Page 76 of Only a Mistress Will Do

“Three days.” Tris gathered Violet to him and strode from the room.

Chapter 29

“Go upstairs quickly, change and gather your things, love.” Tris murmured as he walked her to the staircase.

His arm a comforting and welcome weight about her waist, Violet sighed, reluctant to lose contact with him. “But—”

“No. Nothing you can say will induce me to leave you in this house one minute more. I shall wait here for you.” He brushed a kiss over her lips and her heart sang with joy. “I love you.”

A burden she’d not known she carried fell from her shoulders. He did love her. She floated up the steps, her head whirling. Her fortunes had shifted like the March wind blowing a stray feather to and fro. Pray God it now headed her on a true course for happiness.

She opened the door to the nursery, heading for her room when a rhythmic creaking of the floorboards in the next room stopped her where she stood. Had Anna awakened and gone looking for her? She changed course and peeped into the girl’s bedroom.

The golden head slumbered peacefully, beautiful in its innocent repose. The maid assigned to watch her until Violet returned from dinner rose, putting aside the bit of mending she’d occupied herself with.

With a finger raised to her lips for silence, Violet beckoned the girl. “Bess, you must stay the night with Miss Anna. I am to leave Harper’s Grange and she cannot be alone. Go fetch your night things. I shall wait until you return.”

Wide-eyed, Bess stared at her as though she were spouting Latin, then nodded and sped from the room.

Squaring her shoulders, Violet returned to the nursery sitting room. She’d discover who the trespasser was and dismiss them as well. At least it couldn’t be Mr. Harper, so she would deal with whoever it was swiftly.

The door to her chamber stood ajar, the constant creaking continuing within. Boldly, she pushed it open.

Dora stood at the end of her bed, folding one of Violet’s gowns, the trunk at her feet half-filled with clothing.

“What are you doing here?” Violet’s voice wavered. She was surprised she could speak at all. The last person she had expected to see was Dora.

“I’m helping you pack.” The young woman’s stare pierced Violet to her core.

“You needn’t bother, Miss Harper.” She hated addressing her friend that way, but best not rely on the familiarity of a friendship most likely blasted to Hades.

Dora cringed then laid the gown gently in the trunk. “I’d think you’d want to shake the dust of this house from your feet without delay.” Abruptly, she straightened, wringing her hands. “My brother behaved abominably toward you.”

A glimmer of hope raised its head. “He did. You must believe me when I tell you I gave him no encouragement for his attentions whatsoever.”

“Oh, I believe you.” Dora picked up a pair of stockings from the bed and began to roll them. “I also believe Lord Trevor is in love with you.”

Violet bowed her head but could not deny it. “Yes, and I am in love with him.” The weight of that admission rolled off her shoulders like the globe of Atlas, and she’d swear on her grandmother’s grave she’d not take up that guilt again. She sniffed, determined not to cry, and raised her head. “How did you know?”

“The way he looked at you the other day when he interrupted our lesson.” Her clear blue eyes took on a faraway look. “He looked as though he had lost a great treasure and suddenly found it again. The light in his eyes…” Dora sighed. “I know he will never look at me that way.”

Violet’s heart went out to her, but she suspected it was the truth.

“I am glad my brother provided a way for me to release Lord Trevor from his promise. He saved me the trouble of inventing a reason.” After grabbing a chemise from the chest on chest, Dora laid it on the bed and straightened every line until the garment lay in a perfect square. “I was leaning toward accusing Lord Trevor of the theft of a particularly dear parure my grandmother left me. I had shown it to him just last week. It might not have held water as far as an excuse, but I could have worked it up into an issue of trust that would have sufficed.” A smile broadened into a grin. “I’d even figured out a way to slip the items into his room.” She gave a little laugh then sobered. “Still, I am glad in the end I needn’t besmirch his name and reputation with such an accusation.”

“But why would you have done it at all?” How could anyone let Tris go willingly.

“I want my husband to look at me the way Lord Trevor looks at you, Violet.” Tears started from Dora’s eyes. “I believe I deserve at least that much happiness in life.”

“Of course you do.” Violet sped to her and threw her arms around her, clinging to her, comforting her as best she could. Her friend had done a brave and generous deed. Certainly such a sacrifice would merit reward. “You will find a man who is good and kind and whose face lights up like a summer morning just because you enter a room.”

“Do you think so, truly?” Dora wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.

“With all my heart.” Violet hugged her again. Someone as good and selfless must find the perfect man. She herself could do nothing, save pray each night to the Almighty and trust such prayers would be answered. “You must stop crying, my dear, or you will have me caterwauling as well. And I must be gone quickly, before your brother awakens and tries to stop me.” A teardrop fell onto her bare shoulder where Tris’s coat had fallen away.

“Hunh. From what I saw down stairs, Lord Trevor won’t let him touch a hair on your head.” Dora stepped back, eyeing Violet as she clutched the coat to her bosom. “Here.” She thrust a gown at Violet. “You must change. It would be most scandalous to be seen leaving the house in such a state.” Waving her hand at Violet’s forlorn apparel, she leaned forward and whispered, “My aunt would be most thrilled.”

“Thank you.” Violet managed a smile and took the garment into her dressing room, grateful her new stays laced up the front. She could dress herself without Dora’s help. A few minutes later she emerged in a tailored gray traveling suit of wool, and a hat of deep wine red perched on the back of her head.