Chapter 31
The carriage arrived at Great Russell Street and stopped before the door of number forty-five.
Lillian alighted without waiting for the help of the driver, lightly leaping to the pavement and then hurrying indoors.
Violet took the driver’s hand and carefully stepped down.
She paid the man and then walked, more sedately, into the house.
None of the tasks before her seemed appealing.
The only one task that she wished to do was the only one she could not.
She wished to get back into the carriage and go in search of Alexander.
I want to run away with him. Elope and find somewhere a long way from London and England.
Somewhere that we can be together and not be concerned with the petty machinations of the so-called gentry.
They are worse than cave-dwelling primitives sometimes.
The mess that we twist ourselves into according to the whims of the Ton!
Inside, after divesting herself of her bonnet and coat, she saw Uncle George putting his head out of the door of the library.
“Violet, the very person. Come in here for a moment, would you?” he said.
Lillian could be seen disappearing around the corner of the stairs. She had clearly run straight in and up the stairs without speaking to her father. Her hat lay on the floor beside the hat stand where it had fallen unobserved. Violet picked it up and replaced it, hand lingering on it for a moment.
Dear Lillian, I pray that one day soon you will see that what I have done is for the best. That I do not hurt you out of cruelty.
“Of course, Uncle George,” Violet said.
She recalled how their last conversation had ended and was surprised at the light, almost casual manner of his address to her.
I will apologize and claim my earlier behavior was feminine silliness.
That will appeal to his essentially chauvinistic heart.
Then I must write to Lord Godstone and request a meeting.
There is nothing for it but to confront him with my mother’s journal and ask the question outright. Are you my father?
She entered the library, deep in thought. Uncle George had seated himself and was turning an envelope over in his hands.
“Take a seat, my girl. And let me say first that everything that was said earlier is forgotten. No need for forgiveness as it is forgotten as though it never happened.”
He beamed at her and she hesitated before taking a chair opposite him.
“That is very gracious of you, Uncle George. I was about to apologize…”
“No need. Actions speak louder than words, do they not?”
“Which actions are you referring to?” Violet asked, glancing at the envelope that Uncle George still held.
“I do not know, I am sure. But, this missive that was handed to me by a certain person after I had completed my peregrination through the division lobby today, speaks volumes for the actions of a certain Lady.”
He used the envelope to point at Violet, then he winked. Violet frowned, perplexed. She wondered if the envelope was from Alexander. But then if it had been, Uncle George would probably have disposed of it, unopened, in the fire. So, who?
“And who is the missive from?” Violet asked.
“Lord Ambrose Devereaux of Godstone,” Uncle George said, “and it is for you.”
He leaned forward and placed the envelope on a small occasional table between them.
Then, as though unable to contain himself, he stood and strode to the fire, presenting his hands to it to warm them.
Violet stared at the envelope as though it were a venomous snake.
It was as though Ambrose had seen into her mind, preempting her action.
Does this letter contain the confirmation of my suspicions?
“Why should Lord Godstone be writing to me?” Violet said, not picking up the envelope.
“Why? Why should he not? He is a distinguished man and a pillar of our great Parliament. A future Prime Minister I would say. The Whigs are done. At the next election the Tories will carry the Commons, I’ll be bound. And who else to lead them but Godstone. I can think of no-one finer.”
“But, that does not explain why he should wish to communicate with me,” Violet persisted.
“Why does a gentleman ever wish to communicate with a Lady. When they are both unmarried? Why else other than to seek an alliance!”
George was practically bouncing on his heels, hands clasped behind his back and with his back to the fire.
“An alliance?” Violet said, still not ready to pick up or read the letter.
“An alliance of politics! Lord Godstone has made it very clear to me that my allegiance is regarded as essential to the Tory cause. Very flattering of course.”
Violet couldn’t help but smile. Her Uncle had never paid much attention to politics, rarely going to Parliament, or participating in debates or votes. Godstone had clearly been flattering him to get as many votes as he could.
“I know. It is exciting and thrilling, is it not?” Uncle George enthused, seeing Violet’s smile.
He resumed his seat but sat on the edge, hands clasped between his knees.
“Well? Are you going to open it?” he asked.
Violet took a deep breath and reached for the envelope. As she broke the wax seal that held it closed, the door to the library opened and Lillian came into the room.
“Father, I should like to ask you something…” she said.
“Yes, yes, yes my dear. But wait a moment. Violet has a very important letter to read and I am keen to hear its contents,” George said, waving a hand to Lillian dismissively.
Lillian stopped in the middle of the room.
“Indeed? A letter from whom?” she asked in a voice devoid of emotion.
Violet hesitated and Uncle George leaped into the breach. “Why, from Lord Godstone! And I sincerely hope it marks the beginning of a close alliance between our two houses.”
Lillian’s eyes were cold as she stared at Violet. Cheeks flushing brightly, Violet held her cousin’s stare.
I am doing nothing wrong and one day you will see it. I hope you do not hate me too much in the meantime.
“What does he say?” Lillian asked.
Violet sighed and unfolded a creamy, thick piece of paper.
The handwriting was elegant and the signature at the bottom elaborate and extravagant.
The crest of the Godstones, a tower beneath a cross, was inscribed at the bottom of the letter.
Violet’s eyes filled with tears as she read the few lines written there.
Tears because she knew those words were the death knell for her relationship with Lillian.
She will believe herself betrayed. She will think that I have seen her take an interest in a man and have poached him for myself.
“Well? Read it out!” Uncle George said impatiently.
Violet began to read aloud.
“My dear Lady Violet. There is a matter that must be discussed between us at your earliest opportunity. It is a subject that has long been between us, though you did not know of it. I must confess that I have been aware of you for a long time, though have not spoken. That must now change and I must reveal to you the nature of my feelings toward you. I shall be at my house from three o’clock this afternoon and available to you.
I urge you to come to me at the address above.
Ambrose”
Violet sat back, a hand to her brow and eyes closed. She heard Lillian leave the room and felt the letter taken from her hand by Uncle George.
“By God! This is everything that I could hope for! I don’t know what is wrong with Lillian, by the way. You would think she would be excited for you. Perhaps she is envious. And with good reason, I should say!”
“I shall go to him at once and see what it is he wants to discuss,” Violet said without emotion.
“Yes, yes, yes. I shall send a maid to help you dress,” Uncle George added.
“I shall go as I am,” Violet said, standing.
“Nonsense. You must make a good impression,” Uncle George insisted. “That rogue Lorchester may not have cared what you looked like but Lord Godstone…is a different class of man altogether.”
“I shall go as I am and leave forthwith,” Violet said firmly.
Uncle George glanced at her face and did not press the matter any further.
“Very well. I shall have a cab summoned for you. Shall I accompany you?”
“That will not be necessary, Uncle George. I am sure Lord Godstone can be trusted to behave as a gentleman,” Violet replied.
She took her leave, walking to the front door, followed by Uncle George who was calling for a servant.
At least one task will be completed. I shall discover if Ambrose is my father. If he is not and this really is a romantic overture, I shall endeavor to steer him to Lillian. That is the least I can do. And I shall go back to being alone.