Page 38 of The Gentleman Was Right
“London isnotyour problem.” Sebastian removed his greatcoat and straightened his cuffs. “Are you sure leaving is the answer?”
Of course he wasn’t. “Perhaps Belinda will accompany me.”
“I highly doubt it. She’s oddly committed to remaining with Emmeline until after the babe is born. I have offered her multiple opportunities to leave, and she has insisted on remaining here with the family.”
“Belinda’s going to remain here that long?” Edward shook his head. “It’ll be months before the babe arrives.”
Sebastian shrugged. “You can ask if she wants to go, just be prepared for her to decline.”
“Belinda hates London,” he mumbled unhappily. He’d had the misfortune of listening to her complain about all manner of things regarding her failed season enough times to know that she greatly preferred the country.
Sebastian shrugged again. “She doesn’t seem to mind it as much now that she isn’t being forced to socialize. Emmeline thinks Belinda craves connection, and since our childhood was not conducive to developing the proper skills for forging relationships, she’s having a hard time figuring out how to go about it.”
Edward frowned. Was Emmeline correct? Was Belinda reaching for something she needed but couldn’t seem to find?
Inadequacy slammed into him, and even though he knew he shouldn’t blame himself, he felt responsible for her struggles. He had tried so hard to be what his family needed.
In spite of his efforts, he couldn’t deny that their childhood had been less than ideal. Their parents had been woefully unloving toward their children. Belinda had been young when their father died, but not so young that she couldn’t remember what it’d been like when he’d been alive. She’d been ignored as much as he and Sebastian had been.
It was curious that it had affected them all so differently. Sebastian had retreated into himself. Edward had attempted to be everything for everyone. And Belinda had lashed out. All of them had struggled to fill the void left by their parents. At least Sebastian had eventually found happiness with Emmeline.
While he and Belinda were still woefully alone.
“You’re serious about allowing Belinda to remain unwed, then? You aren’t going to casually force eligible gentlemen into her sphere?” he asked, as he followed his brother deeper into the house.
“I’m not sure she should remain unwed, but it’s what she wants, and I promised her I would allow her to decide.”
“You won’t try to convince her she’s wrong?”
“Of course not. I have never once introduced her to a man with the intent that she’d marry him.” Sebastian frowned at Edward over his shoulder before he disappeared through the open door at the end of the hallway.
Edward was half a dozen steps behind so he heard Sebastian say—“Belinda”—before he stepped into the room. It took barely a step for him to realize his sister was not alone, and it took precisely two more steps for him to realize who sat across from her.
Violet.
With Isabelle at her side.
His foot hovered over the ground, and his momentum propelled him forward so he almost stumbled. It was uncharacteristically clumsy of him, and he was sure everyone noticed although no one—not even Belinda—pointed it out.
If he’d had a million opportunities, he would never have guessed he’d find Violet conversing with his sister. He had so many questions, but the only thing he could manage to say was, “Is something amiss? Are you well?”
He rushed to her, dropped to his knees, and grabbed her hands. She appeared unharmed, and although her wardrobe had not improved, her hair was tidily knotted at her nape, and her skin radiated health. Her cheeks took on a ruddy hue under his regard, but he wasn’t the slightest bit embarrassed by his behavior even when he noticed Belinda smirking at him.
“I’m…uh…fine,” she responded, in a way that made her sound anything but fine.
“Why are you here? Do you require my assistance?” he demanded far too intensely.
Sebastian cleared his throat, and Edward deeply regretted how much he’d revealed to his family. He might not have given them all the details, but he’d given them enough to make Violet uncomfortable. Especially if she’d spent much time with Belinda.
He gazed into her eyes as if they held all the answers, but her expression told him nothing. What had happened before he’d returned from the club?
He could only imagine what his sister might have told Violet. Or what she might have told Belinda. He’d never live that stolen kiss down. Not in a million years. Belinda would crow about it for the rest of their lives, ruining the memory forever.
Violet swallowed and looked beyond him. “My situation remains unchanged. I returned to London in order to force the matter, but I seemed to have failed spectacularly.”
“Basil is still insisting on marrying you?” he clarified.
Sebastian cleared his throat once again, but Edward ignored him. His brother would have to wait until he knew what Violet needed from him.
