He was about to respond when a tall man with tawny-colored hair came to stand next to her. “Morning, Violet. Everything all right here?”
“Everything is fine, Owen. Captain Tyler was just leaving,” she answered firmly, crossing her arms over her chest.
Owen… her brother, as he recalled. Patience had filled him in on the family dynamics. At least that was somewhat reassuring. “We’re not through with this conversation, Violet, and I won’t leave town until we’ve finished our discussion.”
“Oh, we’re finished, Gideon,” she said before her eyes widenedand he realized she’d startled herself by addressing him by his first name. But she recovered quickly. “Owen, please see the captain out.”
Owen stepped forward but Gideon raised his hands as he backed off. He wouldn’t start a scuffle with Violet’s brother but as the older man more or less began to maneuver him toward the front door, he called over his shoulder. “I’ll be back soon, Violet. You can count on it!”
One moment she was in his sight and the next she might as well have vanished like a whisp of smoke or the angel he had once taken her for. One thing was certain… Violet still cared, if that smile he’d seen was any indication of her feelings for him. He could only hope that the lady was ready to be wooed. He would stop at nothing to return to the lady’s good graces.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Violet’s nerves werestretched to their limits. The very thought that Gideon had traveled from London to see her to make amends should have told her much and yet, she should not forgive him so easily. The day had lasted forever and she was thankful that she had been so busy with customers that she had barely had time to think of his handsome face and what he continued to do to her heart. One chance encounter and here she was, more in love with him than ever before. How would she ever get over her feelings for him if he showed up here at Bracknell? She had sworn to forget Gideon. Now he was going to make that impossible if he refused to leave town. What was she going to do to protect her heart?
But…what if? She braced her hands on the counter while her emotions conflicted with what her heart was telling her if she’d only take time to listen. Could she forgive the harsh words he had accused her of at her cousin’s townhouse so easily? She supposed that since he’d wasted little time in following her to Bracknell could speak volumes of his sincerity to right the wrong he had done.
Perhaps she shouldn’t have been so quick to dismiss his words. Even Asher’s voice continued to run through her mind when he all butbegged her to give his brother another chance. Could she? Right at this very moment, she wasn’t so sure. The instant she had encountered him outside the apothecary, her feelings had escalated to the point she had found it hard to breathe. That, in itself, should have told her everything she needed to know. So why wasn’t she listening to that small voice inside her head?
She finished putting away the last of the supplies she had been working on and realized it was later than she had thought. Night had fallen and she should head home to find whatever supper she could manage to make that she might be able to swallow. She shook her head and instead decided to walk over to the Raven for a meal. It would be easier than trying to scrape something together at home. She knew there wasn’t much there for her to put together.
Her mind made up, she wiped her hands on a towel, grabbed her reticule from under the counter and went to don her redingote. Once she had buttoned her coat, she took out the key to her shop, opened the door then locked it behind her once she had stepped outside. It was a short walk to the coaching inn and as she entered, the sounds of merriment from its patrons filled the tavern. She saw her brother and parents at one of the tables and went to join them, thankful she wouldn’t have to eat alone. She slid onto the bench next to Owen.
Her brother pushed a platter of still-warm bread in her direction. “Eat up, sister. We’ve been expecting you and our meal should be on the way,” Owen said as Violet reached for a knife and sliced off a piece of the bread. Her mother gave her a container holding butter.
“How did you know I’d come here?” she asked with an amused smile as she slathered the creamy butter on the bread then sighed in pleasure as she took a bite.
Her mother patted her hand from across the table. “Since you just returned from London, it wasn’t hard to figure out you hadn’t had time to properly stock your larder.”
Violet shrugged. “I could have easily gone to the Black Lion instead.”
“You like the food here better,” her father replied as he took a sip of his ale but it was his scrutinizing glare that had her frowning. What she had done to earn his displeasure this time?
She had never been one to not speak her mind so now she voiced her concerns. “Since I haven’t been home long, I can only ponder what has you so upset with me,” she said, folding her hands in her lap. Her eyes went to each of her relatives before then came to rest on her brother. “Well? What have I done?”
“It’s not whatyou’vedone that has us concerned,” Owen said, scowling.
“Then what is going on that I’m not aware of?” she asked, still concerned by the look that was passing between her parents before leveling them on her brother.
“Why is some London gent following you here?” her father finally inquired with another grim expression. “It’s not proper.”
Violet turned on the bench to stare down her brother. “You told them?”
Owen muttered a curse into his tankard as he took another gulp. “And our uncle and aunt. The family should be aware what’s going on with you and why you made such an abrupt change of plans to return home.”
Father leaned forward. “Did he…” he looked around to ensure no one would overhear him, “take advantage of you?”
Violet held back a gasp. “Of course not! How could you think I would allow something like that to happen to me?”
“Things happen whether they’re welcome or not.” Her father leaned back and reached for his tankard of ale. “What other reason, then, could you possibly have for your hasty return home if you’re not returning in disgrace?”
Her mother, Beatrix, patted her husband’s arm as though to calm him down. “Now, now, Harry dear… let’s not say anything you might regret come the morning.”
“Well, someone needs to ask these questions since Owen filled us in on the situation,” Harry grumbled.
Owen set down his mug. “I’m not entirely certain there is asituationthat needs to be addressed. You need to calm down, Father.”
“Calm down?” Harry grimaced with clenched teeth. “How am I supposed to calm down when my daughter’s reputation is at stake?”
