Page 15 of The Gentleman Was Right
Mrs. Eggington swept into the room, an overflowing tray balanced in her hands. As she placed it on the table, Edward couldn’t help wondering why he hadn’t considered seeking a wife before.
It truly was the perfect solution.
Maybe, just maybe, fate had compelled him to wait for Violet.
ChapterFive
Violet must have taken leave of her senses. She had revealed her greatest folly to Edward as if they were intimate acquaintances, and then, after Mrs. Eggington brought in a tray heaping with libations, Violet had poured him a cup of tea and nibbled on a biscuit while she allowed him to steer the conversation to the villagers.
Absolute madness.
To make matters even worse, she was currently in her bedchamber dressing for dinner. She was going to go back down the stairs and share a meal with the man who had offered to marry her as if it wasn’t a life-altering decision.
A knock sounded at her door, and knowing it was her sister, she called, “Come in.”
Isabelle slid into the room, her bottom lip between her teeth and a wrinkle between her brows. “What was that about? Why did you allow us to join him for tea? Why are we staying when you said we wouldn’t? Why did you tell him the truth? Are you actually considering his proposal?”
“I…he…” She had no answer other than—“he didn’t technically propose.”
Isabelle’s brow shot up. “Then why’d you call him daft?”
“Fine.” She groaned. “He offered to marry me, but I cannot accept.”
“Then why are we still here?”
“I don’t know.” She was as baffled by her behavior as Isabelle seemed to be.
Edward had appeared genuinely concerned for her welfare, and she’d been so taken aback that she hadn’t been able to resist telling him part of the truth.
“You confirmed we were of no relation,” Isabelle said as she sank onto the bed. “You gave him every reason to expel us from his brother’s property or worse, and when I expressed an interest in staying, you rejected it out of hand. But then, instead of leaving, you told him about your betrothal and refused his offer of marriage. I could hardly believe it when you stayed at the table and poured his tea. I have to repeat my initial question, why are we still here?”
“I promised we’d accompany him to the assembly tomorrow.” Violet grimaced. That was not an explanation that made sense. “I’m sorry. I don’t know…you’re right…we should go. We should have left already, I just?—”
“No.” Isabelle held up her hand. “That isn’t what I’m suggesting. I’m simply confused and need you to explain. What are we going to do next? What is your plan?”
“I don’t know.” She pressed her fingers into her forehead. She didn’t have any answers, and Isabelle had every right to question her decisions, especially now when they made no sense. “I can’t…the sane part of me is screaming for us to leave, but something is stopping me.”
“Edward is exceedingly handsome,” Isabelle noted.
“He is,” Violet agreed. It would do no good to deny it.
“More handsome than Basil.”
“Perhaps.” It wasn’t a useful comparison, as they were both excessively attractive. Although—“I don’t believe it is his beauty that causes me to linger.”
Isabelle’s eyebrow shot up. “Oh.”
“Oh indeed.” Violet stared out the window at the sea, which was barely discernible with the light of the moon hidden behind clouds. She had not realized until she had spoken that something beyond his looks was causing her to hesitate. “He knows nothing of us except for what he’s seen since he arrived and what I have told him, and yet he offered his help and then his name. It’s hard to fathom, but he might be the antithesis of Basil.” She paused, trying to explain her erratic decision-making to herself as much as to Isabelle. “Although in some ways he is so similar—he listens when he chooses to and ignores me when it suits him.”
“I like him,” Isabelle stated. “He seems trustworthy. Like he’d make an admirable husband.”
Violet tipped her head forward against the cold glass. “We hardly know him, and you know as well as I do that assuming a man is trustworthy is foolhardy. I can’t believe you sided with him and that you actually think I ought to consider his offer.”
“I want you to be happy. You cannot be happy unless you’re able to escape Basil entirely.”
“Escaping Basil is only the first step.” She turned to look at her sister. “You really think Edward would make me happy?”
“Maybe.” Isabelle paused. “At least you’re not furious with him. You don’t detest him, and he hasn’t betrayed you. You’d be less unhappy with him.”
