But Rosalie had begged and begged.
“I want to experience the thrill of a Season without Father hovering over my shoulder,” she had said, and it was this that had finally made Violet relent, although not for the reason her sister thought.
The mention of their father reminded her of his letter, and she had decided that if she were going to the ball, it was better to have Rosalie there with her, where she could keep an eye on her.
Better not to take any risks. Perhaps he warned me he was planning to meet me in order to let my guard down around Rosalie. Perhaps sheis the one he actually wants to see.
Violet hadn’t told her sister or mother about the letter, but she had written to James about it. Despite their disagreement over the kiss, she knew he would want to be kept informed of any developments.
This letter will be taken into consideration, and more protection will be added to the house, James had written back at once. But he hadn’t accompanied the letter to Bolden House, so it had now been a whole week since Violet had last seen him.
“What about those gentlemen?” Rosalie asked, her eyes landing on two young gentlemen nearby. “They’re rather handsome!”
Violet followed her sister’s gaze. The two gentlemen seemed young, but they looked agreeable. Still, it wouldn’t be possible.
“If we had been introduced, then that would be one thing,” she explained to her younger sister. “But we have not been introduced, and therefore it would be rude for us to approach them.”
Rosalie let out an angry sigh. “Why couldn’t your husband come with us? He could have made all the proper introductions!”
“He is very busy with business,” Violet said, her tone as emotionless as she could make it. “I invited him to the ball in my last letter, but he declined.”
Not even to discuss the new safety measures with me.He is behaving like a child because of one kiss!
“What about Cousin Niles?” Rosalie asked suddenly. “Couldn’t he introduce us to some gentlemen?”
Both ladies turned to look at their cousin, who was standing several yards away, talking animatedly with several young ladies. From the looks on their faces, the ladies were baffled by what the new Lord Carfield was saying, rather than impressed.
“Poor Cousin Niles,” Violet sighed. “He really is hopeless, isn’t he? He looks less like a gentleman and more like a court jester in that colorful jacket…”
“And he keeps making the most dramatic and preposterous statements,” Rosalie added, giggling. “The way he speaks, it sounds like a medieval poem on courtly love, not how a gentleman actually talks to a lady and gets to know her.”
“Still, I suppose he will do,” Violet said, cocking her head. “He is a viscount, and he will be able to introduce us to many gentlemen I’d be happy to see you dance with.”
She waited for a lull in the conversation, then swooped in and asked if she could borrow her cousin. The young ladies looked more than happy to let her lead him away, and as she left, Violet could hear them tittering among themselves.
“Do you know those gentlemen, Cousin Niles?” Violet asked, nodding towards the two men Rosalie had pointed at. “My sister would like an introduction.”
“I do, indeed!” Niles said, puffing out his chest proudly. “And I would be happy to introduce Cousin Rosalie, for she is the finest star in all the heavens, and any man who dances with her would be as lucky as the King himself!”
Rosalie gave Violet a meaningful look, and Violet had to fight not to laugh.
“Indeed…” she mumbled.
Niles brought them over to the gentlemen, introductions were made, and then the five of them chatted idly for several minutes until the music changed, signaling the beginning of a waltz. At this, the younger of the gentlemen, a Mr. Cain, bowed low to Rosalie and held out his hand.
“Would you do me the honor of this next dance, Miss Rosalie?” he asked.
Mr. Cain was handsome, with blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes set above an aquiline nose and a chiseled chin, and Rosalie beamed as she nodded and took his hand.
Again, Violet had to fight not to laugh.
She is going to have a huge success in the marriage mart.
Then, to her surprise, the other gentleman, Mr. Bellsworth, bowed to her as well. “Your Grace, would you care to join me on the dance floor?”
“Oh!” Violet was so surprised that she almost forgot her manners.
Her Seasons had been dull due to her father’s controlling ways, so she had rarely been asked to dance. But Mr. Bellsworth seemed kind, and he was looking at her rather eagerly, so she forced herself to smile and take his hand.
