Page 60 of How to Start a Scandal

Felicity did not acknowledge it or, hopefully, had not heard and continued. ‘Mother doesn’t know I overheard that conversation, but I’m sure it’s why she’s always off visiting with friends and why Father is as well. And they definitely don’t look at each other like you and Lord Dalton do.’ She pulled a blue frock from the pile. ‘This one, I think.’

Violet took the gown with a note of thanks. The poor child, to have seen such a scandalous dissolution of her parents’ marriage. ‘I’m terribly sorry that happened,’ she said.

‘I miss Lady Emily.’ Felicity lifted a shoulder, as if she didn’t care, but it was evident from her lowered gaze she truly did.

It did not escape Violet’s notice how Felicity claimed to miss her governess, but not either of her parents. The more time Violet spent with Felicity, the more she realised Seth was right about the girl. She felt abandoned and unwanted.

‘Yes, definitely this one.’ Felicity fingered the silky fabric of the blue gown.

Violet cast her niece a sceptical look. ‘Are you suggesting that because it matches Hedgehog’s bonnet?’

‘It brings out your eyes,’ Felicity said innocently. Then she giggled. ‘And it does rather become his bonnet nicely.’

He glared at the three sets of eyes that turned to him and Violet couldn’t help but laugh. ‘The blue one it is, then.’

Felicity beamed with pride at having her opinion taken and Susan appeared glad to finally have a gown selected. And Violet...well, Violet was simply anxious no matter what she wore.

It would be the first time, the only time, she’d ever let a man escort her. Never before had she thrown herself so recklessly to chance. But then, never before had it been so tempting.

With little time to spare, Susan worked a miracle in not only getting Violet into the gown, but managing a fetching style of curls and twists for her hair as well.

Because of her contribution towards the overall ensemble, Felicity was invited to join them, as long as she remained with Susan. Felicity readily agreed. As long as she could bring Hedgehog.

Violet allowed the bartering, seeing no harm in it. That is, until the little girl pulled out a collar and long lead and attached them to Hedgehog so that he could be trotted about like dog.

It would be almost laughable if it wasn’t so embarrassing. After all, they were going to be entering Hyde Park at the fashionable hour. Violet nearly reprimanded her, but when she found herself nearly prefacing the rebuke with what ‘ladies didn’t do’, she quashed the protest.

She’d listened to a lifetime of what ‘ladies didn’t do’. If it made the girl happy to walk her cat, then she could walk her cat. Especially when Hedgehog lived up to the expectation of being highly fashionable.

As they had a gate on their street leading directly to Hyde Park, it seemed ostentatious to take a carriage and meet Seth there. Instead, they had agreed to meet in front of Violet’s town house at exactly five o’clock.

‘What luck to stumble upon such lovely ladies.’

Violet sucked in a breath at the masculine, sensual voice. It took only a small statement, but immediately her skin tingled with awareness and incredible sensitivity.

Seth.

She straightened from where she’d been standing over Hedgehog and smiled at him.

‘You told her to meet you in front of our town house,’ Felicity said. ‘That isn’t luck. It’s good planning.’

‘That it is.’ Seth laughed.

His gaze skimmed respectfully over her and his smile widened. ‘That’s a lovely gown, Lady Violet.’

She curtsied. ‘Thank you. Felicity selected it for me.’

‘That is quite an eye for fashion you have, my lady.’ He knelt in front of Felicity, heedless of his trousers. ‘I trust you and Hedgehog are quite well.’

She grinned at him and nodded emphatically. ‘I hope you marry Aunt Violet so you can be my uncle,’ she whispered.

Violet’s mouth fell open with horror.

Seth, however, simply laughed. ‘I’ll do my best not to ruin my chances.’ He got to his feet, dusted off his knee and offered Violet his arm. ‘Shall we?’

‘There are only two and a half hours left of the fashionable hour.’ She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow.

‘Then we shall have to make the most of them, shan’t we?’ Seth smiled into her heart.