Page 157 of The Sisters of Sea View
“Not at all.” He hesitated, then in a voice low and husky said, “Come here. Please.”
She stared at him, then walked slowly, warily forward.
He thrust out his hand toward her. His large, masculine hand.
Viola looked from it to his face and found his arresting, uneven gaze fixed on hers.
She swallowed and laid her hand in his.
He said nothing, only clasped her hand, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, and continued to regard her in solemn silence.
Tears heated her eyes and began to flow, and she was powerless to stop them.
While Viola relished the comfort she had received from her visit with the major, it did not erase the feelings of betrayal and resentment that rankled her.
After reading to Mrs. Denby the next day, Viola retrieved the post on her way home. When she reached Sea View, she marched into the library, tossed the bills onto the desk, and turned without a word.
Emily called after her, “What’s wrong? You are stomping around here like Georgiana on a mission. What is the problem?”
Viola turned back. “I am, apparently.”
“What do you mean? I thought things were better between us.”
“So did I, briefly.”
“Did I say something to upset you? You are so terribly easy to offend, it’s difficult to know. I admit I have said hurtful things in the past, but I sincerely don’t know what I have done wrong now.”
Viola walked closer. “I overheard you and Sarah talking. Blaming me for not only Charles breaking things off, but also for injuring all of my sisters’ reputations and prospects.”
Emily stared, mouth ajar, looking sincerely flummoxed. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t bother denying it. I heard you!”
“When was this?”
“Yesterday. I came to Sarah’s room and heard you from outside the door.”
“Oh!” Emily breathed. “I had just received a letter. Oh, Vi. We were not talking about you.”
“Come, I heard you. Sarah called me a ‘disgrace,’ a ‘proof offamily weakness.’ And you said, ‘Who will willingly connect themselves with our family?’”
“We were not talking about you, I promise.”
“How can you expect me to believe that? You have long resented me, and made it quite clear you thought I was at least part of the reason Charles distanced himself from our family.”
“I know I did. And I was wrong. Completely wrong. It wasn’t because of you, it was because of Claire.”
“Claire?” Viola felt incredulity pucker her face. “Because she decided to move to Scotland and become a lady’s companion? I know it reflects poorly—if accurately—on our financial situation, but it is still an acceptable role for a gentleman’s daughter. Surely nothing to deserve criticisms like ‘disgrace,’ or ‘a false step.’”
“I didn’t know either, but Claire didn’t go to Scotland to become a companion, at least not entirely. She went because she thought she had no other choice.” Emily went on to explain the few particulars she knew. “Lord Bertram convinced her to elope with him after that house party. But somewhere along the way he changed his mind and deserted her, leaving her reputation—should it become known—in tatters.”
“Lord Bertram?” Viola repeated, thinking back.
Anger darkened Emily’s face. “I still can’t believe I danced with that man! Had I known...”
“And you think Charles learned of it? And that’s why he withdrew?”
“Sarah thinks so. It certainly aligns with the timing of his change toward us.”
