Page 77 of Only a Mistress Will Do

Dora let the lid of the trunk fall with a solid thunk. “I believe those are all your things. If I or the maids find anything after you go, I’ll make sure it finds its way to you.”

She grasped her friend’s hands. “Dora, I cannot thank you enough. You have my oath I will entreat Lord Trevor to spare your brother if it is humanly possible. I do not know what skill he has with the sword, however—”

“I hope he kills the cur.”

An icy finger skittered down her spine and Violet jerked back, appalled at the vehemence and malice in Dora’s voice. “Surely, you do not mean that?”

“Only with every ounce of feeling I possess.” Dora stiffened, but waved the death of her brother away as a matter of little consequence. “You are not the only one he has assaulted. As Lord Trevor surmised earlier, Simon has attacked both Miss Martin and Miss Giles. I’ll wager my horse on it.” She met her eyes with a piercing gaze and Violet trembled, a sudden premonition sweeping through her. “Simon is the reason Judith is still abed.”

“What?” All the air rushed from Violet’s lungs. From the family’s earlier comments, she’d thought Mrs. Harper ill with some incurable disease.

“They had an argument in November, while we were in London.” She continued to twist her hands until her fingers looked knotted. “I happened to be in the corridor outside their apartments. I had come to ask Judith to ride with me. I heard voices raised. Judith was upset because Simon had gone to that…that pleasure house.” Her cheeks flushed bright pink. The poor girl would have little innocence left by the end of the day.

Violet grasped her hand and gave a comforting squeeze.

“I heard a sharp slap and a thud. Then Simon called out for help.” Dora wiped tears away from her face once more. “He gave out she had tripped and hit her head on the marble hearth. But he hit her, Violet, knocked her down and when she fell, her head struck the ornate andiron. Her right temple was bruised for a week. She’s lain in the bed ever since. She doesn’t know anyone, doesn’t speak. She barely takes any nourishment. She used to be so pretty, so vivacious. I always wanted to be like her.” The stare Dora turned on Violet made her blood freeze. “I pray Lord Trevor kills the monster who did that to Judith.”

If Violet had one regret in leaving this house, it was abandoning Dora. No one seemed to care about her. She clasped her hands. “That must rest in God’s hands. I will pray for a miracle for your sister-in-law that she will recover.” The words seemed pitifully inadequate, but she could do nothing else.

“Best pray too I find a husband who will take me away from here.” Dora’s grim-set mouth and sad eyes smote Violet anew.

“I will with all my heart.” She squeezed Dora’s hand one last time. “Much as I hate to leave you, I fear I must go. Lord Trevor is below—”

“Yes, yes. Please. You must go.” Dora broke from her and bent, hiding her face while fastening the trunk. “I believe that is everything.”

“Yes.” After peering about the room for any forgotten item, Violet at last looked toward the doorway. “Will you say my goodbyes to Anna? I don’t wish to wake her, but neither do I want her to think ill of me for leaving without saying goodbye.”

“Of course. I will tell her your true love took you away, like in the fairy tales.” Dora smiled bitterly. “I think she will enjoy thinking such things can happen in real life.” She embraced Violet fiercely. “I know I do. I wish you and Lord Trevor every happiness.”

Tears started from Violet’s eyes. She gave one last squeeze and stepped away. “Goodbye, my friend.”

“Goodbye.” Dora swallowed hard.

Heading for the door to call a footman, she halted at the threshold. “My harp. What must I do—”

“I will take good care of it until I can send it to you in London,” Dora said, coming to push her out the door. “Go. Your true love awaits.”

Laughing, Violet raced down the staircase. True to his word, Tris stood exactly where she’d left him in the foyer, pacing the polished floor.

He looked up at her and the scowl on his face turned into a wide grin.

All the horror and strife of the day were whisked away as the love shining in his eyes melted her heart. She faltered on the stairs, the enormity of her change in circumstances overwhelming her. Then she pounded down them, straight into Tris’s arms.

“Did you pack everything in the house?” he grumbled, stepping back after an embrace that left her giddy. She handed him his coat.

“I had to say goodbye to Dora.”

“Indeed.” He paused in the act of slipping his arms into his jacket. With a shake of his head, he settled the garment over his broad shoulders. “I’d have expected her to give you a wide berth and the rough side of her tongue, if she has one.”

“You might be surprised, my lord.” Violet chuckled.

His eyebrows shot up, however, instead of pursuing the subject, he snapped his fingers at a passing footman. “Fetch Miss Carlton’s trunk from the nursery. Take it to my carriage out front.”

“Right away, my lord.” The servant hurried up the stairs.

“Your cloak, my lord.” Eccles appeared with both Tris’s and Violet’s outer garments.

“Thank you.” Tris shrugged into his and gently settled Violet’s new blue wool cape around her shoulders.