Chapter Twenty-Two
Violet’s nerves were stretched to their limits.
The very thought that Gideon had traveled from London to see her to make amends should have told her much and yet, she should not forgive him so easily.
The day had lasted forever and she was thankful that she had been so busy with customers that she had barely had time to think of his handsome face and what he continued to do to her heart.
One chance encounter and here she was, more in love with him than ever before.
How would she ever get over her feelings for him if he showed up here at Bracknell?
She had sworn to forget Gideon. Now he was going to make that impossible if he refused to leave town.
What was she going to do to protect her heart?
But… what if? She braced her hands on the counter while her emotions conflicted with what her heart was telling her if she’d only take time to listen.
Could she forgive the harsh words he had accused her of at her cousin’s townhouse so easily?
She supposed that since he’d wasted little time in following her to Bracknell could speak volumes of his sincerity to right the wrong he had done.
Perhaps she shouldn’t have been so quick to dismiss his words.
Even Asher’s voice continued to run through her mind when he all but begged her to give his brother another chance.
Could she? Right at this very moment, she wasn’t so sure.
The instant she had encountered him outside the apothecary, her feelings had escalated to the point she had found it hard to breathe.
That, in itself, should have told her everything she needed to know.
So why wasn’t she listening to that small voice inside her head?
She finished putting away the last of the supplies she had been working on and realized it was later than she had thought.
Night had fallen and she should head home to find whatever supper she could manage to make that she might be able to swallow.
She shook her head and instead decided to walk over to the Raven for a meal.
It would be easier than trying to scrape something together at home.
She knew there wasn’t much there for her to put together.
Her mind made up, she wiped her hands on a towel, grabbed her reticule from under the counter and went to don her redingote.
Once she had buttoned her coat, she took out the key to her shop, opened the door then locked it behind her once she had stepped outside.
It was a short walk to the coaching inn and as she entered, the sounds of merriment from its patrons filled the tavern.
She saw her brother and parents at one of the tables and went to join them, thankful she wouldn’t have to eat alone. She slid onto the bench next to Owen.
Her brother pushed a platter of still-warm bread in her direction. “Eat up, sister. We’ve been expecting you and our meal should be on the way,” Owen said as Violet reached for a knife and sliced off a piece of the bread. Her mother gave her a container holding butter.
“How did you know I’d come here?” she asked with an amused smile as she slathered the creamy butter on the bread then sighed in pleasure as she took a bite.
Her mother patted her hand from across the table. “Since you just returned from London, it wasn’t hard to figure out you hadn’t had time to properly stock your larder.”
Violet shrugged. “I could have easily gone to the Black Lion instead.”
“You like the food here better,” her father replied as he took a sip of his ale but it was his scrutinizing glare that had her frowning. What she had done to earn his displeasure this time?
She had never been one to not speak her mind so now she voiced her concerns.
“Since I haven’t been home long, I can only ponder what has you so upset with me,” she said, folding her hands in her lap.
Her eyes went to each of her relatives before then came to rest on her brother. “Well? What have I done?”
“It’s not what you’ve done that has us concerned,” Owen said, scowling.
“Then what is going on that I’m not aware of?” she asked, still concerned by the look that was passing between her parents before leveling them on her brother.
“Why is some London gent following you here?” her father finally inquired with another grim expression. “It’s not proper.”
Violet turned on the bench to stare down her brother. “You told them?”
Owen muttered a curse into his tankard as he took another gulp. “And our uncle and aunt. The family should be aware what’s going on with you and why you made such an abrupt change of plans to return home.”
Father leaned forward. “Did he…” he looked around to ensure no one would overhear him, “take advantage of you?”
Violet held back a gasp. “Of course not! How could you think I would allow something like that to happen to me?”
“Things happen whether they’re welcome or not.” Her father leaned back and reached for his tankard of ale. “What other reason, then, could you possibly have for your hasty return home if you’re not returning in disgrace?”
Her mother, Beatrix, patted her husband’s arm as though to calm him down. “Now, now, Harry dear … let’s not say anything you might regret come the morning.”
“Well, someone needs to ask these questions since Owen filled us in on the situation,” Harry grumbled.
Owen set down his mug. “I’m not entirely certain there is a situation that needs to be addressed. You need to calm down, Father.”
“Calm down?” Harry grimaced with clenched teeth. “How am I supposed to calm down when my daughter’s reputation is at stake?”
Violet was now the one to lean forward to get her point across to her family. “This is hardly the place to discuss such a private matter, Father. Can’t we discuss this at your home or mine?”
“I knew she should have never gone to London. It’s bad enough we’ve allowed her to live on her own on the edge of town,” her father fumed again. “She should still be living with us at our house where we can keep a better eye on her, Beatrix. This is all your fault.”
“You’re being over dramatic, Harry,” her mother counseled. “We’ve trusted our daughter to lead an exemplary lifestyle. Nothing has changed on that account.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Violet said, thankful that at least one member of her family trusted her to care for herself.
“She cares for the gentleman,” Owen all but shouted out for the entire tavern to hear. She supposed he was trying to mitigate their father’s concerns.
“I never said such a thing!” she retaliated.
Owen gave her one of his I know you better than you think looks with one raised brow and a cocky smirk. “You didn’t have to. One glance on your face when I interrupted the conversation between the two of you this morning was enough to tell me all I needed to know.”
“You were alone with him?” her father asked, gripping the handle of his tankard.
“At the apothecary,” she quickly stated, stressing her point.
“Why are you questioning me about how I run the business or my life? This has never been an issue in the past. If you’ve forgotten, I am alone all the time with customers who come in to purchase something to heal whatever ailments they may have.
And you know how often I go to people’s homes when they are incapable of coming to the shop. ”
“But this hardly applies to someone who has a hidden agenda for you,” Father replied, as his face became redder while he attempted to hold in his rising anger.
“There is no hidden agenda from Captain Tyler,” Violet answered, trying to hold back her own sense of frustration that was growing from this conversation.
“Captain Tyler?” Beatrix whispered.
“Yes. He’s Patience’s brother-in-law. The captain merely came here to apologize for a misunderstanding which occurred between us.”
Beatrix’s eyes widened at the news. “Then he’s family and can be trusted.”
Harry wagged his finger toward his wife.
“Not where my daughter is concerned.” He then glared at Violet, who was about to voice another opinion, but one look into his eyes and she instead clamped her mouth shut.
“As for you, young lady, until I’ve met him and given my approval, you will stay away from Captain Tyler and you certainly won’t be alone with a man you aren’t married to! ”
Owen cursed beneath his breath. “Then here’s your opportunity, Father, because the captain just walked in.”
Violet jerked her head upwards before her fingers touched her parted lips in surprise.
Gideon had indeed strolled into the tavern, looking far too handsome for her wellbeing.
Was it her imagination or did his eyes seem to brighten once their gazes locked together making time once again come to a standstill?
He gave a short nod and began walking in her direction. There was no place for her to hide. But what was truly shocking was that Owen began introductions to their parents and then ordered him a drink from a passing servant.
What followed was even more troubling.
“Move over, Violet, so Captain Tyler can join us,” Beatrix declared as Owen slid over on the bench to make room for an extra person.
Violet did as she was told and she could not mistake the rapid beating of her heart once Gideon was seated next to her.
Nor could she easily dismiss how her father appeared about to explode before Mother once again placed her hand on his arm.
Gideon turned slightly toward her. “Hello again, Miss Barnet.”
“Good evening, Captain Tyler,” Violet managed to mutter, not trusting herself to give more than a casual reply.
“Welcome to Bracknell, Captain Tyler,” her mother continued.
Gideon again nodded. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Barnet.” He turned his gaze toward her father. “You as well, Mr. Barnet. I was hoping to speak to you tomorrow and was going to seek you out at the mercantile. My cousin Patience told me this is where I could find you.”
A huff of displeasure left Harry’s lips. “Should have been the first thing you did once you came riding into town.”
“Yes sir, and I apologize for my bad manners and not speaking to you before I saw your daughter. Given how lovely she looks this evening, I’m sure you can understand how I could easily lose my head,” Gideon declared with a warm smile.
“What a lovely thing to say, Captain Tyler,” Beatrix murmured. “Isn’t that a nice compliment, Violet?”
Did it somehow feel as though a hundred eyes had turned upon her besides those sitting at their table?
She glanced around the room and she wasn’t too far off the mark.
The volume of conversations had clearly dimmed and everyone appeared to be taking interest in the newcomer to town.
And then she heard the start of whisperings by those nearby and how they began to mock the fact that a scar ran down Gideon’s face.
She took a glance at him but he appeared as though he either hadn’t heard their terrible words—which she herself would find hard to dismiss—or he simply did not care what others thought of him.
He must have felt her stare for he turned toward her, gave her a smile, and then returned his attention to her parents seated across from them.
“Violet… wasn’t that a nice compliment?” her mother repeated.
Before she could answer, her father spoke up but whether this was a relief or a curse remained to be seen. “And what brings you to our little corner of the world, Captain Tyler?” he asked as his eyes roamed over the man seated next to her.
“I’m afraid I did your daughter an injustice and my hastily spoken words caused an unwanted rift between us. I had hoped that by coming here, I could make amends and we could start again,” Gideon replied as a serving girl brough over an ale for him.
“An unwanted rift? Is that what you’re telling yourself?” Violet sneered before her father threw her a silent glare to remain quiet.
Harry then leveled his gaze on Gideon. “And you didn’t think to speak to me first?” he asked after he took a sip of his drink.
“Again, I must offer my apologies, sir. My plans went awry once I spotted your daughter outside the apothecary. But I would like to remedy my mistake by speaking with your privately.”
Her father gave a grunt and considered Gideon again. “In the morning, then, at the mercantile. My brother’s house is attached and we can have a private conversation there.”
“I welcome the opportunity, Mr. Barnet.” Gideon glanced at her again from the corner of his eye but Violet couldn’t manage even a single word. It appeared she was completely tongue-tied, which had to be a first.
Her mother smiled brightly as a servant began to bring over their meal. She asked that another place setting be brought for Gideon. “Now that such a delicate matter is settled, let’s us enjoy this meal and the company. Captain Tyler can tell us about himself so that we can get to know him better.”
Violet held back a sharp retort and wished she could be excused from the table.
Squished between the two men with her parents across from her, she had no choice but to remain where she was and listen to the conversation revolving around her.
She could only hope she could leave soon in order to get her thoughts together for her next private encounter with Gideon.
She was certain it would be far sooner than she wished.