Roland felt struck once again that the author of this disaster had been Lady Clara.
It was his fault this had happened. If his mother had not been forever pushing a match…if he had not ignored the dowager’s plans for so long…none of this would have happened.
He did not believe Lady Clara was in the least interested in him. He guessed that she was offended, and feeling vindictive, thathewas not interested in her either. She had sought to strike out at someone, and she had struck at Lady Viola.
“Lord Darden,” he said, “I vow I will make every effort to ensure that all of society knows this tale to be false.”
Lord Darden nodded. “The YBC will be out in full force and I will visit my sister and the duke for their backing. We will go to the theater this night and I plan for club members to be there and acknowledge Viola. That will send a message.”
“You can count on me. I will be sure to attend,” Roland said.
“But, Lord Baderston,” Lady Viola said, “do you think you will be able to see the play. With your eye…”
As Roland could no longer see out of his right eye, he very well knew it had swollen shut.
“A small inconvenience,” he said stoically.
“I am sorry that Chelderberry got a shot in,” Lord Darden said.
“He was only lucky,” Roland said with a sniff. “I can assure you that he got the worst of it. So will the next gentleman who tries it.”
*
Viola threw herselfonto the sofa after Lord Baderston had left.
“Darden,” she said dreamily, “he’s done it. He’s proved his loyalty beyond any shadow of a doubt.”
“So he has.”
Viola sighed. “Just an hour ago, I felt as if I had destroyed my whole life. And now look! Everything is roses.”
“Not quite roses,” Darden said. “We have a road ahead of us. You must prepare yourself for this evening, Viola. We will be stared at, and it will be all too evident that we are talked about.”
“What care I about this town’s opinions?” Viola said.
“I care, and father cares,” Darden said. “If Cordy and Jules had a lick of sense between them, they’d care too. Do not forget that your sisters will follow you for their own turns in society. We must ensure that they are not tainted by what has happened.”
Viola sat up. She had not even thought of such a thing. “Oh Darden! I had not thought…”
“Do not upset yourself unduly. We must only stand firm together and bring in everybody we can. And please promise—start no more rumors about yourself!”
“No more stories,” Viola said. It was an easy promise—there was nothing left for Lord Baderston to prove.
The door opened and Rosalind very unexpectedly flew through it. “My dearest Viola, what mischief has been stirred up!”
“I see the story has traveled to your door?” Darden asked his sister.
“Indeed, it has. Now, I do not know how such a ridiculous thing is being at all believed. Clearly anybody with sense must see that it has been blown up and embellished. But do not worry, I have told my duke all about the truth of the tinker’s boy and he is ready to assist. I believe you go to the theater tonight? We will abandon our box and sit in yours.”
“That will send a strong message, I think,” Darden said.
Rosalind nodded. “My darling of a husband says he will stare down anybody looking our way. You know how grim he can be when he has a mind.”
“He is a dear to do it,” Viola said. “Now Rosalind, do sit and have a cup of tea. Lord Baderston has boxed a person named Chelderberry right in the face and said some lovely things.”
“Goodness, I want to hear it all,” Rosalind said.
Darden rose. “As I have already heard it, I will depart. I will go to the club and rally the members.”
