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“Your grandfather was certainly angry, as was mine.” She shifted a little so that she was standing right before him.
Max stared down at her, meeting her sparkling green eyes in her plain, pale face.
Her mouth turned up pertly. “Do you want to kiss me?”
The last thing he expected was her trill of laughter a second later. “Oh, Max! What a dreadful actor you are. You should have seen the horror on your face. Now I know I did the right thing by leaving you standing at the altar. I just promised our grandfathers that I would do my best to patch things up between us.” She rubbed her hands together to warm them in the cold. “I swore I would do all in my power to salvage whatever might be salvaged, and now I can confidently report back that nothing can be.”
“I didn’t mean to be rude or hurt your feelings,” Max said gruffly. He didn’t like being called a terrible actor when everything he’d been doing the past two weeks had been acting.
“Max, I’ve known you almost my whole life, and you are such a dear friend. I’d do anything for you, you know that, except make you marry me—even though you’re probably the only offer I’m ever going to get.”
“Now, don’t say that, Mabel,” he protested.
“Well, I’ve hardly garnered much interest from other male quarters, and we both can say quite honestly that I am no oil painting.”
“You have the most beautiful eyes, and you’re the kindest person, Mabel.” He meant it. “I don’t want to see you moulder away and bear the brunt of your grandfather’s ire.” Nor did he want to marry Mabel.
“Neither do I, but worse would be living with a man who is in love with somebody else.” Mabel put up her hand to stop him speaking. “Your aunt spilled the beans before I’d even stated the reason for my visit. Poor Miss Thistlethwaite never looked more awkward in her life than when her brother started discussing the possibility of a match between us going ahead after all. So, do tell, Max; what does she look like, and how has she managed to capture your heart when no one else could?”
“I wouldn’t say no one else—”
“Lord Max, you’re notoriously hard to please. She must be very special indeed. What’s her name?”
“Violet Lilywhite, and you’re right; she is very special.” Max found himself smiling just to speak of her. “She’s very strong and brave, and she’s also the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She deserves someone who will give her only the best.” He couldn’t look Mabel in the eye as he added, “I’m not sure I’m that man, though.”
“Well, you’ll have to do what is required if she’s already agreed to marry you.” Mabel looked fit to burst with excitement. “So, clearly you’ve put aside that concern. Miss Thistlethwaite told me you’re eloping. Don’t worry; I’ve promised not to say a word, but it is rather thrilling news, you know, and not at all what I expected of you. Except that, now I think about it, you would fall for a woman who was beautiful, adventurous, and who needed you.” She bit her lip. “Funny, when I put it like that, I’m none of those things, so I really should have come to my senses long before. But you, Max, you’ve been in love with her for some time, I gather? So, my non-appearance in church finally gave you the impetus to act and to follow your heart. Good on you, I say!”
Max ran a finger around the inside of his collar which was feeling far too tight. It seemed wrong to meet Mabel’s enthusiasm with more lies. And yet, everything he’d said about Violet was true.
Mabel squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry; your grandfather won’t know a thing until it’s all gone ahead, and you and Miss Lilywhite are safely married.” She put her head on one side and considered her childhood friend. “Do you know, Max, you look far too handsome in that unreliable, scoundrel-ish way that so many women do seem to fall for, and yet you are the most noble, honourable, dutiful man I know. Miss Lilywhite is a very lucky young woman.”
A squall of light rain pelted them amidst the leaves carried on the breeze and they both turned back to the house.
Max suddenly felt very humbled. “You know, Mabel, you deserve better. I hope you will be happy.”
Her smile was confident as she tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, and they trod the damp grass up the small hill to the neat Georgian brick house where so much speculation would no doubt be going on inside. “I’m much happier now that I know I did the right thing,” she said.
Now back in her neat black skirt and bodice, Violet felt a different person as she trod the stairs at Miss Thistlethwaite’s side for the final fitting of her wedding gown.
While they waited for Madame to emerge from the workroom beyond, the older lady could barely contain her excitement. “You will look radiant, my dear! I can’t wait to see Max’s face when he beholds his beloved looking like the answer to his dreams.” Her hacking cough stopped Violet from telling her fondly what a dear, sentimental creature she was.
With some concern, she accompanied Madame to the changing room to be helped out of her garments and into the crackling ivory silk creation with its shimmering trimmings and its exquisite lace veil.
Even she gasped as she stepped in front of the looking glass in the large, lofty viewing chamber while everyone gazed on.
“My dear girl, I’ve never seen such a sight for sore eyes!” Miss Thistlethwaite exclaimed. “You are even more the beauty. How I shall miss you.” She brightened. “However, it’ll only be for a few short months. I am determined I shall still be around when you return from your wedding tour so I can hear how you enjoyed Venice. How I longed to visit Venice when I had the strength.”
Violet managed a smile. How she hated this escalation of lies. What had started out as a means of gratifying Max’s beloved aunt was turning into an increasingly cumbersome charade.
Unable to answer, she kept her gaze trained on her reflection. The intricately embroidered and pleated train was a dashing counterpoint to the low, lace-edged neckline, while the sculpted bodice with its 19-inch waist would be a reminder of Violet’s heyday. She had to regard the striking image before her in these terms for Max was not the one being pleased here. This was an extravagant show for Miss Thistlethwaite’s benefit.
Funded by Miss Thistlethwaite.
“You’ve become very dear to me these past two weeks.” The old lady raised her hand and touched Violet’s cheek while she supported herself with the other on one of the bolts of fabric lining the walls of the room. “You’re a good girl, Violet, and Max deserves you. I know you’ll be happy together just as I knew in my heart that he and Mabel weren’t suited, for all that I love Mabel like a daughter.”
She coughed again, and Violet regarded her with concern. Miss Thistlethwaite had taken Violet on trust. Out of the goodness of her heart, she had transformed Violet, believing only the best.
And all the whi
