Rivals and Roses (The Vaughns #1)

Chapter 36

V iolet fiddled with the pocket watch, which bore Dr. Vaughn’s initials engraved on the cover. Shifting through her thoughts, she tried to think of something to say that might divert Felicity’s attention away from the previous conversation.

But the lady acted quicker.

“I understand your feelings, I do,” said Felicity while squeezing Violet’s hand. “But I wish you would stop slaving away to save your brother from himself.”

“It’s not for his sake. The consequences of his actions will not fall only on his head.”

“True, but neither is your staying doing any good.” Felicity frowned. “The more you save your brother from his poor decisions, the more he will make them.”

“I know,” said Violet with a heavy sigh. “Which is why I’ve been searching for a position.”

Felicity straightened, her brows rising. “Pardon?”

“I’ve known for some time that our income will eventually dwindle to nothing. If we were to open a proper apothecary shop, we might stay solvent, but Mama refuses to ‘lower ourselves.’ As they are determined to carry on as they always have, the only good I can do now is to remove myself from the household. The money can go further without me there—”

“Do you think they will survive without you?” asked Felicity.

Violet sighed. “Likely not, but we are doomed to fail regardless. I can only hope that without me around to manage everything, perhaps my brother and mother will rise to the occasion. And I shan’t be a burden on the household expenses any longer.”

“You are not a burden,” said Felicity with a frown, her expression growing pensive as she considered the situation. “But I do think it wise to secure yourself an income independent of your family.”

Another pain drew their attention, and Violet glanced at the pocket watch, noting the time as she did her best to comfort Felicity through the moment. Reaching for a rag on the table beside her, Violet offered it to the lady as she once more dropped onto the cushions with a sigh.

Felicity groaned as she regained her breath and shifted. “My back aches.”

Carefully, Violet helped the lady to sit up and turn so her legs hung over the side of the cot. Felicity moaned as Violet massaged there, kneading out the knots that had formed.

“That is heavenly. You are a dear,” she sighed. But when she shifted to rise to her feet and pace the room, Felicity gave Violet a speculative look. “I have considered taking on a companion—”

Violet huffed. “Do not think me a fool, Felicity Finch. No such thought crossed your mind until this moment.”

Felicity lifted her chin and responded with a challenging arch of her brow as she rested her hand atop the swell of her stomach. “If you must know, I have been thinking of it quite a lot over the past few weeks.”

“You mean since Dr. Vaughn arrived in Oakham, guaranteeing I would soon be without an income?” asked Violet with an equally challenging raise of the brow .

Pausing, Felicity opened her mouth, though no answer came out as her eyes turned heavenward as though searching for an answer. With a sigh, she added, “Perhaps.”

Violet’s throat tightened, and she forced a breath in through her nose. Felicity drew near, her brows twisting together.

“I know that I haven’t always been the friend you required, but regardless of the mistakes of the past, I do wish to be your friend now, Violet. It breaks my heart to think you have been struggling alone for so long, and I have the means of assisting you. Please, allow me to do so. Not every friend will abandon you. I promise I will not.”

It felt as though a vise were fixed around her chest, squeezing it with each of Felicity’s assurances. Violet didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t certain she could form words.

When she was sure she could speak, she said, “I cannot accept your charity, Felicity. I cannot. But…” Her words faltered, and she forged ahead. “But I cannot tell you how much it touches me to know that you have been thinking of me. That you are concerned about my well-being.”

Felicity’s arms fell to her sides, her brows pulling together. “You are my friend. Of course, I worry about your future.”

Dropping her gaze to the floor, Violet shifted in her seat and tried to think what to say to such a thing. The trouble with being so self-reliant was that everyone believed her incapable of requiring assistance or support. Even her father hadn’t bothered with more than a pittance for her dowry, and even that had been deemed unnecessary when she reached spinsterhood and was reabsorbed into the family’s coffers.

“That is kind of you, but I need to secure a proper position for myself. I knew long ago I was bound to be a governess,” said Violet, holding back the sigh that longed to be released. “I have the education to do so, and I’ve made inquiries, but I would welcome some assistance in securing a situation.”

“My family requires a governess,” she replied with a smile, placing a hand on her womb .

“And I will gladly accept the position when it is time ,” said Violet, emphasizing the latter part. Drawing in a breath, she let it out, her gaze drifting toward the window. “Besides, I feel it is best if I leave Oakham for now. There is too much history here.”

Felicity watched her with raised brows as she moved back to the cot and sat. “What about Dr. Vaughn?”

Of all the questions or concerns Violet had anticipated, she hadn’t expected that one, and for all that Felicity spoke as though her meaning was clear, it was lost on Violet.

“What about him?”

Perched on the bed, Felicity studied her. “Would you wish to leave him?”

Violet was about to toss out a quick answer, for she didn’t wish to leave her friend any more than she wished to leave her childhood home, but something in Felicity’s tone had her considering the question.

“I have wondered about your relationship,” said Felicity as she settled back into her bed. Violet moved on instinct, helping to adjust the pillows and blankets as the lady quickly added, “You are often seen in each other’s company, he danced with you twice at the assembly, and he calls on you regularly—often with flowers. Despite your troubles, I had thought that something was growing between you.”

Clutching one of the pillows to her chest, Violet stared at her. “Pardon?”

“He’s sweet on you—”

“Please do not say that!” said Violet, casting a look around as though someone might overhear, though she spied no one in the corridor beyond. “He is a good man who has already had his reputation damaged by such speculations, but I give you my word that there is nothing between us but friendship. I will admit that I admire him greatly, but do not assume anything more, Felicity. Please.”

“I know you’ve claimed it was impossible, but you two are often in each other’s company. Spending hours together. Surely, that is significant. ”

Violet’s stomach churned, the bile seeming to burn through her. Not again! Not another rumor for Dr. Vaughn to bear. He didn’t deserve to be the object of speculation. With silent words, she sent a plea heavenward that she could quash it before the lies ran rampant; Violet may not be worthy of divine intervention, but surely, that good man had suffered enough because of her.

*

Eavesdropping was beneath a gentleman, and until that moment, Arthur hadn’t thought himself capable of such underhanded behavior. Yet the conversation that had followed him into the corridor had seized his attention so thoroughly that he couldn’t force his feet from the spot as he considered the possibility that Miss Templeton might leave Oakham in pursuit of a position.

For all that being a governess would grant her an income, it was a difficult life. Forever separated from both the gentry and the servants, it left one in a state of unenviable loneliness. To say nothing of the powerlessness of the position if one’s mistress and master were cruel or dishonorable. The income gave the lady a semblance of freedom, but it was naught but a gilded cage in which she was at the mercy of a world that rarely treated vulnerable people kindly.

His staying here was driving her into that precarious situation. Miss Templeton labeled herself selfish for attempting to force him from town, but what did that say about him that he was doing the same to her? True, it wasn’t purposeful at first, but now that he knew the full extent of his actions, would he stay the course?

Forcing his feet to move, Arthur fully intended to leave his hiding place—when the sound of his name forced him to a stop.

“What about Dr. Vaughn? ”

Mrs. Finch’s question was so pointed, with an insinuation so rife in the tone, that Arthur’s cheeks (though they were unseen to both) burned red—doubly so when the lady began discussing his attempts to woo Miss Templeton.

“Please do not say that!”

Five words, and they drove deep into Arthur’s heart, filling him with far more pain than any words ought. But he supposed it was as much the sound of horror in her voice as it was the actual statement. Forcing himself away, he strode down the corridor and into the adjacent room that served as the family’s waiting room.

Sofas and armchairs had been brought in to provide enough seating for the horde, but in the far corner sat a piano, which occupied Finch’s attention. A decently merry tune sprang from the keys, and two twin girls spun about in circles as they cheered for their uncle to play faster. But the notes came to a sudden end when Finch’s eyes lifted to spy Arthur.

The gentleman’s face grew ashen, and he leapt from the piano seat. The rest of the family all halted in place, staring at Arthur like statues.

“Is something the matter? Felicity—” asked Finch, rushing to the doorway.

Arthur forced his expression to clear and raised a staying hand. “She is well. I assure you. The baby is in the proper position, and her pains are coming steadily. Mrs. Finch is doing beautifully.”

Finch’s shoulders sagged, and he let out a ragged breath. “Heavens, man. You looked as though she was on death’s door.”

“I apologize. I was thinking of other things,” he replied, shaking his head at himself at having such a slip; one of the first things a doctor learned was to school his expression.

Even without the music, the children returned to their dancing and the others continued with their conversation; Mr. and Mrs. Phinneas Finch enjoyed some tea and cakes with their eldest daughter, whilst the three lads now down from school sat in varying poses of boredom .

But Finch remained standing before Arthur, his gaze turning speculative as he asked, “Does this have anything to do with Miss Templeton?”