“Well?” Juliet said. “What is going through your mind, Viola?”
“I cannot stop thinking of the Meldover affair that Lady Hightower mentioned. I cannot stop thinking of how Miss Broadbent acted boldly to save her one true love.”
“That did sound romantic, did it not?” Miss Mayton said. “Off to Gretna Green, just like that.”
“I was wondering if I ought to consider the same?” Viola asked. “Oh, Juliet, Cordelia, if you could have seen him at the theater! He did not hesitate for a moment! Lady Hightower counsels that I should make Lord Baderston swear he will not engage in a duel, and I am sure he would promise it to please me. But then, if I were insulted again, he would just race off and forget all about his promise. Sooner or later, somebody would demand satisfaction.”
“I suppose Papa would not like it if you were to run off,” Cordelia said.
“No, I do not suppose he would,” Viola said. “But then, would he like it better to know that my only true love was killed on a green and it was all my fault?”
“He shouldn’t like that at all,” Juliet said.
“I see what you say, Viola,” Miss Mayton said. “Running off to Gretna Green would be the lesser of two evils. Gracious, you girls are always so clever.”
“But how to do it, Vi?” Juliet asked. “Lord Baderston has not even proposed, and even if he had, what carriage would you use? If it were his idea, then of course he would come with his carriage, but if you are to go to him…”
Viola tapped her chin. “Sandren would never agree to it.”
“No,” Cordelia said, “especially not since last season when we disguised Miss Mayton to challenge the duke—he remains suspicious about that, I’m sure.”
“He definitely does,” Juliet said. “Do you notice how he frowns and seems to be thinking about it whenever he is taking us somewhere, but then his brow is perfectly clear when Papa is with us? He’s known us too long, I’m afraid.”
“We dare not hire anyone,” Miss Mayton said. “We saw how that can go awry with Rosalind’s kidnapping.”
“We would somehow have to arrange it so poor Sandren did not suspect anything,” Viola said.
“How would it be possible though?” Juliet asked. “How is he not to notice something is amiss when he is driving you and Lord Baderston all the way to Scotland? If I know Sandren, he’d refused to budge once Lord Baderston got in the carriage.”
“Sandren need not take us to Scotland,” Viola said, suddenly having an idea. “He must only get me to Lord Baderston and then we can take Lord Baderston’s carriage. The key will be to make it all a rush so that neither he nor Tattleton has time to think about it.”
“It must be very early in the morning, then,” Miss Mayton said. “Before the breakfast sideboard is set up. Mr. Tattleton never comes above stairs until seven.”
“Yes,” Viola said, “we could rush down the stairs unexpectedly and order one of the footmen to alert Sandren that we must be off to…off to…”
“See a sick friend,” Miss Mayton said. “I could accompany you and we could leave a note for your father that it was simply the lesser of two evils. Yes, I really must go with you—remember your father said I ought to keep a closer eye on things.”
“Goodness, I wish we all could go, Vi,” Juliet said.
“As do I,” Viola said. “But never mind, I will tell you every detail when I return a married lady.”
“But Viola,” Cordelia said, “even though we know Lord Baderston to be hopelessly in love with you, he still has not asked.”
Viola nodded, as that was indeed a sticking point. But then, he must ask soon, must he not?
*
Roland had nothad any intention of visiting Lady Viola until after he’d dispensed with the three duels on the morrow, but upon hearing of the ham very well received…well, what else was there to do?
Though Conbatten had advised him to stay at home and speak to nobody, he sent for his horse shortly after the duke departed.
The trip had not been an easy one—the sun practically blinded what eyesight he had through the swollen slits that were currently his eyes. It was fortunate that Tempest had the good sense to move out of the way of oncoming carriages, else he’d have been shortly rolling under the wheels of one of them.
Somehow, and with great determination and a few wrong turns, he located Lady Viola’s house.
Now, Tattleton had escorted him directly to the ladies in the drawing room.
Roland had held out some sort of slim hope that he might find Lady Viola alone. Or perhaps Miss Mayton would be there and take herself off to the other side of the room.
