Page 45 of How to Start a Scandal

‘I have been in communication with Lottie,’ he said finally.

Caroline frowned. ‘We don’t have to talk about that now.’

But they did. He did. ‘She will see you tomorrow evening, just after midnight,’ he continued. ‘You’ll need to wear a domino and mask, both of which have been provided.’ He indicated the box tied with a black silk bow that had been delivered while they were at Lady Cotsworth’s ball.

Caroline shook her head. ‘Seth, we can discuss my lessons with Lottie tomorrow.’

‘I meant to give it to you in the morning.’ He proceeded on as if she had not spoken, in an effort to be well and done with the conversation. He lifted a shoulder in a casual shrug. ‘Since you are here, it seems rather ridiculous to hold off on giving it to you.’

Caroline didn’t move to take the box. She stood upright, the red silk of her fine evening gown crumpled and crinkled from where she’d knelt in front of him as she pleaded with him. Her gaze was fixed on him now, glistening with pain.

‘I don’t know why you won’t talk to me,’ she said with measured words. ‘Something has been hollowing you out from the inside and it’s breaking my heart to see it.’

The knot returned to Seth’s throat, tighter and causing a deep ache.

Caroline gave a chagrined nod. ‘I am always here if you change your mind.’

Seth kept his face impassive despite the storm of emotion raging inside of him. Caroline was the one person he had tried the hardest to never let down. Until, apparently, this moment.

She looked at the box with the black-silk ribbon and issued forth a quiet sigh. ‘Thank you for allowing me to see Lottie. I know that was not an easy decision.’

‘I want you to be happy.’

Caroline gave a wry smile. ‘The same as I want for you, dear Brother.’ She leaned forward, pressed a kiss to his cheek and departed the room, leaving the box from Lottie behind.

Seth pushed up from the chair and made his way to the window. The curtains were drawn, thick, heavy things that they were, but he had a mind for one last look at the elm tree before descending into the hell that passed for sleep these days. Perhaps visions of an angel would keep him from the devil’s clutches this night.

He pushed aside the heavy green velvet and looked out to the garden below that adjoined to his. A hackney drove up to the back of the town house next door and a woman alighted from the carriage, the same woman he had seen before.

Except this time, he recognised that domino and mask. They were the very same ones sitting in the box with the black-silk ribbon that he’d received for Caroline. From Lottie.

The realisation struck him like a jolt of lightning. Lady Violet had been attending clandestine lessons with a courtesan.

Chapter Thirteen

Violet kept her head down as she navigated through the garden at the back of her home, intent on the rear door where she would be safe. Her heart galloped in her chest as her feet swished over the low-cut grass.

How did people sneak about without their hearts giving out?

She was only halfway to her destination when the worst sound cut through the silent night air: that of a door opening. And not the one she ran towards. She pulled the hood of her domino low and prayed that she might, by some miracle, blend in with the darkness and remain unseen.

That, however, was not to be the case.

‘Lady Violet,’ Seth’s voice called quietly out to her.

If she were more adept at illicit activities, she might have been able to continue on as though she had heard nothing, then feign ignorance with an expert skill the following day. But Violet was an obedient girl. She always had been.

With the exception, of course, of that night of her debut. And she’d paid dearly for it and would continue to do so for the rest of her life.

She snapped bolt upright at the sound of her name being called and—horror of horrors—issued forth an anxious squeak.

‘I didn’t mean to frighten you.’ He spoke in a hushed tone, clearly trying to keep from calling attention to them.

‘Oh.’ She waved a hand, the gesture stiff and awkward. ‘You didn’t. I was just...in the garden...um...admiring the flowers?’ She turned a hopeful glance in his direction.

‘You should see the peonies,’ he offered drily. ‘They’re quite lovely this time of year if you can see them through your mask.’

‘I thought violets were your favourite,’ she said, unable to help herself.