Page 13 of The Gentleman Was Right
“Except I’ll be married.” She swiped at her eyes and made a sound that could have been a laugh. “I amnottrading one husband for another.”
“Ah.” He hadn’t considered that she would be hesitant to marry in general. He should have. His sister Belinda was most vocal about never wishing to marry, and it was unlikely she was the only woman who felt that way. Violet’s circumstances were a bit different than Belinda’s, though. Belinda could rely on him and Sebastian to protect her, but it seemed as if Violet had only herself and her sister for protection. “Do you have a brother?”
“No. Tis only Isabelle and I.”
“Ah.” He nodded slowly. If something were to happen to him and Sebastian, his uncle would assume responsibility for his sisters until they were married. “Do you have a guardian?”
She sniffed. “I do not require a guardian.”
“Who manages your inheritance?”
“Basil. But he isn’t my guardian. He’s just…in charge.”
Married women were under the protection of their husband, daughters their father, sisters their brother. But unmarried women—how did they manage their affairs?
Belinda would probably have some ideas on how a woman could exist without a man. She’d be horrified that he had to ask, but she would delight in offering an explanation. Too bad she was still in London. “Your father’s house and assets. They belong to you?”
“Technically, yes. They are mine.”
“But Basil believes they are his?”
“No. Maybe. Probably not. I don’t know. He intends for us to marry, and in his eyes we are as good as married already, so it doesn’t particularly matter.”
“Even though you’ve told him that you’ve changed your mind?”
She huffed again. “Yes. As I explained, I’ve informed him multiple times, but he doesn’t care.”
“Perhaps I could speak to him on your behalf?”
“Ha.” Her bark of laughter was both harsh and mocking. “Because he will surely release me from our betrothal ifyoutell him I don’t wish to marry him.”
“I only want to help.”
“I don’t require your help. I don’twanthelp. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you in the first place.” She rubbed her forehead with her fingers and quietly murmured, “Why did I tell you? What did I hope to gain?”
She looked frustrated, but he didn’t think it was with him. Perhaps the key to her frustration was the reason she didn’t want to marry Basil. Unfortunately, he couldn’t force her to elaborate. Nor could he force her to accept his help.
“I apologize for overstepping,” he said, aware that he could be too persistent on occasion. He liked fixing problems, and he liked being useful. It wasn’t a character flaw, but when it wasn’t welcome, it wasn’t a strength either.
Before Violet could accept or deny his apology, Isabelle turned and spoke directly to her sister. “You ought to consider his offer.”
He wasn’t sure who was more surprised—him or Violet.
“You cannot be serious,” Violet hissed.
“Are we going to hide forever? What happens when Basil finds us?”
“Isabelle, I…I will figure out a solution. I promise.”
“It isn’t that I doubt you, it’s just…” Isabelle shrugged helplessly.
He hadn’t expected the younger woman’s support, but since it seemed that he had it, he said, “I would be an estimable husband and would treat you with the utmost respect.”
“You’re a benevolent gentleman then? Nothing but goodness and kindness in your heart?” Violet snorted in a most derisive fashion. “You expect me to simply take your word for it?”
It wasn’t as if he had any reason to lie. And he wasn’t being benevolent. Nor was he being kind. He was offering marriage for himself as much as for her, but he had no idea how to explain why he felt such certainty that it was the ideal move for him. It wasn’t as if he’d ever considered it before, and even though he didn’t know if it would help, he attempted to explain, “My brother recently married. He is much happier than he was, and I find myself intrigued by the prospect of having a wife.”
She snorted again. “How lovely for you. And for your brother.”
