Page 62 of Only a Mistress Will Do

“I don’t…” Miss Harper glanced from Anna to her brother, her gaze finally coming to rest on Violet. “Yes, I believe I will come as well.”

“Hmph.” Mr. Harper narrowed his eyes at his sister and strode from the room.

“Oh, goody.” Anna clapped her hands. “We will have a party.” Her round face and blue eyes peeking out from beneath her white mob cap made her look more like a cherub than ever.

“I suppose it shall be, lovey.” Miss Harper took Anna’s hand, drawing her toward the warmth of the fire. Her gaze met Violet’s and she shrugged. “Quite a party indeed.”

* * * *

“Shall I give you more tea, Lady Hepplewhite?” With exaggerated motions, Anna pretended to pour into her doll’s cup.

Tea with Anna and her guests had proved a pleasant surprise for Violet.

“Oh, no more for me, my dear,” Anna answered in a squeaky voice.

Miss Harper smiled, delighted with her niece. She held out her cup. “I, however, will take some more from Miss Carlton’s teapot, if you please.”

“Certainly.” Violet lifted the pot and poured with a steadier hand than she expected. About halfway through the party, she’d finally stopped trembling at Miss Harper’s presence. The girl obviously had no idea of her liaison with Tris. Of course, he would never have divulged such a thing to his bride-to-be. Even so, her cheeks kept heating at the slightest provocation. She bent her head over the teapot to hide them. “Would you like more as well, Mr. Harper?”

“No, I fear I must leave you now.” He touched Anna’s golden curls and sighed. “There’s some business Grandpapa has asked me to do, poppet.”

Anna’s mouth turned downward like a waterspout. Her brows lowered in a dark frown. “But you promised.”

“Yes, and I have kept that promise, lovey. I have taken Miss Carlton’s excellent tea with you, and Aunt Dora, and Princess Hepplewhite.” He glanced at Violet, his gaze lingering on her a beat too long. “Thank you, Miss Carlton.”

“Her name is Countess Hepplewhite.” The girl poked her bottom lip out, two tears rolling down her face.

“I beg your pardon, Countess,” Mr. Harpers said, rising to bow to the doll propped up beside Anna.

“No, Papa. Don’t go.” Anna jumped to her feet and threw her arms around her father’s legs. “I don’t want you to go.”

“Thank you, my love.” He lifted his daughter in his arms, hugging her to him. His gaze met Violet’s. “Then I certainly must come again, shan’t I?”

Anna nodded and burrowed her wet face into his shoulder.

“Good. I shall look forward to it.” Kissing the top of the golden head, he set her on the floor. “I will return another day and stay longer for more tea.” He bowed to his sister. “Dora.”

The sneering tone caught Violet off guard. She stared at him, unsettled by the thinly veiled contempt in his voice.

“Miss Carlton, good day.” Mr. Harper stalked out of the room without a backward glance.

“Papa.” Anna’s forlorn face brought Violet out of her trance.

“Come, my dear. Let’s have a story and then a nap. If you’re good and go straight to sleep, we will go out into the garden and make a snowman when you awake.” She held her hand out to the woebegone little girl, who looked as if she would burst into tears anew, but instead she gulped and took her hand. With a nod to Miss Harper, Violet led her charge into the bedroom.

“When will Papa come back?” Anna asked as she crawled onto her small bed, festooned with frothy pink and white drapery.

“I’m sure it will be soon, my dear.” Violet kept her tone soft as she pulled the embroidered coverlet up over the child. “We shall have to think of something very special to serve him when next he comes. Do you know what he particularly likes for tea?”

“Treacle tart.” A huge yawn interrupted Anna’s words.

“Your favorite is treacle tart, I believe,” Violet said with a smile.

Anna smiled back, her heavy eyelids drooping.

“I’ll find out from cook what he likes and make sure we have it the next time he comes to tea with us.”

The girl nodded, winking now in an effort to stay awake. “Miss Carlton.” She reached for Violet’s hand, clasping her thin fingers around it. “Stay here.”