After dinner was finished and the conversation around Violet’s safety diminished, they rose from the table. Mrs. Barnet linked arms with him as they headed to the entrance of the Raven. “Would you be so kind, Captain Tyler, and escort my daughter to her residence? Owen would do it but he needs to get home to his son Daniel, who isn’t feeling well this evening.”
Mr. Barnet brushed past his son to confront his wife. “Beatrix, such a request is highly inappropriate,” he growled. “We’ll have the entire town talking evenmoreabout our daughter than they already are if they see her being escorted alone by a man, without a chaperone.”
“Nonsense, Harry. This is Bracknell and not some hoity-toity society town. Everyone here knows Violet would never do anything inappropriate,” Mrs. Barnet declared with a wave her hand. “Besides… he’s family and related by marriage. Of course we can trust him, especially since he’s already proven his worth in my eyes that he’s perfectly capable of protecting Violet.”
Gideon bowed. “I appreciate your faith in me, Mrs. Barnet, and it would be an honor to see Miss Barnet home.” He turned to Violet who appeared as though she would like nothing better than to make a hasty retreat. He extended his arm toward her. “Shall we?”
They left the coaching inn and Violet watched her parents and brother as they went in the opposite direction of where her own house was located. She pointed left. “It’s this way.”
He felt her fingertips tremble in the crook of his elbow and he made the bold move of softly patting her hand. When she didn’t object, he placed his hand over hers and he heard the unmistakable sound of her heavy sigh as they continued to walk. The night was pleasant and more so, with him next to the lady he cared for.
“Violet… I know you’re shaken up about the recent break in at your apothecary, but given that we rarely have a moment of privacy together, I must ask that you hear me out. I really did come here to beg your forgiveness for my actions in London. I was a complete cad and hope you can let me make things up to you,” he began before she came to an abrupt stop.
She turned to face him and he could see for himself how much he had hurt her. “You were totally wrong to misjudge me without giving me a chance to explain anything,” she said sharply.
“I know. I was wrong.” He pulled her closer and she placed both hands on his arms. “Please tell me how I can make this up to you, Haven’t I proven to you in the past couple of weeks that I care for you and will do anything to protect you?”
She couldn’t hide the sob that came unbidden from her lips. “I want to, honestly I do. I’m just so scared I’ll get hurt again if I let you into my heart.”
“Perhaps time will change all that. We barely began to form something between us even though we are both aware there is something connecting us that cannot be denied. Sometimes love is a choice. In our case, I think love chose us to be united.”
A gasp escaped her. “We haven’t had time for love to find us completely, Gideon.”
“Then let me tell you this, Violet,” he began pulling her around the corner of the building so they were out of view of anyone who might pass by.
“What are you doing, Gideon? This is highly inappropriate.”
“Just hear me out for a second, Violet,” he began, placing his hand on her cheek. “From the very first moment I saw you on the balcony at the Lyon’s Den I felt an undeniable pull to you. I didn’t even know your name and yet I couldn’t help but think you would be someone important to me.”
“I’m well aware of how we first saw one another at the Lyon’s Den, Gideon. Even though you made it perfectly clear you weren’t interested in marriage you still continued to come to my rescue with Major Dawkes who—”
“Is still most likely a problem we will have to deal with,” he finished but grew concerned when her frown formed, marring her brow. “What is it? Has he done something inappropriate again to you?”
She shook her head. “No. It’s not that, but I did see him at a coaching inn when our carriage broke down while returning from London and Arianna and I had to spend the night there,” she replied. “I suppose it could be coincidental.”
“Or not. Promise me you’ll continue to be careful, Violet.” He wasn’t certain how far Dawkes’s vendetta went against him but here was another incident where he might be involved. Gideon was even more concerned now thinking Violet was sure to be part of whatever plan the man was hatching.
“I hardly run in the same circles as him and, as I said, it was probably just a coincidence that we were in the same place at the same time.”
“I highly doubt that, but for the moment let us put aside any conversation about Dawkes. What’s more important is that I ask for your forgiveness. Can we start again, Violet?”
“I’m not sure,” she answered but the look on her face told him differently.
“Please tell me that I haven’t ruined what began between us. Surely you must still feel the slightest connection whenever we are together.”
“As much as I want to stay angry with you, I won’t deny any longer that my original feelings toward you haven’t changed,” she said with what sounded as a sincere tone.
He took her hand and placed it on his chest. “See how my heart beats for you, Violet. No other woman will ever make me feel the way you do.”
“Gideon…”
His name said in a breathy whisper gave him the encouragement he needed and he slowly lowered his head. His lips were but inchesfrom her own but he held back knowing the next step needed to be hers. When her arms made their way around his neck and she stood on the tips of her toes pressing her mouth to his, joy raced through him that she still cared for him. Slowly, his mouth took possession of hers in a gently coaxing that revealed this woman would hopefully one day be his wife. He pulled her fully into his embrace and she held on tightly as he deepened their kiss until he heard her soft moan. It was a reminder that they could still be easily seen and he didn’t wish to further fuel her father’s distrust or worry about Violet’s reputation.
Reluctantly, he broke off their kiss, taking both of her cheeks in his hands before leaning his forehead to hers. “Let us find love together, Angel. Will you give us a chance?”
“Yes, Sir Knight.” She offered him a smile that was as radiant as the sun and he knew their future would be bright as long as she was by his side.
As much as he wanted to spend more time with her, he had a duty to see her to her dwelling and he wouldn’t allow her parents to think less of him if he detained her further. “Let’s get you home. I wouldn’t want another strike against me in the eyes of your father if I didn’t keep my word to see you safely home.”
