AWickedDuke'sRedemption
AREGENCYROMANCENOVEL
MEGHANSLOAN
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Introduction
VioletBrewer,aspiritedyoungwomanfromadecliningaristocraticfamily,findsherselfthrustintoanarrangedmarriagewith thenotoriousDukeofFarnham.Yet,asshegrappleswithherfearofaunionwithamanwhosedarkreputationprecedeshim, shediscoverstheundeniableallureinhispiercingblue-grayeyes.Beforelong,Violetwillyearntosuccumbtothepassionthat simmersbeneaththesurface…
Cansheovercomeherapprehensionsandunlockthesecretsofpleasurehiddenwithinthedepthsofhermysterioushusband's heart?
LeopoldParish,thebroodingDukeofFarnham,harborsapainfulpastmarredbyrumorsofhisinvolvementinhisfirstwife's mysteriousdeath.Encasedinbitternessandloneliness,Leoseekssolaceinamarriageofconveniencewithawomanoflower standing Yet, as he navigates the intricacies of dutyand desire, the scorchingheat of his undeniable chemistrywithViolet becomesimpossibletoignore
Willthesteamynightsineachother'sarmsbeenoughtomeltawaytheicybarrierssurroundinghisheart?
Unitedbyamarriageofconvenience,VioletandLeoembarkonasharedjourneyofdiscovery,battlingtheghostsofLeo'spast Yet, amidst the heat of their growing passion, they must confront chilling whispers and malicious glances that threaten to extinguishtheflamesoftheirdesire.Astheirintimacydeepens,willtheyunravelthetruthbehindLeo'sfirstwife'smurder,or willtherelentlesswhisperstearthemapart?WilltheirlovestoryrewritethenarrativethatsocietyhaswovenfortheDukeof FarnhamandhisunlikelyDuchess?
Chapter1
Essex, 1818
Thecarriagepulledtoahalt,andLeopoldParish,DukeofFarnham,drewinashudderingbreath.Herakedhishandsthrough his blond hair, in case it had become disheveled during the long trip. Then he fixed his blue-gray eyes into a stern, even expression.Thecarriagedooropened,andthecoachmanboweddeeply.“Wehavearrived,YourGrace.”
“Yes,Icanseethat.”
Hehadnotbeenawayforsolongthathehadforgottenwhathisowncountryestatelookedlike Leoswallowedhard Lydia, thelivelyandbeautifulDuchessofFarnham,wasdead,andyetGroveswoodEstatewasasgreenandbeautifulasever.
Leo,Lydia’shusband,fixedhisgazeontherollinggreenfields,thelushtrees,andthecarefullymanicuredgardens Hiscountry estateborenotasinglefingerprintofgrief,anditseemedsomehowtobeacruelinjustice Lydiawasgonefromtheworld,and naturehadforgottenherthemomentherbodywasplacedintheground.
ShehadlovedGroveswoodbest,andthatwaswhyLeohadwaitedfiveyearsbeforereturning Hehadthoughtthatthewounds ofLydia’sdeathhadhealedenough.Hehadimaginedhimselfstoicallyandbravelyapproachinghisestate,theplacewherehis belovedwifehadrunlikeawildthingthroughthetreesandpastthepond.Ithurtmorethanheexpected. Thehousewasunchanged,too
AsLeoclimbedthestairstowardstheentryway,hesaw aflutter offacesandfingerspeeringathimfrombehindthehouse’s curtains Theyweregoneasecondlater Leoclenchedhisjaw Hehadnotinformedthehouseholdthathisarrival wastobe expected,andhewascertaintheyweregossipingabouthim. Theywouldhavegossipedanyway EveryonehadtheirtheoriesaboutLydia’sdeath,andLeofoundhimselffiguringinmanyof them Asifhiswife’sdeathwasnotagreatenoughwound,healsohadtoenduretheindignityandsorrowofbeingthoughther murderer.
Thedoor opened,andthebutler boweddeeply.“Your Grace,itis anhonor togreetyou.Wewereunawarethatweoughtto expectyou,butthestaffarepreparingsupperandyourroomsforyou.Youhavemysincerestapologiesfornotbeingreadyfor yourarrival.”
Thebutlerwasfamiliar.NathanialJoneshadservedLeo’sfamilyfortwogenerations.Noneofthemaidshurryingaboutlooked familiar, though. Leo grimaced. How many of the staff had abandoned their posts because of the rumors? How many had remainedanywayandthoughthimakiller?
“MayItakeyourcoat,YourGrace?”
Leosurrenderedthegarment,eyes searchingfor anythingdifferent Theentrywaywas entirelyunchanged,though Therewas thefamiliarPersianrugandtheportraitofhisgreat-great-grandfather.Thebustsonthemantleofthefireplacewereunchanged.
“Aslongaseverythingispreparedquickly,”Leosaidcurtly “Ismystudyinorder,atleast?”
“Weneedtolightafiretowarmtheroom,”Nathanialreplied,“andIimaginethatyouwouldlike ”
“Seetoit,”Leointerrupted.“Iwillremainthereuntilsupperispreparedforme.”
Leo set his course toward his study, noting with displeasure that a few maids stepped out of his path. They looked like frightenedhares,theireyeswideastheywatchedhim.Hedidnotrecognizeeitherofthem,whichmeanttheywerehiredafter Lydia’sdeath.Itwasclearhow they thoughtthelateduchesshaddied.
“Havebrandysenttome,”Leocalledoverhisshoulder.“MyjourneyfromLondonhasbeenlong,andIwouldliketorestin myownhome.”
“Atonce,YourGrace!”thebutlerreplied.
Leoreachedthesecondfloor,passingseveralservants Theybowedtohim,asexpected,butLeoknew itwassurelyfeigned respect Heleftwhispersinhiswake Leodrewhisshouldersbackandclenchedhisjaw Hisstudywasblissfullyemptyand clean.Theairwasstillandstale.
Scowling,Leoseatedhimselfbehindhisdeskandfixedhisattentiononthedeadfireplaceacrossfromhim.Atleast,thisroom wasnotoneheassociatedwithLydia.Shehadseldomcomehere.Thisroomwastoosmallanddarkforher.Shepreferredthe openspacesoftheestategroundsandthesunlightpouringthroughthewindowsofthedrawingroomandparlor.
ApoliteknockcutthroughLeo’sthoughts.“Enter!”hesaid,tryingtoasserteveryounceofducalauthoritythathecouldintohis voice. Thedooropened,andawomanentered.Shewastallandbroadwiththick,whitehairpulledsternlyback.Wrinkleslinedher face like the bark of a tree, a testament to her decades of life, but her green eyes were alight with mischief and youthful enthusiasm.Foraheartbeat,Leosimplystaredather.
Everythingwithinhimsoftened,hisilltemperandmelancholymeltingawaylikefrostbeforethespring.
Shecurtsied “YourGrace”
“Mrs.Gunderson,”hesaid,standing.“Youlookwell.”
Mrs.Gunderson,thehousekeeper,approachedhimwithasmall,wrysmile.“Andyouareasightformytired,oldeyes,Your Grace.Areyouallright?”
“AswellasIcanbe,”Leoreplied.“WorsethanIoughttobe.”
There was only a moment of hesitation Then Mrs Gunderson pulled himinto a tight embrace He tensed Ordinarily, the improprietyofthegesturewouldnothavevexedhim.Leohadnotalwaysbeenamanwhowasterriblyconcernedwithsuch expectations.
Ifhewantedtoembracethehousekeeper,whohadbeeninthehouseholdsincehischildhood,hewould.Hewasaduke,after all.Noonewouldhavethegalltotellhimwhathecouldandcouldnotdo.
After Lydia’s death, he developed a new respectfor those pleasantries Once a curse, proprietywas now a shield Itwas a meansofquellingtheworstoftherumors,oratleastensuringthattheywouldnotreachhisears.
Itwas the onlyguide he possessed for how to conducthimselfinthe face ofsuchunfathomable grief. This small breachin etiquettebroughtalltheturmoilofthepastfiveyearsbubblingtothesurface,andhisbreathhitchedratherunbecomingly.
“Iamsosorry,”Mrs Gundersonsaidsoftly “Icanscarcelyimaginehowitwoundsyoubeinghere”
The housekeeper releasedhim,andLeotookanawkwardstepback He clearedhis throatandclaspedhis hands behindhis back,tryingtoadoptsomethingofaducalposture “Yes”
“Ihavebeenveryworriedaboutyou.”
Leolaughedbitterly.“Youappeartobetheonlyoneinthishouseholdwhohasheldconcernformyhealth.Therestappearto beeitherfrightenedofmeorelserecentadditionstothestaff.”
“Mostofthe staffdo notknow youlike Ido,” Mrs. Gundersonsaid, her voice infinitelypatientand kind. “Iftheydid, they wouldnotdarethinkillofyou.”
Leosighed.Hereturnedtohisseatandgesturedacrossfromhim.“Sit.Isupposeyououghttotellmeabouttheestate.”
“Wouldyounotprefertohearofitallinthemorning?”Mrs Gundersonasked “Ihaverequestedthatasuppertraybesentfor, and Ihave ordered that a bathbe drawnfor you. After suchanarduous journey, Ithinkit would be far better to spend the eveningtendingtoyourownneeds.Inthemorning,IcanrecounttoyouthestateofGroveswood.”
LeopressedhislipsintoathinlineandstudiedMrs Gundersoncarefully “Iamnotachild,Mrs Gunderson”
“Youhavenotbeenonefor sometime,”shereplied,“anditisnotmyintentiontoactasthoughyouareone Evenmenneed rest,however,andyouareamongthatespeciallystubbornvarietyofmanwhobelievesthathecansimplychargethroughany obstacle.”
“Careful,Mrs Gunderson,”Leosaid “Youarebeginningtosoundasthoughwearesocialequals”
said “Iamensuringthatthedukedomcontinuestothrive,whichitcanonlydoifitsdukeislikewiseingoodhealthandhardy” “Clever.”
Aknockcameatthedoor.“Enter!”Leocalled.
Thedoortimidlyopened,andamaidpeeredinsidetheroom.Shewasaslightcreaturewithblondehairandwide,greeneyes. “Ah,Anna,”Mrs.Gundersonsaid.
The maid, Anna, curtsied and entered Inher hands, she carried a silver trayladenwithtwo decanters of brandyand two glasses.“IbroughtthebrandythatHisGracerequested,”shesaid.“Wewereunsurewhichvarietywouldbepreferable,soI wastoldtofetchboth.”
“Verywell,”Mrs.Gundersonsaid.“HisGracecandecide.”
Anna crossed the roomquicklyand placed the trayatthe edge ofLeo’s desk He forced a smile, butAnna did notseemto noticetheattemptatfriendliness Shecurtsiedquicklyandleftassoonasshecould,discomfortclingingtoher Leosighedand lethischinrestinhishand.
Mrs Gundersonsmiledsympathetically “Whichvariety,YourGrace?”
“Ithardlymatters,”Leoreplied.“Allbrandytastesthesame,regardlessofwhereitcomesfrom.”
Mrs.Gundersonchoseadecanterandpouredtheamber-brownbrandyintooneoftheglasses.Leotookit,swirlingaroundits contents.“Thankyou.Ifyoulike,pour yourselfa glass,also.Iunderstandyour concernaboutmyhealth,andIappreciate it. However,ifIdonotdiscussthedukedomtonight,IknowthatIwillbeunabletosleeptonight Iwilllieawakeinmybedand worryaboutit” Shepouredsomeofthebrandyintotheotheremptyglass.“Ifyouarecertain,YourGrace.”
“Iam.”Hetookaheavyswallowofthebrandy,savoringtheburnofthealcoholagainsthistongueandtherichnessofitstaste. “Hasanythingchanged?Theestatelooksquitethesame,andIdidnotnoticeanythingunusualontheroad.”
Theybothknew thathe was not really askingaboutthe road or anythingelse inthe countyofEssex. Mrs. Gunderson’s face softened,andshetracedafinger aroundtherimofher glass.Leoswallowedhard,fightingdownthelumpwhichroseinhis throat Heknewtoexpecttheworst “Nothingmuchhaschanged,YourGrace,”shereplied.“IamterriblysorrythatImustrelaythatnewstoyou.Iwishsomuch thatitwasnotso”
Leosighedandplacedtheglaceonhisdesk.“Isuspectedthat,butstill,Ihoped.”
Mrs. Gundersonseemed hesitant. She curled her hands around her glass and seemed to silentlydeliberate somethinginher head.Atlast,shereachedoutandcurledherhandaroundhis.“YourGrace,”shesaidsoftly.
“Iregrettoinformyouthatyour returnwill likelymakethegossipworse.Thosewhodonotknow aboutHer Gracealready will hear fromothers, and theywill tell more still. Ifyouintend to stayinGroveswood, youmustnotletsuchrumors upset you.”
Leofeltastabofpainatthewords.HeknewMrs.Gundersonwasright.Notonlydidtherumorspainthimashiswife’skiller, but Leo knew his decisionto flee to the continent and remainawayfor five years cast himinthe worst possible light. He looked likehiswife’smurderer,likeacowardwhohadfledadeservedpunishment.Leosighedandpouredmorebrandyfor himself “Iwishyouwerewrong,”hesaid.
“AsdoI.”
Itall seemedsofutile Hislovefor Lydiahadchangednothing,andhisabsencehadchangednothing Mostoftheseservants andhistenantsknewnothingaboutwhichtheyspoke.Theydidnotunderstandthegriefhefelteverysingledayofhislife,not onlyseparatedfromhisdearestlovebutalsoaccusedofbeingherkiller. Ifthesepeoplewantedamonster,though,whyfightit?Leofinishedhisbrandy,placingtheemptyglassonhisdeskwithmore forcethannecessary.Iftheywantedamonster,hewouldgivethemone.
Chapter2
“Fromyourletters,CaptainJohnsoundslikeasimplywonderfulman!”saidVioletBrewer.“Iamsohappyforyou,Liza!”
Thetwoyoungladies walkedalongsidetheroad,arminarm Trees,ladenwiththegreenleaves ofsummer,linedtheir path and cast shade over the ground inelaborate patterns, as lovelyas spider silk. Violet was the taller of the two. She was a slenderwomanwiththick,redhairandunusualvioleteyes.
Herclotheswerecleanandfitwell,buttheywerenotinthecurrentstyle Whendressinginthemornings,Violetoftenfeltas thoughshewereanimposterattemptingtodresslikeagrandlady.Therehadbeennograndladyinherfamilyforgenerations, though.
Violet’s dearestfriend, Liza Petit, was a tinywomanwithblackhair and a delicate, elfishface. She was the daughter ofa baron,whowas well knownfor beinga shrewdbusinessman.Some jokinglycalledhimBaronMidas andclaimedhe could makeeventheworstinvestmentintoafruitfulone.Onthatday,sheworeawell-tailoredpalegreengown.
“Heisawonderfulman!”Lizaagreed.“Icouldscarcelybelieveitwhenheproposed.WhatdidIpossiblydotodeservesuch amanasthat?”
“Whatdidyoudo?”Violetasked,laughing.“Why,youareawonderfulwoman.Itonlymakessensethatyouwouldfindaman asequallymarvelous.Icannotimagineyoubeingforcedtosettleforanythingless.”
ColorrosetoLiza’sface “Ifearthatyoupraisemetoohighly”
“Nonsense Youdonotpraiseyourselfenough,”Violetsaidcheerfully “Itisagoodmatchandevenbetterthatyoulovehim!” Lizasigheddreamily.“IneverbelievedthatIcouldfeelsowonderfullyhappy.”
“YoumustwritemeoftenandtellmeofallyouradventuresinLondon,”Violetsaid.
Liza’s betrothed CaptainJohnEverleighwas the captainofa merchant ship, and the tradingcompanywhichemployed him expectedhimtoliveinLondon.NotonlywouldLizaspendagreatdealoftimethere,butshewasalsotoaccompanyCaptain Johnonmost of his travels. Violet and Liza would likelybe unable to enjoyone another’s companyfor several months. It wouldbedifferentanddifficult.
Violet and Liza had seen one another nearly every day since they were girls, and although Violet truly felt that her friend deserved onlythe bestofeverything, a dull ache curled inher chestwhenshe thoughtofbeingalone inEssex, save for her parents Shehadnootherfriendsandfewacquaintances
“IwillonlybetravelingwithhimuntilIhavechildren,”Lizasaid.“Then,IshallremaininLondon,orperhaps,Icanpersuade mydearhusbandtopurchaseusacountryhouseinEssexorYorkshire.Youcanvisitmewheneveryoulike.Thatis,ofcourse, assumingthatyoudonothaveahusbandofyourownbythen Iimaginethatyouarenext”
Violetlaughed.“Areyousocertainaboutthat?”
“Ofcourse!Why,youarethemostbeautifulwomaninEssex!Ihaveheardongoodaccountthatmanygentlemenhavesaidso,” Lizasaid,loweringhervoicetoaconspiratorialwhisper.“Ifearthatyoumayfindtoomanygentlemenattractedtoyourmany charms.However,shallyouchoosewhichoneyoudesiremostofthelot?”
Violetsmiled.Shedidnotneedalotofgentlementochoosefrom,onlyasinglemanwhotrulylovedher.Asagirl,Violet’s favorite pastime had been to slip away from her governess and sneak into her father’s library. She had plucked the old romances and fairystories fromher father’s shelves and hiddenthere behind the shelves of heavyvolumes or beneathher father’sfavoritechairbythefire
Asachild,hermindwasfilledwiththetalesofLancelotandGuinevere,ofTristanandIsolde,andRomeoandJuliet.Evenas ayoungladyoftwentyyears,Violetstill heldtightlytothoseoldtales Someday,shehopedthather princewouldcomeand sweepheroffherfeet,preferablytoplaceheratopawhitestallion Andfromthere
Fromthere, Violet’s fantasies lostsome clarity Mostofthe modernnovels seemed to conclude atthe wedding, leavingthe weddingnight amystery Violethadreadonlysmall,tantalizingdetailsaboutwhathappenedonthosenights
ShehadreadofLancelotsneakingintoQueenGuinevere’s bed,solostinthethroes ofpassionthatthegoodknightfailedto notice that his hand was cut and that he bled onto the bedclothes And she had read about Sir Gareth and Lady Lyonesse together,burningwithdesireanddesperatetoengageinconjugalfelicity
“Perhaps,” said Liza, oblivious to the strange heatwhichVioletfeltcurlinginside her “Youshould have themfightfor the honorliketheknightsofold.Thatseemslikesomethingyouwouldenjoy.”
Violet laughed and tried to force the thoughts away Although Liza was her dearest friend, Violet knew there were certain subjectswhichcouldnotbediscussedinpolitecompany,andthenatureofweddingnightswasoneofthem “MaybeIwould enjoyitalittle,”Violetconceded.
Thetreesthinnedastheycametoacurveintheroad Inthedistance,theDukeofFarnham’senormoushousestoodsilhouetted inthe sun. His house was builtatop the tallestpointinthe countryside, lookingover all the other valleys and hills. Acold shiverjoltedthroughViolet,andsherubbedherarms,althoughtheweatherwasnotcold.Lizaquicklyavertedhergaze.
Neither ofthemhadseentheDukeofFarnham,buteveryoneinthecountrysideknew ofhis notorious reputation Thegossip saidhewasonceanotoriousrake,butoncehemarriedthelateDuchessofFarnham,heseemedtobeachangedman.Heno longerfrequentedthebawdyhousesorengagedinactivitieswiththestreetwalkers.
The Duke of Farnham seemed to have become the epitome of an honorable man, so Oxeburgh reacted with horror and astonishmentwhentheyoungduchesswasmurdered.ThevillageinsistedthatHisGracewastoblame.Therewasnoevidence ofhisallegedcrime,buteveryoneknewthataduke’sfaultswereeasilyhidden.
Sincethelateduchess’sdeath,nooneinthevillagehadseenHisGrace,butanyonewhodealtwithhim liketheservantswho occasionallycamefromhisgrandhouse reportedallthehorriblestoriesofhistemperandmonstrousbehavior.Hewascurt andstormy,pronetolockinghimselfinhisstudyforhoursandonlyemergingtoeatorspeakwithhishousekeeper.
“Weshouldbegoing,”Lizasaid,hervoiceuneasy.
“Agreed Myparentswillbeexpectingmesoon,anyway”
Theyoungladiesquickenedtheirpace,followingthecurveoftheroadtotheirhomes Theypartedways,andVioletcontinued alongthe pathfor a little longer Once, her familyhad beenaristocratic, butgenerations ofcarelessness and misfortune left themwithonlyahuntinglodgeinthecountryside.Violetrememberedagovernessandmaid-of-all-workfromher childhood, buttheirfortuneshaddeteriorated.Now,theyhadneither.
The lodge was emptywhenVioletentered She hummed to herselfas she walked to the kitchen Inall likelihood, her father wouldbeinthevillage.Hermotherwasinherbedroom.Sheseldomleftherroom;herhealthhadbeenfailingherformany years.
Violet began preparing the stew for dinner. It was a small meal; made fromthe few potatoes she had traded for doing a farmer’smendingandsomewildrootsthatshehaddugupbythelakebed.Therewasnomeat,buttheywerefortunateenough tohavehalfaloafofbread.Asshepreparedthemeal,Violet’sthoughtswanderedtotheconversationwithLiza.
“Iwillbenext,”Violetsaidsoftlytoherself.“Nexttowed.”
She considered her prospects, but despite her friend’s optimism and encouragement, Violet knew that she was far less desirable than Liza. Her friend was the daughter of a baron, while Violet’s family was barely aristocratic. Liza had a substantialdowryandafatherwhohadimpressivebusinessconnections.Violetcouldofferahusbandnothing.
Shesupposedthattherewereafewyoungmeninthevillagewhomightbewillingtowedher,butshehadneverquitefeltasif sheproperlybelongedwiththepeopleofthevillage.Shedidnotbelonganywhere.Violetwastoopoorforaristocraticcircles andtoowealthytoearnthetrustofthevillagers,mostofwhomhadonlymetasinglememberoftheton thenotoriousDukeof Farnhamandallegedmurderer
Withthe stew finished, Violet prepared the table for dinner. Their dishes were still fine and delicate, evenas most of the furniturehadluxurieshadbeensoldformoneyandtocleardebts.Afterthetablewasready,Violetfilledabowlwithherstew andclimbedthestairstohermother’sbedroom Sheopenedthedoor,peeringcarefullyinside
Hermotherlayinherbedbeneathamoundofbedclothes.WhenVioletentered,hermotherraisedherheadandsmiledweakly. Onceuponatime,Violet’smotherhadbeenagreatbeauty Likeherdaughter,shewasblessedwiththickauburnhair,butthe long years of illness had made her hair limp and gray Her face was pale and wan, the skin pulled taut over her high cheekbones.
“Areyouhungry,Mother?”Violetasked
“Alittle,dear.”
Violetsmiledandtookherusualseatbesidehermother’sbed.Somedayswerebetterthanothersforhermother.Therewere dayswhenshecouldfeedherselfandleaveherbed,butthosewerebecomingfewer.Herhandsoftenshooktoobadlytohold spoonsandbowls,soViolethadtakentosittingbesideherdearmotherandfeedinghermeals.
“Howwasyourday?”hermotherasked.“HowisLiza?”
“Well,” Violetsaid, as she gentlylifted the spoonto her mother’s lips. “She is engaged to CaptainJohnEverleigh. Do you remembermetellingyouabouthim?HedidsomebusinessforLiza’sfather.”
“Oh.”
ItwasuncleartoVioletifhermotherdidremember,butshedidnotpressthematter “Heisagoodman,”Violetsaid “Atleast, Lizasaysthatheis,andsheisasensibleyounglady.Theyaredeeplyinlovewithoneanother.”
Violet’smotherswallowedaspoonful ofsoupbeforespeaking “Alove-match Thatwasrareeveninmymother’sSeason I imagineitisevenmoreuncommonnow”
Violet’smother hadbeenanheiress,butshehadfoundher inheritancesquanderedbeforeshecouldevenclaimit Therehad beensomedisagreementoverwhooughttoreceivehow muchofherfather’sfortune,andithadtakenthechancerycourtsso longto settle the matter thatbythe time a decisionwas reached, ithad all beensquandered insolicitors’and courtfees. It seemedlikeacrueltwistoffatethatbothofViolet’sparentswerefalleninasense.Perhapsthatwaswhytheyhadwed the impoverishedheiressandthepooraristocrat. “Iamhappyforher,”Violetsaid.“IhopethatImayfindalove-matchofmyownsomeday.”
“Youdeserveone”
The conversation lapsed into silence, as Violet fed her mother the rest of the stew. Violet heard a door close below and thuddingfootsteps,andsheknewherfatherwashome Hewouldfindthestewandeatbyhimselfinwhatwasonceaparlor
“Ihopeso,Mother,”Violetsaid.“Attheveryleast,Ishouldliketofallinlovejustonce,soIknowwhatitislike.Imustknow ifitisaswondrousasthestoriessay”
She must also know what happened after the wedding when she and her beloved would be together in bed, kissing and claspingoneanother.Violet’spulsequickened,andheatrushedtoherface.
Hermothersmiled.“WhatdoesyourfriendLizabelieve?”
“Thatitisevenbetter,”Violetsaid.
“Well, you must tell me when it happens,” her mother said, sighing and settling against the bed “I shall wish to meet the gentleman.”
“Ofcourse”Violetrecognizedthathermotherwastired,assheoftenwasaftermeals “ShallIleaveyoutorest,Mother?”
“Thatwouldbelovely,dear.” Violetsmiled.“Restwell.”
Shetookthebowlandwentintotheparlor,whereherfathersat.Hewasatallmanwithahawkishface,thinlikeasapling,and withperpetualdarkshadowsbeneathhiseyes.“Goodevening,Father,”Violetsaid.
“Goodevening,dear Howisyourmother?”
“Thesame” Her father closed his eyes and inhaled quietly. He letouthis breathslowlyand tookanother bite ofthe stew. “The stew is good.” “Thankyou.”
Herfatherhadalwaysbeenamelancholyman,andVioletknewthathesometimeslikedtobealonewithhisthoughts.Shewent tothepotandpouredtheremainderofthestewintoherbowl.Thenshesettledbythewindowwithherstewandanoldcopyof ChretiendeTroyes’s Lancelot.Onlyafewofherfather’sbooksremainedunsold,whichmadeViolettreasuretheonesthatshe hadallthemore. Shebegantoread,immersingherselfintheworldofknightsandmagic,wheretruelovewasassimpleasasharedlook.
Chapter3
Autumnarrived withsharp winds and the scent of leaf-litter. The greenof summer clungstubbornlyto the grass and trees surroundingGroveswood.Lydia’sfavoriteseasonwasautumn.ShehadoncetoldLeothatshefeltmostalivewhenshewalked beneaththetreesandwatchedthegoldandredleavesspintotheground,likefairiescaughtuponabreeze.
Once,LeoandLydiahadevenengagedinaromantictrystinthecountryside,andaftertheywerefinished,Lydiahadlaidback againstthegrass withleaves caughtinher hair.Herememberedhow thecolor hadrisentoher faceandhow shetossedher headbackandshoutedhisname.
Leoclosedhiseyesandinhaleddeeply.Heknewitwasonlyhisimagination,buthecouldhaveswornthatthefamiliarscentof Lydia’scologne Englishlavenderandwater lingeredintheair.LeohadnottakenanywomantohisbedsinceLydiadied, buthestillburnedwithdesireforawoman’swarmthandcompanionship Perhaps,heoughttosolicittheservicesofoneofthe villagewomen ifanyofthemwouldhavehim
“YourGrace,apologiesformyinterruption,”saidMrs.Gundersonfrombehindhim.“Iwishtospeaktoyouaboutamatterof theutmostimportance”
Herwordswerelikeaknifetohischest,shatteringhisfantasiesofthebeautifulbountiesofnaturethatexistedjustbeyondthe window He was in the drawing room, the air still and heavy Leo would have given anything to have been in the woods instead,sheathinghimselfinsideabeautifulwoman
Leo turned his head. That morning, he had buried himself inhis work. Bymidday, he emerged. He was exhausted but had nothingtodo,sohehadflunghimselfoverthesettee,lostinhisthoughts “Mm?”heasked,gesturingtothechairacrossfromhim.“Whatisit?”
Mrs.Gundersonseatedherselfprimlyacrossfromhim,andLeofeltalittlechagrinedforhavingthrownhimselfoverthesettee likealazydrunkard.Therewasnoreasontobeembarrassed.Mrs.Gundersonhadseenhimlikethisbefore,especiallyduring hisrakishyearsinOxford.Heawkwardlystraightened,wincingatthepaininhisupperback.
“ThisisthefirsttimeIhaveseenyouleaveyourstudyinthepastweek,”Mrs.Gundersonsaid.
“Isit?”
Thatcouldnotpossiblybetrue
“Itis” Perhaps, itwas. Leo tried to spend as muchtime as possible either inhis studyor the library. Onrare occasions, he tooka walkaroundthepondorintotheforestwhichranalongsideonepartofhisproperty.Heseldomlingeredinplaceswherethe servantsfrequented “Youarealwayswelcometospeaktomeinmystudy,”Leosaid.“YouknowthatIwouldneverdenyyou.”
“Iamawareofthat.ImayspeaktoyouwheneverIwish,andtheotherservantsmaynot.”
Leonarrowedhiseyes HesensedthatMrs Gundersonwasmakinganargumentofsomesort,andshesoughttotraphiminto agreeingtosomethingthatheotherwisemightnot.“Thatprivilegeis giventoyoubecauseyouhaveknownmefor myentire life,”Leosaid.“Therearefewotherswhomayclaimtoknowmethusly.”
“LadyPriscilla.”
Leo paused The name senthis heartfluttering, buthe could notsaywhyprecisely Was the feelingregret? Embarrassment? Fondness? Itseemed to be some strange minglingofsensations, so tangled up thathe could notidentifywhichone was the strongest.
“Yes,LadyPriscilla”
“Youhavenotspokentoherinsometime.”
Leofrowned.HewantedtoprotestthatithadnotbeensolongsinceheexchangedcorrespondencewithLadyPriscilla,buthe foundthathecouldnotpreciselyremember.“Thatisunfair,”Leosaidatlast.“Ispentfiveyearsonthecontinent,andshehas
“DidyoueveninformherthatyouhadreturnedtoGroveswood?” “IamsurethatImusthave.” Hewasnotsureifhehad.
“Whydoyouask?”Leospreadhishandsinsurrender “Iknowthatyouareabouttoscoldme Youhavethatfamiliarlookon your face Iamunsure whatIhave done thatdeserves chastisement, however, as Ihave beenquite devoted to the dukedom sincemyreturn.”
“Youhavebecomearecluse”
“WhyshouldIbeanythingelse?Mytenantsaredeterminedtopaintmeasamonster,soIcanthinkofnoreasonforwhyIought todissuadethemofthosenotions”
“Fortworeasons.Thefirstisforyourself,”Mrs.Gundersonsaid.“Youcannothaveonlyyourhousekeeperasaconfidant.You needfriends”
“MyfriendsbelieveImurderedLydia,”hesaidflatly.
Thatwas notentirelytrue. His friends had notwished to tarnishtheir reputations, so after Lydia’s death, theyhad distanced themselvesfromhim.Yearshadpassed,andtheyhadnotsenthimevenasingleletter.Itwasonlylogicaltoassumethatthey eitherbelievedhehadmurderedLydiaorelsedidnotwishtorisktheirreputationsbybeingacquaintedwithhim.Itmadelittle differencewhichitwas;theresultwasthesame “AndLadyPriscilla?Sheneverbelievedyouwereakiller.”
“Sheisagoodwoman.IsupposethatIhave…”Hetrailedoff,unsurewhathewishedtosay.LadyPriscillawasaloyalfriend andhisneighbor.Leoshouldhaverespondedtohercorrespondence.“IsupposeafterLydia’sdeath,Ijustfeltnodesiretotalk toanyone,andafterreturningtoGroveswood,Isupposeitfeltpointless.Itfeltliketoomucheffort.”
“Youspentall morninginyour study,”Mrs.Gundersonsaid.“Doyoutrulymeantotell methatyoucouldnotspareasingle momenttopenalettertoLadyPriscilla?”
Leo drew ina sharp breathof air. Asharp twinge of guilt pricked at him. He had no good reasonfor not informingLady Priscillaofhisreturn.Itwasassimpleasthat. “Youareright.Ishouldhavewrittentoher.”
Mrs Gundersonnodded,seeminglysatisfied “YoushouldgrieveforLydia,butIalsodonotwishtoseeyouisolateyourself foranylonger.Itisnotdoingyouanygood.”
Leonodded,showingthatheacceptedthewordswithgrace “Ishallresolvetodobetter”
“Andsecond.”
“Thereismore?”Leoasked.
“Indeed.Youneedtobecomeacquaintedwiththevillagers.”
Leo resisted the urge to laugh He had just beenthinkingabout how he would like to become acquainted withsome of the womeninthevillage,butsomehow,hedoubtedMrs Gundersonwouldbepleasedtohearthat Sheseemeddissatisfiedwithhissilence,too,forherfrowndeepened “Theyhavenotevenseenyousinceyourreturn”
Leoshookhishead.“Ido not needtobeacquaintedwiththem.” “Andwhynot?”
“Youknowwhynot.”Hesaidincredulously.“TheybelieveIkilledmyduchess!AslongasImanagethedukedomwell,there isnoreasonforanyofmytenantstobecomeacquaintedwithme.”
Atleast,notinthewaythatMrs Gundersonwasthinking Leowasstillundecidedaboutmeetingoneofthevillagewomenfor atryst. “Andhowareyoutoanticipatetheirneedsifyounevertalktoanyofthem?Howareyoutoknowtheircomplaints,theirhopes, theirdesiresifyouneverleaveyourhouseto ask or learn anythingaboutthem?”
IfanyonebutMrs Gundersonhadspokentohiminsuchamanner,Leowouldhavedismissedthematonce Hehadcastout servantsforfarsmallerslightsthanthis
“Theydonothesitatetosendmetheircomplaints,”Leosaidcurtly “Iamcertainyoumusthavenoticedthat”
Healwaysaddressedtheirgrievancespromptly,ifcoldly.Hiseffortsdidnothingtodissuadethemfromfindingnewproblems, however.TherewasalwayssomethingwronginOxeburgh,anddespitehisefforts,thevillagersneverseemedtothinkkindlier ofhim “Thatis another problem,” Mrs. Gundersonsaid.“Theythinkthe worstofyou,and youonlysee the worstofthem. Nothing willchangeunlessyougivethemtheopportunitytoknowwhoyoureallyareandwhatyouarereallylike” Leosighed.“Youmakeitsoundliketheeasiestthingintheworldtochangetheiropinion.” “Idonotimagineitwillbeeasy,”Mrs.Gundersonsaid.“However,nothingwillchangeunlessyoutry.HerGracewouldnot havewantedyoutocontinuelikethis.Shewouldwantyoutovisitthevillageandlearntheneedsofyourpeople.”
Leofeltapanginhischest.No,Lydiawouldnotwanthimtolivelikethis.Mrs.Gundersonwasentirelycorrect,whichmade thesituationevenworse.“Ishallfindanoccasiontovisitthevillage,”hesaid.“Itmaytakesometime.”
Mrs Gundersondidnotlookasthoughshebelievedhim Shecrossedherarmsandnarrowedhereyes Foraheartbeat,they merelystared silentlyat one another, engaged ina silent battle of wills, waitingto see who would relent first. Then, Mrs. Gundersonsmiled,andLeofeltatightnesscurlinhischest.Thisdidnotbodewellforhim.
“Ihavethoughtoftheperfectoccasion,”shesaid.
“Haveyou?”
Mrs Gundersonnodded “Thevillage’sHarvestDanceisafewweeksaway”
Leo furrowed his brow. He and Lydia had attended the Harvest Dance once. It had been an enjoyable event, joyful and enthusiastic.TheHarvestDancewasquitedifferentfromtheusualsubduedeventsthatthetonfavored.
“And what?” Leo asked. “Mypresence would onlyruinthe festivities. Iappreciate your concern, Mrs. Gunderson, butIam quitecertainthatthevillagerswouldnotappreciatemypresenceatsuchajoyouscelebration.”
Mrs.Gundersonpressedher lipsintoathinline,her expressionconveyingher greatdisappointmentinhim.Leofeltvaguely likeaboyagain,caughtengaginginsomemischiefthatheshouldnothave.Usually,thatmischiefinvolvedLydia,andbefore her,theoddbarmaidorladyofthenight.
“Ishallconsiderit,”hesaid,makinganefforttosoundappropriatelyconciliatory.“Youareright,asalways.”
“Iampleasedtohearyoufinallyadmitthat.NowthatIhavesaidmypiece,Ishallresumemyworkfortheday.”
AfterMrs Gundersontookherleave,Leolethimselfslumponcemoreagainstthecushionsofthesettee Hisfirstinstinctive thoughtwastodonothing Thevillagersthoughthimamurderer Whywouldhe want tobecomeacquaintedwithsuchpeople, especiallyinanyintimateway?
EvenifallofMrs Gunderson’sreasonsmadesense,theirpotentialbenefitdidnotseemtobeworthenduringallthegossiping andcruelglaresthatwouldsurelyfollowhim.Itdidnotseemworththepotentialrejectionsorworse,thefearfulcompliance.
Still, there was one advantage to attendingthe HarvestDance Villagers usuallywore costumes to it, masks included Ifhe wore a mask, theymightnotrealize who he was He could inventsome storyfor himself, claimto be a noblemanwho was simplypassingthroughthevillageonhiswaytoEdinburgh.
It seemed like the best compromise between Mrs. Gunderson’s desire for him to acquaint himself with the needs of the villagersandhisowndesiretoremainunknowntothem.Leosighed.
Her Grace would not have wanted you to continue like this Mrs Gunderson’swordswhirledaroundinhishead,likeautumn leavescaughtinabreeze.
HewoulddothisbecauseitwouldpleaseMrs Gunderson HewoulddothisforLydia Andinthemeantime,Leowouldburn forthetouchofabeautifulwoman.
Chapter4
Violetadjustedthelacemaskoverherface.Itwasadaintycreation,madefromthetrimofanolddressthathadbelongedto her grandmother. Violet’s gown a pale yellow garment was likewise her grandmother’s. Once, the garmentwithits large skirtshadbeentheheightoffashion.
Violethadmodifiedit,makingthewhiteintothatpaleyellowwithhermarigoldblossoms.Shehadalteredthebodice,soitfit herfigurebetterandhadbroughtthenecklinemoreinlinewithmodernfashion.ViolethadintendedtoresembleQueenMab, thefairyqueenofautumn.
Withherauburnhaircarefullypinnedupanddecoratedwithafewbuttercupsandleaves,shefeltasthoughshehadbeenfairly successfulinhergoal.Violetturnedbeforethecracked,dustylookingglassandwatchedasherskirtswhirledabouther.
“Youlookbeautiful!”Lizaexclaimed,her faceappearingbesideViolet’sown.“Perhapsyouwill evenfindyour ownPrince Charmingtonight!”
TheywereinLiza’sbedroom.Liza’sown“PrinceCharming,”CaptainJohn,waitedfortheminthebilliardsroom,wherehe wasbeingentertainedbyLiza’sfather.
Lizaherselfwasaslovelyasever,cladinapalebluegownmadetoresemblethatofamedievalmaidendecoratedwithtiny, embroideredflowers.Hermaskwasbluewithflowers,too.WhileViolethaddecidedtodressinanautumnal costume,Liza hadtakeninspirationfromtheconclusionofsummerandfromatapestryshe’donceseeninLondon.
“Weshallsee,”Violetreplied,takinghandfulsofherskirtsandtwirlingthemaroundher.
She did feellikeaheroineinaromancenovelorafairytale,likeCinderella,abouttomeetherprince Itwouldbeawondrous night indeed…if she found her prince. Perhaps there would be some young man in the village who would find himself enchanted byher. She did look lovelier than usual, and there was something about the night air which made her feel as if anythingintheworldwaspossible.
Violetimaginedthemysteriousmansweepingherontothebackofahorseandridingawaywithherintothenight.Hewould takehersomeplacethatwaswonderful acastle,maybe andoncethere,theywouldlosethemselvesintheirsharedpassion. Violetforceddownthelumpthatroseinherthroat.Itwasimproperforayoungwomantodesiresuchsordidthings,muchless
toreflectonthemrepeatedly,butstill,shedid
“Comeon,”Lizasaid.“Maybemyfatherwillbewillingtorelinquishmybetrothednow,soyoucanmeethim.”
“Thatwouldbeatreat.IhavewantedtomakeCaptainJohn’sacquaintancesinceyoufirstspokeofhim!”
Violet lifted her skirts and hurried after her friend. The pair quickly descended the stairs, and Liza led the way into the billiardsroom.Theyenteredtheroom,atoncedrawingtheattentionofLiza’sfather,theBaronofWesbrook.“Whatavision youare!”thebaronexclaimed;hisgazefixedonLiza.“QueenGuineverewouldbebesideherselfwithenvyatyourbeauty.”
The baron was a man well into his middle age, but he carried his years well. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and he dressedwelltoemphasizehistrimfigure.Thebaron’seyesweregray,liketheNorthSeaonastormyday.
Near him, there stood another man, and Violet knew this was the oft-mentioned CaptainJohnEverleigh. He had a dashing figureanddarkhairkeptinthefashionableruffledowlstyle.Heworeadoubletandhose,allpaleblueandtrimmedingold.
Violet wondered if he and Liza had purposefully made their attire match, which was an endearing thought His eyes were brownandsoft,andseeingher,hesmiledslightly.Theexpressionwas filledwithhumor,andVioletcouldimaginethatthey wereboththinkingpreciselythesamething. I know who you are. Is it not so strange to stand here in silence whilst waiting for an introduction?
That came soonenough, for Liza clapped her hands together and smiled brightly. “Oh! Captain, youhave not yet made the acquaintanceofmydearestfriendVioletBrewer.Violet,thisismybetrothedCaptainJohnEverleigh.”
“Apleasuretomakeyouracquaintance,”Violetsaid,curtseying.
“Likewise”CaptainJohnreplied,bowing “LadyElizabethhasspokenoftenofyou” “Ihopeshehasspokenwellofme,”Violetsaid.
“Mostcertainly,”CaptainJohnreplied.“Idaresayshehaslikelyspokenbetterofyouthanshehasofme.”
Lizasmiledfondly.“AsifIhaveeversaidanythinglessthancomplimentaryaboutyou!”
“Notinmypresence, Iamcertain,” CaptainJohnreplied “However, Iamnotso pretentious as to believe thatIama man beyondreproach.”
“Nomanis,”thebaronsaidgood-naturedly “EnjoytheHarvestDancetonight YourmotherandIwillbealongshortly”
“Goodevening,Father,”Lizasaid.
VioletandCaptainJohnechoedthefarewell.Then,theyleftthehousetogether.Liza’sfatherhadofferedthemacarriagetothe HarvestDance,whichwashappeninginthetownsquare,butbecausethetownsquarewassonearby,theyhadinsteaddecided tosimplywalkthedistance CaptainJohnofferedhisarmtoLiza,whocheerfullyplacedherhandonhiselbow.“Imustwarnyou,”Lizasaid,“thisdance willnotbewhatyouareaccustomedto.”
IttookVioletamomenttorealizewhatLizameant.ShehadnearlyforgottenthatCaptainJohnwasthesecondsonofaviscount andfarmoreaccustomedtothegrandballsheldbytheton.
CaptainJohn’slipstwitchedinamusement.“MyLady,IamcertainIshallenjoyit,nevertheless.”
“Itisquitelovely,”Violetsaid “Yes,”Lizaagreed “MyparentsalwayscontributemoneytotheHarvestDance,too,andthevillagersreallyworkveryhardto maketheeventexciting” “Thatiskindofthem,”CaptainJohnsaid.
ThismightbeLiza’slastyearattendingtheHarvestDanceforsometime;thethoughtoccurredtoVioletwithoutwarning.She glanced ather friend, who smiled and gazed atCaptainJohnwithshiningeyes. Liza was utterlybesotted,
