Fate Is A Stranger: Regency Romance (17 page)

As Violet and the duke reached groups of people Violet heard Galena and Lady Bea calling out for her.

"Your grace," she said to the duke, bowing her head slightly and with a curtsey she turned to leave. The duke nodded and parted ways with her.

As Violet joined Galena and Lady Bea, she felt an immense sadness envelope her heart. Hawkinston could offer her only that which she could not accept. And that was the end of it.

But she had fallen in love with him and because of this she would have to stay clear of him for she could not again trust her heart. Nor could she trust him, for hadn't he led her into the ruins with the assurance that they were within sight of the others, only to again place her in a situation that he quickly maneuvered into an intimate one?

This had been a close call and she had had to summon a strength she did not know she possessed in order to repel him and for the second time in two days. She could not be assured that she would be successful if she found herself in the same situation again.

But she did not fear dancing with him. And besides, she had already agreed to a few dances. She would be in no danger tonight in a ballroom with dozens of couples swirling around them. The only danger in that was that the more time she spent with Hawk, the more drawn she was to him. The more she yearned to be in his arms, the more she had to force herself away from thoughts of him that could weaken her resolve.

But this was the last night of their sojourn. Tomorrow they would return to London and these few days that had been the happiest of her life would have to be pressed between the pages of her past. She could not dwell too much on them for she would go mad with yearning.

She would stay clear of him once she was back in London. But for now she would enjoy the ball and her last night at the castle. The last time she would be in his arms.

CHAPTER 17

Never had Violet dressed with more care for a ball. It felt as if it were her last real night on earth. How would she live without Hawk? How could she breathe each minute of the day knowing that somewhere
he
was breathing too? That she had only to write him a letter and he would come to her side at once?

Sadness enveloped her. Hawk would come to her side at once, but with the same offer.

Jewels, silks, satins. The awful past that was never too far slithered back toward her. She remembered Alex Shackel telling her about all the things Violet would have the day he discarded Violet’s mother and forced Violet to be his mistress. She had felt as if a serpent had coiled toward her. She recalled the fear and revulsion that had overwhelmed her back then, and how she had thrown up on the rug in front of Shackel.

The Duke of Hawkinston was not evil as Shackel had been. But he was similar to Shackel in one important way: he wanted her
only
as his mistress.

So she would have to say good-bye with her heart, as well as with her mind.

But she would say good-bye
after
the ball.

Violet determined to turn her attention to Jared as her father insisted. Jared was honest in his feelings toward her. She should comply with her father's wishes and pay more attention to Jared's suit rather than spend time with Hawkinston, a man who had such a low opinion of her and an even lower one of her mother.

* * *

"My dear, you will not mind if I don’t attend the ball?" asked Sadie, "I am still not well enough for it."

"Would you prefer if I remained here as well and not attend the ball, either, Mama?"

"No—no! I would not in the least! Your father and I feel this ball is important for you, and that is why I made the effort to come, even though I have not had a good day since we left London. Although my cold is of the lingering kind, it is hardly dangerous. This ball is a big step in your acceptance by society and I am anxious that you complete your sojourn here. Lady Bea will be at the ball with you and keep you company. In fact, she's looking forward to it. I haven't seen a new ball gown on her in ages. She came by and took a turn about the room in her ball gown for me."

"Is Bea in her room now?"

"Yes, you might persuade her to let you see her in the gown or you will have to wait until tonight."

Violet ran to the next room and found Lady Bea busy choosing rose pins from a large tray. Her maid was helping to sort them out.

"What think you of this ball gown, dearest?" asked Bea, a radiant smile on her long kind face.

"It's lovely Bea. It is made of the smoothest silk. The velvet rutching is superb. You look beautiful."

"You think so, dear, even at my age?" asked Bea as she took a turn around the room.

"Yes, I do," responded Violet. She was very fond of Lady Bea and saw her through the affection she had for her.

"Do you think three patches may be too much?"

"I would wear only one, Bea, the one by the mouth," answered Violet, "I think three is a bit much."

"But I hate to part with this half-moon, my sweet. Is it not appropriate for the cheek?" she asked.

"I would only wear the one," said Violet. "However, Bea, you must do as you see fit. I can only give my opinion."

"I believe I will wear all three, dear," said Bea, "Mrs. Gill would feel bad if I didn't wear them. She made them especially for me, you know."

Violet turned away to hide a smile. It was always thus, Bea would ask Violet's or Sadie's opinion and then end up doing exactly as she pleased. The result of this was that she appeared in public in outdated gowns. However, everyone was so used to it she passed unnoticed. Bea, among the chaperones by the wall and living in a dream world of her own nevertheless had a better time than many of the young girls who worked themselves up into a lather over some sought after beau or because they were not asked enough to dance.

Would she be like Bea in her old age, wondered Violet, for it could be that like Bea, she might never get married. Well, she could think of a worse life than Bea's. She had never seen her frown or mope. Bea was always in a fine mood and enjoyed nature and everyday life more than many people she knew.

"I saw that man, dear, lurking about," said Bea, surprising Violet, for she thought that Bea was busy helping Jenny put the rose pins on her hair and thinking of nothing else at the moment.

"I would be careful about him, dear. He is not to be trusted," she added, looking fearfully at Violet.

"Who, Bea?" asked Violet, alarmed.

When Bea did not answer, even when prodded, Violet turned to Jenny. Jenny shook her head slightly, indicating she didn't know who Bea meant.

"I'm afraid to say who, dear for he can be evil to me, too," said Bea, closing her eyes momentarily so that Violet was now very concerned. Had someone threatened Aunt Bea?

"But you can tell me, Bea," Violet prodded, "I won't tell."

"No. The walls have ears, my sweet. Don't ask anymore. Promise you will not."

"I will not, Bea, but you must promise also that if something or someone disturbs you, you must come to me at once."

"I will, dear," Lady Bea assured, her, making the cross with her fingers over her heart, as a child would. "But don't ask me anything now. He might be listening."

"I won't ask you anything, Bea. Mama and Papa are not attending the ball, so it will be you alone who will be my companion."

"And a fine job of it I will do, as always," said Bea, but added fearfully, "Just stay away from that man and you will be fine."

"How can I know which man to stay away from if you will not tell me who it is, Bea?"

"You will know by the fearful feeling he will make you feel. I cannot utter his name, for it might be dangerous to do so."

"All right," said Violet, for she knew that the kindly Bea, who was seldom stirred by anything, seemed to be upset at the thought of 'the man.' Could she mean Souten?

Violet decided not to pursue the matter further. She knew that sometimes Bea got something in her head and would not let go of it for some time. Then she would drop it as if it had never existed.

"Which ball gown will you wear, my sweet?" Asked Bea, turning away from the mirror.

"My new silver blue silk with the lace overskirt, Bea, the one you exclaimed about when I went to have my fitting at Madame Chernier's."

"Yes, a vision of a ball gown it is, my sweet. You will be the prettiest girl at the ball. No one can hold a candle to you even should you wear sackcloth, though. Do you not believe so, Jenny?"

"Miss Durbin will be the most beautiful girl at the ball, as usual," agreed Jenny, "and make all the other girls green with envy."

"See, Violet, Jenny and I both agree on that."

"Thank you, Bea," said Violet and asked the lady if she would partake of a cup of tea with her.

"Will you not remove your gown before we sit to our tea, dear?" Asked Violet, for Bea was attempting to sit on a small chair with the massive gown.

"I will not have occasion to wear this gown for some time, my dear, so I do want to enjoy it as much as I can."

"Certainly, Bea," agreed Violet, and added, "but let me then put this kerchief on your lap so that it will not be stained, for the gown so becomes you."

Violet felt like she was having tea with Queen Elizabeth, as Bea's hair had been arranged by Jenny under Bea's directions into a triangular coiffure with a tiara of jeweled rosebuds pinned in. Her gown and hairdo gave her a royal demeanor.

"You look very elegant, Bea," said Violet, "And I saw Colonel Tippen arriving, so I imagine he will be asking you for a few dances."

"Yes, my dear, one or two dances at least, or perhaps six or seven. But don't think that will distract me from chaperoning you, my dear. I take my duty very seriously."

"I don't believe people expect me to be chaperoned, Bea, as I am far from being a debutante. But I do enjoy your companionship."

"A lady's good name must be protected at all times, my dear, and after all, you are only nineteen."

"Yes, I am only nineteen," said Violet, a tinge of sadness seeping into her voice. What did it matter if she were nineteen or ninety to society? Had it mattered that she had been forced into sexual slavery a few days before her fourteenth birthday? Society shunned her just as if it had been her fault.

* * *

"You must obtain a sample of Violet's handwriting for me, Vera, as soon as you are able to. I need it for my plan."Lady de Compte cringed at the mention of Cade's 'plan.' "You are asking for the impossible, Cade," she said, turning away from him.

She went to the window so that he would not see the disquiet that had lately appeared in her eyes when she was in his company.

"I’m not asking the impossible. You have become a friend of the mother, it will be easy to gain access to their rooms and snatch a letter, a list or whatever. Something where I can see Violet’s handwriting."

"It would have been a lot easier before Lord Kelly left the castle, Cade," she responded, "Because now Violet spends a lot of time in her room, as Lady Kelly rests a lot. Lady Kelly has a cold and so old Lady Beaton is now accompanying Violet."

"I’m not asking you for excuses on why you cannot do what I ask, so that is the end of it. You will do as I say. Is that understood?"

A shiver ran through Vera as he stared at her with his half-lidded moonstone eyes.

"How can I gain access to their rooms when they lock them up when they are not in them?" Vera tried to disguise the fear and    desperation in her voice.

Souten shook his head in disgust. "I don't believe I have ever seen you so inept. Is Violet in her room
at all times
? Is not her room cleaned during some part of the day?"

"Well, yes, but there is always one of their maids around. It would be hard to find Violet's room completely empty at any time of the day."

"Well, then, you must distract the maid with whatever comes to your mind, but you must get me what I want. I need a sample of Violet's handwriting, it is extremely important."

"What—what do you intend to do with it, Cade?" Vera felt her voice coming out as a croak and cleared her throat quickly.

Yet it was probably better not to know what he intended to do with the handwriting sample. She wished she had never become embroiled with him. Had she had a choice she would never have agreed to help him in his schemes. Yet she was brought back to the one simple fact:
she didn't have a choice
. She had to do as he asked
or else
.

She realized with a sinking feeling that Cade was ruthless. She knew little of the 'plan' as yet but she was certain his plans for Sadie and Violet were violent and criminal. Would she want that ruthlessness directed at herself?

"I will see what I can do, Cade,” she said, suppressing her fear. She could not let him see how he affected her. “Perhaps I can get one of the upstairs maids to go into the room and do this for me, for a price."

"Don't get any of the older maids, the ones who have been at the castle a long time. Get a young, inexperienced servant, perhaps even a young footman."

"I'll see how I go about it." 

As Lady de Compte parted with Souten and walked down the long, dark corridor, one of countless in the castle, she pressed her hands together in order to stop them from trembling.

For the hundredth time she chastised herself for getting embroiled in Cade's schemes. Granted, her debts had practically forced her into his vortex, yet the remedy for those debts she was certain would be a dear price to pay.

He was now so insistent in her procuring a sample of Violet's handwriting that she better get busy obtaining it if she didn't want his wrath directed at her. She shivered in the long hall and pulled her shawl closer to her chest.

And how would she go about obtaining the handwriting sample?

She pondered the problem and wondered as to when would be the best time to get the handwriting. Would the best time be when everyone was at the ball?

She remembered that Violet's room was near her mother and father's. So even if Lady Kelly stayed behind and not attended the ball, as she had a cold, Vera would have an opportunity to gain access to the room and grab a letter. The chambermaids did the bedrooms throughout the day, as there were so many rooms to tidy.

Vera often ran into maids carrying chamber pots, brooms and feather dusters in the corridors but she was only vaguely aware of them as she did so.

No, that would not be a good time. The chambermaids would be in the bedrooms, waiting for the ladies to return from the ball. She felt an icy shaft run through her at the thought of getting caught. She mustn't think of that or she would grow faint at the idea of what she must do. She must remember instead that her problem would be a lot greater if she failed to do what Souten asked of her.