Page 58 of How to Start a Scandal

Strange that his abrupt departure was not mentioned, nor was Caroline’s absence or even the amount of time he was on the veranda with Violet. Surely at least one of those occurrences would fall under the scent of a social-function gossip hound.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen himself or Violet’s interactions mentioned at all in the gossip column. At least nothing outside of a brief mention of his return to London. It was for the best, of course. But still, it was quite odd.

‘Do you actually read that?’ Caroline sank gracefully into her seat across the small table from him.

A beam of sunlight streaked over the table and made the curl of steam rising from Seth’s teacup glow smoky grey.

‘I wanted to see what all the hullabaloo was about.’ He lifted his shoulders.

‘And?’ Caroline reached for it.

Seth scowled. ‘There’s considerable detail about gowns.’

She laughed. ‘Oh, but did you see Lord D.—that’s Lord Devonington—danced with Lady S. in her sparkling gown—that’s Lord Norrick’s eldest daughter?’

‘No,’ he said slowly.

‘She’s barely come out.’ Caroline gave a shocked gasp. ‘He’s beastly old to consider such a young thing for a wife. Last year, he set his sights on Lady Eleanor, now the Duchess of Somersville.’

‘Ah, yes. Lady Violet’s cousin, correct?’ He vaguely recalled the red-haired young woman. He did, however, know Somersville quite well. They had gone to university together with Rawley and Kentworth. He was a good chap with an eye set on adventure like his father.

‘Yes. The new Duchess was the first one to hire Lottie to help her find a husband and she landed a duke!’ Caroline tapped her spoon at the top of her egg, gently breaking its shell.

‘And you’ve set your cap at a viscount,’ Seth drawled. ‘I feel as though I ought to be charged less.’

‘Oh, stop—you.’ Caroline cast him a chastising glance as she peeled back a sliver of delicate eggshell to reveal the quivering white beneath.

‘While we’re on the topic, how did your first lesson go?’ he asked.

‘Capitally.’ Caroline dashed a few grains of salt over the egg and buttered a toast point. ‘I’m quite sure I’ll know exactly what to do when I next see him.’

‘Thank God.’ He rolled his eyes with exaggeration.

She glared at him with mock outrage and he laughed.

‘I only wish to see your happiness,’ he said with sincerity.

A smile replaced her false hostility. ‘I’m well aware. It appears you’ve taken quite an interest in a certain lady yourself.’ She dipped her toast in the egg so the tip dripped with golden yolk. ‘Lady Violet. Cousin to the Duchess of Somersville.’

Seth felt his mouth curl up at the corners. ‘She has agreed to allow me to court her. God knows I don’t deserve a woman the likes of her.’

Caroline swallowed the bite of toast in her mouth and clapped her hands. ‘Of course you do,’ she protested. ‘I’m so pleased to hear it. She would be a wonderful sister to have. It appears everything is going well for us.’

Indeed, it certainly did seem to be the way of it. How he’d become so fortunate to have Violet to see past his demons, he would never know. He settled his fingertips on the folded note beside his plate, received from Nash only an hour before describing a ruby bracelet in perfect detail that had been discovered just outside Bath. There was no question about it, the bracelet was the exact one that had belonged to Seth’s grandmother and was one of the missing gems.

Seth had previously ordered Nash to purchase any of the jewels located and had funds at the ready to procure the valuable family heirloom. Once Seth had the bracelet, he would show his mother and tell her what it was he’d sought to do. After all, caring for one’s family and easing their troubles was what an earl did.

Lady Dalton appeared in the room, blending into the shadows with her black mourning clothes. Her cold gaze fell to Seth. ‘I hear you had quite an eventful evening last night.’

‘Oh?’ he asked in a bored tone.

‘I’m referring to the inordinate and highly inappropriate amount of time you spent on the veranda with Lady Violet.’ Lady Dalton waited by a hard-backed chair for a servant to pull it out for her. Only then did she sink into the seat with a regal air most reserved for supper parties. ‘Really, Dalton. You should have remained in the ballroom with her. It would have been far more respectful and earls are always respectful. It’s what they do.’

Seth bit the inside of his cheek to keep from rolling his eyes. After all, refraining from rolling one’s eyes is also what earls did.

‘Lady Violet has agreed to allow Seth to court her.’ Caroline waggled her brows at Seth while their mother’s gaze was averted from her.

‘Is that so?’ Lady Dalton lifted her teacup to her lips and took a dainty sip.