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“Lord Bainbridge, please,” Violet murmured with a speaking look in the direction of her sister.
Max rolled his eyes and sent a despairing look at his lordship, then Emily, then finally, Violet.
“I say, Violet, I’m sorry about this. My preference would have been to have spoken in private and to have elicited your wishes, but the fact is I’m going to have to declare myself in front of a crowd, and that does not sit comfortably with me. Nevertheless, here’s my offer.”
Violet put her hand to her mouth. He was about to declare himself. To say the words that would confirm exactly what he thought of her; how much he valued her. Was she to go as his servant or someone else’s? Did he want her to be his mistress as he explored exciting new frontiers, or did he plan to engage her in some other capacity?
The pounding in her chest was so intense she thought she’d be ill. Her nerves felt frayed to breaking point with the anticipation.
She didn’t care what his offer was—she’d accept.
“You’re a fool if you think you can take him at his word.” Lord Bainbridge’s snarl sounded an ugly note in the silence.
Violet gave a short laugh. “If there’s one thing I know about Max it’s that I can take him at his word. He’s never been anything but honest and transparent.”
“I like that.” Max beamed at her, then touched his heart. “It gives me great hope, then, for a favourable answer when I ask you to throw aside everything here so you can marry me and come to South Africa.” He glanced at Emily. “Together with your sister, of course.”
“Marry you?” The world rushed at Violet like a storm engulfing her senses. She managed to remain standing, but Max’s face came in and out of focus, his smile ever more charming, while Lord Bainbridge’s expression grew increasingly malevolent.
“You believe him? A sham marriage? That’s all it would be and you’re a fool if you think otherwise, Violet. Men like Max don’t marry their—”
“Have you forgotten the company you are in,” Max said warningly, looking at Emily who stared, wide-eyed, between them. “And no, sir, it would not be a sham marriage. Violet is clever enough to know the difference. If she had any doubt, I’d be willing to do what it took to prove it to her.” He took a step forward and his fingers closed over Violet
’s. He seemed to have eyes only for her. “I feel like I’ve been given a second chance. I was supposed to have been on board the Charlotte yesterday, but when I woke up this morning, all I could think of was you and how terribly sad I was that I’d not see you again. It’s what prompted me to go to the village where your grandmother lives, and when I saw Emily, I knew in my heart I couldn’t leave you behind.” He squeezed Violet’s hand and bent over to elicit Emily’s opinion.
“Do you think Violet should say yes? She hasn’t said anything, you know, and I’m growing a little concerned that she doesn’t think my offer is a very enticing one.”
Violet swallowed. It was all too marvellous to be real. She didn’t trust herself to speak in case the act of opening her mouth to say the words would prove it was all a dream.
“You want me to be your wife?” she repeated, her voice barely a thread of sound.
“Yes; my legal, wedded, honestly acquired, wife. My beautiful bride.” Max touched Violet’s cheek lightly, then gave a self-conscious laugh. “Lord, I really didn’t think I’d have to propose in front of…of Bainbridge here.”
“But it is his house, and there isn’t much time,” Violet whispered.
Max burst out laughing. “Exactly right! You do see matters quite as they are, and I think I shall find that exceedingly refreshing in the years to come.” He frowned. “That is, if you do choose to marry me.”
He’d said it too many times now for her not to believe him. Bainbridge had opened his mouth to utter some-no-doubt-odious remark, but Violet got in first.
“I would love to marry you, Max. Whenever and wherever you think it appropriate.” An incredulous laugh escaped her. This couldn’t be real. First Emily and now…this.
“I’m so glad you said yes, Violet!” Emily was clapping her hands, her little face coloured by excitement. “For a moment I wasn’t sure, and Max is quite the nicest man. I’d much rather live with him than Grandmama.”
Lord Bainbridge grunted. “It appears I’m superfluous.” He sounded more bemused than vindictive, which was what Violet had expected. Perhaps he knew when he’d lost the fight. “And I’d prefer that you not continue this conversation in my house.” With a curt nod, he stepped aside and indicated the door. “I hadn’t thought you so credulous, my dear. Belvedere speaks of marriage, yet I have no idea how that can be achieved when there’s no time for the banns to be called, for one thing, and certainly enough family opposition to sink a ship.”
“Which is exactly where our marriage will be conducted in the most respectable and natural fashion possible,” said Max sounding ridiculously pleased. “The ship’s captain will marry us, and Violet will look as stylish as any modern bride. My aunt has already seen to that. Now, enough said for the moment.” Max took Violet’s hand more firmly, then reached for Emily’s. “Come, ladies.” He nodded at Bainbridge in dismissal. “I’m sorry for your loss, Bainbridge. But it is my gain. I love Violet. I’ve loved her from the moment I laid eyes on her and I will love her for the rest of time.”
He opened the door, hesitating on the threshold to cup her face, his hands trailing down to the gold chain around her neck.
“I believe this belongs to you, Bainbridge,” he murmured, unclasping the ‘token’ and passing it to his erstwhile colleague without even looking at him.
“Just as Violet belongs to you?” Bainbridge responded with a sneer as the chain pooled in his open palm.
Max shook his head. “Oh no, Violet is her own woman,” he said, gazing into her eyes. “I’m just fortunate that she’s agreed to make me the happiest man alive.”
Epilogue
“Gin and tonic, dear? It certainly is hot.”
