Page 23 of How to Start a Scandal

‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘Wednesday.’

He glanced over his shoulder and pressed through the gap in the hedges. It apparently did not yield easily to him, for it took several jerking steps and a bit of a struggle on his part before he was on the other side.

He smirked at the wayward hedge, then bowed in her direction. ‘I look forward to seeing you, my lady, without the barrier of shrubbery between us.’ With that, he made his way back into Dalton Place.

She waited for him to go inside before replying, ‘As do I.’

And indeed she did. Far too much.

She slowly walked towards her own home, preferring to relish the idea of the impending dance rather than face Felicity once more.

If Hedgehog had not scampered outside at such an inopportune time, would Lord Dalton have kissed her?

Violet was sure he would.

Would she have let him?

Of that, she was even more certain.

And it was what scared her most.

It also was not where she ought to be focusing her attentions. That evening, she would be attending her first lesson with Lottie and had to compose a list of discreet questions to ask. Violet would have to be strategic, not only to avoid arousing suspicion, but also to glean the most information as possible. The Season was drawing to a close and there was most likely only little more than a fortnight remaining.

For the first time since Seth’s arrival in London, he felt lighter. Happier.

It had every bit to do with Violet and her promise to dance with him at Almack’s. This time he knew there would be no drums in the orchestra. The patronesses of Almack’s would never allow such a deviation from the social norm. Which meant he would be able to dance with Violet in peace, without terrible images nudging into his mind.

Then he would be able to stop seeing her. The dance would make up for having abandoned her the other night, as well as during her debut six years prior.

Resolved, he made his way to his study to tend to the daily correspondence and tried to put Violet from his mind. It would be too distracting to think about the shy way she’d looked at him when he’d leaned in to kiss her, and how that reticence had slipped away as her lashes fluttered in preparation for their lips to meet.

He sat down in the chair behind his desk. God, how he’d wanted to kiss her, to taste her lips with his own. And how dangerous it had been to attempt. Were it not for the cat, he might have ruined her reputation. Had anyone seen them in that garden, kissing over the hedges...

‘Seth?’ Caroline’s voice came from the doorway to the study. ‘Do you have a moment that we might speak?’

‘Of course.’ He pushed aside the correspondence so he could offer her his undivided attention.

She smiled her appreciation and approached. ‘I know you aren’t eager to be attending Almack’s so soon upon your return and with so little time left in the Season. But Mother is only doing what she thinks is best.’

Seth bit back a retort. After all, Lady Dalton had suggestions for everything she thought was best. How he ought to vote in Parliament, as if he didn’t have his own opinions, who he ought to dance with to attract the right quality of woman for a wife, how he ought to hold his brandy glass to make him look most debonair, how to tie his own cravat, et cetera, et cetera...

‘I’d hazard to guess she did not do this with William,’ Seth surmised.

Caroline sank slowly on the chair, clearly weighing her words before speaking. ‘It was different with William.’

‘I’m quite aware of that.’

‘Will you please reconsider allowing Mother to speak to the patronesses at Almack’s?’ Caroline asked patiently.

She always had been the peacekeeper among them, the one who interceded on their mother’s behalf with him and the one who went to her to make apologies for Seth. Not that he’d ever supported a single one of those apologies. It had been a role Caroline handled with grace and dignity, without ever making Seth feel like the horrible person he knew himself to be.

‘She can speak with them today,’ Seth replied.

‘You see, there are a great many reasons why attending Almack’s could benefit you—’ Caroline stilled. ‘What did you say?’

‘I said she can speak with them.’

Caroline straightened. ‘Oh. Well. That was far easier than anticipated.’