Page 26 of How to Start a Scandal

It was so tempting to lie, but Lottie’s request that they be honest with one another stilled Violet’s tongue and she found herself shaking her head.

‘And what do you think keeps him from noticing you?’ Lottie queried. ‘You’re far too lovely to be ignored.’

‘He does notice me,’ Violet replied.

Lottie put a slender finger to the bottom of Violet’s chin and tilted her head up to better meet her eyes. ‘Then what is the problem, dearest?’

‘I...’ Violet faltered, her fears sticking fast in her throat.

Lottie’s slender brows pinched together. ‘Tell me so I can help you. What is keeping you from him?’

Because she was spoiled for any man, because she would never have a body like Lottie’s, because he was a war hero and an earl and she...she was nobody.

Tears stung at Violet’s eyes with a force that surprised her. ‘Because I’m not worthy of a man such as him.’ A sob burst from her, harsh and ugly and unexpected.

‘Then I think I know what we need to work on.’ Lottie had a handkerchief at the ready in a flash and extended it to Violet.

‘Making me worthy?’ Violet asked miserably.

Lottie smiled and shook her head. ‘Making you understand that you already are and that you always have been.’

There were more tears as the night went on, when Violet peeled away the first layer of her heart as she explained her countless inadequacies and all the various ways she was entirely deficient.

Lottie listened carefully and with a patience that somehow managed to bring on more tears. What was it about the realisation of finally being listened to for the first time in a lifetime that rendered one a soggy pile of emotional mush?

Yet as the lesson drew to a close and as her tears dried, Violet discovered that even just discussing her past hurts made her feel exponentially better.

Her initial suspicion of what Lottie’s instructions would entail had involved advice in flirting, kissing and seduction. What Violet had thus far received was something far beyond those things. It scored deep and penetrated the very heart.

And made her completely forget to ask even one of her prepared questions.

Seth did not see Violet in the garden again, though he had looked for her. Two days later, however, when the weather was far too fine to sequester oneself in a carriage, he happened upon her in Berkeley Square.

She was with her maid and little Lady Felicity, who was pointing excitedly to something in a shop window.

‘Not now,’ Violet said as he was walking up. ‘You must be well behaved or you’ll get none at all.’

‘I want it now.’ Felicity’s face turned pink with outrage and she opened her mouth to wail.

‘Lady Violet.’ Seth tilted his hat to her. ‘Lady Felicity.’ He winked.

The little girl’s petulant rage dwindled and her mouth closed before she could let loose a squall.

For her part, Lady Violet appeared quite flustered, her own cheeks red and her mouth pinched at the corners.

‘Good day, Lord Dalton.’ She attempted a smile. ‘I trust you’re well?’

‘Even better now.’ He grinned at her.

‘You may not say that for long,’ Violet warned under her breath. ‘Felicity, please bid Lord Dalton welcome.’

The little girl narrowed her eyes. ‘Good day, Lord Dalton.’

If everyone wished each other good day with the same vehemence, not a man under the sun would have a fine day ever again.

Except he was not irritated by her poor behaviour, not when her actions were ones with which he was so very familiar. Children did not misbehave without purpose. This particular child was afflicted by something Seth understood better than anything else: a distinct lack of attention.

It had been the same with him as a boy when his attempts at being the best at everything had slipped beyond his parents’ notice. They had praised William constantly, commending his accomplishments, no matter how mundane or mediocre they might have been. It was then Seth had stopped trying. And it was then that his parents had actually paid attention to him.