his arms. Violet felt somehow, their bond had grown stronger. He made her laugh, made her feel beautiful, made her feel as if he truly cared for her. He never asked about Garrick, or her sisters. They discussed Prince George, Jane and her progress under Mary’s tutelage, they shared information about their friends at Fairhaven, and for those few minutes on the dance floor, Violet could almost feel what it would be like to be his wife. Her heart remained filled with joy until she watched him dance with Lady Baxter and then her broken heart brought her crashing back to earth.