“Now that you know who I am, exactly who areyou?” He leaned one shoulder on the frame of the door before crossing his arms over his chest waiting for her response.
Her knees buckled as she all but sank down into the chair. He seemed angry with her and she had no idea why his tone was so… accusatory. But why was he so cross with her? “I don’t know what you think I’ve done but whatever it is, you must not think too highly of me considering the tone of your voice has all but condemned me,” she fumed while her heart heaved in righteous indignation.
“I believe we’ve already established that there are many aspects between the two of us of which we have no knowledge. Now I must ask you: What sort of game are you playing, Angel?”
“Game? You think I’m playing some rude game with your affection?” she asked further annoyed that he would think such of her. And here she was thinking about a lifetime with him just minutes ago.
He gave a casual shrug of one of those broad shoulders. “You would not be the first to play at being available to catch a rich husband. I’m just surprised that Patience would have a hand in such a game.”
“How dare you judge me or Patience as someone who…” She was so flustered, she couldn’t form any words. She had had enough. She regained her feet while attempting to keep her anger simmering below the surface of her outrage. She swiftly moved around the desk to stand before him. The skirt of her gown swirled around her legs giving evidence on how fast she had reached his side. She poked one delicate finger into his chest to get her point across. “Let me make this perfectly clear, CaptainTyler… I don’t needorwant a husband—one with or without a title or money.” She emphasized her words by jabbing him with that delicate finger with each word.
He swiped her finger from his chest with a push of his hand. “Yet, youwereat the Black Widow’s seeking a husband, so it’s entirely plausible you are desperate. And for my sister-in-law to play such a game with my affections, by making me decide to court you?” He paused. “How am I to know that you and Patience didn’t engage Dawkes to deepen this deception? Though the bang on the head was a bit over the top.” He touched his stitches with his fingertips. “Yet I daresay it gave you an excuse to play the nursemaid and put you in the light of a doting, caring wifely sort. I was very nearly fooled. Well played, madam.”
She took a step back, aghast. “What kind of villainess do you think I am?”
“A skilled one, apparently. An actress, even.” He made a face. “I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that my mother put you up to this. She and my sister-in-law have been after me since I returned from the war to marry. And apparently, they’ll stop at nothing to make sure it happens.” He stepped forward menacingly, causing Violet to step back, away from the heat radiating from his body. If this had happened the moment he arrived without any accusations, she might have wrapped her arms around him begging for a kiss. But their situation had now all changed. The happiness she had felt but moments before was now crushed by a man who obviously didn’t trust her.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t know your mother. And Patience would never be so duplicitous. Nor would I,” she replied, returning behind the desk and slowly sliding back down into the chair before herknees once again buckled. The sound of echoing footsteps on the marble flooring announced that someone was coming down the hallway and stopped any further discussion between them since the door remained opened.
Asher came into the room and clapped his arm on his brother’s shoulder. “This is a most unexpected surprise, Gideon. What brings you here this early in the morning?”
Gideon nodded in Violet’s direction. “Who isshe?”
“You must know her. Didn’t you meet her at Patience and my wedding? Her cousin, Violet,” Asher said with a chuckle of amusement.
“I hardly had the opportunity to rub shoulders with half the people in such a crush and if you recall, I left early since I had one of my headaches. But I certainly would have rememberedher,” Gideon said turning harsh green eyes towards her. Why was he so miffed at her? She was the one who should be voicing her anger!
“Then let me remedy the situation now with an introduction.” Asher went to offer his hand to Violet. The good manners her parents had instilled in her since her youth told her she must oblige the earl as he brought her to stand once more before his brother. “Gideon… may I present Miss Violet Barnet… Patience’s cousin.”
A scowl rushed across Gideon’s brow before a curse left his lips. “Of course. The same cousin the two of you have been trying to fix me up with since I returned from France?” His voice sounded like he was hurt as though everyone had been plotting against him. He took a menacing step toward Asher and Violet. “Did you pay Mrs. Dove-Lyon to match us together?”
Asher stepped forward and held up his hands to stop Gideon’s advancement. “What the bloody hell are you talking about, Gideon? Patience had her own plans for her cousin’s future but to my knowledge you weren’t a part of them where the Black Widow of Whitehall was concerned.”
“You say that, but I think it was much too coincidental that Violet just happened to fall into my sight,” Gideon said, giving her another glare that was filled with mistrust.
Asher looked between the two of them before placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “No one was conspiring against you, Gideon. You know how Mrs. Dove-Lyon operates. She keeps everything a secret until she deems it the right time and place to reveal everything to her clients.”
Gideon rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t trust any of you,” he replied, his voice low and dripping with disdain.
Violet had had enough of all this nonsense. If he couldn’t trust her on the most basic of manners and respecting her thoughts, then they would never make a well-formed match. “I will take my leave to allow the two of you to squabble over family matters,” she said somberly. She raised her tormented gaze to meet Gideon’s. “As for you and I, I believe our conversation prior to your brother’s arrival proved there is no reason to proceed with our previous plans of trying to see if we might suit. Consider my interest withdrawn, Captain Tyler.”
Violet couldn’t misinterpret Asher’s surprise at her words as she began to leave the room. He gently placed his hand at her elbow as she attempted to move past him halting her progress from leaving with what remained of her dignity.
“Violet… please reconsider your decision if you have any regard for my brother. He sometimes speaks before thinking clearly when his feelings are involved, especially since returning from the war.” Asher spoke in a quiet tone and with what appeared as a hopeful expression even as Gideon, who obviously heard his brother, made a disgruntled, insulted huffing sound behind him.
She shook her head before peering past Asher to look at Gideon. His face held a myriad of conflicting emotions that raced across his features. Insult, anger, and then, perhaps, sheepishness and contrition. But no, anything he might say would come too late. She had seen aglimpse of his true character. He didn’t trust her no matter what, and trust was the foundation of any relationship.
“I’ve had my say.” Her voice cracked with disappointment and if she didn’t leave right away, her real feelings for the captain would give way, with a flood of tears and sobbing breaths. “Please excuse me.”
She all but ran from the room even as Asher’s voice rose as he began to berate his brother. She didn’t wait around long enough to hear Gideon’s reply. Instead, she fled up to her room closing the door as if shutting away any thoughts of falling in love. Such emotions had been fleeting and she needed to erase the memory of a man who had crushed her heart. She had known her feelings for him were too good to be true.
She had just plopped face down onto her bed when a knock sounded at her door. It wasn’t until she raised her head from her pillow when the door opened and she saw Patience that the flood of tears she had held in check let loose.
Her cousin rushed to her side. “Violet… what happened?”
“Oh, Patience…” Her voice failed her and she could do nothing but sob.
Her cousin pulled Violet into her arms and after some time of crying onto Patience’s shoulder, she began to tell her everything that had happened. How could something so good suddenly become her worse nightmare?
