“She’s staying here tonight,” James said.
Callum shook himself from his thoughts. “Pardon?”
“Everyone is going into York for the theater tonight, but Violet is staying behind.” James shrugged. “I doubt anyone would notice if you left at intermission.”
Chapter 27
“Idon’t know ifthe mud will come out.”
Violet blinked several times before looking up at the mirror of her vanity, making fleeting eye contact with the maid unlucky enough to be tasked with ridding her dress of the muck she’d collected in the lake.
“Keep at it, dear girl,” Aunt Margaret said as she came behind Violet, wielding a hairbrush like a sword. Violet supposed her post-bath curls were rather vicious. Her aunt’s eyes narrowed. “Have you tried a bit of camphene diluted in water?”
The maid shook her head. “Not yet. Thank you for the suggestion, milady.” She darted from the room, bobbing awkward curtsies as she backed out the door.
“I think you terrified her,” Violet said, flinching as the brush dragged through her recalcitrant locks.
Margaret shrugged, looking not the least bit concerned for the maid or her niece’s scalp. “I terrify most people, but I’d rather be feared than loved.”
I’d rather be loved. The thought flitted into Violet’s mind without invitation, and she swatted it away by squeezing her eyes shut. There was no room for talk oflove, even though she remained perplexed by Callum’s reaction that afternoon.
He wouldn’t call her a burden, but he was protective of her, as he was with James. But she’d be foolish to wish for more than they’d agreed upon. She had no right to be disappointed when he’d confirmed he’d be leaving the continent in a few weeks’ time.
“Speaking of terrifying, we need to discuss your plans with that brooding Scotsman.”
Violet started as her heart skittered, earning a sharp tug on her hair. “I don’t know—we don’t—what plans?”
“After that disgusting display of heroism today, tongues are wagging.” Margaret continued her ruthless taming of Violet’s curls, punctuating the last three words with a wag of the brush. “I’ve heard rumors of wealth in the family, and obviously he is unconcerned with your spurious reputation.”
“Aunt Margaret—”
“If he’s going to pursue you, he needs to make his intentions clear. A proposal would have to come before Sir Phineas arrives, and I’m sure your father will want to at least speak to him before approving your union.”
“But he’s—”
“A hasty wedding would be best for everyone involved, particularly if word spreads about this incident.”
“Would youlisten—”
“And we know people will talk.” Margaret wrapped the braid she’d constructed around the crown of Violet’s head and pinned it into place. “Assuming he would accept not receiving a dowry—”
“Stop!” Violet’s breath rasped in her throat. “Callum is going to ruin me, not marry me.”
Her aunt was so still that Violet wondered if she’d caused the woman’s sudden death. After an elongated pause, she blinked, laid the brush on the vanity and placed her wrinkled hands on her niece’s shoulders. “My hearing is terrible, dear girl,” she said, her voice low. “You’re going to need to repeat that.”
Violet exhaled through pursed lips. “I asked Callum to help me get caught in a compromising position so Sir Phineas won’t want to marry me.”
Margaret pressed her palm to her forehead. “Your mother should never have trusted me to keep you out of trouble.” She sighed, breathed for several moments before speaking again. “You would never be able to land a decent man after doing that.”
“A society man,” she corrected. “Not all society men are decent. And yes, that’s what I want. If I find someone else who loves me despite my past, I would be thrilled to be his wife.”
“How do you suppose you’ll support yourself? You can’t expect your mother and father to harbor you after this catastrophe.”
She winced. “I planned to stay with you.”
Margaret threw up her hands and paced away, throwing herself—as dramatically as an octogenarian could—onto the chaise. “I’m not running a home for wayward Waverly girls. I’d be delightedto have you, but spinsterhood in Hampshire is not for the faint of heart.”
Violet deflated. “But you seem so happy.”
