Edgerton was losing patience with this conversation. “Mother, you exaggerate. There will be no hungry stomachs in the Bainbridge family.”
Lavinia exhaled loudly. “Perhaps, but you would do well to steer your sister into procuring the best possible match this Season. Remember, you have two additional sisters who will enter the marriage mart in the next coming years. If Violet marries well, their prospects will rise.”
“I will keep your suggestion in mind. Rest assured, I will do my duty to my sisters.”
“See that you do.” With her lecture over, Lavinia exited the room without a backward glance.
Edgerton groaned. It was going to be a long Season, but he was determined to let Violet choose her own husband despite what his mother wanted. Alesbury was an accomplished spy who took his duty to the crown seriously at the cost of any personal attachments. This was the first time Edgerton had seen him interested in courting anyone in all the years he’d known him, and he was determined to let their mutual attraction play out.
Chapter 5
THE NEXT MORNING, VIOLET’S EYESfluttered open, and her breast heaved with ragged breaths. She struggled to be free of her blankets, but they were tangled around her legs. It was still dark, and not even the servants were stirring. She’d been dreaming of Lord Alesbury and his very kissable full lips. They’d been dancing when he led her through the French doors and onto the terrace. The cool night air felt good against her heated skin, but it did nothing to calm the pounding of her heart at being so close to the handsome lord.
“Miss Bainbridge, you’re so beautiful,” he said as he caressed her cheek with his knuckles. She leaned into his palm as he continued. “I’ve never met anyone like you. Don’t you realize you’ve captured me, body and soul? I’m yours completely, now and forever, my darling.”
Butterflies roiled around her insides as she listened to the deep timbre of his voice. He loved her. Could it be? He bowed his head towards her, and his lips were mere inches from her own. If she leaned a fraction more toward him, their lips would touch. His kiss was what she wanted more than anything, and she could hardly believe he was enamored with her. Out of all the beautiful young women making their debuts this Season, he’d chosen her.
“Lord Alesbury,” she said in a breathless whisper while inching closer. “I…”
And then she’d awakened, much to her disappointment. She hadn’t wanted the dream to end. Her finger traced her lips as she remembered every delightful detail of their almost kiss. She took several deep breaths to calm the frantic beating of her heart. Could her dream come true after all? Could Lord Alesbury really be interested in making her his wife? Her mind raced with possibilities. Finally, after several minutes, her breathing steadied, and she turned over and punched her pillow, trying to get comfortable, only to toss and turn, images of the devastatingly attractive lord invading her mind. It was a long time before she fell into a troubled sleep.
It seemed mere minutes later when her maid entered the room and opened the drapes, allowing sunshine to fill the room. “Good morning, miss,” Katie said.
Violet stifled a yawn. “Good morning, Katie.”
“Today’s such a big day. You must be so excited.”
“More than a little overwhelmed, if you must know.” Today, Violet, along with dozens of other young ladies, would be presented to the queen to mark her official entrance into Society. She’d never been to Court before, and her nerves were ever-present companions. It was important for a successful Season to make a good impression on the queen…or at the very least not to make any mistakes while the eyes of so many were upon her.
“You’ll do well, miss. I know you will, but it’s time for you to dress. I’m sure your mother will have some last-minute instructions for you before you leave for the palace.”
Violet stifled a groan. Katie had the right of it. Her mother had been teaching her for years how to make a flawless debut. She swept the covers back, swung her lean legs over the side, and got out of bed, allowing Katie to dress her for the morning’s instruction.
“Thank you, Katie. I’ll see you later.”
Violet walked into the dining room, where her mother was already drinking tea. “Good morning, Mama,” she said, kissing her cheek.
“Violet, dearest, I do hope you slept well. You’ll want to look your best today when you meet the queen.”
Violet nodded and went to the sideboard to fill her plate. She’d always had a healthy appetite despite her slim frame. No matter how much she ate, she never seemed to gain weight. She’d resigned herself to the fact that she would never have the preferred hourglass figure. She enjoyed food and wasn’t shy about indulging in a good meal, whether it was fashionable or not.
She brought her plate back to the table, and the footman poured her a cup of tea. She didn’t get a chance to talk to her mother before both Emma and Julia joined them for breakfast.
“Isn’t it the most exciting of days? We’re going to court,” Julia gushed, skipping into the room, her blond curls bouncing around her sweet oval face.
“Julia dear, you must contain your enthusiasm and comport yourself as a poised young lady,” Lavinia said, half-scolding the youngest Bainbridge daughter.
Julia turned her bright blue eyes on her mother. “I know, Mama, but can’t we be excited now, at breakfast? There’s no one to see or judge us.”
“Of course, my dear, as long as you behave once we’re at Court,” Lavinia said, smiling at her youngest daughter.
Violet chuckled. Julia was the most energetic and beautiful of the three Bainbridge girls. She was the perfect picture of an English miss—peaches-and-cream complexion, golden hair, and blue eyes the color of cornflowers. Her figure, even at fifteen, had filled out into lovely womanly curves, and nothing seemed to dampen her zest for life. Violet didn’t envy their mother in a couple years’ time, when Julia would be on the marriage mart. She turned toward her other sister. “Emma, are you excited to go to Court?”
Her sister nodded and took a seat beside her. Emma was the quiet sister, usually with a book in her hand. Violet thought her quite pretty, with light-brown hair and hazel eyes that rarely missed anything, although she seldom contributed to the lively family discussions, preferring to keep her opinions to herself. She would be out next Season, and the man who captured her heart would be lucky indeed.
The rest of the meal was dominated by Julia’s chatter. Even when Charles and Courtney joined them, it was hard to get a word in edgewise. As Violet looked around the table at her family, her heart swelled with love. They were wonderful, kind people, and she would miss them terribly when she married. She hoped her husband would be amendable to having her sisters visit often. Would Lord Alesbury be that gentleman?
“Violet, I must confer with Mrs. Spencer about the menu after breakfast, but then I’d like to speak with you,” Lavinia said.
