Page 45 of Beyond Her Manner
“It’s the event of the yea — was the event of the year, I mean,” Gillian replied, her voice trailing off as she corrected herself with a hint of frustration.
Viola caught the solemn look on Gillian’s face. She didn’t want people to miss out on something meaningful to them. She also couldn’t face organising it. “Is there nowhere else it can be held?” she asked, trying to offer a practical solution.
Gillian sighed, her gaze dropping to the crunchy gravel underfoot. “There is nowhere spacious enough, and I don’t think it would have quite the same feel were it not to be held at the manor. It’s more than a location; it’s about the tradition and the memories tied to it.”
Viola nodded; she could understand that.
“The last party I organised was a bit unruly,” she said, sticking her hands into her pockets.
“So I heard. A summer ball has a better class of attendees. It’s all very civilised.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start with a ball.”
“Is that the issue, organising it? You aren’t opposed to the concept?”
“I’m not opposed to the idea of anything if people ask rather than demand or assume.” Viola noticed Gillian tilting her head in acknowledgement as they walked along the path towards the stable. “I only threw the housewarming party to feel less lonely.It didn’t exactly require much organising. I asked Mrs Johnson to put on a buffet and order drinks; a friend was the DJ. I put the word out to some friends and acquaintances, and they put the word out to theirs, it seems. You heard the rest.”
“There is far more planning than that required for a ball, and anyway, I thought you came here for a bit of peace.”
“There is a difference between peace and loneliness.”
“They’ve always been much the same to me,” Gillian replied softly. “Until recent weeks anyway.”
Viola stole a glance at Gillian and noticed a smile twitching at the corners of her lips. What did Gillian mean by that? Was she insinuating that since they were spending more time together, she felt at peace but not lonely? Viola’s heart squeezed until she realised it couldn’t be that. As desperate as she was to ask, she refrained. She was happy to push Gillian in some respects; that comment, however, felt too personal to intrude on. Instead, she decided on something she knew would bring an even bigger smile to the woman’s face.
“If I agree to a ball, would you organise it? It’s way beyond me, and I can’t help thinking the role of lady of the manor is far more suited to you than me anyway.”
Gillian’s eyes shimmered as they approached Dudley, whose head was poking out of his stall door.
“It is. I mean, it’s all I’m qualified and equipped for, and I’d like my job back.”
“Is that a yes then?” Viola clarified.
“Yes,” Gillian answered, her eyes crinkling as a smile swept across her face.
It made Viola’s heart squeeze again.What was that?
Gillian turned away from Viola, putting her attention back on Dudley. Viola suspected she didn’t want her to see the joy on her face. The woman seemed intent on hiding all her emotions, even the good ones.
“Are you sure it’s not too late to organise everything? Summer is practically here.”
“Not for me. I can organise a ball in my sleep.”
Viola believed that. She copied Gillian in how she touched the bridge of Dudley’s nose. Not having grown up around horses, she was unfamiliar with them and found them a little intimidating.
Dudley appeared gentle enough, though, and she watched in awe as he rubbed his muzzle affectionately against Gillian’s shoulder. He seemed enamoured with her, and Viola found herself beginning to feel the same way.
“There’s just the four stalls?” Viola asked, taking them in and immediately noticing they looked a bit worse for wear. She hadn’t paid them much attention when she chewed Gillian’s ear off about the planning officer.
“Yes. You could hire the others out and make an income. The structure needs a bit of work first, though.”
“How lax of the previous owner,” Viola teased.
Gillian narrowed her eyes at her and then smiled. “There is good money to be made from livery. Jonathon was never in favour of it. It was part of my plan for the estate when he died. There’s room for eight stalls if you convert the garages. Subject to planning, of course.”
“I wouldn’t wish to upset the neighbours; they are very sensitive to change,” Viola said with a playful twitch of her head.
“Ha,” Gillian retorted, pulling two carrots from the bag, which she placed at her feet to stop Dudley nosing further into it. “Here.”
