Page 46 of The Gentleman Was Right
“Because he’s been refusing to believe me, and it’s important that he recognizes that I was honest with him from the very beginning. I need him to know he only has himself to blame for my marriage to you.”
“What if he’s angry? You were frightened enough of him to hide in the cottage for months. I don’t want you to be hurt.”
“Basil won’t hurt me,” she assured him. “Not physically at least. It wasn’t fear that made me run.” It pained her to admit, but it wasn’t as if Edward didn’t already know what a mess her life had become. “It was helplessness.”
He squeezed her hand as if he understood. Even before her father died, no one except for Isabelle had cared about her well-being the way Edward seemed to. Once again, she could have pulled away, but she didn’t.
“How can you be sure you’ll be safe?” he asked.
“Because I know him.”
“And you think once you tell him, he’ll leave?”
He didn’t sound skeptical, but that didn’t stop her from getting defensive. “He’s smart enough to know when he’s lost. Also—” This time, she was the one to cut herself off. Under no circumstances did she want to explain that Basil’s charm and kindness were his weapons of choice. The hurt she had received at his hand was an emotional one, and it was too late to protect herself from it, but she didn’t have to reveal it to anyone else.
Edward, hopefully having no idea of the direction of her thoughts, waited patiently for her to continue speaking. When she didn’t, he said, “I’d feel more comfortable if I were on hand in case you require assistance. Perhaps I can wait in the hallway.”
She shook her head. As much as she’d enjoy having a witness to her triumph, she didn’t want it to be Edward. The conversation she intended to have with Basil would reveal far too much about her past. And her choices.Andher mistakes. She couldn’t help wondering whether she ought to have brought Isabelle along instead of leaving her with Edward’s family.
But no, she didn’t require her sister’s support either. She needed to do this on her own.
“You can wait in the foyer. After I speak with Basil, I’ll introduce you, and then he can leave.” She had considered it from every angle and concluded it was unavoidable for them to meet, at least briefly. Basil needed visual evidence that she’d thwarted him.
“If that is what you prefer,” Edward answered softly.
“Thank you.”
Violet both loved and hated that he was willing to let her stand up for herself. She wasn’t used to it, and she didn’t fully understand it. In her experience, men craved control, but Edward didn’t seem to require it.
The carriage lurched to a stop, and she put Edward out of her mind. She would have plenty of time to think of him later. A lifetime, in fact.
Not having the patience to wait for a footman, she leapt out and went directly to the door. Without pausing, she swept into the house and went straight down the hallway to her father’s study.
Unsurprisingly, when she reached the open doorway Basil was elbow deep in paperwork, hunched over her father’s massive desk with his jacket off and his sleeves turned twice to reveal his forearms.
She used to enjoy watching him work, but now the memory chafed. He had loved working for her father more than anything. Together, they’d spend hours poring over ledgers in the study and even more time away from the house. Basil seemed willing to do whatever necessary to secure his position, and he had always shown intense dedication both before and after her father’s passing. More than once, she’d wondered if work was the true love of his life.
When he didn’t acknowledge her entrance, she cleared her throat. His gaze shot up and he pulled his spectacles off, offering her a smile. “Violet dear, how lovely to see you. You’re looking quite fetching today. I’ve always thought lavender suited you exceptionally well.”
She refused to allow his compliments to soften her, so she ignored his words entirely. “I’ve come to inform you that you have until the end of the day to remove yourself from my home.”
He leaned back in her father’s chair, his smile going from warm to indulgent. “Violet, darling. We’ve been over this before, and I have quite a bit of work to finish, so perhaps you can wait and scold me over supper.”
“I shall never dine with you again.”
He sighed. “I don’t see how you’ll avoid it once we’re married. Will you take all your meals in your bedchamber for the rest of your life?”
“I’m not marrying you.” She paused, relishing the power she now held. “Ican’tmarry you because I’m already married.”
He smirked. “Oh really.” He rested his chin on his palm as if she were spinning an amusing tale for his enjoyment. “Do tell.”
She held up her hand, the ring on it clearly visible. “While I was away, I met Mr. Edward Grey, brother to the Earl of Greydon, and he asked for my hand in marriage. At first, I hesitated, but after returning here and learning you were never going to release me from our engagement, I decided to accept his offer. Earlier this morning, we spoke our vows in front of my sister and his family.I am married.”
Basil shot to his feet, eyes locked on her finger. “You cannot be serious.”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
“You promised yourself to me,” he nearly shouted. “We are betrothed. You cannot marry another.”
