AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Oh, dear, I’d forgotten that part.’ Sophoria patted her hand kindly. ‘What did he say exactly?’
‘Just that it would be best for everyone if we got a divorce and I married Arthur instead.’
‘What did he mean, best?’
‘I don’t know. He just said that his brother was the rightful heir and that we all ought to do what our fathers wanted in the first place. He’s worried about losing my inheritance and thinks that my marrying Arthur is the safest way to protect it.’
‘But Mr Rowlinson told you the money was safe.’
‘Yes, but Lance doesn’t know that, not yet.’ Fortunately, she added silently, or she might never have known the truth
about him...
‘And what did Arthur have to say about the idea of you marrying him?’
‘He said that Lance must be mad.’
‘Yes...’ Sophoria tapped her chin thoughtfully ‘...I have to agree it does sound that way, but then, it was the middle of the night and he’d had a shock. His brother’s sudden reappearance must have been extremely disorientating.’
‘He was happy to see him.’
‘Yes, but it must have thrown his own position into some confusion. People say strange things under those sorts of circumstances.’
‘What are you talking about, Aunt?’ Ianthe came to a standstill in front of them.
‘It just seems a rather extreme reaction to me. Not to mention an ill-thought-out one. I doubt Violet would be legally permitted to marry Arthur when she’s already been married to his brother. Even with a divorce, it might not be allowed.’
‘What does it matter?’ Violet pressed her fingertips to her forehead. ‘I’ve no intention of marrying Arthur and he doesn’t care for me either. He doesn’t even want his inheritance. He wanted to leave again without anyone else ever knowing he was alive, but Lance said he’d go to the authorities if he tried to run away.’
‘But that sounds rather honourable to me, dear.’ Sophoria folded her hands decisively in her lap. ‘However, all in all, I’m afraid I have to agree with Mr Arthur Amberton and say that your husband has taken leave of his senses.’
‘That’s not helpful.’ Ianthe gave her aunt a pointed look.
‘I’m sure it was only temporary. When he comes back to his senses...’
‘No!’ Violet clasped her hands together fiercely. ‘It doesn’t matter why he said it! He still said it. He wants a divorce and now so do I. I should never have married him in the first place.’
‘Then why did you, dear?’
‘Because we had an agreement, or at least we did until I broke it. Now it’s all ruined.’
‘You know you can stay here for as long as you want.’ Ianthe put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
‘Thank you, but there’ll be a terrible scandal. I can’t stay. I need to go somewhere new and start again, maybe set up my own establishment.’
‘Where?’
Violet looked back out of the window at the sea. Where would she go? Perhaps she should take a leaf out of Arthur Amberton’s book and board a ship for some foreign clime, but even as she thought it, the answer became obvious. There was only one place she really wanted to go, the only other place where she might be welcome.
‘York. I’ll go and find my family.’
* * *
‘Ow!’ Lance growled as someone wrenched back the drawing-room curtains and a shaft of piercing yellow sunlight fell across his chair, startling him back to consciousness.
‘Good morning to you, too, Little Brother.’ Arthur loomed over him, wearing a distinctly unsympathetic expression. ‘Ready to talk yet?’
‘Shut the curtains!’ Lance glared ferociously. The pain in his head made every movement an effort, but the bright light was even worse. He felt as if there were a myriad tiny swords stabbing into his skull.
