Courting Intrigue: A Sweet, Regency Romance (The Bequest Series Book 2) Read online

  Realizing she had become habitually complacent, Violet determined to make a drastic change. She would have to ensure her niece was brought back, and she would have to procure new futures for both herself and her only living relation. She couldn’t bear it if something were to happen to her brother’s only child. Her stomach clenched at the very thought of the girl wandering empty lanes and roadways by herself in the dead of night. Even though she was a fiercely independent and capable young woman, she wouldn’t be able to withstand an attack from wolves or bears or highwaymen.

  Violet shook her head and swung her legs out of the bed. She would drive herself mad with her circling thoughts if she left herself here. What was taking her maid so long? Surely she should be back by now with word on whether or not her worthless stepson was out of bed. Violet put her cup down with a decisive clunk and bent over the washstand. The water wasn’t warm, but she didn’t have the patience to wait for new. And the cool water would brace her mind for the ordeal that the day would be. She would have to marshal her thoughts and see her way through whatever arrangements Lillian had left in place for the final day of the house party without letting on to the guests that anything was amiss. And she would have to make arrangements with Lester and rally a few friends to her aid.

  She had to laugh. It would have been something she could easily manage before her husband’s death had sent her into an emotional quagmire. But Lillian’s help had allowed her time to heal. Now she had to return the favour for her darling niece. Violet would have to provide for the girl even if she didn’t want it. Oh, she wouldn’t force the girl into a marriage she didn’t want, of course, but there was nothing to say she couldn’t at least have a wee taste of a Season.

  Feeling a little more restored to her equilibrium, Violet was ready to dress when her maid finally returned.

  “I’m so sorry, my lady. It took me too long to ascertain whether or not his lordship was receiving. The viscount’s man said he had been drinking until early this morning and doesn’t expect him to be in any shape for an audience with you until just before the dinner hour.”

  “The dinner hour? But that’s hours from now.” That had not been what Violet was expecting, although now that she thought on it, she should have. Her reprobate of a stepson was such a disappointment. He had turned out to be nothing like his father. It was such a shame. Violet’s late husband had been a dear, sweet man. But he hadn’t kept a firm hand on his son, overcompensating for the boy’s loss of his mother by being lenient when he should have provided more direction. And the stepmother hadn't been in any position to try to provide direction to the nearly grown man when she had joined the household. Her few attempts to provide a little direction had only caused friction in the household, so Violet had quickly learned to keep her thoughts about Lester to herself.

  But now, what was she to do about her niece? She could probably still send out the footmen in search of her. The worst that could happen is that Lester would ring a peal over her, but the late viscount’s Will had clearly stated that while she was in residence, she was mistress of Ashburn Place. So she was within her rights to send the servants on the errand.

  “Please, let the butler know I wish to speak with him shortly. I will meet him in his office upon the hour.”

  Her maid cast her a puzzled look but merely dipped into a curtsy and said, “Very well, my lady. Do you wish me to do so before or after I dress your hair?”

  “Could you send a footman from the hallway with the message right now and then we can get on with my toilette?”

  “Very well, my lady.”

  Violet had to suppress a giggle. She hadn’t been decisive about anything in over a year. It was little wonder the servant was unused to it. But the girl would have to adjust. Violet was determined to regain the control she had allowed to lapse in her grief. She realized that while she had wallowed, her heart had managed to mend, and she was ready to resume her life.

  It hadn’t felt that she would ever feel that way. Having Lillian around had been such a blessing. Violet was well aware that it was the dear girl’s help that had provided her the needed breathing room to heal. But now the healing was done and life must carry on.

  With barely restrained impatience Violet sat through the usually relaxing experience of having her hair dressed. The rhythmic sensation of the brush strokes would often almost send her to sleep, but now all she wanted to do was jump up from before the mirror and dash from the room. Inaction was driving her mad.

  “Thank you, Margie, that will be all for now.” She was finally able to dismiss the servant and leave the room. “I will be in the morning room until my appointment with Mr. Johnson. If I have need of you later, I will ring for you.” The maid dipped a respectful curtsy and left the room. Violet took a deep breath before following her out.

  She had at least fifteen minutes time to pass before she had arranged to meet with the butler. Violet supposed she could send for the man and have him meet her earlier than she had instructed, but she didn’t want to draw undue attention to the situation. And the poor man had his duties to attend to as well. Many of the guests would be leaving that day, so he would be busy organizing the footmen to assist the departing guests.

  The viscountess realized there wouldn’t be many footmen to spare for her search for her niece, but she didn’t much care. Surely there were enough for what she needed. And many of the guests had brought their own servants, so truly it shouldn’t be that big of a bother for her to send a couple out to find Lillian. She couldn’t wait for days to hear from the girl. Now that she was thinking on it a bit more, it would be better to send groomsmen out after her, of course. They could ride quickly and find her before anyone would even note that she had been missing.

  Why hadn’t she awoken earlier? If she had realized Lillian was gone, she could have had her brought back before anyone was even stirring. But fretting about that now would serve no good. The circular thoughts were making her anxious. Violet glanced at the clock on the mantle as she stepped inside the breakfast room on her way by. There were still ten minutes before her appointment with the butler, but she was no longer willing to wait. She would go in search of him now.

  “Good morning, my lady. You are looking well this morning.”

  Violet was surprised by the statement and the familiar voice that uttered it. Lord Avery. She felt her eyebrows rising up her forehead, but she dipped into a curtsy anyway.

  “Good morning, my lord. Was your night restful?”

  “Very, I thank you. I think it must have been all the dancing last evening, but I slept like a baby through the night.”

  Violet was unsure what to make of the earl being so friendly all of a sudden. It was most unusual, at least according to her brief experience with the man. Of course, he used to be friendly while her husband was still alive, but of late, it was clear his disapproval of Lester extended to her. It made for an awkward morning. She was about to dip into another curtsy and leave when he interrupted her in the act.

  “Could I have a moment of your time, dear lady?”

  Blinking back her surprise, Violet glanced toward the clock before answering the only thing politeness would allow.

  “But of course, my lord, what can I do for you?”

  “As you know, my daughter has made a little bit of a debut into Society. Her official debut will be this fall for the Season, but I have been allowing her to go about a little bit. She has been held back by multiple bouts of mourning and so isn’t as young as some of the debutantes, but to me, seems far more innocent and inexperienced.”

  Violet merely nodded her head, unsure where the gentleman was going with his words.

  “She strikes me as a lovely, young woman, my lord. You have done well with her.”

  The earl shook his head. “All the credit lies at the feet of my late wife. I was an unforgivably uninvolved father until my wife’s death forced me to take a hand in the raising of my daughter. It is much easier with my sons. I haven’t the least idea how to go
on with the girl. A large part of me wants to lock her up in one of the towers at home and never let her out. But I have managed to convince myself that this is an unreasonable wish.”

  Violet smiled. “I am glad you have allowed reason to prevail.” She tried not to glance back at the clock. It would be rude to leave before the man got to his point.

  “I have observed you over the past day or two, and I am impressed with how you have managed to keep yourself separate from your stepson’s infamy. And you have done a lovely job of organizing this gathering.”

  Violet stammered out a reply, still unsure what he wanted with her and uncomfortable accepting his compliments when so much of the work for the party had been arranged by Lillian.

  “I was wondering if you might be comfortable escorting my daughter through the Season.”

  Violet blinked. This was not at all what she had been expecting.

  “How could that be arranged, my lord? I am barely out myself.”

  “But surely your mourning has ended. You have been quite active during this gathering, and I can see that you are no longer wearing black.”

  “While it’s true that more than a year has passed since I lost my dear husband, I haven’t been active in Society. We weren’t very involved with the Season even before he became ill. And surely you know that I never had a Season of my own. It was only by chance that I even met the viscount. And I’m fairly certain he only married me because he already had his heir. I am not high ton.”

  “Surely, my dear, you knew how much your husband loved you.”

  Violet felt heat rising in her cheeks. This was the most awkward conversation she had ever engaged in. And she really needed to be elsewhere.

  “Of course, I know that. I merely meant I would not have been deemed an acceptable mate for him when he was young.”

  “I disagree, but that doesn’t really matter at this point anyway. You are a viscountess. No one can dispute your acceptability now.”

  Violet stifled her sigh. “Of course not, but I am not an experienced matron of Society, my lord. If you are looking for someone to help guide your daughter, I am not the best candidate.”

  The earl’s expression changed as though he were going to argue with her. Violet interrupted him before he could.

  “I apologize, my lord, but there is something terribly important that I must take care of in a timely manner. Could we perhaps resume this conversation a little later?”

  “We shall be leaving this afternoon.”

  “Of course, my lord. I do apologize. I merely need to confer with the butler on something. I could return in a few minutes.”

  “Very well.”

  Violet had to suppress her smile even though she was filled with anxiety over her niece. She felt as though she had been dismissed by the earl in her own home. It was ridiculous that she found even his arrogance attractive. But it had always been thus for her. A confident man was such an attractive creature. Perhaps it stemmed from the fact that her father had been such a weakling, which had lead to their precarious childhood. Her brother had not lacked confidence. Nor had her husband. She, on the other hand, could use a little of it herself. With a lift of her chin she hurried to her appointment with the butler.

  Chapter Twelve

  “But Walter, I have no intention of returning to Ashburn Place, and I don’t understand why you are here.”

  “Her ladyship sent me. She says you are to come back right away.”

  “Walter, the viscount banished me. I am not welcome at Ashburn Place. Even if my aunt wishes it, that doesn’t make it so. I am sorry that you have come all this way for nothing, but I cannot return with you.”

  “But Miss, I will get in deep trouble with the butler if I don’t bring you back with me.”

  Lillian sighed, torn between her loyalties. She had made it to Sherton and was just about to approach the countess’ estate when she had heard her name being called from behind her. She had never been so surprised as when she saw a groom from Ashburn riding toward her.

  “I wouldn’t want to cause trouble for you, Walter, but if I come back with you, I’ll be the one facing terrible trouble.”

  “Her ladyship says there won’t be no trouble.”

  “I am afraid she is mistaken.”

  The groom’s eyes widened at her words, but a grin spread across his face. “That’s not for me to say, Miss, but I need you to come with me.”

  “What do you intend to do if I refuse?”

  Lillian couldn’t help her smirk as the groom gazed at her in consternation. He could not force her to accompany him, and well he knew it. She almost felt sorry for him, but she wasn’t about to give in to his demands just to make him happy. She also couldn’t go back to the house party and cause a scene with Lester while his guests might still be there. That would be sure to put her beyond the pale if she wasn’t already.

  And then, of course, there was the fact that she was finally getting on with her plans for her future. Sure, this wasn’t the way she had wanted to go about it, but she wasn’t sorry that Lester’s anger had forced her to get going. She hated leaving her aunt without saying goodbye and felt badly if she was leaving her in an awkward position, but Lillian was certain all the plans for finishing up the house party were in place, and the viscountess would be just fine. Once Lillian had made her arrangements, her aunt could even come and visit her here or wherever she would settle for the next couple of years. It would be best if she could find a position. All of this ran quickly through her mind as the groom stood and watched her anxiously, reminding Lillian that she needed to rid herself of the man. She wasn’t returning to Ashburn Place, and her aunt would have to understand.

  “Would it improve things if I wrote a letter to my aunt for you to take back with you? That way you could tell the butler you had done your best and that he ought to speak with her ladyship if he has a problem with it?”

  “Oh, Miss, would you? That would be certain to keep me out of the fire.”

  Lillian grinned at his turn of phrase before sobering. She didn’t have any paper. But they were in a town with an inn. Surely they would have some paper in their parlour. Of course, Lillian wasn’t planning to be a paying guest, but she hoped she would be able to arrange for the missive anyway. She marched toward the hostelry with the groom in tow, his horse bringing up the rear of their little procession. It would have been amusing if it weren’t so very serious.

  Wracking her brain as she went, Lillian wondered what sort of story she could tell the inn’s host. She wasn’t comfortable lying to anyone, but she didn’t want to part with any of her few coins in order to gain access to the hotel. All she needed was a piece of paper. She didn’t expect anyone to provide her with any food or drink for free.

  “Good day, good sir,” she greeted as she stepped into the entranceway and found the innkeeper hovering. Lillian was glad to see the groom was tying his horse to a post and standing nearby.

  It was clear the host wasn’t sure what to make of her, as his bow was brief and stiff.

  “My aunt, Lady Violet Shepley, has been delayed, and I need to communicate with her. Would it be possible for me to send her a note to Ashburn Place by way of my groom?”

  Lillian bit back a giggle as her words unlocked the man’s hospitality. “Of course, my dear girl, come right this way. It isn’t often we have anyone from Ashburn Place stop by in these parts. Your folks are most often heading east for the capital.”

  She was relieved that the man knew of Ashburn, but that Lester or his father wasn't a frequent guest. Otherwise he would have known that the viscountess’ niece was not a member of High Society. The hotel, she was happy to note, appeared to be respectable and everything was clean. She didn’t expect she would be extending her stay within its walls, but she wasn’t uncomfortable to be there.

  It did cross her mind that the innkeeper or his wife might be in need of more hired help, but now that she had associated herself with the Place, he would never consider hiring her. She bit
her lip to bite back her groan of frustration. There was nothing to be gained from being upset. Lillian couldn’t blame her aunt for being concerned about her and trying to look after her. She should have expected it. That dear lady was still trying to take care of her. It was hard for her to accept that her niece was a woman and not the little girl she had always known.

  Seating herself at the small desk in the corner of the surprisingly well-lit parlour, Lillian quickly composed her letter.

  My dearest aunt:

  I appreciate your offer of help, but I am not able to return with the groom. Please make sure he doesn’t get in trouble with Mr. Johnson. If you have any ideas or suggestions of a paid position for me, I’ll be happy to hear from you, otherwise, I will be in touch with you when my plans are finalized.

  Yours sincerely,

  Lillian

  Rereading it, Lillian hoped it didn’t sound too cold, but she didn’t want her aunt to think she wasn’t firm in her decision. Lillian was not returning to Ashburn Place under any circumstances. She couldn’t bear to live under the uncertainty any longer, not now that she had actually experienced Lester’s ire. And she couldn’t depend upon her aunt’s charity. Uncle Wilbur hadn’t provided sufficiently for her to be able to support them both in the style her aunt favoured. It was much better this way. If only she could convince the viscountess of that, she thought with a wry twist of her lips.

  Lillian regained her feet as the innkeeper returned.

  “I am going to bring you a pot of tea and some things my wife has just baked.”

  Lillian smiled. “It smells as though your wife is an excellent baker.” She paused while the innkeeper preened. “Unfortunately, I cannot remain, but I thank you so much for your kind offer.”

  The man looked confused as she hurried from the room, but he didn’t try to stop her, much to her relief. She had the note for her aunt and she hadn’t had to spend any of her few coins to get it. While she was touched that the viscountess had gone to the effort of sending the servants to look for her, Lillian couldn’t allow her aunt to disrupt her plans now that they were on the cusp of moving ahead. At least this way the groom would leave her alone and she could get on with things.