Chapter 10
Ten
Much to Violet’s delight, Rose arrived the following morning.
She did so early, well before it was time for Violet to break her fast, but not so early that Violet did not have time to ready herself and Lucy for her arrival.
“Is she really your sister?” Lucy asked nervously as they stood waiting in the foyer. Lucy clutched to Violet’s skirt, and Violet felt the girl trembling.
“She is,” Violet said. “But she is now your sister, too.”
Lucy looked confused. “I… what do you mean?”
Violet laughed as she stroked the little girl’s head. “You understand all that has happened, yes? That His Grace has adopted you, that as his wife, I am your mother.”
Her mother… just to say those words feels strange.
“I do.” Lucy smiled, a touch of excitement behind her eyes. They had discussed all this last evening, but it was clearly still something that she was coming to terms with.
“Well, as Rose is my sister, it makes her your aunt. However, I really do not think that we need to worry about technicalities. As far as I am concerned, she is your aunt, and I just know that she will love you.”
“My aunt…” The word sounded strange on Lucy’s tongue.
“Do you like that?” Violet asked.
Lucy considered the question. She was so young, still so afraid, and all of this was new to her.
What was more, her entire life had been one of struggle, never having her own home, and certainly never having her own family.
To suddenly have everything that she had always been denied was surely terrifying.
To Violet’s relief, Lucy slowly allowed a timid smile. She still trembled. She still clutched to Violet’s skirt. But there was life behind her eyes, even excitement.
“I think so,” she said. “I… yes. I do.”
Violet beamed and she felt the onset of tears forming in her eyes. She sniffed those back; not wanting to cry because that would just confuse the little girl more. For now, it was enough to know that Lucy was at least accepting of all that had happened to her.
And in time, I hope, she will come to understand how loved she is.
Rose arrived a few minutes later.
She swept through the front door, her eyes wide with the thrill of being in such an ostentatious and impressive home. She looked around the large foyer, and she laughed with glee. Then her eyes landed on Violet, and she laughed again.
“Your Grace,” she said with a curtsey. “Thank you for inviting me to your most humble—”
“Oh, stop.” Violet hurried to her sister and wrapped her in her arms. “I might ask that you not make a fool of yourself, but I would not waste my breath.”
“It is too late for that,” Rose laughed. “I mean, look at this place! Look at you!” She pulled back and took her sister in. “One day in, and you already look the part. Dare I say that you rather like being a duchess?”
Violet rolled her eyes. “It matters not to me at all. I did this for us.” A firm nod. “Oh, and for one other, of course…” Violet turned and smiled at Lucy, who stayed back, withdrawn and doing her best to appear small. “Lucy, would you like to meet your aunt?”
“Aunt?” Rose said with delight. “I do like the sound of that.” She then dropped to her knees so that she could better look at Lucy. “My, oh my, Violet told me how pretty you were, but I did not expect you to be this beautiful.”
Lucy’s cheeks colored. “Re—really?”
“And tall,” Rose continued joyfully. “How old are you? Ten? Eleven?”
“No,” Lucy giggled. “I am three.”
“Three?” Rose gasped. “That cannot be right.” She then scowled playfully at Violet. “What have you been feeding this girl?”
Violet had been a little worried about Lucy meeting Rose.
All last night, she had been sure to warm the girl up to the notion, assuring her that Rose was friendly, and that there was nothing to be scared about.
But Lucy was still nervous, it was clear that she might have preferred that Rose not join them at all, and Violet truly feared that they would not get along.
As it turned out, she need not have worried at all.
Rose had always had a way with people. Where Violet could be a little hard to get used to, a bit too honest and raw at times, Rose was the type of person who everyone was immediately drawn to.
And although Lucy was not at the point yet where she would hug Rose, where she would feel comfortable around her, Violet had no doubt that time would come.
“Speaking of eating, I assume you are hungry, Rose?” Violet asked as she went back to Lucy, resting her hand on the girl’s head.
“Famished,” Rose sighed. “I thought to eat earlier, but I also thought to wait. Surely, a home such as this is not one wanting for food?”
Violet grinned at her sister. “Shall we take advantage of the fact?”
“I insist. Lucy?” Rose was still crouched, and she smiled warmly at Lucy. “Are you hungry?”
“I…” Lucy looked at Violet for confirmation, and Violet nodded. “I am,” Lucy said.
“That settles it then.” Rose jumped to her feet. “Let us eat!”
The three of them made their way to the breakfast room.
Once there, Violet took her place at the head of the table; not the very head, the spot reserved for Rhys, but one chair down, on the right. She instructed Lucy to sit beside her, while Rose sat across from them.
As soon as they were seated, a footman hurried to explain that breakfast would be a choice of eggs, toast, ham and pork, as well as fresh fruit. He asked which they wanted, and Rose did not hesitate to answer.
“Everything,” Rose announced. “I want everything.”
Lucy giggled at the way that Rose behaved, seemingly delighted by how energetic and verbose she was. And Violet smiled warmly, feeling the love in that room. She knew at that moment that she had made the right decision to marry Rhys so that she could look after Lucy as well as Rose.
Maybe this was not such a terrible idea after all…
All that changed when Rhys strode into the breakfast room.
“Ah, good,” he said when he saw them all. “You are here. Miss Beaumont,” he greeted Rose with a firm nod as he made for his chair. “I trust your trip here was without incident.”
“It was fine, Your Grace.” Rose immediately dropped the erratic energy that she had carried since entering the room. She sat properly, with poise, and was careful to appear grateful. “And thank you again for helping me with my things, and for allowing me to live here.”
“Not at all,” Rhys said as he sat down. “You are Violet’s sister, and as I have told her many times, this is her home, and now it is yours. Treat it as you would like.”
“I will,” Rose said, again with a sense of reservation.
The mood in the room took a tense turn. Lucy, who had previously been relaxed, sank down in her chair and looked at her empty plate as if worried she might be noticed. Rose said nothing, biting her lower lip, and trying not to look at Rhys while Violet considered the situation and what to do.
Her brief conversation with Rhys yesterday had been a revelation, and now that she knew why he was so eager to adopt Lucy, she was more willing to trust him. At the very least, she was more willing to believe that his motives were pure… that he was not trying to trap her or use her in some way.
But that did not mean that he was necessarily a good person. Nor did it mean that he would do right by Lucy. The best intentions did not always lead down a path of goodwill, and now she found herself wondering what might come next for her, for Lucy, and for this marriage.
“Did you sleep well?” she asked Rhys, determined to at least try and create a less hostile mood.
“I did, thank you. And you?”
“Very well,” she said. “Although this one…” She stroked Lucy’s head, “fidgeted terribly all evening. I think she is still growing used to having such a comfortable bed.”
“She…” Rhys frowned. “She stayed with you?”
“She did.”
Rhys clicked his tongue. “That is… she has her own room. Did Mr. Marrow not show you?”
“He did,” Violet said slowly, surprised by Rhys’ question, as well as his tone. “But she was scared to spend the night alone, so I thought it best that she spend it with me. That is not a problem, is it?”
It clearly was. For some reason, one that Violet could not fathom, Rhys appeared a little annoyed that Lucy had not stayed in her own room, as if it was some sort of personal affront.
“I suppose it is fine, for now,” he said as his brow tightened. “But such things should not continue. Lucy needs to learn that this home is her own, and that she is perfectly safe here. There is no need for her to be frightened.”
“Which she will do in time,” Violet countered, keeping her tone as civil as she could. She also resisted the urge to scowl. “But this is all new to her, and until she becomes accustomed to it, such things should be expected.” She then raised both eyebrows at Rhys.
Across the table, she noticed Rose looking between them.
She could feel the tension rising. She could feel the argument brewing. And while Violet did not mind so much, she was keenly aware of Lucy beside her. As such, she widened her eyes at Rhys and gestured to Lucy, praying he would understand.
He saw it. He grimaced. Then he forced a smile. “I will trust your judgment on this…” Violet breathed a sigh of relief. “For now, Lucy may stay with you. But I do urge that you try and help her settle into her new life. That is, after all, why I—” He caught his tongue.
Violet shook her head at him, then turned and smiled at Lucy. Thankfully, the little girl seemed so eager to be invisible that she did not appear to have heard what they were saying.
“Speaking of settling in.” Rhys cleared his throat. “I have gone ahead and hired a governess for Lucy.”
“You have?” Violet blinked in surprise.
“It is necessary,” he said with sharpness, as if he sensed her argument forming.
“I have also discussed with the governess what I expect. A full nursery schedule has been prepared for her. That includes lessons, meals, daily walks, time for playing, and other activities. You can, of course, speak to the governess yourself, and your input will be valuable and heeded. But Lucy needs structure, and once she has it, I know that she will start to see this place as her home.” He nodded once as if proud of his announcement and even smiled. “Lucy, how does that sound?”
Of course, Lucy said nothing.
Violet looked at the little girl, noting how nervous she was. And while Rhys continued to look at her as if expecting an answer, Violet knew that none was forthcoming.
He cannot be serious? Surely, he knows how absurd he sounds?
“If I might suggest something…” Violet held onto her tone, maintaining calmness. “While I agree that, in time, a governess will be required, for now, I doubt such things are necessary.”
“Of course they are.”
“No,” Violet countered with firmness. “What Lucy needs is comfort. She needs to find her own way, while knowing that if she makes a mistake, we will be there for her. All these rules… she is not used to such things.”
“Which will change.”
“In time,” Violet said sharply. “But there is no rush. We ought to encourage her to discover who she is, how she feels about her new world as she sees fit. And we will be there to help her along the way.”
Rhys’ lip twitched, and she saw him stiffen. “I understand that you wish to nourish her, Violet, and I understand your concern. But what Lucy needs right now is safety and structure. She needs to be shown that she is cared for.”
“She needs love,” Violet said with a hint of frustration. “That is how you show safety.”
“Love is all well and good,” Rhys said through a clenched jaw. “But love does not put food on the table. It does not keep the wolves at bay.”
“What wolves?” Violet laughed mockingly. “Are we under attack?”
“Metaphorically,” he snapped. “You know—” He caught his tongue, groaned, and rubbed his eyes. “You know very well what I mean. I am doing this for Lucy.”
“No,” Violet started before she could help herself. “You are doing this for you. As if you need to prove that you can. As if you need to demonstrate that you are capable of keeping her safe because you could not—” Then it was Violet’s turn to hold her tongue.
As she did, her eyes widened, and she was filled with dread and shame.
She had not finished her thought, but the wounded look on Rhys’ face told her that he knew exactly what she was about to say.
He leaned back as if struck, and the proud, posturing stance he had held onto since joining them disappeared. He slumped down in his chair, defeated.
“Rhys…” Violet tried to find his eyes. “I am sorry, I did not mean…”
“No, no,” he said, speaking over her, but with no real strength. “You are right. I… Forget about the governess, Violet. You do as you think is best. I will likely end up making things worse.”
The tension in the room shifted once again, a most awkward and weighty thing. Rhys looked down at his empty plate, utterly broken and depressed. Lucy sat stiff and terrified, and Violet looked pleadingly at the duke, desperate to apologize, but not knowing what to say.
That was awful, Violet. He is only trying to help!
“Oh good, the food is here,” Rose said suddenly. “I am famished. Lucy…” She laughed awkwardly. “I bet you are too.”
Of course, Lucy said nothing.
Nothing was said as the food was served, but that awkward tension remained. And once the plates were filled and they were left to eat, Rhys suddenly stood.
“I just remembered something,” he said, unable to look at Violet. “I… you three should get to know one another better. I will only get in the way.”
“Rhys…” Violet said, not knowing what to say or how to say it. She just looked at him, praying that he might see how sorry she was.
Besides Violet, Lucy attempted to reach for her plate, but she was too far away from the table. Violet did not notice because she was far too focused on Rhys. That was when Rhys did something that she did not expect.
He stepped around the table, and before walking away, he walked in behind Lucy’s chair. There, he took it by the sides, lifted it effortlessly, and placed her closer to the table.
“There,” he said with a soft smile. “We cannot have you going hungry.” He looked down at her for a moment, the smile holding, even as the sadness behind his eyes drowned him.
And then he left, leaving behind that same awkward tension.
“Well, that was certainly… something,” Rose said as soon as they were alone. “There never is a dull moment with you, Violet. Let that be said.”
“Is he upset?” Lucy asked, which had Violet gasping.
“What? No. Of course not.”
“Good,” Lucy said as she reached for some toast.
Violet sniffed back tears as she watched the little girl eat. To think that from that heated discussion, she had thought to be worried about Rhys. She really was special.
As for Violet? She knew that she had done the wrong thing. Perhaps her intentions were right, but that did not make it any better. The irony too was unmissable; it had been Rhys’ intentions that concerned her, while perhaps she should have been more aware of her own.
I need to do better. And not just for Lucy, but for Rhys, too…