Page 28 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
Carlisle shook his head. “Better not. I need to keep my senses in case we get word that my brother has caught up with her.”
“He is pursuing her?” Vaughan asked.
“Yes. Violet wrote that they were bound for Gretna Green. Unfortunately, they had a head start, and if Graham has not caught up with them yet, then I fear he’ll be too late.”
Vaughan dropped onto his chair, ignoring the slosh of brandy over his fingers. What the hell had happened?
Violet Carlisle was supposed to be his perfect society bride. She’d given every impression of being a practical—if someone frivolous—young lady who would gladly marry a title, produce an heir, and be a hostess that would make him proud.
He’d never have dreamed she was addle-headed enough to jilt a duke.
“How long has she been gone?” he asked.
Carlisle twisted the brandy glass between his fingers. “She left two nights ago and sent word of her plans the next day. Graham departed as soon as possible after we heard of her destination. If he’d found her, he’d have sent word urgently, so I can only assume he’s been unsuccessful.”
“You cannot be certain.” Vaughan didn’t know why he was attempting to comfort the earl other than the fact that he looked utterly miserable.
Carlisle shrugged. “Either way, I felt that you had a right to know. Even if we retrieve her, I understand it’s extremely unlikely you’ll wish to go through with the wedding.”
That was an understatement. The only benefit of taking a wife—other than securing an heir—was to have someone who could smooth his way in social situations. When she returned, Violet Carlisle would be disgraced. She would be useless in the role no matter how nice her manners were.
“Why did she do it?” Vaughan asked. “Was she unhappy with our match?”
Carlisle scowled. “Who knows why young girls do anything.” He rubbed his temples. “She seemed pleased. She’s been sayingsince we left Essex that she wanted to marry a wealthy man with a title—preferably not someone in their dotage. In that respect, you’re perfect for her.”
Exactly what Vaughan had thought.
“Her sister put ideas about love into her head,” Carlisle said. “Emma wants to marry for love, and I didn’t deter her because she has sense enough not to do something like this. Unfortunately, Violet was obviously more susceptible to Emma’s influence than we believed.”
“Ah.” He should have known that Lady Emma would have something to do with this. From now on, he’d not only steer clear of women who wanted love, but their blasted sisters too.
He sipped his brandy. “I didn’t know she was well acquainted with Mr. Mayhew, although I did see them speaking at the Mayhew poetry reading a few days ago.”
Carlisle crossed his legs. “Then you know more than I do. My wife informed me that she danced with him twice at the Hampstead ball, but that was the first time she’d seen them together other than when they were introduced.”
Had they been sneaking around? Hot, unpleasant emotions swirled in Vaughan’s gut. Had Violet accepted his proposal knowing she cared for another?
Bloody fickle women. Not one of them could be trusted. If her affections had already been engaged by Mayhew, and yet she’d accepted Vaughan’s proposal, it was a miracle that the other man had been able to see past her actions. Vaughan would not have been so forgiving.
“The wedding is off,” Vaughan said. “There’s no way around it.”
Carlisle sighed. “I thought you’d say that.”
Vaughan considered pouring himself another brandy, but he didn’t want to become sozzled in the middle of the day even if he had every right to.
All of this because of love.
Some people thought love was beautiful, but Vaughan knew it was ugly. Love was nothing more than a way for one person to hold another poor soul in their thrall.
“All I can say in response is that I am incredibly sorry,” Carlisle said. “I had no idea my foolish daughter would do this. I apologize for the inconvenience and for the stir it will no doubt cause—if it hasn’t already.”
“I don’t hold you responsible, for what it’s worth,” Vaughan said, although it would have been nice if Carlisle had kept a closer eye on his daughter. “I can’t say all of the ton will agree.”
“I appreciate that more than you know.” Carlisle rose. “I’ll leave you now. Once again, you have my most sincere apologies.”
He showed himself out.
Vaughan sat at his desk, staring into space. His mind whirred, the repercussions of Violet’s reckless actions ricocheting through it.
