“It’s all been arranged and the matter has been settled,” her father declared with a look that said any protest she might voice would not change his mind. “You are going to London at the end of the week. If by some slim chance a gentleman catches your eye, we have given the earl permission to speak on our behalf. We might not be as wealthy as those in upper society, but that does not mean we don’t have a suitable dowery set aside for our precious daughter.”
Violet slumped in defeat as her father’s words of her being precious to him caused a momentary crack of weakness. Whether she wanted to go to stay with Patience and her husband or not had been decided. Apparently whatever Destiny had in store for her in London would soon reveal itself in a small amount of time. Whatever it was, Violet was determined to oppose it.
Chapter Five
Gideon hid hisfrustration from his mother’s berating by standing and going to stare out the window. He had heard the same words from her for months now and no matter how many times she came to his town house, the answer was the same. He had no plans to marry any time in his future.
Besides, her nagging was giving him another one of his headaches.
“Gideon!” she snapped. “Did you even hear a word I’ve said?”
He pulled the curtain aside and saw that a carriage had pulled up front. The footman let down the step and opened the door and Gideon sighed in relief. Reinforcements had arrived in the form of Leopold Ford. He gave a heavy sigh, turned, and then went to stand before his mother.
“How could I not hear what you’ve been talking about for the last hour, Mother?” he said, trying to keep his voice calm.
“You will never find a bride if you continue to remain a recluse and not attend any of the events of the Season,” she exclaimed, setting down her empty teacup.
“I have told you a hundred times, Mother. I have no intention of looking for a wife.”
She pointed a finger at him. “I saw the invitation to the Colville’s affair in a few weeks on your desk. I’ll expect you to be in attendance.”
Frustration overwhelmed him and he couldn’t help but sigh, which was better than letting loose a torrent of angry words. He heard his butler opening the front door for Leopold. “I’m afraid you’ll have to excuse me, Mother. I have another appointment who has just arrived.”
“Ha! You have time for others but not enough time for me? Your own mother? Even Asher and Patience clear their busy schedules to accommodate a visit from me,” she whined, attempting to look crestfallen. But Gideon knew that expression, and he wasn’t about to fall for it.
“I gave you an hour of my afternoon, Mother. I am certain that is more than enough time to satisfy your craving for attention,” he muttered, annoyed.
She began sputtering in agitation. “You insolent young man. How dare you speak to me, the woman who gave you life, as though I am some meaningless person.”
Footsteps began to draw closer. He went to his mother, took her arm, and helped her to rise to her feet. He kissed her cheek. “My apologies for upsetting you. This was not my intention,” he declared softly, hoping this would put an end to any further discussion of him attending anything relating to the Season. He was wrong.
“Accept the invitation to the Colville’s and if I don’t see you before that date, then I will see you then,” she answered sharply.
Gideon had had enough of his mother trying to arrange his life. He loved her but she could be overly demanding when she put her mind to something she desired. He supposed she had his best interest in mind, but he still needed to intervene or she would be constantly running roughshod over him for the rest of his life.
“Mother… I am a grown man of nine and twenty, have seen war and returned from the battlefield, for the most part, unharmed. It would behoove you to let the matter rest in your attempt to run my life as if I was just out of the schoolroom.If, and I repeat,ifI decide I wish to marry, then I will find a bride on my own terms and not by attending society events that only make me feel uncomfortable.”
His mother frowned. “But Gideon—”
He kissed her cheek again. “You will see me when you see me, Mother,” he said firmly as Randall came to the entrance to the front parlor to announce Leopold. “Randall, please get the Dowager Countess her wrap and have her carriage brought around from the mews. She is leaving,” Gideon stated, giving a short bow to his mother. “I will see you soon.”
She crossed the room and Leopold bowed to her politely but she ignored him as she looked back over her shoulder to her son. “Stay out of trouble.”
After she had left, Gideon looked at his friend, who was making every attempt to not laugh. “Not. One. Word,” he warned, with what he hoped was a menacing stare.
Leopold held in his laughter as the sound of carriage wheels rolling away could be heard. Then he exploded with mirth. Finally, he contained himself. “She’s at it again?”
“When is she not?” Gideon grumbled. “However, I have you to thank for the reprieve of listening to any more of her harping.”
His friend shrugged as he took a seat. “Mothers… when don’t they harp about sons getting married?” he answered, giving another, short laugh filled with what sounded like distain. “I’m assuming that was the reason for her unexpected visit, or were you expecting her to meet with you today?”
“Unexpected as is usual. Mother tends to show up when I least expect her but her conversation is always the same these days.Find a wife and marry.You know the routine, as I’m certain your mother is the same with you.”
“Unfortunately, I do, much to my dismay. But that is not why I’mhere,” Leopold said, crossing one leg over the other.
Gideon took a seat and leaned his arms on his own legs. “What did you want to talk about?”
“Talk? Idle conversation wasn’t exactly what I had in mind,” he remarked as a sly grin spread across his lips.
