Chapter Eighteen
Violet sat in Asher’s study penning correspondence to her parents to keep them informed of her visit with her cousin.
How interesting that with one swift and foolish move from an annoying, would-be suitor that her situation would completely change.
In fact, the major’s insistence that they form something between them that was far from respectable, ended up being a turning point in Violet’s life.
With Sir Knight on the mend, Violet would wait to receive word from him through Mrs. Dove-Lyon in order to keep things between them casual.
He didn’t seem to mind that she either referred to him by the nickname she had called him or referred to him only as “captain.” How odd that they didn’t even know each other’s names but still wanted to see if they might make a match She preferred to keep things simple between them still on the off chance that they would not suit.
But she wanted to be able to spend more time with him before they started to attend society functions.
After those began, the truth would come out and their identities would naturally be revealed.
They could hardly hide who they were once they began being seen in public.
But for now, keeping things hidden would certainly make the possible hardship of never seeing him again somewhat easier if by chance things didn’t work out.
Or so she told herself on a daily basis.
Her heart, however, told her differently.
After a week of not seeing him, she couldn’t believe how much she missed him.
She was falling for a man she barely knew and was looking forward to being on his arm at some future event.
But would he be disappointed when he learned she was merely a miss and not a titled lady?
Upon her last visit to see him at Dr. Thornberry’s, the captain had made it clear that while her administrations to his wellbeing were indeed appreciated, he felt that they had become far too intimate and he needed to heal on his own.
She had to admit that she could only agree seeing as how she was beginning to feel like this was more of a wifely duty and not something from a casual acquaintance or even a nurse.
The memory of his furred muscular chest laid bare before her after the sheet fell to his waist when he first awoke still stirred a memory in her that was hard to ignore.
Every time she thought of the sight, her breathing accelerated, making it hard to even think clearly.
How she would ever get such a display erased from her mind was anyone’s guess.
Even the touch of his soft lips to the inside of her wrist had branded her as his, whether he knew it or not.
If this was any indication of how she felt about the man, she was doomed to find a happily-ever-after.
Not such a bad thought considering she had once assumed she would remain a spinster her entire life.
Now, Sir Knight had changed all that and for the first time in a long while, she looked forward to what tomorrow might bring.
Her pen hovered over the letter while she had become lost in thought but it was the sound at the entrance to the study that caused her to raise her head.
The man of her musings stood there with a look of complete shock.
It must have mirrored her own features since he was the last person she expected. How had he found her?
“My word, Sir Knight. Whatever are you doing here?” she inquired setting down her pen and coming to a stand. She was pleased to see that he had taken her advice and was no longer wearing his eye patch.
A frown of confusion formed on his brow, causing his scar to pucker while his mouth clenched in suppressed annoyance. “I might ask you the same thing. I am at a loss as to why you are comfortably sitting at my brother’s desk.”
“Y-your b-brother?” she managed to stammer with her own sense of confusion. She began to wrack her brain but it obviously didn’t take her long to realize now who this man was as all the pieces began to fit into place. “You’re Gideon Tyler.”
“Now that you know who I am, exactly who are you?” He leaned one shoulder on the frame of the door before crossing his arms over his chest waiting for her response.
Her knees buckled as she all but sank down into the chair.
He seemed angry with her and she had no idea why his tone was so…
accusatory. But why was he so cross with her?
“I don’t know what you think I’ve done but whatever it is, you must not think too highly of me considering the tone of your voice has all but condemned me,” she fumed while her heart heaved in righteous indignation.
“I believe we’ve already established that there are many aspects between the two of us of which we have no knowledge. Now I must ask you: What sort of game are you playing, Angel?”
“Game? You think I’m playing some rude game with your affection?” she asked further annoyed that he would think such of her. And here she was thinking about a lifetime with him just minutes ago.
He gave a casual shrug of one of those broad shoulders. “You would not be the first to play at being available to catch a rich husband. I’m just surprised that Patience would have a hand in such a game.”
“How dare you judge me or Patience as someone who…” She was so flustered, she couldn’t form any words.
She had had enough. She regained her feet while attempting to keep her anger simmering below the surface of her outrage.
She swiftly moved around the desk to stand before him.
The skirt of her gown swirled around her legs giving evidence on how fast she had reached his side.
She poked one delicate finger into his chest to get her point across.
“Let me make this perfectly clear, Captain Tyler… I don’t need or want a husband—one with or without a title or money.
” She emphasized her words by jabbing him with that delicate finger with each word.
He swiped her finger from his chest with a push of his hand.
“Yet, you were at the Black Widow’s seeking a husband, so it’s entirely plausible you are desperate.
And for my sister-in-law to play such a game with my affections, by making me decide to court you?
” He paused. “How am I to know that you and Patience didn’t engage Dawkes to deepen this deception?
Though the bang on the head was a bit over the top.
” He touched his stitches with his fingertips.
“Yet I daresay it gave you an excuse to play the nursemaid and put you in the light of a doting, caring wifely sort. I was very nearly fooled. Well played, madam.”
She took a step back, aghast. “What kind of villainess do you think I am?”
“A skilled one, apparently. An actress, even.” He made a face.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that my mother put you up to this.
She and my sister-in-law have been after me since I returned from the war to marry.
And apparently, they’ll stop at nothing to make sure it happens.
” He stepped forward menacingly, causing Violet to step back, away from the heat radiating from his body.
If this had happened the moment he arrived without any accusations, she might have wrapped her arms around him begging for a kiss.
But their situation had now all changed.
The happiness she had felt but moments before was now crushed by a man who obviously didn’t trust her.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t know your mother.
And Patience would never be so duplicitous.
Nor would I,” she replied, returning behind the desk and slowly sliding back down into the chair before her knees once again buckled.
The sound of echoing footsteps on the marble flooring announced that someone was coming down the hallway and stopped any further discussion between them since the door remained opened.
Asher came into the room and clapped his arm on his brother’s shoulder. “This is a most unexpected surprise, Gideon. What brings you here this early in the morning?”
Gideon nodded in Violet’s direction. “Who is she?”
“You must know her. Didn’t you meet her at Patience and my wedding? Her cousin, Violet,” Asher said with a chuckle of amusement.
“I hardly had the opportunity to rub shoulders with half the people in such a crush and if you recall, I left early since I had one of my headaches. But I certainly would have remembered her,” Gideon said turning harsh green eyes towards her.
Why was he so miffed at her? She was the one who should be voicing her anger!
“Then let me remedy the situation now with an introduction.” Asher went to offer his hand to Violet.
The good manners her parents had instilled in her since her youth told her she must oblige the earl as he brought her to stand once more before his brother.
“Gideon… may I present Miss Violet Barnet… Patience’s cousin. ”
A scowl rushed across Gideon’s brow before a curse left his lips.
“Of course. The same cousin the two of you have been trying to fix me up with since I returned from France?” His voice sounded like he was hurt as though everyone had been plotting against him.
He took a menacing step toward Asher and Violet.
“Did you pay Mrs. Dove-Lyon to match us together?”
Asher stepped forward and held up his hands to stop Gideon’s advancement. “What the bloody hell are you talking about, Gideon? Patience had her own plans for her cousin’s future but to my knowledge you weren’t a part of them where the Black Widow of Whitehall was concerned.”
“You say that, but I think it was much too coincidental that Violet just happened to fall into my sight,” Gideon said, giving her another glare that was filled with mistrust.
Asher looked between the two of them before placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “No one was conspiring against you, Gideon. You know how Mrs. Dove-Lyon operates. She keeps everything a secret until she deems it the right time and place to reveal everything to her clients.”
Gideon rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t trust any of you,” he replied, his voice low and dripping with disdain.
Violet had had enough of all this nonsense.
If he couldn’t trust her on the most basic of manners and respecting her thoughts, then they would never make a well-formed match.
“I will take my leave to allow the two of you to squabble over family matters,” she said somberly.
She raised her tormented gaze to meet Gideon’s.
“As for you and I, I believe our conversation prior to your brother’s arrival proved there is no reason to proceed with our previous plans of trying to see if we might suit.
Consider my interest withdrawn, Captain Tyler. ”
Violet couldn’t misinterpret Asher’s surprise at her words as she began to leave the room. He gently placed his hand at her elbow as she attempted to move past him halting her progress from leaving with what remained of her dignity.
“Violet… please reconsider your decision if you have any regard for my brother. He sometimes speaks before thinking clearly when his feelings are involved, especially since returning from the war.” Asher spoke in a quiet tone and with what appeared as a hopeful expression even as Gideon, who obviously heard his brother, made a disgruntled, insulted huffing sound behind him.
She shook her head before peering past Asher to look at Gideon.
His face held a myriad of conflicting emotions that raced across his features.
Insult, anger, and then, perhaps, sheepishness and contrition.
But no, anything he might say would come too late.
She had seen a glimpse of his true character.
He didn’t trust her no matter what, and trust was the foundation of any relationship.
“I’ve had my say.” Her voice cracked with disappointment and if she didn’t leave right away, her real feelings for the captain would give way, with a flood of tears and sobbing breaths. “Please excuse me.”
She all but ran from the room even as Asher’s voice rose as he began to berate his brother.
She didn’t wait around long enough to hear Gideon’s reply.
Instead, she fled up to her room closing the door as if shutting away any thoughts of falling in love.
Such emotions had been fleeting and she needed to erase the memory of a man who had crushed her heart.
She had known her feelings for him were too good to be true.
She had just plopped face down onto her bed when a knock sounded at her door. It wasn’t until she raised her head from her pillow when the door opened and she saw Patience that the flood of tears she had held in check let loose.
Her cousin rushed to her side. “Violet… what happened?”
“Oh, Patience…” Her voice failed her and she could do nothing but sob.
Her cousin pulled Violet into her arms and after some time of crying onto Patience’s shoulder, she began to tell her everything that had happened. How could something so good suddenly become her worse nightmare?