Chapter Four #2
Violet did as her mother instructed and took a dutiful sip. The sweetened tea chased away the awful taste of vomit. Her mother’s expression was pensive, as though she was biting her tongue. “What is it that you want to say?”
Her mother snorted delicately. “Your father has never stood up to any of his cronies, least of all the Duke of Lavensham.”
“You don’t think the duke will talk to Stuart? Make him stop?”
Her mother’s lips thinned, and the look in her eyes was brittle.
She shook her head. “The apple does not fall far from the tree.” But then her mother smiled and took one of Violet’s hands in hers.
“Dear, it is like I said before. Be good, don’t give your husband any reason to be angry with you.
Surely now that you are with child, a possible heir, he will treat you like a queen. Try to stay out of his way.”
A knock at the door was followed by a maid entering the room. “What can I do for you, my lady?”
Violet’s mother rose and pointed to the urn. “This needs to be cleaned. And send down to the kitchen for a plate of plain toast with a little strawberry jelly on the side for Violet.”
Violet took another measured sip of tea while she waited for the maid to leave. Then she asked her mother a question. “Did Papa ever hurt you?”
Her mother sat. “Not physically, no. But we have hurt each other in other ways. I am afraid I have been reckless and vindictive in the past. But your father has always forgiven me, and I him. That is what a marriage is. No man is a fairy-tale prince, but your father has always offered safety and security for me and all his children.”
“But what if you don’t feel safe?” Violet managed to whisper, her throat clogged with emotion again.
Her mother squeezed her hand but offered no response.
Perhaps there was no more to say. Perhaps there was no way out.
That small flame of hope still lived in her chest, nevertheless.
Perhaps her father-in-law would listen to her plea to send her to one of his many estates—to have the baby in peace and away from her awful husband. Her father would fix things.
*
The carriage rolled over the gravel of the wide drive that curved in front of the Duke of Lavensham’s enormous home on Berkeley Square.
Her father got out and then helped her down.
He tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow.
“Now, let us take care of this. Does Lavensham know about the pregnancy?”
“Most likely the servants have informed him. I only told Stuart yesterday morning.” She glanced up at the imposing mansion.
A small line of sweat broke out across her brow despite the chilly February day.
Oh dear, she was going to be sick again.
She stopped and gripped hard on her father’s arm as she tried to breathe through her unexpected panic.
She had no reason to fear her father-in-law; he had always been polite and nice to her.
Her father looked down at her with concern in his warm brown eyes.
The sick feeling passed. She took a deep breath in, and they resumed walking up to the front door.
Once inside the marble foyer, with its grand staircase curving dramatically up to the first floor, their capes and hats were taken by the ever-efficient staff at the duke’s home.
They were ushered up the stairs and into the Duke of Lavensham’s receiving room.
Violet’s father-in-law stood and came to greet them. “Gerald, I was surprised to get your note. Violet, it is always a pleasure to see you. Please sit down.” He motioned to the chairs set up in front of the fireplace.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace.” Violet sat down on the edge of her chair and weaved her fingers together in her lap. She glanced up at her father. He ran a hand through his hair and then took a seat as well.
The duke was the only one who seemed perfectly at ease. He folded his tall frame into a leather wingback chair and crossed one ankle over the opposite knee. “I assume you have come to officially tell me about the pregnancy. But there was no need. I already know.”
Violet nodded. “I thought as much. I told Stuart about it yesterday.”
“So, what is this about?”
Violet’s father cleared his throat. His brows lowered. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Your son is hurting her.” His voice rose. “I trusted him with my precious daughter, and he is damaging her!”
The duke’s expression shuttered. His smile disappeared into a thin line. “And what exactly has this to do with me?”
Her father straightened in his seat. “Look at her bruises. Show him.”
Violet slowly pulled away her fichu to reveal the marks.
The duke’s gaze flicked briefly to her. Her heart sank at the blank disinterest in his eyes.
He shifted to face her father. “Gerald, what do you want me to do? She belongs to Stuart; he can do whatever he wants to her. It’s not anybody’s business what is between a husband and wife. ”
Her father jumped to his feet. “It’s my business! She is my daughter. I would have never agreed to this marriage if I knew he was such a bastard.”
The flash of anger that flared in the duke’s eyes was the only indication of danger. Violet had the sense that he was like a snake coiled and ready to strike at any moment.
“Don’t be ridiculous. This marriage was a perfect match. A true expression of our long friendship.”
Her father sat and ran a hand down his face. “You need to take your son in hand. Tell him to start treating her right. She is his wife, and now she is carrying his child. He must stop.”
“I don’t have to do anything, Gerald. And you are in no position to make any demands.
” Lavensham tented his fingers across his stomach.
“It would be a shame to have your secret leaked, damaging the reputation of your family, of your son. You of all people should understand how precious one’s heir is to a father. ”
Violet’s gaze bounced back and forth between the two men. What secret? What were they talking about? Her father’s posture deflated. He slumped back into his chair, then nodded.
The duke’s sharp gaze swung to her, and the anger that burned in his eyes pinned her to the back of the chair. “Now, dear, I suggest you cease making trouble and go home to your husband.”
She looked at her father. Wasn’t he going to say something more? Instead, he rose and held out his hand to her. “Come, Violet. Let’s get you home.”
Violet shook her head. No, she hadn’t even proposed her solution.
She tried to catch her father’s eye, but his head hung down; he stared at the carpet.
Then she looked over at her father-in-law.
His face was expressionless, almost bored, as though he couldn’t care less about continuing this conversation further.
Her heart sank. He wasn’t going to help her.
She straightened her fichu and rose silently. Her father led her out of the room.
Once they were in the carriage, she turned to her father. “What happened in there? What secret?”
“It’s nothing.” He still wouldn’t look at her. “Your mother is right. You should try to be good; don’t provoke the boy.”
“No, I think I deserve to know this family secret, since I am the one bearing the brunt of the consequences.”
Her father was quiet for several long moments. Then he sighed. “You are right. You deserve to know. The truth is, your brother is not mine. He is the product of an affair your mother had.”
Violet gasped. David was a bastard? Her mother had an affair? The earlier conversation with her mother rose in her mind. Is this what she had meant when she said she had made mistakes her father had forgiven her for? Good Lord. “Who did she have an affair with?”
“The Duke of Hartwick.” Her father’s lips twisted into a snarl. “He was so magnanimous when I confronted him. Said I could keep the boy and raise him as my heir. He already had two fine sons.”
A secret like this could indeed ruin her family. After five girls, David had been a miracle. Finally, an heir. “But how does the Duke of Lavensham know about David’s parentage?”
Her father ran a hand down his face with a weary sigh. “We all know each other’s secrets. We are all inexorably woven together by our pasts.”
“All? Who? What is Lavensham’s secret? Surely, he must have some as well.”
Her father did finally look at her. “You have to understand that our bonds go all the way back to our school days. I would never betray him.”
She did understand. Even after being threatened with his own secret, her father would still choose his loyalty to his friend over his daughter’s well-being.
The sense of betrayal was an overwhelming pain that spread through her chest. The pain must have shown on her face because her father’s gaze slid away from her, and he turned to stare out the window.
Violet focused on her breathing, taking in air through her nose and blowing it slowly out of her mouth. The pain in her chest loosened. In its place flared a sense of purpose. She laid a hand on her belly. No one was going to save her. She would have to save herself.