Page 49 of How to Start a Scandal

Confound it. Lord Hollingston did not know his daughter was having lessons with the notorious former courtesan.

‘People change,’ Seth said simply.

Hollingston nodded slowly. ‘If what you say is true and my Violet truly has had a change of heart, then I give you my permission to ask if she is willing to be courted by you. If she says yes—and that is a very heavy if—then you have my permission.’

‘Thank you, Lord Hollingston.’ Seth rose from the chair as it gave a rusty cry of indignation.

The Earl simply gave a little grunt. ‘Don’t thank me until she agrees.’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘And if she does, heaven help you if you break her heart again.’

Everything in Seth winced. He would not hurt her again. No matter what it cost him.

Seth smiled at the older man and waited for the servant to show him to the drawing room. The doors opened almost immediately, and Felicity skipped in with Hedgehog bounding behind her.

She stopped short and gave him a fine curtsy. ‘Lord Dalton.’

Hedgehog stared blandly up at him, already adorned in a pink-silk hat with his little grey ears poking out of the top through two slits cut into it. Good God, how did Felicity have so many?

‘I say, Hedgehog’s bonnet is quite fetching today.’ He approached them and patted the cat on the head. ‘I’m waiting for your aunt Violet. I mean to speak with her.’

‘Alone?’ Felicity giggled.

He winked. ‘I have something very important to ask her.’

Felicity grinned and nodded. She hefted Hedgehog into her arms, carrying the creature like a doll, and made her way back towards the open double doors.

‘My mother says Violet is too fat to attract a fine husband,’ Felicity said. ‘But I don’t think she’s fat. I think she’s pretty and perfect just how she is. And I think you would be a fine husband for her.’

‘Felicity, who are you speaking to?’ Violet’s voice rose over Felicity’s.

The little girl jumped in surprise. ‘Good luck.’ She plopped Hedgehog to the ground, and together they scampered off as Lady Violet rounded the corner.

She stopped abruptly and her mouth fell open in surprise. Her hands immediately went to her hair where the dark strands were carefully pinned into place.

He bowed to her. ‘Lady Violet, I’d like to speak with you alone if we may.’

‘Let us go to the drawing room, and I’ll ring for tea.’ Contrary to her words, her smile was brittle and her face pale. As if the surprise of him being there, of the obviousness of what their conversation would be, was entirely unwelcome.

Chapter Fourteen

Violet should have expected Seth’s arrival at Hollingston House. In fact, she had expected it. It was just that she had not come up with a satisfactory response to what he ostensibly intended to ask.

She took her time leading him to the drawing room as her mind scrambled for purchase and a logical explanation.

‘I trust you are well,’ she said politely.

His smile was tinged with confusion. ‘Yes, of course, and you?’

About to be ill.

‘Perfectly well, thank you.’ She opened the double doors to the drawing room with its decorative plaster white walls, yellow-silk curtains and lush carpet. Usually the room gave her a sense of happiness. Now it appeared more sallow than sunny. ‘Here we are,’ she said brightly.

Too brightly?

‘I’ll ring for a servant to bring tea.’ She reached for the bell pull.

Seth shook his head. ‘That isn’t necessary, Violet.’ He wore a fine, dark jacket and white cravat with a deep-red silk waistcoat. His wild hair had been tamed into place and there wasn’t a hint of a whisker on his smooth jaw.

He had taken care with his appearance before arriving.