Page 32 of An Enchantress for an Earl

Chapter Twelve

It was another musicale – this time one which Violet did not mind attending, for the hostess had prevailed upon Lord Greenleigh to perform. When Iris had heard via the gossips present at an afternoon call, she had insisted that they attend the event.

Apparently, the gossips thought that, whilst his skill at the pianoforte could not be denied, Lord Greenleigh was bordering on scandalous for playing in public with any frequency. Violet was surprised that Iris had not started an argument with them on the spot. Perhaps her sister was developing a greater degree of discretion than she had thought.

Now, as people filed into the parlour where the performance was to take place, Violet cast her eyes about the room for what must have been the tenth time. She was hoping to see Lord Merryfield, she knew it, and though she chastised herself for doing so, she could not stop. She wanted him to be there. Wanted the chance to speak to him again. She was being a silly goose, but there it was, she wanted it.

Iris edged through the crowd of people in a manner bordering upon improper, until she could claim a seat close to the front. Violet let her go, as did their parents, who were well aware of the fact that where music was concerned, Iris would take every opportunity to appreciate skill.

“Do move and take a seat Violet, you are holding everyone back.”

Beside her, Thorne’s voice jarred her out of her thoughts, and she felt her cheeks flush pink. She did not wish to be the focal point of people’s attention! Quickly, she stepped to the side, and slipped along a row of chairs, dropping into a seat close to the end. Moments later, someone settled onto the chair beside her – the last one before that wall of the room. She turned, and stopped, surprise drawing a little gasp from her.

Then a smile overtook her face. It was Lord Merryfield, and his smile matched hers, his eyes sparkling a little with what might have been amusement.

“A gasp, Lady Violet? Is it so startling to see me here?”

“Lord Merryfield. I…” She swallowed, for a moment lost for words, and then the impulse she so often had with him drove her, and she told him the truth, rather than the polite platitude which would normally be expected. “Actually, I was just thinking of you, and was quite startled when you appeared, as if my thoughts had summoned you.”

His deep amber eyes regarded her a moment, with that spark of amusement still deep within them.

“I believe that I am flattered. Although, if thoughts truly had the power to summon a person, I suspect that I would be forced to appear in many places which were either inappropriate, or very much not where I wanted to be at that time.”

“What an intriguing statement. How shall I interpret it? That people think about you in inappropriate places – my, that has the potential for scandal – or that you have done things which cause others to think of you with displeasure, such that you would not wish to be called before them to face that anger?”

He laughed softly, and an odd expression flitted across his face, as if she somehow pleased and annoyed him at once. Then it was gone, and he spoke again.

“You may interpret it as you wish, My Lady. At one time or another, it is possible that both of those things might be true. For now, if I am to be summoned, I am glad that it is by you, and to a place as perfectly respectable as this.”

Violet thought about those words. Lord Merryfield was a most deep and complex man, his conversation never failing to surprise her, one way or another. But she clung to the core of what he had just said, finding her heart beating faster in response to the implication.

“I believe that I am, in turn, flattered.”

His eyes heated with a pleasure she had not expected to induce with so simple a statement – could he truly be that pleased to find that she was glad that he was glad to be with her?

The hostess stepped up to call for silence, but just before she did, Lord Merryfield whispered, close to her ear.

“Lady Violet, once this performance is done, you must tell me just what you were thinking about me, just before I appeared at your side.”

She felt herself blush. That was a request which she could not acquiesce to. Those thoughts were far too close to scandalous to be uttered aloud, especially to him!

The music began, and Violet allowed herself to be swept up by it, to flow with the sound, but throughout, her awareness of the man at her side never dimmed. She watched him, from under lowered lashes, drinking in the strong lines of his face, and the way that he closed his eyes, and actually, fully, listened to the music. He was so… unexpected… in everything he did – but in a good way.

What did he think of her? Was there some hope that he might care for her, even a little?

>>>

At the back of the room, just before the performance began, two gentlemen slipped in and moved to the corner, leaning against the wall, as all of the seats were taken. They watched the room, ostensibly looking towards the performers, but actually studying people in the audience quite closely.

They whispered together, so quietly that their words were not distinguishable to anyone but them.

“Look at them, I am sure that I’m right. He cares for her – and she for him, from the look of it. We’ll not get better leverage than that.”

“That’s all very well, Cater, but what will we do to use that leverage?”

“Take her? Or rather, arrange for her to be taken. Make demands in exchange for her return? Through a messenger, so there’s no connection?”

“That’s rather… extreme… isn’t it?”