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

  The viscount blinked at her, obviously not expecting this and unused to her firm tone.

  “Do you really want to replace my father so soon?”

  “Of course not. Your father is irreplaceable. But I’m not in my dotage. And I want a home. This is no longer a home for me. Especially without Lillian. The servants do their best, but they aren’t family. And you don’t wish to be my family. I want a family of my own. I want a home.” She trailed off, realizing how very true her words were. She wasn’t just doing this to protect her niece. She did want a home of her own. Perhaps she really would remarry. Violet ignored the flash of Lord Avery’s face that flitted across her mind. Now was most certainly not an appropriate time to think of him.

  Firming her tone, she continued. “You will provide me the funds to make a splash during the next Season with my niece, Lillian, by my side.”

  “I will not provide for that girl.”

  “You will, if you don’t want me on your hands for the rest of your life,” Violet argued before reasoning with him. “Surely, you realize I cannot go to Town without a companion. She is the most reasonable choice. It isn’t as though you have any sisters or cousins I could take with me.”

  Lester blinked at her as though he were confused by the conversation. “But the girl has left, hasn’t she? I doubt she’ll be accepted into Society anyway. All the guests here have seen here as a servant.”

  “No one here even noticed her in that case. Do you really think any of your friends take notice of the servants?”

  “They do when servants look like her,” he mumbled.

  “Well then, you will have to present her,” Violet declared.

  “Have you run mad? I’ve never presented anyone, and I’m certainly not going to present your managing, mealy faced niece.”

  “My niece is a beautiful young woman who has had to be strong for her circumstances. She is neither mealy faced nor managing.” At his sarcastic expression, Violet amended her statement. “All right, maybe she is a little bit managing, but it’s only because her circumstances have made her so. If you sponsor a Season for her and present her, you will have her off your hands for good. And me, too.”

  “I already have her off my hands. And I don’t mind having someone around to run my household, so I don’t need you off my hands.” The infuriating young man offered her a satisfied grin at that and took another swig from his tankard.

  “Perhaps we should discuss this later,” Violet finally said through her strained lips, every effort required to hold onto her temper. Without another word, she turned on her heel.

  Now she was standing at the window hoping her niece would return but still no further ahead in providing for the girl. Violet sighed. Maybe she really ought to do as Lillian had asked and find her a position as companion to one of her older friends. Violet recalled her promise to write to her friend about it. That might help pass the time. But that was surely not the best future for Lily, her heart protested.

  There was the sound of someone clearing their throat at the doorway, causing Violet to startle and whirl toward the noise. With her hand clutched at her throat, she was surprised to see Lord Avery at the door.

  “Good afternoon, my lord. Are you and your daughter leaving now?” She hoped she didn’t sound too eager for their departure, but Violet was no closer to feeling comfortable in front of the handsome older gentleman.

  “Yes, my lady, but I was hoping you and I could speak for a few minutes before we do.”

  Violet knew her smile couldn’t possibly reach her eyes, but she pinned it to her lips anyway. “Of course, my lord, should I ring for some tea?”

  It truly was unfair how appealing the man was, even though he was aging. Why can't women have that same blessing, she wondered as she stared in a daze as his smile spread across his face, reaching all the way to the crinkles in the corners of his eyes. She really liked how his eyes lit up when he grinned like that. She knew an answering smile was beginning to stretch her own cheeks.

  “There’s no need to disturb your housekeeper. If I understand correctly, she injured her leg?”

  Violet blinked up at him. “Have you set spies into my household, my lord?”

  Much to her surprise, pink tinged his cheekbones as he bashfully answered. “In a manner of speaking, I have, I’m sorry to say.”

  “Whatever for?”

  “I wanted to discern if you would be an appropriate addition to my household.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I was hoping you would consider the possibility of joining my household.”

  “I heard your words the first time, my lord. I think you need to explain their meaning, not repeat them.” She could hear the dry sarcasm in her tone, but didn’t much care. What could he possibly be thinking?

  The earl cleared his throat again. “I could use a new countess, my lady.”

  “You could, could you? And what does that have to do with me?” While Violet felt a little flutter in her midsection at his obvious meaning, she had no intention of aligning herself with a gentleman who could not even declare himself properly.

  “I am making a mull of this, aren’t I?”

  “It would seem so, my lord.” Violet softened her words with a smile, since it seemed he wasn’t trying to demand her presence in his home.

  “The thing is, my lady,” he began before interrupting himself. “Actually, might I have your permission to address you by your given name? This hardly seems the type of conversation one ought to have with formality.”

  Violet giggled. “Very well, my lord, you may call me Violet, if you’d like.”

  “And I would very much like it if you would call me Leopold, or Leo.”

  “That might take some getting used to,” she replied, feeling shy all of a sudden.

  “You can practice,” he answered softly, his warm smile returning. “As I was saying, Violet, the thing is, I have known you for quite some time.”

  “You haven’t really known me, my lord, I mean Leopold. I was your friend’s wife, and I was friends with your wife, at least briefly.”

  “That’s true, but my dear wife thought very highly of you those few times you met. And I know Wilbur’s life changed for the better when he married you. I’ve known him since we were boys. He was never so happy as he was the few years he had with you.”

  “I thank you for saying so, my lord, but what does that have to do with now?”

  “It’s Leo,” he reminded her. “And I’m trying to get to that. As I mentioned earlier, my daughter is about to make her debut. She will be gone from my household soon. That is as it should be, of course. My two older children have already married. I will soon be completely alone. I don’t want to be alone, and I don’t want my children concerning themselves with me. I want a companion to carry on with life. I don’t think I’m anywhere near cocking up my toes. There is still much of life I intend to enjoy, even with my children gone. But I don’t want to do it alone.”

  “Are you trying to say you want me to come live with you so you aren’t alone?”

  “Yes, that’s exactly right.”

  “In what capacity, my lord?” Violet could hear the offence clearly ringing in her tone of voice. He had said he needed a new countess, but surely he hadn’t meant her. Was the man looking to hire her as a housekeeper? Or was he offering her a completely disrespectful position?

  “As my wife, of course.”

  Violet sat back and blinked at him. She didn’t much care if she looked like an owl. She knew her eyes were probably as wide as saucers. While she had been telling Lester she would like to find a new husband, she hadn’t truly thought she would. But here she was, without even the bother of a Season, receiving an offer. True, it was the least romantic offer she had ever heard of, but it was an offer nonetheless.

  “This is rather sudden, isn’t it, Leo? And were you not, just a few days ago, telling me that I was questionable association for your daughter?”

  Colour once again tinged th
e earl’s cheekbones, and he had the good grace to look sheepish. “It isn’t so very sudden. I thought you were desirable even when you were married to my friend, much to my shame. But I fought those thoughts and feelings. I fought them for a long time. And it wasn’t you who is bad association, it is your stepson.”

  “Would you expect me to cut him from my life?”

  “Not necessarily, but I haven’t seen any evidence that you are particularly close with him.”

  Violet finally allowed herself to relax from how horrified she was. She had to smile over his words. “Well, we aren’t close. He was terribly resentful of his father remarrying. Which actually makes me hesitate over your suggestion. I have had the experience of disapproving stepchildren. I am not certain I would wish to repeat the experience.”

  “Do you think you’ll find a single man without a family to marry?”

  “Who says I must remarry?”

  The earl looked embarrassed once more. “I have made a complete hash of this, haven’t I?”

  Violet smiled. “Maybe a little.”

  “I was hoping you would fall in with my plans, and we could just carry on comfortably. That isn’t going to happen, is it?”

  “Probably not.”

  “Do you truly wish to remain here at Ashburn Place as a grieving widow?”

  “Not necessarily.”

  “Would you allow me to court you, then?”

  Violet’s heart soared at his words. “Would you really court me?” She knew her eyes were probably huge in her face once more but for a far better reason.

  “It would be a pleasure, my dear Violet. But I must warn you, I am not particularly patient.”

  “Nor am I, to be honest, Leopold. And neither of us is getting any younger. But this is a rather large decision, and I don’t wish to enter into it lightly.”

  “I don’t really want to wait until the next Season. That’s months away.”

  Violet chewed on her lip and glanced toward the window once more. The earl was no simpleton.

  “There are other things weighing on your mind, aren’t there, my dear? Do they impact your decision?”

  “They do, as a matter of fact. Did you know I have a niece?”

  “I believe I met her while visiting with your husband in the past. I didn’t see her while we’ve been here, so I assumed she had married and we just hadn’t heard about it.”

  Violet sighed. “No, she is still here. Or rather, she was up until last night. Lester hasn’t been happy about her being here, as she is no relation of his. He kicked her out last night and she walked away in the middle of the night, merely leaving me a note.”

  “Is the girl daft?”

  Violet smiled. “Not in the least. But she has the most outrageous independent streak. She didn’t want to cause a scene with the house full of guests. And she didn’t want to make trouble for me with Lester. And if I know her at all, she probably couldn’t sleep, so she decided not to wait until morning to leave.”

  “We can take her in,” the earl assured her. “Or rather, I could have my married daughter take her in, as I’m not sure I want such an independent creature influencing my impressionable younger one.”

  “While I can’t blame you for feeling that way from the little you’ve heard, she really is a darling girl and I’m sure would influence your daughter for the good. She is a steady, hard working girl. I wouldn’t have been able to keep the household together since Wilbur died without her. It is my dependence upon her that caused her to be so very independent. She had no one else, you see. Her parents died a few years ago. That’s when she came to us. Wilbur had every intention of taking her up to London for a Season, but then he died and he hadn’t made any arrangements for her. And my portion isn’t enough to provide a Season for her. The viscount never expected to die any time soon.”

  “Very well, I can see what you’re saying. But do you know where she is?”

  Violet bit her lip and looked back toward the window and shook her head. “I’ve sent out some grooms to search for her. I should surely be hearing something soon.”

  “But you’re worried and cannot be bothered with my little problem right now.”

  His kind tone actually brought tears to Violet’s eyes.

  “Loneliness is not a small problem, Leopold, and well you know it. But I deeply appreciate your understanding.”

  “When you get your niece back, would you and she be willing to come to Orchardside for an extended visit? I could have all my children come so you could meet each other. Then you could decide if you would consider taking on stepchildren and a widower.”

  Violet glanced back toward the window and bit her lip. He didn’t realize what a huge thing he was asking.

  “Might I ask you a question, my lord?”

  “Only if you preface it with Leo or Leopold.” It was a reprimand but said with an attractive smile that made Violet’s heart rate increase and heat rise to her cheeks.

  “Why me? You’re a handsome, seemingly healthy, clearly wealthy nobleman. Surely, you could have your pick of any widow and even of the debutantes, if you were of the mind for it.”

  The earl interrupted. “No, please, I beg of you. I will only be able to handle one more debutante and that will be to marry her off to someone else, not take on that responsibility myself.”

  Violet laughed. “Very well, no debutantes, but I’m not the prettiest, nor the wittiest widow around, and I don’t even have a good track record of running the household. My niece has been running things since Wilbur died. So again, I ask you, why me?”

  Leopold laughed. “Why did you marry Lord Shepley? You had maintained your unwed state much longer than was the norm. There must have been something about him that made you take the risk.”

  Violet nodded but didn’t speak.

  “There’s just something about you. I could argue that you are the prettiest widow. In my eyes, you could rival even the veriest diamond of the first waters that made her curtsy during the Season. But it’s all that makes you you. I didn’t think I would find it again. I haven’t been in a hurry to remarry. I could have done so right away in order to have help with the raising of my youngest. But I didn’t want to even consider it right at first. And then, not just anyone would do. And I think you’ll do quite nicely.”

  Violet’s heart soared. It was the perfect thing to say. It might not have been the most eloquent words she had ever heard. The novels she read from the circulating library would surely scoff at the lack of passion in his words. But she would have been intimidated if he had made a fierce declaration of unending passion. This she could work with. If she ever smoothed things out with Lillian, anyway.

  “My niece and I would be delighted to spend some time on your estate this summer, my lord… Leo,” she stammered with a smile.

  “Wonderful,” he answered, clasping her hand. “Would you like my daughter and me to stay another day while you figure things out with your niece?”

  Violet tightened her grip on his hand and gazed at him in indecision. “I’m not sure. A part of me would prefer that no one was here when she returns, so there is no risk of a scandal attaching to her. But what if she doesn’t return? Lester will be of no use to me. I am certain he will raise no hue over her absence, as it is entirely his fault that she isn’t here.” She paused for a moment, glancing once more toward the window, not wanting to meet his gaze. “Actually, the fault lies with me as well. She has been asking me for weeks to help her find a position as governess or companion, but I haven’t wanted to part with her.”

  “Why would the girl want a position? Are you quite certain she is all right in the head?”

  Violet laughed but nodded vigorously. “Quite certain. You see, she intends to open a bakery. The town she grew up in has a dowry for the impoverished young women of the town. A bequest from an old bachelor. There is some sort of story in his past, but I don’t know the details. Anyway, Lillian is to receive this bequest in a couple years, if she remains single. She would rec
eive it upon her marriage or when she turns twenty-five if she doesn’t marry. She intends to take those ten pounds and open a bakery. But she would rather earn a little more in the meantime. Being here with me was not a paid position for the girl. Lester refused to pay her, and she wouldn’t accept any money from me apart from a little pin money, and even that I had to force upon her.”

  “I suppose she sounds like a sensible girl.” His tone was grudging but beginning to fill with respect. “Why didn’t you wish to help her get a position?”

  “Because she’s a lovely girl both inside and out and ought to be married, not slaving away to support herself.”

  The earl gazed at her steadily, causing Violet to squirm. “You’re still waiting for me to say whether or not I wish for you and Katherine to remain here with me, aren’t you? Very well, yes, if you would, that would be lovely. I could use the support. Thank you. But are you certain your daughter won’t mind?”

  “She will probably giggle and ask if she can go riding with Lester.”

  Violet winced over his words. “Oh dear, perhaps you ought to leave then.”

  Leopold laughed. “Not at all. The good news is, I don’t think Lester has any interest in getting himself leg shackled any time soon. From what I can ascertain of him, while he’s a wastrel, he isn’t intent on compromising any wellborn young women.”

  Violet was divided in her feelings on the earl’s assessment. She wasn’t impressed with her stepson at the moment, but she had to agree. Except that Lillian was a wellborn young woman that he very much had compromised by putting her out of the house. Glancing once more toward the window, she rose to her feet.

  “If you’ll excuse me for a few minutes, I have to confer with the butler.” She paused. “And I suppose I ought to speak with the housekeeper to mention that you’ll be staying with us another day. Lillian would normally handle such matters.” Looking at the earl, feeling helpless, Violet exclaimed, “Do you see what I mean? I’m not really countess material, my lord.”

  “You’ll be fine, Violet, I’m sure of it. You managed wonderfully before your husband passed. I witnessed it with my own eyes when I visited. You just need to get back in the habit.”