Page 16 of How to Start a Scandal

Not wanting to linger on the street or in his presence, Violet rushed to the back door of the town house where she’d been instructed to go. She had just lifted her hand to knock when it opened before her.

A butler welcomed her in. He led her through the clean, neat kitchen and into the drawing room where Violet noted the curtains had been drawn tight against any prying eyes. Only then did he take her domino, which she relinquished with shaking hands.

He bowed low upon receiving the item and left her to take in her surroundings. She’d only time to notice a harp in one corner set atop the Brussels weave carpet when the double doors opened and one of the most beautiful women Violet had ever seen stepped through them.

The woman’s hair was thick and dark, glossy with becoming curls, her skin was smooth as cream with high, elegant cheekbones and a generous mouth. She had a slight tilt to her blue eyes which lent her a sensual, intriguing air.

Violet hadn’t been certain what to expect from Lottie. She knew her to be a courtesan, but this woman was dressed in a lovely periwinkle-satin evening gown that opened at the centre to reveal a panel of demure white muslin. The sleeves were short, revealing slender arms and the bodice was low, but not indecently so. In fact, the entire ensemble was nothing more or less than what Violet would expect to see at any dinner party.

‘Lady Violet?’ the woman prompted in a soft, sweet voice.

Violet’s cheeks flamed at the realisation she’d been staring. And who would not? Lottie was the epitome of what a woman dreamed of looking like. Her slender arms and impossibly small waist. Violet wouldn’t have a body like Lottie’s even if she starved herself and she knew that from experience.

‘That’s me.’ She hated the timidity of her voice and how much she wanted to crawl inside herself to disappear from the presence of the lovely courtesan.

‘I’m Lottie,’ the woman said. ‘I can see the resemblance between you and the Duchess of Somersville. You both have such flawless skin and expressive eyes.’

Violet nodded dumbly. All this had seemed such a good idea from the outside. But being in Lottie’s drawing room, staring at the exquisite beauty Violet could never dream of attaining, Violet felt the terribleness of it all come crashing down around her. She wanted to dash through those double doors and race the whole way back to Hollingston House.

‘I know this is uncomfortable.’ Lottie stepped closer. ‘You’re probably regretting your decision and wish to leave.’ She gave an understanding smile. ‘Please know that I put your privacy and the discretion of my tutelage at the forefront of everything I do. My staff is well paid and loyal and I take personal responsibility for every one of the ladies who passes through my doors.’

Her acknowledgement of Violet’s discomfort relaxed some of the tension from her shoulders.

Lottie poured a glass of wine and held it out in offering, which Violet accepted with gratitude and sipped with more ease than she felt. The rich, ruby liquid was decadent, the alcohol like velvet as it warmed a path down her throat.

‘Tell me, Lady Violet—’ Lottie levelled her gaze ‘—why are you really here?’

All the tension clenched back into Violet. Did Lottie suspect her?

The woman reached out and gently rested her fingertips on Violet’s arm. ‘You needn’t look so frightened. I merely wished to know what you hope to receive from our lessons together if I agree to take you on.’

Violet almost gasped in relief. ‘I... I hope...’ she stammered.

Truthfully, she hadn’t put much thought into what she had expected to learn.

‘The usual, I suppose?’ Violet said in a very non-committal fashion and sipped at her wine.

Lottie smiled patiently. ‘Every student is different. There is no “usual”.’ She regarded Violet appraisingly. ‘You’ve been a wallflower for years with no mind towards marriage despite your beauty and the family you hail from.’

Despite her beauty.

Violet almost issued a bark of laughter at that and instead swallowed her mirth with a bit more wine. ‘I am not noticed,’ she managed to say.

Lottie studied Violet as though she was peering straight through the veneer Violet had long since donned. As though Violet was transparent and Lottie could look clean through her and put her finger on where the issue lay. ‘I’m afraid I disagree. You are a woman who is not noticed because you do not wish to be,’ Lottie said. ‘You are aware that any instruction I might offer will encourage attention.’

‘My father wants me to wed.’ The truth burst from Violet. ‘If I do not marry, he insists I retire to my sister’s country estate to help care for my nieces and nephews. He thinks I require purpose in my life and this is how he means to see I have it.’

Lottie smirked, a wry twist to her pretty lips. ‘Men often do not see women’s lives as having purpose.’ Her gaze lowered to the empty wine glass clutched in Violet’s grasp. ‘I have only one more question.’

Her words hung in the air while every nerve in Violet’s body went taut.

Lottie looked imploringly at Violet. ‘Do you want to be here?’

Violet’s heart slammed so hard in her chest, she feared it might be audible. Was she up for the challenge? Could she force herself back out into the attention of others to properly pull off this charade?

‘Yes.’ Violet nodded with resolve. ‘Yes, I want to be here.’

The concern on Lottie’s face smoothed. ‘Then I shall see you tomorrow evening for your first lesson.’